Best Festivals To Plan A Weekend Break Around: Kilkenny Animated Festival

Kilkenny Animated Festival
(Ireland’s Ancient East)
4th – 6th October
Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny
Kilkennyanimated.com
Hosted by twice-Academy Award-nominated, Kilkenny-based, animation studio, Cartoon Saloon (whose latest Oscar-nominated film The Breadwinner is pictured above), Kilkenny Animated is a unique festival of visual storytelling with cartoons, animation and illustration to the fore. The festival is set against – and inspired by – the gorgeous, atmospheric backdrop of Kilkenny’s stunning medieval streets, which are at the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East. Animators, film lovers and tourists alike have all been flocking to the festival and 2019 will be bigger and better than ever: expect world premieres, art exhibitions, comedy, music, dance, workshops, walking-tours of historic sights – and lots more.

• While You’re in the Area
Kilkenny is rightly celebrated for its superb food. Garrett Byrne’s Michelin-starred Campagne Restaurant offers brilliant, modern French cuisine; and the Gentleman’s Tea sharing-platter at Kernel has won rave reviews. The famous Kilkenny Design Centre is a wonderful place to browse and pick up the perfect gift or treat. There’s a great all-day restaurant there, and at night the award-winning Anocht serves brilliant Irish cuisine. Check out Kilkenny Castle, which dates back to just after the Norman conquest of Ireland; and the intriguing Medieval Mile Museum. You can stay in Butler House (there are guided and self-guided tours of the Victorian stately home of the Butler Family); Langton’s House Hotel (John St.); Zuni boutique hotel (Patrick Street); or in the swanky Lyrath Estate, just outside the city.

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