Kilkenny has a temperate oceanic climate, with cool, rainy winters and mild, relatively rainy summers. Summer highs rarely exceed 19°C, while winter lows hover around 2°C. Rain falls throughout the year, but sunshine is most abundant in May and June. The city’s weather is famously changeable, so it’s wise to pack for all seasons.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Kilkenny’s climate is shaped by its inland position in southeast Ireland, resulting in four distinct seasons and moderate temperature swings. Winters (December–February) are cool and damp, with average highs around 8°C and lows near 2°C. Snow is rare and usually light, and cold spells are seldom severe or long-lasting. Rain is frequent, especially in December and January, the wettest months, but heavy downpours are uncommon. Days are short and often cloudy, with just 2 hours of sunshine daily.
Summers (June–August) are mild, with average highs of 18–19°C and lows around 10–11°C. Hot days above 25°C are rare, but Kilkenny can occasionally see temperatures climb to 30°C. Rainfall is moderate, with June typically being the driest summer month. Sunshine peaks in May and June, with up to 6 hours per day and daylight stretching until after 10pm. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, marked by variable weather, frequent showers, and temperatures ranging from 7°C in March to 16°C in May, and cooling from 17°C in September to 10°C in November. Winds are moderate year-round, and humidity is generally high, especially in winter. The city receives about 1,000 mm of rain annually and enjoys around 1,400–1,600 hours of sunshine per year.
| Average climate data for Kilkenny, Ireland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 20 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 78 | 67 | 67 | 57 | 60 | 61 | 54 | 77 | 68 | 97 | 80 | 89 | 855 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 135 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 79 | 73 | 68 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 65 | 66 | 68 | 75 | 78 | 82 | 71 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
The best time to visit Kilkenny is from June to August, when temperatures are mildest (18–19°C), days are long, and gardens are in bloom. These months offer the best conditions for outdoor sightseeing and festivals, though rain showers are still common. Bring an umbrella and a jumper for cool evenings and unpredictable weather.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February. These months are the coldest and wettest, with highs around 7–8°C, frequent rain, short daylight hours, and occasional wind. While the city is quieter and cosy pubs offer refuge, outdoor sightseeing is less appealing due to damp, chilly weather.
Kilkenny has cool, rainy winters (highs 7–8°C) and mild, relatively rainy summers (highs 18–19°C). Rain falls in all months, and the weather can be changeable, so it’s wise to pack layers and a rain jacket.
Snow is rare in Kilkenny and usually light when it does occur. Most winters see only a few days of snow, and it rarely accumulates. Rain is much more common than snow in winter.
May and June are the sunniest months, with up to 6 hours of sunshine per day and daylight lasting until after 10pm. These months are ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Kilkenny receives about 1,000 mm of rain annually, with rain possible in any month. December and January are the wettest months, while June is usually the driest summer month.
Pack layers, a rain jacket or umbrella, and comfortable waterproof shoes. Even in summer, evenings can be cool, and rain is frequent. A warm coat is recommended for winter visits.
Winds in Kilkenny are moderate year-round, sometimes stronger in autumn and winter. Wind chill can make temperatures feel colder, especially during damp, rainy periods.
Kilkenny is least crowded in winter (November–February), when the weather is coldest and wettest. Spring and autumn offer fewer tourists than summer, but weather can be variable.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (20.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (8.3 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 13.8 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (11.3 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (1.7 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 5.9 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is October (96.7 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (54.4 mm). Over the whole year there are 855.4 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is January (13.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (9.1 days). Over the whole year there are 134.9 days of rain on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (3.6 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are June, August and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 12.8 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (81.6 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (63.4 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 70.6 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 16.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 7.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is May (Average sunshine: 5.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 1 h). Over the whole year there are 3.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 6). The month with the lowest average UV index is December (UV index: 0). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.1.
