Foulksrath Castle (Caisleán Rátha) - Kilkenny - Lonely Planet Hotels & Hostels

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Address: Jenkinstown , Kilkenny , Ireland
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Lonely Planet review

Catherine Le Nevez
Lonely Planet author

All the storybooks you ever read as a kid come to life at this fantastical 1320-built castle (the oldest building in the world to operate as a hostel). Foulksrath is part of the An Óige Irish Youth Hostel Association. The castle's caretaker, artist Jack McKen, teaches painting here.
Like all good medieval castles, this one is haunted - by three ghosts ('two friendly, one nasty' according to Jack). A heart-stoppingly narrow spiral stone staircase worn smooth over the years leads up to dorms sleeping 50 people all up. Ask Jack to direct you through a hidden passageway up to the rooftop for majestic views over the wooded countryside. Brand new bathrooms and a state-of-the-art stainless steel kitchen have just been installed. Evening mealtimes in the stone banquet hall illuminated by flames flickering from iron candlesticks often segue into jam sessions with local musicians and hostellers (bring your instruments), with the occasional bonfire in the rambling grounds. For safety reasons (ie that spiral staircase), alcohol's pretty much restricted to wine with meals, and cans are forbidden, but night-time curfews are liberal. Stock up on supplies beforehand as there are no shops and breakfast isn't included.

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Atmosphere: Backpacker - Basic and Low-key

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Communal area - Indoor

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Author tip

The 10:00-17:00 lock-out gives you a chance to fish for bountiful trout, pike and (with a license for a couple of euros) salmon. You can also hike through the deciduous broadleaf woods of Jenkinstown Forest (part of the estate of Jonathon Swift, of Gulliver's Travels fame), rent a bike from the hostel, go horse riding, or raise your bow (archery's free, including instructions).

Curious fact

The castle was built by Fulco Defreney (Freeney in Irish), who was part of the entourage that followed Strongbow in support of the subsequent conquest of Ireland based out of Kilkenny.

How to get there

Road/Car: Located on N77, 4km south of village of Ballyragget. Signposted at Jenkinstown/Conahy junction (N77). Bus: Limited daily bus service via Kilkenny (8 miles) except Sundays. Coach: Buggys Coaches: Tel: 056-4441264. From the Parade (outside Castle), catch Buggys Coaches to Conahy Cross, which is 300m from the youth hostel. There are transfers throughout the day; the last one is at 17.30. Taxi: Tel: 087-7944122: Special Rate at ?3 p.p, minimum 4 pax
From Dublin Airport: At Airport Roundabout take second exit onto M1(Dublin), Leave the M1 at Junction 3, then at roundabout take 3rd exit onto M50(Southbound). Leave the M50 at Junction 9 (City Centre, The South) then at the Red Cow Roundabout take 3rd exit onto the N7. Continue forward to join the Motorway M7(Limerick, Cork) Leave the M7 at signpost for Cork, Limerick, Portlaosie, then at the roundabout take the 1st exit onto the N8(Cork). Continue on Portlaoise Rd to Abbeyleix. Continue on N8 to Durrow and in Durrow turn left to the N77(Kilkenny). Continue to Ballyragget and then to Jenkinstown on the N77

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Kilkenny: Foulksrath Castle (Caisleán Rátha) (Hostel)

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