We stopped in town as part of a very nice tour with Wild Rover that included Kilkenny, Wicklow and Glendalough. (A very worthwhile day tour by the way). We had a couple hours to wander on our own and as part of that we stopped in the design center here to do a little browsing. It is a little pricier than some shops but very well curated and that's why. Lovely artisan jewelry, scarves, caps, pottery, crystal, sweaters, soaps and such. A great place to bring home a nice keepsake that you'll enjoy for years to come. My mom bought a pretty cross necklace and I regret not purchasing an elegant pair of sterling silver and Connemara marble earrings during our visit but I really enjoyed our short time in Kilkenny, and would have liked much more time to explore it's interesting history, so I guess I'll just have to make my way back sometime! read more

Kilkenny Design Centres are located throughout Ireland, but this one might be the mother ship. Or at least the building complex it and other shops (and restaurant upstairs) are set in his pretty impressive. I was actually more interested in the K Foley leather shop in back, but they were closed on this recent Sunday afternoon. Gayle jokes that I've never met a gift shop I didn't like. That might be largely true, but the offerings of one either hit me or they don't. In the case of the 2-part Kilkenny Design Center, it didn't and not for the lack of trying! Cute Irish stuff, but not today. read more

Lunch was delicious and the servings were very generous. A bonus is the availability of gluten free mains and desserts. I consider the price reasonable considering the portions and quality. read more

Kilkenny Design Centre - Gluten Free Lemon Cake! Wow - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Kilkenny, KK

Lovely restaurant (on second floor) w lots of great homemade options, and several desserts. Shops on first level have sweaters, crystal, and ,more Worth a visit read more

The restaurant is delicious! Soup and bread bursting with flavor. Spinach and pea soup so well seasoned. Chicken and turmeric soup also tasty. Restaurant has tons of windows. Semi self serve so you can see all the offerings. Plenty of yummy desserts. read more

Kilkenny Design Centre - Soups and bread! - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Kilkenny, KK

(11/9/2017) Came here as part of an arranged group tour, had lunch at the Design Center with a prix fixe menu. Really lovely setting, modern, sunny, sleek, but intimate. The Beef Cottage Pie was perfect for a brisk, windy winter day and came piping hot. The vegetarian entrée, an Herbed Potato Pancake with goat cheese and a light fresh tomato sauce was a perfect portion, pretty to look at and very tasty (didn't miss the meat at all). Service was patient, friendly and unobtrusive. They didn't seem to have any problems handling a crowd. Would recommend if you're in between shopping, or need a civilized respite from the tourist crowds at the Kilkenny Castle across the street. read more

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Such a cute shop! Well, actually two shops. They're right across from one another and both are filled with memorable items such as jewelry, scarves, ornaments, paintings, etc. Several of the souvenirs I purchased for my family were straight from this store. And who doesn't love shopping right next to a castle?! (Yes, Kilkenny Castle is literally right across the street.) They also promote the usage of the Horizon card (a way to shop tax free while in Ireland), which was handy for shoppers such as us as we were Americans and could get money back when leaving the country. This wasn't something you had to do, but was an option and could save you some extra cash. I didn't know about the Horizon card prior to my trip, so it's something to check into before your next international excursion. read more

This is a two part gift shop, one with clothes, the other with cute souvenirs. I found a really cute sweater with a unique design in the clothing gift shop. This shop offers a tax card so that tourists can get a refund back for the VAT charge. I highly recommend getting this card to save some money because things at this store were pricey. Across the way from the clothing gift shop was the arts gift shop. The shops are connected together because as I was waiting in line at the arts gift shop, I was asked if I'd like to go across to the clothing gift shop to pay to avoid the line. Friendly staff and cute unique items in the store. read more

At the gates of Kilkenny this building is right across from the castle, and it houses a gift shop, coffee shop and bathrooms. Very charming. Kilkenny is pronounced Kill Kenny, like "Oh my God, they killed Kenny." read more

Kilkenny Design Centre - Pie! - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Kilkenny, KK

Absolutely loved the food hereeeee! There is a restaurant above this design shop. You walk in then go upstairs the stairs as you walk up, you can smell the deliciousness! I got the quesadilla, potatoes, veggies, soup & bread with a very yummy tart dessert!! Food is a good portion to the point where you don't even have room to eat dessert but you eat it anyways because desserts look so amazing and taste so great. If you are looking for a lunch or dinner or tea or coffee kind of thing this is your place plus you have a beautiful view of the castle too:) read more

Kilkenny Design Centre - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Kilkenny, KK

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A very good place to grab a souvenir and something to eat. Although I think it is overpriced, but a good place anyhow. The natural lemonade are delicious. read more

Located in a beautiful building in Kilkenny just opposite the Castle. It's not cheap but they have a great range of gifts and Irish made products. Out the back are craft shops with Jewellery designers so you are bound to find something a bit different. Worth visiting for the building alone read more

They have very cool stuff and unique items. Ordered a necklace that had to be made by the designer and they shipped it to the USA in a timely matter. Was one of my favorite places in Ireland! read more

Great place for some quality Irish products for the home and to wear. We bought a few things here and the choice is good and quality was also excellent. read more

Located directly opposite Kilkenny Castle, the Design Centre occupies the old castle stables. There are two shops on your immediate left and right as you walk in, each selling handmade goods such as jewellery, clothes and pottery. If you continue walking through you will find many more shops and independent craftspeople's own workshops where you can sometimes see them creating their jewellery and other goods. A hive of activity during the summer tourist season. read more