School Tours
Are you planning a school tour to Kilkenny and seeking engaging attractions and activities for your students? Look no further. Discover the historic St Canice's Cathedral, where students can enjoy interactive tours. Additionally, you'll find a variety of other educational and enjoyable experiences suitable for school kids in Kilkenny.
Primary Schools
Guided Tour-Cathedral Only
Our Primary School Package offers an engaging, curriculum-linked experience for pupils from 1st to 6th class, combining guided exploration, hands-on learning, and age-appropriate historical discovery.
What’s Included?
Guided Tour of St. Canice's Cathedral
Students will explore key moments in Kilkenny and Irish history while discovering the architectural features of this remarkable medieval building. The tour introduces pupils to the Cathedral’s historical significance and its role within the wider story of Ireland.
Guided Tour of the model of the Red Book of Ossory
Pupils will learn about this 14th-century manuscript written by Bishop Ledrede. The tour provides insight into medieval life, writing practices, and the craftsmanship involved in producing manuscripts over 700 years ago. A unique opportunity to see the model up close and out of the exhibition case, can be organised at booking time.
Duration: A combined tour of the Cathedral and The Red Book of Ossory exhibition takes approximately 45 minutes.
For St Canice's self-guided tour, schools can uncover the Cathedral at their own pace with the help of our guide notes.
All tours last 40 minutes and include a worksheet. Please allow extra time to climb the Tower. Min height restriction applies of 4ft 5” or 1.4m
School Tours Enquiry
Secondary Schools
Our Secondary School Programme is designed to support the History curriculum at junior and senior cycle level. Through guided tours and optional workshops, students engage with primary sources, architectural analysis, and the cultural context of medieval Ireland.
Guided Tour of St Canice's cathedral
Students explore the Cathedral as a key historical and architectural site, examining its development from the medieval period to the present day. The tour focuses on:
- The Cathedral’s role in the religious, political, and social history of Kilkenny
- Architectural features of medieval ecclesiastical buildings
- Changes in religious practice and church design over time
- The Cathedral as a primary historical source
This element is particularly relevant to medieval Ireland, local history studies, and architectural analysis.
Guided Tour of The Red Book of Ossory (or the model of the Red Book)
Students are introduced to this important 14th-century manuscript written by Bishop Richard Ledrede. The session examines:
- The historical context of the manuscript
- Medieval book production and scribal culture
- The function of manuscripts in religious and civic life
- The manuscript as a primary historical and artistic source
This tour supports studies in medieval Europe, primary source analysis, and manuscript writing of medieval times .
Duration:
A combined tour of the Cathedral and The Red Book of Ossory exhibition takes approximately 45 minutes.
For St Canice's self-guided tour, schools can uncover the Cathedral at their own pace with the help of our guide notes.
All tours last 40 minutes and include a worksheet. Please allow extra time to climb the Tower. Min height restriction applies of 4ft 5” or 1.4m
School Tours Enquiry
Optional Workshops
Workshops are designed to deepen understanding through practical and analytical activities. Additional time should be scheduled if a workshop is included. Workshops are available on Tuesdays - Thursdays.
Illuminated Lettering Workshop
Students investigate the principles of medieval illuminated manuscripts, including:
- Letterform structure and decoration
- Symbolism and visual storytelling
- Materials and techniques used by medieval scribes
Participants then create their own illuminated letters, gaining practical insight into the craftsmanship and artistic conventions of the period.
Historical Timeline Analysis
Students work individually or in groups to organise key historical events encountered during the tour. This activity develops:
- Chronological awareness
- Historical interpretation skills
Connections between local and national history.
School Tours Enquiry
Pricing
-
Guided Tour €4 add Tower Climb €6
-
Self- Guided Tour €3 add Tower Climb €4
For St Canice's self-guided tour, schools can uncover the Cathedral at their own pace with the help of our guide notes.
All tours last 40 minutes and include a worksheet. Please allow extra time to climb the Tower. Min height restriction applies of 4ft 5” or 1.4m
School Tours Enquiry
The Ultimate Kilkenny School Tour Experience
Practical Information
Practical Information
- Tours are available Monday to Friday.
- Workshops are available on Tuesdays - Thursdays.
- Suitable for junior and senior cycle students.
- As the Cathedral is a working church, unforeseen circumstances may occasionally arise. In such cases, alternative dates will be offered.
- Groups are to be always supervised by a teacher
- If the group is climbing the Round Tower, a teacher needs to always be at the top and bottom of the tower with the group.
Booking Information
To arrange a visit, please contact:
Catherine on explore@stcanicescathedral.com
You can find our Teacher Resource Pack here.
