Medieval Mile Museum
Located on the 13th century site of St Mary’s cruciform church and graveyard (considered to be the finest example of a medieval church in Ireland), The Medieval Mile Museum represents an immense treasure trove of artefacts encompassing the work and lives of Ireland and its people across more than 800 years of history. Visitors to the museum will marvel not only at some of Ireland’s finest examples of medieval sculpture, but also the country’s largest collection of Renaissance tombs.
Following a five-year excavation and renovation, highlights of the visit include the incredibly ornate Rothe Chapel with exposed tombs belonging to the medieval merchant Rothe family; St Marys external graveyard (where only the wealthiest could be buried) and its abundance of medieval masterpieces; the stories of the multiple pauper graves discovered outside the church walls and the High Cross casts- reaching over 4 metres high that were originally commissioned by the High Kings of Ossory.
Kilkenny’s 800-year story is told with a contemporary twist within the museum. The customer experience contains a long colourful interactive table similar to a giant iPad, an elongated plasma TV screen and projected imagery onto a giant wall allowing visitors to get immersed in the rich history with the aid of modern technology.
School Tours at the Medieval Mile Museum:
National Schools
Guided Tour €5 per student
A school tour to the Medieval Mile Museum is an educational and fun experience! The tour begins with a 30 minute workshop, talking the pupils through the detective work done by archaeologists and tying our collections into the pupils’ curriculum. We then take them out to the graveyard and tell them about some of our more interesting ‘residents’! They then finish up with the LEGO hunt which sees them search the museum for 10 characters from Kilkenny’s medieval history in LEGO Minifigure form. The museum is ideally placed to give pupils a solid grounding in skills such as understanding chronology, change, and cause/effect as well as using evidence as a historian or archaeologist.
Self-Guided Tour €3 per student
Beginning with a 10 minute introduction for a Museum Guide, students can enjoy unlimited exploration time at the museum and graveyard, and a LEGO Minifigure Hunt worksheet to complete.
Secondary Schools
Here at the Medieval Mile Museum we have a range of tailored package options available for Secondary School students, including guided tours and ongoing project-based packages.
Guided Tour €7 per student
A one hour tour of the museum, a student worksheet to complete and unlimited time at the museum.
Self-guided Tour - €5 per studentA 10 minute introduction from the Museum Guide, a student worksheet to complete and unlimited time at the museum.
Pre-booking is essential - visit our website for more information on our School Tour Packages.
Family Days Out:
The Museum is a great place to visit with the entire family. Let our guides take you through 800 years of Kilkenny’s rich history while the kids enjoy our insanely popular LEGO Hunt!
Medieval Mile Museum Prices
Medieval Mile Museum Opening Times
January to March Tuesday - Sunday 9.30am - 4.30pm
April to December 9.30am – 4.30pm Seven Days Per Week
Interactive Audio Tour - Adults €8.00, Concessions €6.50, Child €3.50, Family €22.50
Guided Tour - Adults €12.00, Concessions €10.50, Child €5.50, Family €30.00
10 a.m. 11 a.m. 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday (Pods of 6 People as per Guidelines)
Medieval Mile Trail - Adults €15.00, Concessions €13.50, Child €7.50, Family €40.00
Tours leave at 11 a.m. each Saturday and Sunday from the Medieval Mile Museum on St Mary’s Lane.
All tours include all day entry to museum with an audio guide.