October is a wonderful time to visit Kilkenny, with autumn settling over the medieval city and plenty happening throughout the month. From experiencing the spectacular Peace Doves installation at St Canice’s Cathedral to school tours, Halloween events and atmospheric live performances, there’s plenty to discover.

Whether you’re visiting Kilkenny for the day, planning an autumn family outing or looking for something different to do on an October evening, here are some of the highlights to add to your plans.

Experience Peace Doves at St Canice’s Cathedral

Thousands of handmade Peace Doves now fill the historic interior of St Canice’s Cathedral, creating a breathtaking community art installation unlike anything else in Kilkenny.

Created by internationally acclaimed British artist Peter Walker, the installation features 10,000 paper doves carrying handwritten messages of peace, hope, remembrance and unity.

What makes Peace Doves particularly special is the community behind it. The messages were submitted over the summer by people from Kilkenny and beyond, including local schools, community groups, businesses, individuals and visitors to the Cathedral.

Now suspended high above the Cathedral’s medieval interior, the doves create a striking canopy of white against the historic architecture. Accompanied by original music by David Harper, the installation offers visitors an opportunity to pause, reflect and experience the Cathedral in a completely different way.

The installation is open to visitors during normal Cathedral opening hours and is included with admission.

Peace Doves runs until 7 November.

Book your Cathedral admission ticket here.

Discover Kilkenny’s History on a School Tour

With schools back for the new academic year, autumn is a great time to plan an educational visit to St Canice’s Cathedral.

School tours offer students the opportunity to explore one of Kilkenny’s most important historic sites while learning about medieval Ireland, local history, architecture and the Red Book of Ossory.

Primary School Tours

The primary school programme is designed for pupils from 1st to 6th class and combines guided exploration, hands-on learning and age-appropriate historical discovery.

Students can enjoy a guided tour of St Canice’s Cathedral, learning about key moments in Kilkenny and Irish history while exploring the architecture and history of the medieval building.

Tours can also include the model of the Red Book of Ossory, a 14th-century manuscript associated with Bishop Richard Ledrede. Pupils can learn about medieval life, writing and manuscript production.

A combined Cathedral and Red Book of Ossory tour takes approximately 45 minutes.

Self-guided tours are also available, allowing schools to explore the Cathedral at their own pace with guide notes.

Secondary School Tours

For secondary school students, the programme supports the History curriculum at Junior and Senior Cycle level.

Students can explore the Cathedral as a historical and architectural site, looking at its role in the religious, political and social history of Kilkenny, medieval architecture and changes in religious practice over time.

The Red Book of Ossory provides an opportunity to explore medieval manuscripts, scribal culture and the use of primary historical sources.

Optional workshops are also available, including Illuminated Lettering and Historical Timeline Analysis, providing students with a more practical way to engage with the history explored during their visit.

School tours are available Monday to Friday, with workshops available Tuesday to Thursday.

For school tour enquiries, contact Catherine at explore@stcanicescathedral.com.

Experience Halloween in Kilkenny

Halloween in Kilkenny is about much more than one night.

With its ancient streets, medieval buildings and centuries of history, Kilkenny provides an atmospheric setting for Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival traditionally associated with the origins of Halloween.

Throughout October and into November, Fire, Feast and Folklore brings the spirit and stories of Samhain to life through a programme of events taking place across the city.

And with Kilkenny recognised as a Tourism Ireland Home of Halloween Destination for 2024–2027, there’s plenty to discover during an autumn visit.

Harry Potter and the Wizarding Organ

Get into the Halloween spirit with a magical musical experience at St Canice’s Cathedral.

Harry Potter and the Wizarding Organ takes place on 29 October, with performances at 4:30pm and 6:30pm.

Ukrainian concert organist Ewa Belmas will perform her own arrangements of music from the first three Harry Potter films, featuring the original scores by John Williams.

Performed on the Cathedral’s magnificent organ, this atmospheric concert combines music, fantasy and storytelling within the historic setting of St Canice’s Cathedral.

It’s an especially magical experience for families and younger visitors during the Home of Halloween Festival.

Get tickets here.

Toil & Trouble presents Anakronos: The Red Book of Ossory

For something rooted firmly in Kilkenny’s medieval history, Anakronos: The Red Book of Ossory brings together medieval music, jazz, classical and traditional influences.

The performance takes inspiration from the 14th-century Red Book of Ossory, which preserves the Latin lyrics of 60 songs associated with Richard de Ledrede, Bishop of Ossory.

Anakronos reimagines these extraordinary songs using melodies from medieval musical sources, creating a contemporary performance inspired by the sounds and stories of medieval Kilkenny.

Tickets are €25. Get them here.

October Events at St Canice’s Cathedral

October also brings a wonderful programme of concerts and experiences to St Canice’s Cathedral, making the Cathedral a destination for music and culture throughout the month.

Pink Floyd by Candlelight – 9 October

Join What The Floyd, one of the UK’s leading Pink Floyd tribute shows, for an atmospheric evening of Pink Floyd performed live by candlelight.

Hear iconic tracks including Another Brick in the Wall, Comfortably Numb, Wish You Were Here, Us and Them and more, all within the spectacular surroundings of St Canice’s Cathedral.

Friday 9 October

1st sitting: Doors 5:30pm | Show 6:15–7:30pm
2nd sitting: Doors 8pm | Show 8:30–9:45pm

Get your tickets here.

A Night of Songs and Stories with Paul Byrom – 10 October

Renowned tenor Paul Byrom joins special guests Cór Nore Choir for an evening of music, storytelling and community at St Canice’s Cathedral.

Taking place on Saturday 10 October, the event supports Grow Mental Health, with all proceeds going towards the organisation’s work in communities across Ireland.

Tickets: €30

Get your tickets here.

Lie Down & Listen: Piano Bliss – 27 & 28 October as well as 3 & 4 November

Experience classical piano music in a completely different way with Lie Down & Listen: Piano Bliss.

Pianist and founder Christina McMaster combines live classical piano with sound healing in a unique experience designed to encourage audiences to slow down, relax and simply listen.

Performances take place on:

Tuesday 27 October
Wednesday 28 October
Tuesday 3 November
Wednesday 4 November

There are two sittings each evening:

5:45–7:15pm
8:00–9:30pm

Get your tickets here.

Irish Baroque Orchestra & Chorus – 31 October

On Saturday 31 October, the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Chorus come to St Canice’s Cathedral for a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor.

Directed by Peter Whelan, the performance features an outstanding cast of soloists including Rowan Pierce, Rebecca Leggett, Alex Potter, Rodrigo Correto and Matthew Brook.

Bach’s Mass in B Minor is one of the great works of the Baroque repertoire, moving between moments of serenity and contemplation and passages of glorious celebration.

Performed within the historic setting of St Canice’s Cathedral, it promises to be a memorable way to spend Halloween evening in Kilkenny.

Get your tickets here.

Plan Your October Visit to St Canice’s Cathedral

Whether you’re looking for things to do in Kilkenny in October, planning a family day out, organising a school tour or looking for an atmospheric evening of music, there’s plenty happening at St Canice’s Cathedral this autumn.

Take time to explore the Cathedral, look up at the thousands of Peace Doves, discover Kilkenny’s medieval history and experience the events taking place throughout October.

Plan your visit and book your tickets at stcanicescathedral.ie.