Access welcome guide
Access Welcome Guide
Welcome
Malzards Pub & Hurling Experience is committed to making sure every visitor has a full and equal opportunity to enjoy everything we have to offer. We're a fifth-generation family business — Our family have been welcoming people through our doors in Stoneyford since 1789, and that warmth is for everyone.
Whether you're stopping in for a pint, joining us for the Hurling Experience, staying overnight, or pulling in the motorhome for the night, we want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive.
We've done our best below to describe the facilities, services, and accessibility features available at the pub, our accommodation, and in the surrounding area. If we haven't covered your specific access needs in this guide, please get in touch — we'll be delighted to help.
Contact us:
Phone: +353 87 971 5304
Email: fmalzard@yahoo.com
Contact Information
If you require assistance before or during your visit, you can reach us by:
Phone: +353 87 971 5304
Email: fmalzard@yahoo.com
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 3pm - 11:30pm. Sat & Sun 1pm - 11:30pm
We're happy to discuss your access needs in advance so we can do our best to prepare for your visit.
Getting Here
By Car
Address: 19 Main Street, Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny
Eircode: R95 X593
Malzards is located in the village of Stoneyford, a few miles outside Kilkenny City, and is conveniently close to Junctions 9 and 10 on the M9 motorway (Dublin to Waterford).
- From Kilkenny City: approximately 15–20 minutes by car.
- From Dublin: take the M9 south, exiting at Junction 9 or 10 for Stoneyford (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes).
- From Waterford: take the M9 north, exiting at Junction 9 or 10 (approximately 40 minutes).
Parking: there is plenty of free parking available, including free street parking nearby. The car park is wheelchair-accessible.
By Bus
Bus Éireann and Local Link Kilkenny operate services in the wider Kilkenny area, with Stoneyford served by a Local Link bus stop on Route 891 connecting the village to Kilkenny and Fiddown.
For all Bus Éireann timetables and accessibility information, visit buseireann.ie.
As Stoneyford is a small village, public transport options may be limited — a car, taxi, or organised coach is often the most practical way to reach us. We're happy to advise further on request.
By Train
The nearest train station is Kilkenny MacDonagh Station, approximately 15–20 minutes by car or taxi from Stoneyford. Irish Rail operates services between Kilkenny, Dublin, Waterford, and surrounding areas. Visit irishrail.ie for schedules, accessibility information, and to arrange travel assistance in advance.
By Air
The nearest airports are:
- Dublin Airport — approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car.
- Cork Airport — approximately 1 hour 15 minutes by car.
Taxis
There are a number of local taxi companies serving Kilkenny City and the surrounding area. We're happy to provide details on request — please call us on +353 87 971 5304 and we'll help arrange suitable transport, including accessible vehicle options where required.
Key Accessibility Features
Parking
Free parking is available, including street parking to the front of the building. The car park is wheelchair-accessible.
Building Entrance
Malzards is a traditional Irish pub building dating back to 1789. The entrance is wheelchair-accessible.
We'd encourage anyone with specific access needs to contact us in advance of a visit so we can talk through the best route in and offer any extra help on the day.
Access Within the Pub
Our team is on hand to assist visitors with access requirements throughout their visit. Please ask any member of staff and we will do our very best to accommodate you.
Accessible Toilets
A wheelchair-accessible toilet is available on-site.
Bar & Beer Garden
Table service and seating are available throughout the bar, lounge, and beer garden.
- Dietary requirements: please let us know in advance of any dietary requirements when booking a group visit or experience, and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
The Hurling Experience
Our Hurling Experience is a hands-on, outdoor activity run in the field/yard behind the pub, suitable for beginners of all ages — no prior experience needed, with hands-on instruction from skilled locals.
The experience is generally suited to participants over 9 years of age, in line with youth hurling guidelines. Younger children can take part in a more informal, inclusive version of the game.
If you or a member of your group has specific mobility, sensory, or other access needs and would like to take part in or watch the Hurling Experience, please let us know in advance at +353 87 971 5304 — we're happy to talk through how we can include everyone.
Accommodation
We offer three types of overnight stay, just steps from the pub:
- Townhouse — a charming townhouse adjacent to the pub, offering cosy accommodation with a touch of local hospitality.
- Glamping Pods — comfortable, purpose-built log cabins set in the countryside around the pub.
- Motorhome Parking — overnight motorhome parking is available on-site.
All rooms include: tea & coffee making facilities, free Wi-Fi, free private off-road car park, ensuite bathrooms, television and hairdryer, and late check-out availability.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs, including guide dogs and autism assistance dogs, are very welcome at Malzards.
Staff Assistance
Our team is happy to assist visitors throughout their time with us — whether that's at the bar, during the Hurling Experience, or while checking in to accommodation. Please don't hesitate to ask any member of staff for help.
Sensory Information
A night at Malzards is a lively, social experience — here's what to expect, to help you plan:
- Sound: live traditional music plays regularly, and the bar can be busy and lively, particularly during events, tour-group visits, and the Hurling Experience.
- Lighting: lighting in the bar is generally warm and traditional rather than bright.
- Movement: the Hurling Experience involves movement and activity outdoors; the bar and accommodation areas are more relaxed.
- Smell: traditional pub atmosphere — open fire — and food being served.
If you or a member of your group has sensory sensitivities, please let us know in advance and we'll do our best to advise on quieter times to visit or to make small adjustments where we can.
Accessible Destination Highlights
During your stay, you may want to explore more of County Kilkenny. Here are a few places nearby that come highly recommended:
- Knockdrinna Farmhouse — a short drive from Stoneyford, Knockdrinna run cheese-making classes showing you how to make your own cheese at home.
- Jerpoint Glass Studio — watch skilled glassblowers at work in Thomastown, turning molten glass into internationally renowned Jerpoint pieces.
- Kells Priory — one of the largest and most impressive medieval monuments in Ireland, this Augustinian priory is well worth a visit. Managed by the OPW.
- Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny — a guided visitor experience in Kilkenny City telling the story of Ireland's oldest brewery.
- Nicholas Mosse Pottery & Mill Café — a working pottery studio and café in a former flour mill in Bennettsbridge.
- Highbank Organic Orchards — organic apple orchards near Cuffesgrange producing juice and cider, with tours available.
- Nore Valley Walk (Kilkenny to Bennettsbridge) — a gentle, scenic 8.2km riverside walking trail.
- Kilkenny City — medieval streets, Kilkenny Castle, and a wide range of cafés, shops, and attractions, around 15–20 minutes' drive away.
We recommend contacting venues directly to confirm their current accessibility arrangements before your visit.
Disclaimer: The accessibility information provided for the third-party businesses listed above has not been independently verified by Malzards Pub. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information. If you have concerns, we strongly recommend contacting the business directly to confirm whether the venue meets your needs.
Emergency and Medical Information
We recognise that not everything always goes to plan, and want to give you the information you might need, just in case.
Nearest Hospital:
St Luke's General Hospital
Freshford Road, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny, R95 FY71
Approximately 15–20 minutes by car from Stoneyford.
GP Surgery & Pharmacy:
The closest GP practice is Ballyhale Health Centre, which serves both Ballyhale and Stoneyford and is just a few kilometres away in Ballyhale.
The nearest pharmacy is Crotty's Pharmacy in Bennettsbridge, approximately 7–8 km from Stoneyford. Other pharmacies are also available in Kilkenny City.
Emergency Services:
For all emergencies, please call 999 or 112.
Share Your Feedback
We are constantly reviewing and improving our visitor experience. Your feedback helps us continue to do that, and any changes will be reflected in this Access Welcome Guide.
If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions about accessibility at Malzards, we'd love to hear from you:
Email: fmalzard@yahoo.com
Phone: +353 87 971 5304
This Access Welcome Guide was produced in June 2026 and will be reviewed and updated regularly.