Some of Ireland’s finest studio workshops are clustered in the scenic valley of the River Nore, in the heart of County Kilkenny, and one of the best way of sampling the beauty of the countryside is to meander slowly, but purposefully, from studio to workshop of some of the county’s creative talent. The trail starts at the Crafts Council of Ireland in Kilkenny City and straddles the Nore River valley as far as the town of Bennettsbridge where a cluster of potters, ceramic workers, wood workers and the famous Irish spongeware at the Nicholas Mosse Pottery workshops are all within reach. From here to Thomastown taking in the Jerpoint Glass Studio and perhaps a visit to the famous ruins of Jerpoint Abbey, before crossing back over the Kings River and back to Kilkenny.