To spot Kyteler’s Inn, just look for a sturdy, old grey stone building with deep window sills and flower boxes blooming under bright blue-green windows-it’s the characterful spot with the hanging sign, right on your left as you walk down this medieval street.
Now, let me whisk you back in time! Imagine the clatter of horse hooves and the smell of burning peat while you stand before one of Kilkenny’s oldest taverns. Parts of this very building go all the way back to the 13th century, and while only the lower story is truly medieval, that’s still older than most fairy tales! The Inn’s most mysterious resident was Dame Alice Kyteler, the first person in Ireland ever accused of witchcraft. They say secrets and spells once swirled around these very stones-makes ordering a pint feel a bit daring, doesn’t it? Since at least 1639, there’s been an inn here, though in the 1960s it got a makeover and a good splash of holy water for luck. Some locals weren’t too keen when they moved old staircases and fireplaces during the renovation, but today, descend those dark stairs and suddenly you’re in the 1300s! The ghosts might gossip, but the music and laughter have won Kyteler’s the title of best music bar in Ireland. Who knew witch hunts and good tunes made such a magical mix?
