The National Reptile Zoo — Attraction in The Municipal District of Kilkenny City

Fear not, fellow inhabitants of Holy Terra! I have braved the xenos-infested wilds of... Kilkenny, and witnessed firsthand the bio-horrors contained within the so-called "National Reptile Zoo." Let my report serve as a warning and a testament to the vigilance required against the myriad alien lifeforms that plague our galaxy! Upon entering this carefully constructed menagerie, one is immediately struck by the sheer otherness of the creatures within. Forget the noble steeds of our Imperial Guard or the loyal canid familiars of the Inquisitors. Here, wriggling abominations slither in glass-enclosed lairs, their cold, unblinking eyes radiating an unsettling alien intelligence. The "snakes," as the locals term them, are particularly disturbing. Some are of monstrous length, their scaled hides shimmering with unnatural colours that shift and writhe like the very warp itself. Their forked tongues flick out, tasting the air with an unnerving precision, as if assessing the weaknesses of any who dare to gaze upon them. I shudder to think what foul toxins might drip from their fangs, capable of incapacitating even a hardened Guardsman. Then there are the "lizards," a diverse array of scaled beasts that scurry and bask with an unsettling indifference. Some are small and swift, their movements too quick for the untrained eye to follow – potential infiltrators, no doubt. Others are larger, their leathery hides adorned with spikes and crests, resembling miniature, less armoured versions of the dreaded Ambull. Their alien physiologies are a stark contrast to the blessed human form, a constant reminder of the Emperor's light protecting us from such deviations. The "tortoises" and "turtles" present a different kind of threat. These shelled behemoths move with a ponderous slowness, yet their ancient eyes hold a disturbing wisdom. One can almost imagine them possessing a psychic connection to the very planet, their placid exteriors masking a deep, alien understanding that could be turned against us. Even the "crocodiles," lurking in their murky pools, evoke images of the ferocious predators of death worlds. Their armoured hides and rows of razor-sharp teeth speak of a primal hunger, a relentless instinct to consume and destroy. To fall into their clutches would surely mean a gruesome end. While the keepers of this zoo, the "zookeepers," appear to maintain a semblance of control, one cannot shake the feeling that these alien entities are merely contained, not truly subdued. Their alien minds surely plot and scheme, waiting for any moment of weakness to unleash their xenos fury upon the unsuspecting populace of Kilkenny. Therefore, I urge caution to any Imperial citizen venturing near this establishment. Observe these creatures with vigilance, study their alien ways, and remember that the only good xenos is a dead xenos. Let this "National Reptile Zoo" serve as a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required to safeguard the Imperium from the endless threats that lurk beyond the stars... and sometimes, even in our own backyards. For...

4 stars for exhibit, 1 star for exhibitors. Great place for kids interested in reptiles, however, staff whilst being very knowledgeable about salt water crocodiles or giant African millipedes should take an extra class in how to deal with kids. My daughter arrived to one of the hourly talks at a point when the staff member was showing a scorpion around. My 6 year old being excited, inquisitive and totally oblivious to the fact that she wasn't supposed to touch the creature this person was willing showing around in an open top box put her hand on the box to pull it closer to her little sister so she could see better. This staff member then got right into the face of my 6 year old and said "No, do not touch" in a voice that was not a shout by any stretch but was also not a tone I feel anyone with a young child would be happy with a grown man using towards them. I bit my tongue and walked away for a minute because we had just arrived and I didn't want to ruin the visit. Moving on to the next talk the kids were told at the start of the talk not to touch the heads of the particular reptiles this member was showing (different reptiles etc are shown at each talk) by the time she was showing the gecko around after first showing a millipede and was allowing the kids to touch it she didn't say again about touching it's head and so another child strolling into the talk at that time could have walked right up and rubbed it's head and so the cycle of misunderstanding continues. Before anyone jumps to conclusions, I do not think my child does nothing wrong, I do tell them when they do something they are not supposed to. I feel this establishment would thrive if staff came back down to kids level a little. I got the impression that staff felt like they were a bit superior to us common paying customers and don't have to put in any effort other than looking after the reptiles. Put some effort into making the gift shop appealing, create some form of line between people wanting to pay for purchases from said gift shop and people paying to enter so we're not all standing there deciding amongst ourselves who's next whilst the staff member behind the counter just looks on like it's nothing to do with him. I completely understand you are doing your job Fiona (not actual name 😊) but if you don't want to interact or even acknowledge customers existence go work in a sanctuary or rescue place that hasn't decided to open it's doors to the public. I'm sure not all staff are like this but judging from my visit alone they are...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the National Reptile Zoo in Kilkenny, and it was truly a fantastic day out for the whole family. Just a quick hour and a half drive from Dublin, the journey was well worth it.

Upon arrival, the staff greeted us warmly and provided an informative talk about the various reptiles housed at the zoo. I was particularly impressed by the opportunity to hold a real tarantula - certainly not for the faint-hearted, but a thrilling experience for those brave enough to try it.

The zoo boasts a huge variety of reptiles and frogs, offering a fascinating glimpse into the world of these unique creatures. Additionally, there is a nice play area for kids, making it an ideal destination for families with young children.

Before leaving, we visited the souvenir section where we were able to pick up a memento of our visit, serving as a reminder of the great day we had.

Overall, I highly recommend a visit to the National Reptile Zoo in Kilkenny. It's an educational and enjoyable experience that is well...