What to do in Kilkenny when it rains
When Kilkenny turns grey, head for the indoors — centuries of history in its museums, art to lose an hour in, and markets and cafés out of the rain.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Smithwick's Experience 44 Parliament St, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 VK54, Ireland
- St. Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 K276, Ireland
- Rothe House & Garden 16 Parliament St, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 P89C, Ireland
- Butler Gallery Evans Home, John's Quay, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 YX3F, Ireland
- The Parade Tower The Parade, Dukesmeadows, Kilkenny, Ireland
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Butler Gallery Evans Home, John's Quay, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 YX3F, Ireland
- National Design & Craft Gallery The Castle Yard, The Parade, Gardens, Kilkenny, Ireland
- The Kilkenny Art Gallery 25 Patrick St, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 A974, Ireland
- An Chéad Tine Art Gallery 1st Floor, Dunnes Stores, St Kieran's St, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 PF82, Ireland
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Talbot's Tower Gardens, Kilkenny, Ireland
- The Round Tower Gardens, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny, R95 V63H, Ireland
- Maudlin Castle 30 Maudlin St, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 Y8NE, Ireland
- Kenny's Well Gardens, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
- Black Freren Gate 12 Sráid Na Mainistreach, Gairdíní an Chaisleáin, Cill Chainnigh, Ireland
- Shee Almshouse 8 Rose Inn St, Collegepark, Kilkenny, R95 Y2XA, Ireland
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Dunnes Stores 1st Floor, Dunnes Stores, St Kieran's St, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 PF82, Ireland
- Tesco Express Unit 36 High St, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 VP27, Ireland
- La Rivista Restaurant & Market 22 Parliament St, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 FH29, Ireland
- The Bula Bus The Parade, Dukesmeadows, Kilkenny, Ireland
- Irish Celtic Bog Oak The Parade, Dukesmeadows, Kilkenny, Ireland
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro 8 Barrack St, Pennefatherslot, Kilkenny, R95 YF30, Ireland
- Cafe La Coco 4 Lower Patrick St, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 YV6X, Ireland
- Sullivan's Taproom 15 John Street Lower, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 H2CE, Ireland
- Billy Byrnes Gastro Bar & Venue 39 John Street Upper, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 K091, Ireland
- The Fig Tree Restaurant Kilkenny 20 High St, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 XW22, Ireland
- Cakeface 16 Irishtown, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 DN4T, Ireland
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre Hebron Rd, Highhays, Kilkenny, Ireland
- Market Cross Shopping Centre High St, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 V32A, Ireland
- Kilkenny Design Centre The Castle Yard, The Parade, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 CAA6, Ireland
- Newpark Shopping Centre Johnswell Rd, Newpark Shopping Centre, Kilkenny, Ireland
- Loughboy Shopping Centre Bohernatounish Rd, Archerstreet Lot, Kilkenny, Ireland
- Kilkenny Retail & Business Park Kilkenny Business and Technology Park, Ring Rd, Loughboy, Kilkenny, Ireland
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 32 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.