Kilkenny travel guide

Kilkenny Tourism | Kilkenny Guide

You're Going to Love Kilkenny

With a population of 21,589, Kilkenny is the largest city in Kilkenny, Ireland by the number of inhabitants. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Kilkenny deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Kilkenny

If you’re looking for affordable options, Brewery Corner (Brewery Corner 29 Parliament Street) and Yindees at Lyrath Estate Hotel (Lyrath Estate Dublin Road) are great picks.

When to visit Kilkenny

Kilkenny in September
Estimated hotel price
£71
1 night at 3-star hotel
Kilkenny in September
Estimated hotel price
£71
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Kilkenny in July, when the average temperature is 16 °C, and the highest can go up to 20 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 2 °C, with an average temperature of 5 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in October, when precipitation is around 95 mm. In contrast, July is usually the driest month of the year in Kilkenny, with an average rainfall of 55 mm.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Kilkenny

Plane

Although Kilkenny doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Dublin Airport (DUB), which is located 68 miles from Kilkenny. Dublin Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, Air Canada, British Airways and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest flight to Kilkenny from the United Kingdom departs from Birmingham and takes around 55m.

Train

The train station in Kilkenny is called Kilkenny, and is located 0.4 miles from the city centre.

Car

Another option to get to Kilkenny is to pick up a car hire from Dublin, which is about 63 miles from Kilkenny. You’ll find branches of Budget and Easirent, among others, in Dublin.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Kilkenny, including National Express, Bus Éireann and Bus. From Belfast, the bus ride to Kilkenny takes 110 miles and will cost you around £10. From Cork, the ticket costs about £26 for a journey of 180 miles.

Plane

Although Kilkenny doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Dublin Airport (DUB), which is located 68 miles from Kilkenny. Dublin Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, Air Canada, British Airways and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest flight to Kilkenny from the United Kingdom departs from Birmingham and takes around 55m.

Train

The train station in Kilkenny is called Kilkenny, and is located 0.4 miles from the city centre.

Car

Another option to get to Kilkenny is to pick up a car hire from Dublin, which is about 63 miles from Kilkenny. You’ll find branches of Budget and Easirent, among others, in Dublin.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Kilkenny, including National Express, Bus Éireann and Bus. From Belfast, the bus ride to Kilkenny takes 110 miles and will cost you around £10. From Cork, the ticket costs about £26 for a journey of 180 miles.

Airports near Kilkenny

ORKCork

Airlines serving Kilkenny

Lufthansa
Good (4,640 reviews)
KLM
Good (849 reviews)
SWISS
Good (926 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,467 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,604 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,296 reviews)
Air France
Good (982 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,555 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (476 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,934 reviews)
Emirates
Good (2,125 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,481 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,758 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (229 reviews)
Finnair
Good (876 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (832 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,166 reviews)
LOT
Good (682 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (913 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (832 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Kilkenny

From 5-star hotels such as the Lyrath Estate to great affordable options like the Zuni Hotel, Kilkenny offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around £148 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to £175 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Kilkenny

Most booked hotels in Kilkenny

Mount Juliet Estate, Autograph Collection
5 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
£205+
Lyrath Estate
5 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
£175+
Kilkenny River Court Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£123+
Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£133+
Hotel Kilkenny
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
£137+
Kilford Arms Hotel
3 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
£84+

Hiring a car in Kilkenny

Hiring a car in Kilkenny costs £47 per day, on average, or £95 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 53% more expensive than at Dublin.

Expect to pay £1.53 per litre in Kilkenny (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £18.30 and £24.40.

Hiring a car in Kilkenny costs £47 per day, on average, or £95 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 53% more expensive than at Dublin.

Expect to pay £1.53 per litre in Kilkenny (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £18.30 and £24.40.