Things to do in Callan
Attractions, heritage sites and walks around Callan, drawn from open data. Distances are straight-line from the town centre.
In brief
Callan is a Co. Kilkenny town about 117 km from Dublin city centre. Open datasets list six Fáilte Ireland visitor attractions within 10 km, three national monuments open to visitors within 20 km, two nationally rated heritage buildings in the town. Everything below comes from published sources, refreshed regularly.
Attractions near Callan
Visitor attractions listed by Fáilte Ireland within 10 km.
- The founder of the Christian Brothers, Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice came from the small town of Callan in County Kilkenny where he was born on 1 June 1762. The…
- Kells Priory is one of the largest and most impressive medieval monuments in Ireland. The ruins of this Augustine priory are found in Kells County Kilkenny.
- Kilree High Cross is a weathered 8th/9th Century sandstone cross standing at 2.75m high near Kells County Kilkenny. Most of the cross is covered with bosses and…
- Ballykeefe Distillery is an eco friendly, single estate Irish family farm whiskey distillery in picturesque countryside, just 15 minutes outside the medieval city of…
- Discover Highbank Organic Orchards, County Kilkenny, and check out the rich, fertile soils which produce their delicious apples. Taste organic apple juice and cider…
- Callan Motte is a 12m motte, originally topped by a wooden tower and dating from the early 13th century. it is situated in Callan County Kilkenny.
Heritage and monuments
National monuments open to visitors within 20 km, plus nationally rated buildings in Callan from the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
- Approaching Kells Priory today, with its walls and castellated towers, it looks more like a fortified settlement than a religious house.
- A 12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde.
- An outstanding Cistercian abbey founded in the second half of the 12th century. The church with its Romanesque details dates from this period.
Walks and nature
Waymarked trails from Sport Ireland's National Trails Register and NPWS parks and nature reserves, starting near Callan and across Co. Kilkenny.
- Ballykeeffe Wood Nature ReserveBroadleaf woodland in a sheltered limestone valley west of Kilkenny city, with a walking loop.
- Fiddown Island Nature ReserveA willow-wooded island in the River Suir, a rare riverine woodland habitat.
- Garryricken Wood Nature ReserveOld broadleaf woodland in the south Kilkenny countryside.
- Kyleadohir Wood Nature ReserveA small semi-natural woodland reserve in County Kilkenny.
Plan around Callan
- What's on across Leinster this week, refreshed every Monday.
- Thinking of moving here? Living in Callan covers prices, rents and schools. Median sale price €343,891.
- See every nationally rated heritage building and monument in our heritage guide to Co. Kilkenny.
Attraction data from Fáilte Ireland Open Data (CC BY 4.0), last refreshed 13 July 2026. Monuments from the National Monuments Service and heritage buildings from the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (both data.gov.ie, CC BY 4.0). Trails from Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. Parks and reserves from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Opening hours and admission can change; check the linked site before travelling.