Eat in kilkenny-environs, Kilkenny

Mountain View Markets ★ 4.2

Mountain View Markets at Ballyhale runs seasonal outdoor food-truck events with African street food, lobster rolls, and barbecue, reviewed by the Irish Times.

Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese Shop ★ 4.3

Knockdrinna Farm Shop in Stoneyford sells Helen Finnegan's award-winning farmhouse cheeses, Goatsbridge trout products, caviar, plus Highbank Orchard syrups.

Ryeland House Cookery School ★ 4.2

Ryeland House Cookery School at Cuffesgrange has been run by Anne Neary since 1991 from a 19th-century farmhouse that has been in the Neary family for four.

Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese Cafe ★ 4.3

Knockdrinna's farm cafe in Stoneyford, 12km out, serves lunch built on Helen Finnegan's Supreme Champion cheeses and Goatsbridge trout, worth every kilometre.

Why locals love it: Located 12km outside Kilkenny city in Stoneyford village, requiring a car; no presence on Kilkenny city maps or tourist leaflets.