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Rafter'S Gastropub

3.0 star property
3-star guest house near Kilkenny Castle

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Photo gallery for Rafter'S Gastropub

Rooftop terrace
Front of property
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; Irish cuisine
Double or Twin Room
Reception hall

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Laundry
  • Room service

Explore the area

View in a map
4 Friary Street, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, R95 VY62
  • Place, Kilkenny Castle
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Butler House
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, St. Canice's Cathedral
    ‪8 min walk‬

Room options

View all photos for Double or Twin Room

Double or Twin Room

Double or Twin Room

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(4 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room

Family Room

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(4 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 3 Twin Beds

View all photos for Triple Room

Triple Room

Triple Room

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Double Room

Blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Double Room

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(4 reviews)
  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Twin Room

Twin Room

Twin Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

About the area

Kilkenny

Kilkenny City Centre stay.Within a 10-minute walk of this Kilkenny City Centre guesthouse, you'll find Kilkenny Castle and Butler House. Also, St. Canice's Cathedral is within half a mile (1 km) and Kilkenny Golf Club is within 2 miles (3 km).
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What's nearby

  • Kilkenny Castle - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Butler House - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Smithwick's Brewery Tour - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Black Abbey - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • St. Canice's Cathedral - 8 min walk - 0.7 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

3-star guest house near Kilkenny Castle
Along with a restaurant, there's a snack bar/deli on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Free breakfast is served daily. WiFi is free in public spaces.

A rooftop terrace, barbecue grills, and an arcade/game room are also featured at Rafter'S Gastropub.

This 3-star Kilkenny guesthouse is smoke free.

  • 16 guestrooms or units
  • Full breakfast (free)
  • Deli
  • Terrace on the roof
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Self-service laundry
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Game room or arcade
  • Pool or billiards table
  • Garden
  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • Television in lobby
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
Rafter'S Gastropub offers 16 accommodations with hair dryers and complimentary toiletries. Flat-screen televisions are featured in guestrooms.

Bathrooms include showers. This Kilkenny guesthouse provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

Similar properties

Bar (on property)
Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Kids pool
  • Free WiFi
4.3 out of 5, Excellent, 1,001 reviews
The price is CA $175
CA $199 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 22 - Mar 23
Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room
  • Laundry facilities
  • Snack bar/deli

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Food and drink

  • 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

Accessibility

  • No elevator

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

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

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. No onsite parking is available. This property accepts Visa and Mastercard. Cash is not accepted. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher in each accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

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

How close is Rafter'S Gastropub to the airport?

Rafter'S Gastropub is 85.7 mi (94-min drive) away from the Dublin Airport (DUB) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Rafter'S Gastropub?

As of Mar 16, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Rafter'S Gastropub on Mar 18, 2026 start from CA $171, 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.

Does Rafter'S Gastropub have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at Rafter'S Gastropub.

Does Rafter'S Gastropub offer free breakfast?

Rafter'S Gastropub offers free full breakfast every day from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM.

Is there a casino at Rafter'S Gastropub?

No, there is no casino at this guesthouse.

What time is check-in at Rafter'S Gastropub?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Rafter'S Gastropub?

Free parking is not available at this guesthouse.

Does Rafter'S Gastropub have a pool?

Rafter'S Gastropub does not have a pool.

Does Rafter'S Gastropub have a restaurant?

Yes, there is a restaurant on site.

Does Rafter'S Gastropub have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this guesthouse.

How close is Rafter'S Gastropub to downtown Kilkenny?

Rafter'S Gastropub is 0.1 mi away from Kilkenny.

Rafter'S Gastropub Reviews

Reviews

8.0

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 87 out of 217 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 72 out of 217 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 28 out of 217 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 18 out of 217 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 12 out of 217 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were great, very friendly. Lovely breakfast, filled us for the day
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Martin

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.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Richard

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location and very friendly and helpful staff. Excellent value.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Trevor

Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Jamie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Alexander

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great breakfast and great location in the centre of town.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mike

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

2/10 Terrible

sandra

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service

Don't stay here!

The room had two bathrooms but the toilet in one didn't work and they did't fix it. There is no on-site laundry as stated in the Hotels.com description. The internet doesn't work except for local providers. Also our roaming didn't work there only outside on the street. I needed the internet so we had to leave and book another hotel. The owner is horrible and kept our $400!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Beth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cute convenient location above the pub. Had great entertainment that evening with live music. Food was delicious at the pub. No parking on site. The parking garage next door does not allow for parking over night. We parked .5 miles down the road at a parking lot. Beds we a little lumpy but the location was ideal
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We stayed at Rafter's for our first night in Ireland, and it was a great start to the trip. The location was perfect, only about a five minute walk to Kilkenny Castle. Gerry was an awesome host, he made us feel so welcome and even invited my mother-in-law behind the bar to make an Irish coffee to compete with his. After dinner, we had a drink at the pub and there was live music; it only played until 9:30, so it didn't keep us from sleeping! The breakfast was included and there were many options, all amazing and made fresh. Would recommend to anyone looking for a more authentic Kilkenny experience.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Ellen

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Wasn’t happy with rooms.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Sandra

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
We enjoyed our stay. It is a lively part of town, and we were there during the Music Festival. There was some maintenance to be done, and I have privately messaged the owner in hopes it is can be fixed so others do not have the same problem.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Elizabeth

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had one night here. The wifi was down which makes life tough when traveling. The room was big. It was mostly clean. Some stains on the carpet. The breakfast was good and staff were nice. Not too noisy but it was a week night. Good shower and hot water/pressure
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anthony, Oakdale

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
3rd time guests…we really enjoy Rafters!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anna

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great location and place to stay

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Bare necessities

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deanna, Daly City

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Close to shops
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Cynthia

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Donna

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Wonderful Stay

Rafters was so easy to check in and the young lady checking us in was so sweet and friendly. The accommodations were so cute and comfortable. Gerry and his wife were wonderful. He allowed us to hold our luggage downstairs and was delightful to visit with. The bar was beautiful and the lunch and breakfast was delicious. Saying again the rooms were precious and I didn’t hear any road noise with the window open. Clean rooms and comfortable beds. The location was perfect for walking to castle and pubs. I would definitely recommend staying here.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Caroline

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location in the centre of the town, rooms basic but well kept and clean. Good breakfast in the morning.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Comfortable enough room, I stayed in no 3 - didn’t hear much noise during the night but it was mid week . no bottles of water in the room- bathroom bin wasn’t emptied of tissues from the previous guest, shower had a poor out flow - ages to get hot - never got really hot either - light coming from an upstairs restaurant outside my window and people could walk past my window in an alley from a side door- curtains seemed thin - I did need 2 nights but I was glad after I only booked one night there - good breakfast in the morning though - friendly staff at check in and at breakfast next morning. Breakfast was good.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Timothy

Pub stay

The food was delicious. Had lunch and included breakfast. Real pub with good atmosphere. Room very clean.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pierre

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location. Breakfast was good. Close to many tourist sites
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024