Kyteler’s Inn, Kilkenny

Kyteler’s Inn holds the distinction of being the oldest inn in the city and is connected to an intriguing historical event—the infamous witch trials of 1324, purportedly the only such trials in both Ireland and Europe. The Kyteler family, having arrived with the Normans, became entangled in controversy when Joseph Kyteler's moneylending practices drew the disapproval of the church.

Following Joseph's death, his daughter Alice assumed control and, after marrying four wealthy men who met mysterious ends, found herself accused of heresy and witchcraft. In 1324, the witch trials unfolded at Kyteler's Inn, marking a dark chapter in its history. Alice, facing charges, fled to England, while her maid, accused as an accomplice, was tragically burned at the stake.

Visitors to Kyteler's Inn today can step into the atmosphere of the 13th-century establishment, immerse themselves in live music, and perhaps summon the courage to explore the dimly lit corners of its stone-walled rooms—where, according to rumor, Alice's spectral presence occasionally oversees the proceedings to ensure the inn operates smoothly.