The Smithwick’s Experience is a guided brewery tour tracing 300 years of Ireland’s oldest ale, right in the centre of Kilkenny.
This guide was updated in July 2026. Some older write-ups still quote adult tickets at €18, but the current adult price is €20, with the family ticket now €48 rather than the €45 some guides still list. You can book through Viator to secure your tour time in advance.
Quick facts: Smithwick’s Experience
| Address | 44 Parliament Street, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny, Ireland |
| Opening hours | March–October, 10.30am–6.30pm (last tour 5pm); November–February, 11am–5pm (last tour 4pm) |
| Admission | Adult €20; Senior/Student €18; Child (7–17) €10; under-6s free |
| Nearest transit | A 5-minute walk from Kilkenny Castle; Kilkenny’s MacDonagh Junction station is a short walk away |
| Typical visit | Around an hour for the tour, plus extra time for the shop |
Opening hours for the Smithwick’s Experience
The Smithwick’s Experience opens seven days a week. From March to October, it’s open 10.30am to 6.30pm, with the last tour departing at 5pm. From November to February, hours shorten to 11am–5pm, with the last tour at 4pm, and tours run Thursday to Monday only; the bar and retail shop, however, stay open all seven days year-round. Tours don’t operate on 24, 25, or 26 December.
Ticket prices for the Smithwick’s Experience
All prices are in euros. Two experiences are available.
| Ticket (Signature Experience) | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | €20 |
| Senior (65+) | €18 |
| Student (18+) | €18 |
| Child (7–17) | €10 |
| Under 6 | Free |
The Signature Experience takes around an hour and includes a guided tour, a tasting, and a complimentary pint or soft drink at the end. A family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children is also available at €48. For a longer visit, the Masters of Ale Experience runs 75 minutes and includes a sensorial tasting masterclass of four ales, a pint-pouring tutorial, and an engraved glass to keep, priced at €50 per person for over-18s only. Booking ahead is worthwhile, especially in summer, and you can book tickets in advance through Viator to guarantee your slot.
Why book Smithwick’s Experience tickets?
- 🏛️ 300 years of brewing history: Smithwick’s ale has been brewed in Kilkenny since 1710.
- 🎟️ A pint included: Every Signature Experience ticket ends with a complimentary Smithwick’s or a soft drink.
- 🌿 Hands-on brewing: Mill the malt, stir the mash, and smell the hops as part of the tour.
- 📜 Free entry for under-6s: The youngest visitors join at no charge, accompanied by an adult.
- 💰 Multilingual audio guides: Complimentary guides in French, German, Spanish, and Italian are included.
How to get to the Smithwick’s Experience
On foot, the Smithwick’s Experience is just a 5-minute walk from Kilkenny Castle, right on Parliament Street in the city centre. By car, Kilkenny sits just off the M9 motorway, roughly 90 minutes from Dublin. By bus, Bus Éireann, Dublin Coach, and JJ Kavanagh Coaches all run multiple daily services between Dublin and Kilkenny, and tour operators including Wild Rover Tours, Collins Day Tours, and Paddywagon Tours include Kilkenny on their day trips from Dublin. By train, Irish Rail runs seven services a day between Dublin and Kilkenny on weekdays and Saturdays, and five on Sundays, arriving at MacDonagh Junction, a short walk from the door.
Parking at the Smithwick’s Experience
There’s no dedicated car park directly at the Smithwick’s Experience, but Kilkenny city centre has several pay-and-display public car parks within easy walking distance.
How long to spend at the Smithwick’s Experience
The Signature Experience tour itself runs around an hour, though it’s designed to average 45 minutes. Allow extra time to browse the retail shop or upgrade to a tasting paddle of two ales and Kilkenny beer.
Accessibility at the Smithwick’s Experience
The Smithwick’s Experience is fully wheelchair accessible, with entrance through the retail store on Parliament Street. It’s also an official AsIAm Autism Friendly Accredited visitor experience, with staff trained to support autistic and neurodivergent guests. Sensory kits, including ear plugs, are available at reception, alongside a downloadable sensory map and visual guide. On the first Thursday of every month, the 12pm tour runs as a dedicated sensory-friendly experience, with reduced noise and lighting.
What to see on the Smithwick’s Experience tour
The brewing history unfolds across the tour’s 300-year timeline, tracing Smithwick’s ale back to 1710 and its roots on the site of a former Franciscan abbey.
Hands-on brewing moments let visitors mill the malt, stir the mash, and smell the hops, recreating each stage of the traditional brewing process.
A “secret room” brings the story to life with animated moving portraits narrating the history of the Smithwick family, a highlight many visitors mention.
The tasting rounds off the tour with a complimentary pint of Smithwick’s ale, or a soft drink for under-18s and anyone who prefers one, with the option to upgrade to a paddle of additional ales.
The retail shop closes the visit, offering exclusive merchandise including personalised, engraved glasses.
Practical visitor tips for the Smithwick’s Experience
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book online in summer | In July and August, tours run every 20 minutes and can sell out. |
| Ask about the sensory-friendly tour | Available on the first Thursday of every month at 12pm. |
| Bring ID for discounted tickets | Senior and student rates require proof of age or student status. |
| Check tour days in winter | From November to February, tours run Thursday to Monday only. |
| Book ahead for a smooth visit | Advance booking is recommended; book tickets in advance through Viator to guarantee your slot. |
FAQ: Smithwick’s Experience
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long is the tour? | Around an hour, though it averages 45 minutes; allow extra time for the shop and tasting paddle. |
| Is a drink included? | Yes, a complimentary pint of Smithwick’s or a soft drink comes at the end of the tour. |
| Do tours run every day? | Yes, from March to October; from November to February, tours run Thursday to Monday only. |
| Is the tour wheelchair accessible? | Yes, it’s fully accessible, with entrance through the retail store. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | Advance booking is recommended, especially in summer; you can book tickets in advance through Viator to guarantee your slot. |
Things to do near the Smithwick’s Experience
Kilkenny Castle, a 12th-century stronghold set in 52 acres of parkland, is the 5-minute walk that anchors the whole visit. St Canice’s Cathedral, at the other end of the Medieval Mile, offers sweeping views from its round tower. The Medieval Mile Museum, housed in a 13th-century church, tells the story of Kilkenny’s medieval past. The Kilkenny Design Centre and National Craft Gallery showcase the city’s reputation for Irish arts and crafts. Rothe House, a restored Tudor merchant’s house, gives a glimpse of everyday life in 17th-century Kilkenny.
What to visit tomorrow: more Irish brewery and distillery tours
The Guinness Storehouse, in Dublin, is Ireland’s best-known brewery tour and around 1.5 hours away by car or train. Waterford Distillery, home to Irish single malt whiskey, is about 50 minutes away in Waterford city. The Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre, tracing the history of Tullamore’s famous whiskey, is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours away in County Offaly.
More Ireland travel
Other Ireland travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to know before visiting Charles Fort in Kinsale.
- Key information for visiting Blarney Castle near Cork.
- Planning a visit to Mizen Head in County Cork.
- Get the best out of visiting Cahir Castle and what to see at the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary.
- How easy is it to walk to Athassel Priory in County Tipperary?
