Fishing in Co. Kilkenny

Kilkenny is landlocked, sitting in the southeast of Ireland, and its fishing is defined almost entirely by moving freshwater.

Two rivers do most of the work here — the Nore running through the county's heart, and the Barrow along its eastern edge — and between them they cover a lot of ground: long glides, wooded banks, limestone-influenced water that holds fish well through the season.

The Nore is the river most anglers come for. Salmon and wild brown trout are the draws, with Kilkenny town, Thomastown, and Inistioge among the stretches worth knowing.

At Mount Juliet Estate, the Nore and its tributary the King's River come together, and the estate's twelve named pools have a long history of serious fishing.

The guiding there covers French nymphing and dry dropper work — practical methods for the water rather than showpiece techniques.

Salmon fishing on the Nore has operated on a catch-and-release basis in recent seasons; check current regulations with Inland Fisheries Ireland before you go, as the rules are reviewed annually.

For stocked trout fishing, Ardaire Springs near Mooncoin runs a well-managed stillwater with rainbow and brown trout, spring-fed limestone water, and a dedicated lake for younger anglers getting started.

It's a different experience from the wild rivers — more controlled, more accessible — but the fish are in good condition and the on-site tackle shop is genuinely useful if you've arrived without gear. Licensing matters here as it does everywhere in Ireland.

Salmon and sea trout require a State Licence administered by Inland Fisheries Ireland, plus a local permit for the specific water. Trout fishing doesn't require a State Licence, but local permits still apply on many beats.

IFI is the right place to confirm what's needed for whichever water you're fishing. The Nore in particular rewards patience and local knowledge.

The season runs into autumn, and the evening rise on a warm summer night — dry fly, shallow water, trout working the surface — is the kind of fishing that brings people back.