Kilkenny
The Vartry School of English Kilkenny is located in the purpose built local Secondary School of Graignamanagh, which enables us to take advantage of all its facilities and provide students with the perfect learning environment. Graignamanagh is in the heart of Leinster and only two hours from Dublin. The village and its surrounding hinterland is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful areas in the Southeast of Ireland. The Vartry School of English Kilkenny provides 2/3/4 week programs in the Summer.
With its remarkable combination of mountain views, lush rolling hills, forest and river valleys, Graignamanagh represents everything that makes Ireland a truly unique and special place. Add to this the rich heritage of historical monuments and an abundance of leisure activities and Graignamanagh presents itself as an enormously attractive place for anyone to visit.
Graignamanagh is a medieval river town, nestled in the scenic Barrow Valley. It is the perfect destination for for those in search of a traditional Irish welcome and those that want to experience the real Ireland. The local people, young and old, are renowned for their warm welcome and friendly nature and give true meaning to the gaelic "Céad Míle Fáilte" or "hundred thousand welcomes". Needless to say the locals will gladly welcome anyone of any age who wants to immerse themselves into the rich Irish culture and heritage right at their doorstep in Graignamanagh.
This medieval river town, steeped in history, dates back to the 13th century when Duiske Abbey, the largest Cistercian Monastery in Ireland, was established at the junction of the rivers Barrow and Duiske. The glory of Graiguenamanagh is the lush beautiful Kilkenny countryside that surrounds it.
County Kilkenny, the Medieval Capital of Ireland, is a county full of outstanding monuments and historic sites. There is a wonderful co-existence between past and present to be seen in this county with the successful preservation of its medieval past. The landscape of this beautiful county has everything from limestone plains to the hills of Slieveardagh and Booley. The three sister rivers, the Barrow, the Suir and the Nore transverse this county through scenic valleys along South Leinster. Graignamanagh is well situated to access other places of cultural importance in Ireland such as Dublin, Waterford and Kilkenny city.
It is our belief, at Vartry School of English, that the combination of Graignamanagh's people, culture and landscape will provide those lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit with an unforgettable experience.
