Thank you, Rick & Co, for your recommendation to stay at Butler Court in Kilkenny! We just checked out today, and could not have had a better experience.
If new hotels are built in Kilkenny, avoid them - this is the real Irish deal with Yvonne & John as lovely hosts (& of course, Bo The Sweet Dog!). The rooms are very well appointed (including great light and magnifying mirror for putting on makeup), and we’ve never had a better continental breakfast (tea, coffee with all the trimmings, luscious Irish yogurt, fresh brown bread - best we’ve had yet - fresh fruit) - all in the fresh air of the lovely courtyard.
But best of all was the hospitality the Irish are known for…this was a perfect blend of having privacy/own room with loo) and experiencing the warmth of the hosts as they welcomed us, and acclimated us to Kilkenny with loads of advice. I only wish we could stay longer.