Major city · Ireland
BorrisAn Bhuiríos
One night is enough: see the viaduct and village, then hike Mount Leinster or catch a Borris House event. Without a car, skip it.
Borris is a small south Carlow village of 652 people, built as a single Georgian street facing the wall of the Borris House estate. Its two real draws are the 16-arch viaduct at the south end and the Blackstairs Mountains, chiefly Mount Leinster at 793 m. There is no railway station and little onward public transport, so a car or the twice-daily Kilkenny bus decides whether the trip works.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (wet, short days, no events)
- Airports
- DUB · ORK
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Borris112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Borris, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyBorris is a low-crime rural village and safe to walk at night; the real risks are unlit narrow roads…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, ambulance, fire, coast guard · 999 Alternative emergency number
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDUB Dublin Airport (About 1 h 45 min by car via the M9 to Exit 6, then the R448 and R705 through Bagenalstown).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable end to end in about 10 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a village café€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealHotel or B&B dinner main€16–26 (≈ US$19–35)
- BeerPub pint of stout or lager€5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Bagenalstown station to Borris€15–20 (≈ US$18–25)
- Budget bedHostel or shared room bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per room€150 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €170 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DUB Dublin Airport (About 1 h 45 min by car via the M9 to Exit 6, then the R448 and R705 through Bagenalstown) · ORK Cork Airport (About 2 h 30 min by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Jun (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Borris: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable end to end in about 10 minutes. Everything else — Mount Leinster's Nine Stones car park, Ullard Church, the South Leinster Way trailheads — needs a car. Michael Kilbride Bus 881 runs twice daily Monday to Saturday from Kilkenny via Gowran and Goresbridge, about 40 min, and continues to Graignamanagh; check the current timetable before you rely on it.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30–40 min
Bus 881 from the village, or 15 min by car on the R705
Riverside village on the Barrow; pair it with Ullard Church ruin on the way.
Door to door: About 45 min
Bus 881 from Borris, about 40 min
Medieval city with the castle and craft trail; the bus runs twice daily Monday to Saturday only.
Door to door: About 20 min
Car on the R705, about 15 min
Rail station for Dublin and Waterford, but no bus link onward to Borris.
Mount Leinster
goDoor to door: About 30 min drive plus 1.5–2 h walk
Car to the Nine Stones car park, then the track on foot
793 m summit; the track is the straightforward line and the views cover five counties.
Door to door: About 35 min
Car via the R705 and R448, about 30 min
Best base for shops, buses and trains if Borris has no beds left.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Village centre (Main St)
Step House Hotel and the pubs; walk to the viaduct and the estate gatehouse.
South edge / Kilcoltrim
B&B rooms near the viaduct; quiet, still a short walk into the village.
Bagenalstown or Kilkenny
Bigger choice of beds if Borris is full; both need a car or the bus back.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- €85–140 (≈ US$100–170) excl. bed
- High
- €140 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B double room1 × 1 night × €110 | €110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €100 | €200 |
| Bus 881 Kilkenny to Borris, one way2 × €8 | €16 |
| Visitor round at Borris Golf Club2 × €20 | €40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €40 |
| Trip total≈ €218 per person per day, bed included | €436≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in euro; car hire and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a village café | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub pint of stout or lager | €5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Takeaway main (Chinese or fish and chips) | €9–14 (≈ US$11–17) |
| Hotel or B&B dinner main | €16–26 (≈ US$19–35) |
| Golf visitor round | €20 (≈ US$25) |
| Taxi from Bagenalstown station to Borris | €15–20 (≈ US$18–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No railway station: Bagenalstown/Muine Bheag is nearer by road but has no onward bus to Borris.
- Mobile coverage is patchy; one network has had no signal here and 4G/5G is limited — download maps and tickets before you arrive.
- Borris House is an events and wedding venue with no regular tours: check dates before travelling for it.
- Mountain weather on Mount Leinster changes fast; the summit track is exposed and the car park is the only practical start.
- Rural roads are narrow and unlit; drive on the left and watch for walkers on the R705.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard
- 112
- Alternative emergency number
- 999
Pocket card
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BorrisAn Bhuiríos
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard112
- Alternative emergency number999
Embassy
No embassy in Borris; US and most other embassies are in Dublin. Nearest Garda station: Borris (check opening hours).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 881 Borris to Kilkenny: about €8 (≈ US$10), 40 min, twice daily Monday to Saturday
- Taxi Bagenalstown station to Borris: €15–20 (≈ US$18–25)
- Car, Dublin to Borris via M9 Exit 6: about 1 h 45 min, tolls on the M9
Say or show
- Dia duit — Hello (jeea gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
- Cá bhfuil an leithreas? — Where is the toilet? (kaw will un leh-rass)
- Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
- Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-cha)
English is spoken everywhere; Irish is used on signs and greetings.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Borris. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (wet, short days, no events) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialBorris House
- officialFestival of Writing and Ideas, Borris House
- officialBorris Golf Club
- officialSport Ireland — South Leinster Way
- secondaryWikivoyage: Borris, revision 4932368 (CC BY-SA 4.0)