St. Francis Abbey Brewery


Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny

Kilkenny has become synonymous with a ruby red Ale known in its various forms as Kilkenny or Smithwicks. Nowadays the brewery is run by the parent company of Guinness, and Budweiser lager is also being brewed on this historic site. The smell of hops can be unmistakable when the wind takes a fancy but this might be as close as you get as entrance is by pre-booking and limited to certain times of the year. Located on Parliament St, home to some of Kilkenny’s justly famous pubs such as the Pumphouse, you won’t have to go too far if you need to sate your thirst.





Our Take

Enquire at the security gate as to how you might gain entrance to the brewery tour- it is seasonal and limited to a certain amount of people every day- but good things come to those who wait.