Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car

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.

Activities & attractions in Kilkenny

Where to Eat in Kilkenny

If you’re looking for affordable options, Petronella Restaurant (80/81 Butter Slip Ln) and Marble City Bar (Marble City Bar) are great picks.

When to visit Kilkenny

Kilkenny in March
Estimated hotel price
£83
1 night at 3-star hotel
Kilkenny in March
Estimated hotel price
£83
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, Aer Lingus, Ryanair and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest flight to Kilkenny from the United Kingdom departs from London and takes around 1h 20m.

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 Easirent and Sixt, among others, in Dublin.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Kilkenny, including Aircoach, National Express and Bus. From Belfast, the bus ride to Kilkenny takes 145 miles and will cost you around £18. From Cork, the ticket costs about £16 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, Aer Lingus, Ryanair and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest flight to Kilkenny from the United Kingdom departs from London and takes around 1h 20m.

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 Easirent and Sixt, among others, in Dublin.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Kilkenny, including Aircoach, National Express and Bus. From Belfast, the bus ride to Kilkenny takes 145 miles and will cost you around £18. From Cork, the ticket costs about £16 for a journey of 180 miles.

Airports near Kilkenny

ORKCork

Airlines serving Kilkenny

KLM
Good (1,405 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,558 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,001 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,500 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,032 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,779 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,007 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,007 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,402 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,661 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,484 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (865 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,416 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,285 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,564 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,246 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,135 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,335 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,393 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (369 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Kilkenny

From 5-star hotels such as the Lyrath Estate to great affordable options like the Zuni Restaurant & Boutique Hotel, Kilkenny offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around £110 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to £152 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 (9.1, Excellent reviews)
£192+
Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£109+
Kilkenny River Court Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
£110+
Hotel Kilkenny
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
£106+
Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£119+
Kilford Arms
3 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
£85+

Hiring a car in Kilkenny

Expect to pay £1.54 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 £18.43 and £24.57. Economy (Ford Fiesta or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Kilkenny, while also 49% cheaper than other types, on average.

Expect to pay £1.54 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 £18.43 and £24.57. Economy (Ford Fiesta or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Kilkenny, while also 49% cheaper than other types, on average.