Inistioge

Inistioge is a beautiful and historic village on the river Nore in South Kilkenny. Nestling in the Nore valley it offers some of the best scenery in the region particularly in the recently restored gardens of the Woodstock estate.  There is lots to do and when you tire of river paths and woodland hikes you can choose to eat and drink in one of the excellent restaurants and pubs throughout the village.

Inistioge Village

Visitors can enjoy a walk around the village taking in the tree-lined square and then down to the river. If you continue under the bridge you will be able to see Mount Sandford Castle, a folly, which is hidden in the trees.  A wildlife guide will help you identify the birds and animals you will encounter. Behind the churches is the graveyard where you can examine the ruins of the 13th Augustinian Priory and the Mausoleum with Mary Tighe, of Woodstock House, is buried.  Moving on to Hatchery Lane, behind the Catholic Church, you can visit St. Colmcille's Well. Woodstock Heritage Museum is not far away on High St. Here you can examine the history of Woodstock and the village.

Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum

Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum are located within a mile of village. The gardens were once regarded as one of the great gardens of Ireland and Kilkenny County Council has undertaken a major of restoration. There are over 50 acres of formal gardens and parkland dating from the Victorian period. The gardens offer the visitor a wide variety of interesting features such as the Flower Terraces, the Winter Garden, the Monkey Puzzle Walk, the Noble Fir Walk, and the Arboretum with its rare collection of trees from all over the world. The Dovecote and the curious Grotto provide an interesting focal point in the gardens.

Fishing

There is good salmon fishing on the River Nore which is confined mainly to the tidal confluence at Inistioge up as far as the confluence of the River Dinan above Kilkenny City. Fishing is controlled and a license is required which can be obtained in O'Donnell's pub.  Jim Brown is the local expert and can arrange trips for individuals and groups on the river.