Timeline
10:00
Arrive at the National Reptile Zoo when it opens. Spend an hour watching crocodiles, snakes, and giant lizards before the midday rush.
11:30
Walk 13 minutes to The Cup for coffee and a light lunch. It is a short, easy stroll from the zoo and a good place to recharge before the walk into the city.
12:15
Head west toward St Canice’s Cathedral area. Stop first at The Goods Shed to see the Kilkenny Cat public art on the planters along the wall.
12:30
Continue walking southwest to find Void Anchored, a mammoth sculpture by the Office of Public Works that captures an embrace of the unknown.
12:45
Walk west to the handball alley to see Urban Animation I, a mural based on the movie Song of the Sea, created with Cartoon Saloon.
13:00
End your walk at the pink elephant public art piece, a whimsical sight of a pink elephant floating in mid-air, hanging from a yellow balloon.
Local tip
The zoo opens at 10:00, so arriving right at start time ensures you get the best light for the animals and avoid the biggest crowds. The walk from the zoo to The Cup is straightforward. Once in the city center, the public art pieces are scattered west of the cathedral area; follow the signs for the public art trail or use a map to connect them efficiently.
Check before you go
- The National Reptile Zoo is open Mo-Su 10:00-18:00.
- The Cup has no listed hours, so check locally for opening times.
- Public art is visible 24/7, but ensure you have comfortable walking shoes for the short walks between sites.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Kilkenny (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).