Active Retirement Associations aim to help retired men and women, usually over the age of 55, to lead full, happy and healthy retirements by offering organised opportunities for a wide range of activities including holidays, outings and socials, creative and learning programmes, indoor and outdoor sports and community work. There is an annual insurance and affiliation fee and a nominal charge for meetings.

Rings, cards, bingo, exercise to music, dinner, sports and services such as manicure, day trips and reflexology. Family care support group, every second Friday 11am to 1pm in St Fiacres Parish Centre, Loughboy.

The Kilkenny Local Association of An Taisce (National Trust for Ireland) is concerned with heritage and the environment.

There are regular meetings consisting of talks by invited speakers. 

Recent topics included the archaeology of Kilkenny City, vernacular field gates, and a guided walk of a heritage forest.

These are public events and everyone is welcome.

The Committee meets monthly.

Social and friendship club for children with special needs aged between 6 and 14. Every

second Saturday during school term.

Aware Life Skills Programme, based on the principles of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).

Manager: Anne Whittle/ Niamh Walsh
Contact: 0832043613

Address: Main Street, Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny

Service Type: Sessional, Part Time, Full Day Care
Age Group(s): Preschool, Toddler
Funding Programmes: ECCE, NCS

Full Day Creche for Fulltime and Part-time places for children aged 1 year plus, open from 8am-6pm.

Playgroup and Montessori for age 2½ to 5. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 12.30pm. Purpose-built premises. Participating in ECCE Scheme and CCS. Summer camp, one week in July.
 

Meets in Bigwood National School

Buddy Bench Ireland is a school based positive mental health programme that promotes emotional resilience.  Celebrate children who act with compassion, kindness and empathy and releases the stigma of asking for help and encourages the development of conflict management skills thus relieving anxiety, stress and feelings of isolation.

Club for over 60s. Afternoon Tea. Activities include exercise, bingo cards, art and crafts, library and occasional speakers. People can be collected from their home and returned.

Two days per week, Tuesday and Thursday, 10.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Full three course meal supplied, also Afternoon Tea. Activities include exercise, bingo, cards, art and crafts, library and occasional speakers. Some gentle sports activities. Annual holiday. Day trips. People can be collected from their home and returned. Chiropody service, hairdressing and laundry service available.

Open to children from age 3yrs and 3mths to 5yrs. Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 12.15pm. Participating in ECCE Scheme.
 

Thursday, 10am to 12pm

Our Childcare Centre provides quality affordable, community based ​childcare for both Early Years and School Age children.

This includes:

-A child friendly environment

-Nutritious home cooked meals

-Indoor and Outdoor play space

-After school bus pick up

-Afterschool Programme

-Homework Support

Creche:

12 months - 5 years

8.30am - 5.30pm (Part time am/pm, Full day and Sessional am/pm)

Afterschool Programme:

Junior Infants - 6th Class

1.30 pm - 5.30 pm (Part-time and Sessional)

Private pre-school for age 2yrs and 10mths to school-going. Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 12.30pm. Participating in ECCE Scheme.
 

Purpose-designed Montessori pre-school. For children from age 2½ to 5. Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm. Excellent indoor and outdoor facilities. Qualified teaching staff. Participating in ECCE Scheme.
 

Community Centres offer courses and support services for people living in the surrounding community.

This service is part of the Kilkenny Adult Education Service, Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (ETB). It is primarily aimed at adults who left school without formal qualifications and who are at risk of long term unemployment and/or for those adults who wish to improve their basic education and skills. All adults are welcome to contact the service for the purpose of up to date, impartial education information. 

Parent, Baby & Toddler Groups:

St Canices Neighbourhood Hall, 22-28 Butts Greens, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95VK7X - Every Thursday during Term Time only - 9:45 to 11:15am - Contact Laura Seoighe 087 616 2014 - cuidiukilkenny@gmail.com

Irishtown - Cakeface - Irishtown, Kilkenny - Last weekend of every month, all are welcome from bumps to teens with Parent Supporters and BFC's in attendance - check socials for details.

For children age 6mths to 12 years, 8.00am to 6pm. ECCE/CETS
 

Accredited and non-accredited adult education courses, childcare provision, fitness classes, community savings bank, computer classes, community garden, English conversation classes, Men’s Shed, open music, song and dance sessions, after school services and much, much more.

Eden Childcare is a long established, highly reputable provider of quality Childcare in Kilkenny and was formerly known as Busy Bees Creche.

Children from age 1yr old right up to after schoolers, including pre-school run through Irish. 

Monday - Friday 8am to 6pm

Afterschool Collection Service Available

The only winner of the all-Ireland Centre of Excellence in Childcare in County Kilkenny. Fairy Folk offers preschool and after school sessions. 

Preschool for age 2½ to 5. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 12.30pm.

After school club collecting from Kilkenny Church of Ireland Model School 1.45pm to 5.30pm.

Excellent indoor and outdoor facilities. Qualified teaching staff. Participating in ECCE and NCS schemes.

Winner of the all-Ireland Centre of Excellence in Childcare.

Manager: Ann Marie O’Shea
Contact: 0863295496

Email: annmarie.oshea@hotmail.com

Address: Tinvaun, Stoneyford, Kilkenny 

Service Type: Sessional
Age Group(s): Preschool
Funding Programmes: ECCE, CCS/P

Wide range of activities and supports available including: childcare, children and youth services, family supports, parenting, counselling, adult education and employment supports. Multimedia Centre with low cost IT and ECDL training.

Community groups and support groups (including community bank, Immigrant Support Clinic, Older Person Support Group).

Our afterschool project opens Monday to Friday 2pm to 5.45pm, offering a wide range of activities, supports and programmes to children and young people.  We are participating in all Government funded schemes.

Toddler hour, storytime, crafts and fun for children - free at  your local library.

Website: www.kilkennylibrary.ie/eng/whats_on/?vn=&ct=Children

Lots of different events which you can book your child in for by emailing the library where the event is on.

All of the library locations' email addresses are visible on the www.kilkennylibrary.ie contact us page. 

Bingo, talks, lunch and daytrips.

Find us on Facebook.

Tuesday, 10.30am to 12pm

This society holds regular meetings throughout the year, with guest lecturers and outings during the summer months. The society has erected several memorial plaques and stones commemorating local people of historical interest.

GROW is a Mental Health Organisation which helps people who have suffered or are suffering, from mental health problems. Members are helped to recover from all forms of mental breakdown, or indeed, to prevent such happening.

Groups meetings take place on Tuesdays, 10am and Wednesdays, 8pm.

Manager: Lynn Finnegan
Contact: 0567771767

Address: 69 Springfield, Waterford Rd, Kilkenny

Service Type: Part time
Age Group(s): Toddler, Preschool
Funding Programmes: ECCE

Manager: Valerie Norris
Contact: 087 2039404

Address: Lismatigue, Hugginstown, Kilkenny

Service Type: Sessional
Age Group(s): Preschool
Funding Programmes: ECCE

This agricultural show dates back to 1826 and is one of the largest in the country.

Showcases the best of livestock, poultry, produce and crafts, as well as featuring showjumping.

Held annually in Piltown, Co Kilkenny.

A free and confidential service available to employers, employees and jobseekers. KASES is a Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection funded initiative that enables and empowers people with varying abilities who require extra support or those with a disability or an illness to search for employment in the open labour market. We prepare people to access and maintain employment while also assisting them to integrate into the staff team. We are also available to those who are in paid employment and need support to sustain their role.

Kidstuff Montessori is a preschool in a rural setting serving the communities of Castlewarren, Clara, Gowran and Paulstown.

Manager: Annette Nolan
Contact: 086 346 2705

Address: Blanchvilles Park, Clifden, Kilkenny

Service Type: Sessional
Age Group(s): Preschool
Funding Programmes: ECCE

This society aims to promote and renew interest in the history and antiquities of Kilkenny City and County. A varied programme of lectures is organised during the winter months and there are outings during the summer. Non- members are welcome.

City Direct operates two routes in Kilkenny City on behalf of Transport for Ireland. Each route operates every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday. Services on Sunday operate by the hour. Late night services operate on Friday and Saturday nights. See website for route map and further details.

Kilkenny County Library Service has 8 libraries: Callan, Castlecomer, City Library at John’s Quay, Ferrybank, Graiguenamanagh, Loughboy, Thomastown, Urlingford and a countywide Mobile Library Service.

All service points are wheelchair accessible. There is a range of accessible formats/software and Hearing Aid Loop systems in all branches.

Membership is free for all, and provides access to libraries all over the country.

Services Include:

Kilkenny Memory Support
Peer support group for people with memory difficulties, facilitated by nurses from Kilkenny Memory Clinic. First Friday each month, 11am to 1pm.

Kilkenny Memory Supporters
Meetings for people supporting family or friends to live well with memory loss, second Friday of each month, 11am to 1pm.

The Kilkenny Older Peoples Forum (now the Seniors Forum) was established under the Age Friendly initiative in 2010. The structure of the Forum was agreed by older people during consultation meetings and comprises of members from older peoples groups and individuals throughout Kilkenny city and county and has an Executive of 16 members holding monthly meetings at Kilkenny County Council offices, John St., Kilkenny. The Forum is currently looking for new members with a variety of skills and interests to continue to develop Kilkenny as a great place to grow old in.

Kilkenny Special Olympics Club is a volunteer run organization which provides training in swimming, bocce and athletics for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Bocce training during the winter months, Tuesdays, 5.45pm to 6.45pm at St Canice's Hospital.

Athletic's training during the spring and summer months, Tuesdays, 5.45pm to 6.45pm at Scanlon Park.

Swimming training, Wednesdays 4.15pm to 5.15pm at the Watershed.

Children 6 to 18 years, Loreto Sports Hall, Thursdays 5.45pm to 6.45pm

KTCM assists and supports Traveller children of primary and secondary school age, in the Hebron and Wetlands areas of Kilkenny city, to do their homework. KTCM also provides recreational, cultural and social activities to the 60 participating children. Volunteers who are interested in work experience and looking to a career in social care, childcare or teaching are welcome to apply. Teaching skills are not required.

Kilkenny Volunteering Information Service is a service for individuals who wish to volunteer some of their free time and for organisations/groups that need voluntary support. The overall aim of service is to increase the numbers volunteering in the County and to promote volunteering as a rewarding and fulfilling activity.

People looking to volunteer can register their details through the Service.  Organisations looking for volunteers can also register their details.  The Service helps match people with suitable volunteering opportunities.

For age 3 to 5. Monday to Friday, 9am to 12.30pm. No charge for extra half hour. Participating in ECCE Scheme and CCS Scheme. Implement the high scope curriculum.
 

Manager: Moira Millea
Contact: 0567764279

Address: 1 The Green, Ayrfield, Granges road, Kilkenny

Service Type: Full time, Afterschool.
Age Group(s):Toddler, Preschool, School Age.
Funding Programmes: ECCE, NCS

Lilliput is a montessori service, open Mon-Fri 9.15-12.15 and 1pm to 4pm

Manager: Natasha Riley Byrne
Contact: 056 7786591 / 087 6205515

Email: lilliputmontessori@gmail.com

Address: 1 Pococke Valley, Johnswell Rd, Kilkenny

Service Type: Sessional
Age Group(s): Preschool
Funding Programmes: ECCE

Manager: Sharon O’Brien
Contact: 051896769 

Email: littlemischiefmooncoin2006@yahoo.com

Website: https://m.facebook.com/littlemischeifmooncoin/

Address: 7/8 the Hawthorns, Roseleigh, Mooncoin, Kilkenny

After school programme (primary school children), Monday to Friday, 2pm to 6pm. Includes hot snack, homework support, drama and fun activities. Places available and taking bookings for September. Accept children with special needs. During school holidays we offer seasonal camps at very competitive rates.

Volunteers deliver meals to the older people in their homes. Volunteers drivers give 1½ hours of their time each week. This service operates all year round.

Offers wide range of activities and support to Millennium Court and wider community, including school age service, women’s group, gardening group, summer camps, Easter egg hunt, Halloween parties and Christmas parties. Buddy Bench.

Under the auspices of the Irish Bishop’s Drug Initiative, meets Wednesday 6.30pm to 8 pm in the Nagle Meeting Rooms next to the Mooncoin Parish Church.

Training courses that include an hour of youth café and an hour of education, for post primary students (transition year and fifth year) living in the Mooncoin catchment area.

These trained students run a peer education programme entitled ‘Drug Awareness and Healthy Life Choices’ for confirmation classes in Mooncoin Parish

Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm. Participating in ECCE and CCS Schemes.
 

Parent and Toddler morning offers a brilliant space for parents, guardians, nannies,
childminders and children to interact and share invaluable experiences. Tuesday, 10am to 12pm.

Manager: Cliona Woodford
Contact: 056 8832700

Address: Tobernapeastia, Freshford, Kilkenny

Service Type: Full time, Part time, Sessional, Afterschool.
Age Group(s): Baby, Toddler, Preschool, School Age
Funding Programmes: ECCE, NCS

The Youth Information Centre provides a free, confidential information service to young people aged between 12 and 30 and those who work with them on a wide range of subjects including careers, education, employment matters, rights and entitlements, leisure, sport, travel and European opportunities

We also offer Outreach services to schools and community groups throughout Kilkenny delivering programmes such as Mental Health, Sexual Health, Drug Awareness, Body Image and Self Esteem, Bullying, Faith Based Programmes and Mentoring services.

Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 12.30pm. Participating in ECCE Scheme.
 

“Caring for People, Sharing our Saviour”
Play, songs, craft, chat and refreshments. A great place to meet people! Every Tuesday and Wednesday, 10.30am to 12 noon, excluding school holidays.
 

Rainbows offers a 9 week listening, group support programme for children and young people, following a bereavement or parental separation.

• Specific support groups for bereavement and separation will be formed on the basis of age level.
• Rainbows is suitable for children and young people from age 7 and in lst Class up to Transition year (4 levels).
• Rainbows is not counselling or professional therapy.

Parents are invited to visit the website.

Samaritans is a voluntary listening charity supporting people in all sorts of crisis that cause emotional upset. The service provides non-judgemental, confidential, emotional support to people experiencing distress or despair, including suicidal feelings. They are available 24hrs a day, 7 days a week and encourage people in need of support to get in touch.

Samaritans recruit new volunteers on an on-going basis. 

Manager: Joan O’Gorman
Contact: 051641171

Address: Skough Hill, Owning, Piltown, Kilkenny

Service Type: Sessional
Age Group(s): Preschool
Funding Programmes: ECCE

The Society of St Vincent de Paul fundraises to assist those in need.  Their work is carried out in a manner that respects the dignity of the individual and all requests for assistance are treated in the strictest confidence.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul has groups called Conferences in areas of the county.  From time to time the various Conferences of the Society need additional volunteers.  It’s a wonderful way to give something back.

Doing voluntary work in the Citizens Information Service (CIS) involves dealing with many and varied queries received from the public. Volunteers receive extensive training. A weekly commitment is necessary.

Manager: Marie Ring
Contact: 056-7761142 or 0868030850

Email: squareonechildcare@gmail.com

Website: www.squareonecreche.ie

Address: 23 Cedarwood Crescent, Loughboy, Kilkenny (Full Time, Part Time, Sessional & Afterschool, Toddler, Preschool, School Age)  AND 18 Whitewood, Garringreen, Kilkenny (pre-school only)

Funding Programmes: ECCE, NCS

Personal care, nursing care, various diversional and recreational therapies, lunch and tea.

Transport provided within 10 km.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9.30 am to 4 pm.

Provides a range of activities including meals, recreational activities and health promotion.

Nominal charge for dinner.

Open Wednesday and Thursday.
 

Teac Tom is a peer led organisation which offers a warm and welcoming place for people that have been affected by suicide or mental health issues and for their families and friends.  The door of Teac Tom is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 3.30pm (and by appointment).  Volunteers are welcomed either to share a skill or help out in the Centre.

The Involvement Centre is a peer-led group which offers a warm and welcoming place for people with mental health issues, their families and friends. The Centre offers and informal place for a cuppa, a chat, a laugh and lots more....The Centre is currently open Monday 10am to 1pm, Tuesday 10am to 1pm, Wednesday 1pm to 4.30pm, Thursday 1pm to 4pm, Friday 10am to 1pm and Saturday 11am to 2pm.

Volunteers are welcomed either to share a skill or help out in the Centre.

Manager: Betty Gannon
Contact: 051 423737

Email: therowerpreschool@gmail.com

Address: Ballylogue, The Rower, Kilkenny

Service Type: Sessional
Age Group(s): Preschool
Funding Programmes: ECCE

The Thomastown Kindergarten is situated in a rural setting in close vicinity to Kilkenny City and is influenced by the Steiner Waldorf approach. They offer a rich foundation for the 2.5yr old to 5yr old child. Their main emphasis lies in creating a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere in which the child is allowed to learn by example rather than direct instructions. The activites reflect the concerns, interests and developmental stages of the child and the environment is designed to foster personal and social learning giving a foundation for later formal learning. 

Manager: Geraldine Russell 

Contact: 056 7715600 

Address: Parcnagowen, Outrath Road, Kilkenny 

Service Type: Full Time & Afterschool Age Group(s): Toddler, Preschool, School Age 

Funding Programmes: ECCE, NCS, CCS/P

Opening hours 7.30am to 6.30pm. The service accepts children age 1 year plus.

Afterschool Drop Off and Collections available from: St. Canices National School, Presentation Primary, CBS Primary, St Patricks De La Salle NS, St. John of God, Kilkenny School Project and Gaelscoil Osrai.

Introduction to Irish for all Pre-School Children.
 

Urlingford Community Childcare Centre is committed to working with parents to create a quality childcare facility that meets the needs of children, parents and the wider community.

Children from 12mths old up to Afterschool (right up to and including 6th class)

Tuesday, 10am to 11.30am. During School term.