The head office of the Craft Council of Ireland and The National Craft Gallery is located in what was once the stables and stable yard adjacent to Kilkenny Castle. Housed in these buildings are small studios given over for the purpose of growing young talented Irish craftspeople which you can visit freely and avail of the various exhibitions that take place here.
What's even better is that you are right beside the Kilkenny Design Shop where the quality craftwork from all over Ireland is on sale and upstairs has the most glorious restaurant- ideal for one of those "coffee & cake" lazy days or just shopping your heart out.