Travelers find the perfect blend of medieval charm and modern comfort at this Irish retreat, where games and gastropub dining create a welcoming atmosphere
Rafter's Gastropub, near medieval Kilkenny Castle, offers a unique blend of history and comfort. Enjoy rooftop views, full breakfast, games, or barbecue grills. Guests consistently praise the attentive staff.
Kilkenny City Centre, a neighborhood in Kilkenny, is home to Rafter'S Gastropub. Kilkenny Castle and Butler House are notable landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Kilkenny Golf Club and Callan Golf Club. Check out an event or a game at The Watershed, and consider making time for Gowran Park, a top attraction not to be missed. Take an opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like hiking/biking trails. Visit our Kilkenny travel guide
4 Friary Street, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, R95 VY62
What's nearby
Kilkenny Castle
3 min walk - 0.3 km
Black Abbey
6 min walk - 0.6 km
St. Canice's Cathedral
8 min walk - 0.7 km
Butler House
3 min walk - 0.3 km
Smithwick's Brewery Tour
6 min walk - 0.6 km
Getting around
Kilkenny Station
12 min walk
Dublin Airport (DUB)
94 min drive
Restaurants
Left Bank
2 min walk
Kyteler's Inn Restaurant & Bar
4 min walk
The Field Bar & Restaurant
2 min walk
Lanigan's Bar & Restaurant
3 min walk
Tynan's Bridge House Bar
3 min walk
About this property
Rafter'S Gastropub
Guesthouse near Kilkenny Castle
Located close to Butler House and St. Canice's Cathedral, Rafter'S Gastropub provides free full breakfast, a rooftop terrace, and a garden. The on-site restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Free in-room WiFi is available to all guests, along with an arcade/game room and laundry facilities.
You'll also find perks like:
A TV in the lobby, coffee/tea in the lobby, and free newspapers
A billiards/pool table, luggage storage, and barbecue grills
Smoke-free premises and a front-desk safe
Guest reviews give top marks for the helpful staff
Room features
All guestrooms at Rafter'S Gastropub include comforts such as free WiFi and room service.
Free full breakfast available daily 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
A bar/lounge
A restaurant
Coffee and tea in common areas
Snack bar/deli
Things to do
Arcade/game room
Billiards/pool table
TV in common areas
Family friendly
Arcade/game room
Laundry facilities
Snack bar/deli
Conveniences
Free newspapers in lobby
Laundry facilities
Luggage storage
Safe at front desk
Guest services
Housekeeping (daily)
Outdoors
Barbecue grill
Garden
Rooftop terrace
Accessibility
No elevator
More
Smoking not allowed
Room amenities
Bedroom
Blackout drapes
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Shower
Towels provided
Entertainment
Flat-screen TV
Food and drink
Room service
More
Heating
Iron/ironing board on request
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11:30 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
There is no front desk at this property
The host will greet guests on arrival
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Host will greet you
Pets
Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Property payment types
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
National rating
This property does not have a Ireland Tourist Board rating. For the benefit of our customers, we have provided a rating based on our rating system.
Property is also known as
Rafter Dempsey's
Rafter Dempsey's Inn
Rafter Dempsey's Inn Kilkenny
Rafter Dempsey's Kilkenny
Rafter Dempsey's House Kilkenny
Rafter Dempsey's House
The Rafter Dempsey's Guesthouse
Rafter Dempsey's Guesthouse Kilkenny
Rafter Dempsey's Guesthouse
The Rafter Dempsey's
RAFTER'S GASTROPUB Kilkenny
RAFTER'S GASTROPUB Guesthouse
RAFTER'S GASTROPUB Guesthouse Kilkenny
Frequently asked questions
Is Rafter'S Gastropub pet-friendly?
No, only service animals are welcome at the property.
How much does it cost to stay at Rafter'S Gastropub?
As of 7 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Rafter'S Gastropub on 10 March 2026 start from AED 467, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking?
This property doesn't offer parking.
What time is check-in at Rafter'S Gastropub?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.
What time is check-out at Rafter'S Gastropub?
Check-out is at 11:30 AM.
Where is Rafter'S Gastropub located?
Located in Kilkenny City Centre, this guesthouse is within a 10-minute walk of Kilkenny Castle and Butler House. St. Canice's Cathedral and Kilkenny Golf Club are also within 1 mi (2 km). Kilkenny Station is 12 minutes by foot.
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
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Reviews
Rafter'S Gastropub Reviews
8.0
Very Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
8.2
Cleanliness
9.0
Location
8.8
Staff & service
7.4
Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 87 out of 217 reviews
10 - Excellent
87
Rating 8 - Good. 72 out of 217 reviews
8 - Good
72
Rating 6 - Okay. 28 out of 217 reviews
6 - Okay
28
Rating 4 - Poor. 18 out of 217 reviews
4 - Poor
18
Rating 2 - Terrible. 12 out of 217 reviews
2 - Terrible
12
Reviews
8/10 Good
Alexander
23 September 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great breakfast and great location in the centre of town.
Great location and very friendly and helpful staff. Excellent value.
Richard
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Martin
15 November 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Beautiful cosy room, well located in city centre and all the staff were brilliant, very professional in what they did. Best breakfast I’ve had in a long time and cooked to order so much better than a buffet. Highly recommend the place and hopefully I’ll be back.
Great place to stay central to the castle and friendly staff
Manuela
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
8/10 Good
Laurence
3 November 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The room was absolutely impeccable. The breakfast was delicious and we really enjoyed having breakfast in the atmosphere of the pub. Best breakfast up to now. The owner is really nice! The only thing was the noise; we wanted to sleep early but as there was live music in the neighboring pub, it was rather noisy until 23:00.
Staff was very nice. Great value. Rooms and hotel clean, but beds were not the most comfortable. Right around the corner from shops and castle. Parking was about a block away, very doable.
Lovely homely place to stay. Room for three was large, warm and beds comfortable. Full tasty Irish breakfast included. Location right in the center of Killkenny.
We loved our stay here! Great dinner and breakfast, we got to enjoy live music, and the staff is so friendly. Comfy room upstairs too. Would definitely stay here again.
This place is great! Jerry is a wonderful hosts and we’re glad we met him and stayed here…their fish and chips is as good as anywhere else in Ireland…loved it!
Owner was so friendly, kind, funny and met all our needs and expectations. Food was awesome!!! Room was clean, quiet, and comfortable. Would highly recommend staying and eating here!