Kilkenny Tours
Hurling Tours Ireland - Hurling Experience in Kilkenny
5

Hurling Tours Ireland - Hurling Experience in Kilkenny

By Hurling Tours Ireland
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About
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Ages 5-90, max of 40 per group
Duration: 1h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • Local guide
  • Use of hurling sticks
  • Use of hurling helmets
  • Use of hurling balls
  • Parking facilities
  • Toilet facilities
  • Entry/Admission - Hurling Tours Ireland
What's not included
  • Transportation to/from attractions


Start:
  • O'Loughlin Gaels GAA Club, Hebron Rd, Leggetsrath West, Kilkenny, R95 RX63, Ireland
    We meet all guest at the Dressing Room at O'Loughlin Gaels GAA Grounds before we commence the Tour.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Pushchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 92345P1

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Most travellers can participate
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travellers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 92345P1

    From
    €30.00
    per adult
    Select date and travellers
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    Itinerary
    • Hebron Rd, Leggetsrath West, Kilkenny, R95 RX63, Ireland
      We meet all guest at the Dressing Room at O'Loughlin Gaels GAA Grounds before we commence the Tour.
    • 1
      Visitors will gain a unique cultural Irish experience through the native sport of hurling. Established in the home of hurling, Kilkenny, guests will be given the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in Irish culture by attempting Irelands most ancient and cultural past time. The activity begins with an introduction to the sport inside the intense environment of a teams dressing room. You will discover the origins of the unique sport, hurling and how even in 2024 it remains the fastest field sport in the world. Many moments can occur in the dressing room on match days, things such a aggressive team talks, sweat and tears among some of the more memorable images. You can almost sense the agony and ecstacy from the dressing room upon arrival. Once you are up to date with the basics of the game, you will be brought out to 'the field of dreams' . Here, you will be thought the basic skills of ground strike, hand pass, solo run, and hand strike and even take a shot at the goalposts.
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Hurling Tours Ireland
      158
      Ireland
      Joined in October 2018
    • bpwestover
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Awesome, Authentic Irish Experience!
      Absolutely incredible cultural experience! We didn't know what Hurling or Camogie were, and my wife does NOT play sports, but my wife and I had an incredible time could not stop smiling and laughing! We're in our late 20s and did our tour with an older couple in their 80s, and we all had so much fun! James was patient, kind, and so helpful! The entire experience was excellent, and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND! If you're already making a trip to Ireland, you MUST do this experience!
      Written 2 September 2024
    • Titellle
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great first hurling experience :)
      Great experience with a kind and patient coach. We learned a lot about hurling and we practised a few technics. All the family had so much fun, we do recommand!
      Written 14 August 2024
    • F5294GBbonnieb
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Ireland’s Passion Is Now Ours!!
      What a fun and informative experience! Our family of 8 knew very little/nothing about hurling until our amazing coach James taught us the history of and the passion Ireland has for hurling! We learned how to cradle, pass and throw the sliotar (the ball) a few of us better than the others! This is no easy feat since unlike a lacrosse stick, the head of the hurl is flat with no net or basket! James was so patient and an amazing teacher! We highly recommend booking this adventure for a hands on experience. Thanks James!
      Written 5 August 2024
    • Sarah P
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A must-do experience!
      A wonderful experience! James (and his young son) creates a fun and informative experience. Our group had such fun! Highly recommend!
      Written 30 July 2024
    • Michael R
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fantastic insights in the world of hurling
      Great first time experience getting known hurling. James is a great guy who has a great way in introducing people to the sport. we had lots of fun and became fans of Hurling!
      Written 29 June 2024
    • 827rebeccak
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      James is a wealth of knowledge and entertaining
      Listen up. Book this lesson with James. You won't be disappointed. Support a local hurler and a local economy by stopping in this beautiful area. We had a quick history of hurling and went over to a pitch in town two minutes away to learn the art of hurling. While searching for a hurling lesson that would fit into our roadtrip and timeframe I stumbled upon James and don't regret booking with him! I feel the other tours that last 3+ hours are overkill. If you want a taste of it, stretch your legs if roadtripping and enjoy a great lunch in town - BOOK THIS HURLING SESSION! My son who is athletic and played baseball in the states loved getting a grasp of this national sport here in Ireland. James is fun, patient and humorous. Especially appreciated that he remembered to capture some moments for us on my phone. This was a top three favorite thing we did on our roadtrip through Ireland. Thanks for the great memories that day.
      Written 11 June 2024
    • devo74
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing experience
      Just finished doing the tour with Micheal and his son Jamie. This was by far a highlight of my trip. Not only is the sport of hurling amazing(fun and challenging) they were gracious coaches giving my two daughters(8-10) lots of tips and help learning the sport. I would recommend it to anyone.
      Written 7 June 2024
    • Maryjay60too
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fabulous time for anyone!
      We signed up for a Hurling Experience (we chose the one in Freshford) and it was SO MUCH FUN! It was a very rainy day, and the rest of James’ reservations cancelled, and he tried reaching me to see if we wanted to cancel, but my phone didn’t connect. I’m so glad it didn’t! We met James at his family’s bar, where he gave us a presentation on the game, and then he took us to the local pitch, where he taught us the various basic hurling moves. The rain started in earnest, but James was undaunted and we had such a good time - certainly we laughed quite a bit at our general lack of skill! James kept coaching and we were able to “score” (clearly a gimme!) This is a PERFECT family activity - from small children, through teens, and even for out-of-shape grandparents (like us!) Ten stars out of five! If you decide to go, please tell him the folks from St. Louis who played in the rain with him sent you!
      Written 17 May 2024
    • dannydE8293CY
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A great experience for two London boys who knew nothing about Hurling
      Great fun would really recommend trying this when you are in Kilkenny. Fun for families and people of all ages. Learn't about how to play Hurling and then gave it a go. Thanks to James as we really enjoyed it!
      Written 21 April 2024
    • carriebN1940LX
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A MUST do while in Ireland!
      Such an awesome experience! Our family loved learning about and experiencing this (new to us) sport. James is such a great coach, is great with the kids, and his knowledge and humor were enlightening. If we ever make it back to Ireland we’ll be doing this again! We highly recommend this experience!
      Written 29 March 2024
    • annkW3123QX
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Kilkenny O’Laughlin Gaels Hurling
      The hurling visit in Kilkenny was so much fun! The Kavanaugh brothers gave our Trafalgar group a lesson in the sport, then we got to go out in the field and “play!” If you get a chance, go for it! It’s the national sport of Ireland, 3000 years old. And still a vibrant sport with an active program for all ages in Kilkenny.
      Written 4 October 2023
    • Renee S
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Highlight of our trip!
      We are very happy we booked this experience to learn about the ancient sport of hurling and its pervasive role in the community. Additionally, it is always fun to get hands on in a new sport. Definitely recommend. James was both patient and entertaining as our family (all adults, some of us in the senior ranks) practiced ball and hurley basic skills.
      Written 25 September 2023
    • H4338TFerict
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      First time players and we all had a fantastic time!
      We had never heard of hurling prior to our trip to Ireland. What a blast we had. James was a fantastic instructor and our entire group of six was able to enjoy the afternoon. Something totally unique for us and adaptable for all skill levels. Then some Guinness and excellent conversation at Kavanagh's Bar after. What could be better!
      Written 20 September 2023
    • Ann P
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Best part of our trip!
      My favorite Irish adventure/activity! We had an amazing experience with John who taught us some fundamentals as wee as the rules of the game.
      Written 20 August 2023
    • JMZ7
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Incredible sport in Ireland
      Best experience ever! Loved every minute learning this incredible sport!!! James is so patient and kind and we are now addicted to this fun sport.
      Written 9 August 2023
    See all 158 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles109 reviews
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    106
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    Megan W
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jul 2022 • Family
    My twin 7 year old boys and I did this and it was super fun and informative. We all had such a great time. The host was awesome at making everyone feel like they were naturals at the sport and left us feeling like we could go win a championship game. This sport is such a huge part of Irish culture—especially in Kilkenny and it is the perfect way to spend an hour just learning about it all!
    Written 20 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Appreciate the kind words. James.
    Written 29 July 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Jessica D
    Midlothian, VA3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jun 2023
    I cannot speak more highly of our experience with James, and the experience he provided; teaching our group about the sport of Hurling! We were in Ireland (from USA) for 10 days, and this was easily a highlight of my entire family. James was fantastic at teaching us all the basics of the sport (ages 6, 10 and 4 adults), and we walked away with a new passion for a sport we had not known much about prior to meeting James and scheduling this experience. James did a fantastic job at explaining the sport, the history and the deep routes it has Ireland. He easily transferred his passion for the sport to my two boys who after grabbing two hurling sticks while in Kilkenny, have not put them down since. James did a fantastic job also instructing the adults in the group, and even offered to take some very memorable videos of us during our lesson. Thank you very much to James for teaching us to love a game we had not known much about, and being one of the highlights of our trip! Our group of 6 would highly recommend this experience to anyone who appreciates history, a love for sports but more importantly some family fun!
    Written 28 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for your kind words Jessica, delighted to hear your two boys loved it! There is likely a hurling club near you if they wish to continue the sport.
    Written 6 July 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Nikki W
    17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a great afternoon a must do if in Kilkenny. A short insight into hurling and Camogie (female version) followed by an opportunity to give it a go on the pitch. We all practiced the basic skills followed by a family competitive drill and goal scoring practice. It can be tailored to all levels. We all thoroughly enjoyed trying something different and all of us improved. We hope to see a real match now. Thanks James for great coaching
    Written 1 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Seeing a real match is a must-do! I highly recommend that. Glad you enjoyed your first taste of hurling. -James
    Written 8 September 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Daryl D
    Greater Sydney, Australia13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We were made to feel welcome as soon as we arrived. Being from Australia we had no idea what this Hurling game was, we were taken into the change rooms, watched a video to give us some understanding of the bat and ball and how the game is played. Then outside onto the field to actually have a go at hitting the ball and finding out it is quite difficult which gave us an enormous admiration for the players of this game. This is a great experience if you enjoy any type of sport, it is well worth your time to experience this activity and it was made all the more special with our trainer having a lot of patience interspersed with humour 😀
    Written 20 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for your kind words Daryl, it is much appreciated. There is many hurling clubs in Australia where you can carry on using the skills you have learnt.
    Written 4 March 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Boyd J
    Maleny, Australia1,754 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2022
    Hurling is a national sport and counties Limerick and Kilkenny in particular, are mad for it. In Kilkenny our tour group spent an hour with a veteran Hurling player and his nine year old son. We were given an explanation of the basics of the game, the role it plays in Irish life and culture and shown four basic hurling skills that we got to practice. It was a lot of fun. Hurling is the oldest and fastest field game in the world, and we were witness to some the incredible skills of our host, someone who has played the game for more than 40 years. Highly recommended.
    Written 7 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thanks for the very nice words, it's much appreciated. Regards, -James
    Written 8 September 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Jason S
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    May 2023
    James was amazing! The history he shared about Hurling was totally captivating. You can tell he loves the game and wants to pass on his love to anyone willing to listen. The way he presents the information is perfect. He adds comedy and compassion to it. We are from Denver, Colorado and he even found our local club for us. Everything he did went way above and beyond anything we even dreamed of. My mom, who was accompanying myself, my wife, and 2 teenage boys, on our family trip didn't know what to think about it. After leaving the "pitch" curling was all we could talk about for the rest of the day. James took the time with everyone to really make sure to teach them the game. We had an amazing time and can't wait to hook up with our local team in Denver. Thank you so much for making our trip to Ireland and Kilkenny perfect. Thanks James! If you are reading this you need to go check this out. SO MUCH FUN!
    Written 29 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for your kind words. Good luck with your team in Denver!
    Written 7 June 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Corey B
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2024 • Family
    Our family of 5 were looking to do something for a change of pace while we were visiting Kilkenny. Setting up the Hurling lesson with James was seamless, he was quick to respond to coordinate. When we met James and his wife we knew it was the best excursion to be had. Our family has a sports background with Lacrosse and hurling seemed to be a fun crossover. The history and meaning of hurling was awesomely explained by James, which was fascinating. Then we headed out to the field where the actual teaching of the technique began. James connected with our 5 yo, 7 yo, 12 yo, and us parents equally! We had such a great time, James even allowed us to borrow the Hurls and sliotors(balls) to play on our own once the lesson was complete. In the end this was one the most memorable times in Ireland. I would say this is a must for anyone that wants to experience the Irish culture and play the National sport with a great, passionate host with a deep appreciation and love for the hurling game, players and history. We will definitely be back!
    Written 28 May 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi Corey B Thank you for your review, it is much appreciated. I am delighted you and your family had such an amazing time, you were a wonderful group. I look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Kind Regards James Kavanagh
    Written 19 June 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    John L
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    May 2024 • Friends
    We were on a Trafalgar Amazing Ireland tour when we visited Hurling Tours Ireland on 15 May 2024. We knew very little about the sport of hurling but they explained the game and that the players are not paid, also the pride of playing for the team in the county you are born. They then gave us a demonstration and try out. It was a lot of fun and everyone was made welcome to have a go.
    We enjoyed this and were very impressed with the time these people give to their clubs.
    Margaret Cameron and John Lee
    Written 29 May 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi John L Thank you for your very kind review, it is greatly appreciated. I am delighted to hear you had an amazing time. It may be an amatuar sport but the commitment is beyond a professioanl level. Kind Regards James Kavanagh
    Written 19 June 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Kate D
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2023 • Couples
    After a short video and discussion about the history of hurling in Ireland, James took us out to the pitch to teach us the fundamentals of the game. It was so much fun and we're now definitely fans! Learning hurling in Kilkenny is part of the whole experience and James was passionate and enthusiastic. Highly recommend!
    Written 26 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for your kind words Kate.
    Written 31 March 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Steffanie Gibson
    Las Vegas, NV22 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jun 2023 • Family
    My group of 6 ( 4 adults and 2 kids ages 11 and 14) had such a great time at this experience. Michael put together an entire lesson to help us learn the sport. We had fun competing against one another and seeing which of us had natural hurling strengths. Beyond that, it was a great way to learn the rules of the sport. Later in the trip we were able to use what we learned to understand the big hurling matches happening on TV! Highly recommend.
    Written 16 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you Steffanie, if you'd like to watch the matches back home you will be able to on GAA Go
    Written 6 July 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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