Living in Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Kilkenny
- Commuting to Dublin
- Getting around Kilkenny
- Commute to Dublin from Kilkenny
- Schools in Kilkenny
- Things to do in and around Kilkenny
- Where Kilkenny is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Kilkenny
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Kilkenny
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Kilkenny
- Nearby Kilkenny towns
- Population and demographics
Is Kilkenny a nice place to live?
Kilkenny is home to about 10,050 households, 56% owner-occupied and 40% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €335,000, versus €369,438 across the South-East region, and the average rent reported by the RTB is €1,216 a month. The Department of Education dataset lists 16 schools keyed to the town (9 primary, 7 post-primary), and there are 55 visitor attractions within 10 km. The nearest rail station is Kilkenny, 0.7 km away, and 17 bus and rail routes serve the town. The sections below break each of these down.
Kilkenny is a town in Co. Kilkenny, about 94 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 16 schools, 55.5% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €335,000 to buy or €1,216 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025) (a 4.4% gross yield).
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 537 sales · PPR sales to Sep 2026 · CSO benchmark to Jul 2026 · rents Q4 2025 (RTB)
Who lives in Kilkenny: 55.5% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Kilkenny
27,184 people live in Kilkenny on Census 2022 night. 56% of households own their home and 40% rent, so Kilkenny leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by car (63%). 20% are under 15 and 15% are aged 65 and over. 44% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 27,184 |
| Owner-occupied households | 56% |
| Rented households | 40% |
| Aged under 15 | 20% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 29% |
| Aged 65 and over | 15% |
| Third level or higher | 44% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 55% |
| Unemployment rate | 7% |
| Commute by car | 63% |
| Commute by public transport | 6% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 28% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics for the Kilkenny built-up area, CC-BY 4.0.
Commuting to Dublin
Nearest train station: Kilkenny (in the town), on the Waterford line
Public transport serving Kilkenny: Rail + bus
Getting around Kilkenny
Kilkenny is served by 10 public-transport operators running 17 scheduled routes. Operators are Bernard Kavanagh & Sons, Bus Éireann, City Direct, Dublin Coach, Dunnes Coaches, Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail, JJ Kavanagh, JJ/Bernard Kavanagh, Slieve Bloom Coach Tours and TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Bernard Kavanagh & Sons | Bus / coach |
| Bus Éireann | Bus / coach |
| City Direct | Bus / coach |
| Dublin Coach | Bus / coach |
| Dunnes Coaches | Bus / coach |
| Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail | Rail |
| JJ Kavanagh | Bus / coach |
| JJ/Bernard Kavanagh | Bus / coach |
| Slieve Bloom Coach Tours | Bus / coach |
| TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow | Bus / coach |
Scheduled routes (a sample of 17)
- 73 - Waterford - Athlone - Longford
- 374 - New Ross - Kilkenny
- 600 - Cork - Waterford - Dublin
- 717 - Clonmel - Kilkenny - Dublin Airport
- 736 - Dublin Airport - Waterford City
- 838 - Kilkenny - Portlaoise
- 871 - Urlingford - Kilkenny
- 881 - Graiguenamanagh - Kilkenny
- 882 - Inistioge - Kilkenny
- 891 - Fiddown - Kilkenny
- 897 - Kilkenny - Athy
- KK1 - Glenbawn - Danville Business Park
- KK1 - N77 Roundabout - Danville Business Park
- KK2 - Cillín Hill - Saint Luke's Hospital
Source: Transport for Ireland GTFS_All feed (NTA), CC-BY 4.0. Stops matched to the town within a 6 km radius; route list capped.
Commute to Dublin from Kilkenny
Driving from Kilkenny to Dublin city centre takes about 94 minutes by car on a clear run. That is faster than 2 of the 25 Leinster commuter towns we have routed to Dublin, the 23rd-shortest drive in that set.
| Town | Drive to Dublin |
|---|---|
| Kilkenny, Kilkenny This town | 94 min |
| Leixlip, Kildare Closest routed town | 22 min |
| Wexford, Wexford Farthest routed town | 106 min |
Door-to-centre driving time routed on OpenStreetMap road data via OSRM, no live traffic. Comparison is against the Leinster commuter towns routed so far. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Schools in Kilkenny
There are 9 primary and 7 post-primary schools in and around Kilkenny, 2 of them in the DEIS programme.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loreto Secondary School | Post-primary | 994 | |
| Kilkenny College | Post-primary | 919 | |
| Presentation Secondary School | Post-primary | 902 | |
| Meánscoil Na Mbráithre Criostaí | Post-primary | 836 | |
| St Kieran'S College | Post-primary | 802 | |
| St Canices Central N S | Primary | 648 | |
| St. John'S National School | Primary | 441 | DEIS |
| Gaelscoil Osrai | Primary | 438 | |
| Scoil Mhuire | Primary | 400 | |
| S N Padraig Naofa | Primary | 331 | |
| Scoil Naomh Eoin Dea | Primary | 330 | |
| City Vocational School | Post-primary | 311 | DEIS |
| Scoil Iognaid De Ris | Primary | 278 | |
| Kilkenny School Project | Primary | 236 |
Showing the 14 largest of 16.
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Kilkenny
- Heritage nearby: Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny City (0 km) · Dunmore Cave (9 km) · Kells Priory (12 km) · St. Mary's Church, Gowran (13 km)
- Walking trails in County Kilkenny: South Leinster Way · Nore Valley Walk - Inistioge to Thomastown Section · Nore Valley Walk - Kilkenny to Bennetsbridge Section · Brandon Hill Loop
- Nature reserves: Ballykeeffe Wood Nature Reserve · Fiddown Island Nature Reserve · Garryricken Wood Nature Reserve
Full guide: things to do in Kilkenny →
Where Kilkenny is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Kilkenny
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €335,000 (+8.4% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent (Q4 2025) | €1,216 |
| Gross rental yield | 4.4% |
| Net yield (est.) | 3.4% |
| Kilkenny county median | €369k |
| New build / second-hand | €406,800 / €325,000 |
What this means: New builds in Kilkenny sell at about a 25% premium to second-hand homes (€406,800 vs €325,000).
Recent sales in Kilkenny
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Sep 26 | 7 LAKEVIEW COURT, HEBRON ROAD, KILKENNY | Second-hand | €260,000 |
| 21 Sep 26 | APT 19 DESERT COURT, NEW ST, KILKENNY | Second-hand | €272,000 |
| 17 Sep 26 | 136 THE SYCAMORES, FRESHFORD ROAD, KILKENNY | Second-hand | €360,000 |
| 17 Sep 26 | 37 OAKLAWNS, PAULSTOWN, KILKENNY | Second-hand | €375,000 |
| 16 Sep 26 | 3 WHITEGATE LAWN, FRESHFORD RD, KILKENNY | Second-hand | €420,000 |
| 14 Sep 26 | 19 HOLLYBANK WAY, WATERFORD RD, KILKENNY | Second-hand | €329,000 |
| 14 Sep 26 | 37 BEECHLAWNS, JOHNSWELL RD, KILKENNY | Second-hand | €457,000 |
| 11 Sep 26 | 2 THE CRESCENT, CASHEL DOWNS, KILKENNY | Second-hand | €480,000 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Kilkenny median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €258,000 | 530 sales | |
| 2024 | €292,000 | 537 sales | |
| 2025 | €315,000 | 513 sales | |
| 2026 | €335,000 | 381 sales |
Average rent by size (Q4 2025)
| 1-bed | 2-bed | 3-bed | 4+ bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| €891 | €1,085 | €1,243 | €1,487 |
Maximum legal rent increase in Kilkenny
Since 1 March 2026 a rent review is capped at the lower of 2% a year (pro rata) or CPI inflation.
The full March 2026 rent review rules
Kilkenny compared with County Kilkenny
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| County Kilkenny median | 369000 | |
| Kilkenny | 335000 |
Rent or buy in Kilkenny?
At a glance: €335,000 to buy versus €1,216 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 4.4% gross yield.
Local Property Tax in Kilkenny
The median home (€335,000) falls in LPT Band 3, a base charge of €333 a year before Kilkenny County Council's local adjustment factor. Use the calculator for your exact valuation.
Renting in Kilkenny: the March 2026 rent rules
Every rent increase is now capped at the lesser of 2% a year (pro rata) or CPI inflation, nationwide since 1 March 2026. A review needs 90 days' notice on the RTB form, no more than one in any 12 months, and the notice must cite three comparable homes from the RTB Rent Register. Check any rent increase against the legal cap, or see average rents for every Leinster town.
Before you move: planning and flood
Recent development in Kilkenny
In the 12 months to September 2026, 155 planning grants were recorded in and around Kilkenny, including 203 new homes approved across those grants.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-31 | for development at this site. The development will consist of 50 no. residential units comprising; of a two-storey terrace of 10 no. 2-bedroom duplex... | 50 |
| 2026-06-02 | for a new residential development of 39 new dwellings consisting of 4 No. Type A two bedroom single storey semi detached dwellings, 4 No. Type B... | 36 |
| 2026-01-21 | for development. The development will consist of: 1) 16 No. 3-bedroom terraced two-storey houses and 16 No. 2-bedroom own-door maisonette units in 2... | 28 |
| 2026-01-28 | for the proposed phase 2 construction of 29 No. residential dwellings consisting of; 3 No. Type C – four bedroom detached, 9 No. Type D – four... | 25 |
| 2025-12-10 | for a new residential development of 22 new detached dwellings consisting of: 3 no. 4 bedroom dwellings and 19 no. 5 bedroom dwellings, a detached... | 22 |
Source: Irish Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (ArcGIS, CC-BY 4.0). Granted applications keyed to the nearest town within 7 km. Homes column shows residential units in the application where recorded.
What this means: The 203 homes approved here in the last year are about 2% of Kilkenny's roughly 10,050 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Kilkenny, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Kilkenny, Kilkenny.
View the official OPW flood maps for Kilkenny →
Source: Office of Public Works, floodinfo.ie. No OPW flood-extent values are reproduced here.
County context
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022 Census) | 104,160 |
| Population change 2016 to 2022 | +5.0% |
| Disposable income per person (index, State = 100) | 89.4 |
| New dwelling permissions (South-East region, 2017) | 292 thousand m² |
Planning permissions are reported at NUTS3 region level; counties in this region share a figure.
Sources: CSO F1001, CIA02, BHQ09. CC-BY 4.0.
Nearby Kilkenny towns
Thomastown · Callan · Castlecomer
All Kilkenny house prices · All Leinster house prices · Things to do in Kilkenny
Sources: CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, Property Price Register (PSRA), CSO RPPI, RTB via CSO. CC-BY. Figures verifiable at the official source.
Common questions about living in Kilkenny
What's it like to live in Kilkenny?
Kilkenny is a town in Co. Kilkenny, about 94 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 16 schools, 55.5% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Kilkenny?
A home in Kilkenny costs a median €335,000 to buy or €1,216 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 4.4% gross yield (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Kilkenny to Dublin?
About 94 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line (OpenStreetMap routing).
What schools are in Kilkenny?
Schools in Kilkenny include Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny College, Presentation Secondary School, Meánscoil Na Mbráithre Criostaí, among 9 primary and 7 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
What is the population of Kilkenny?
Kilkenny had a population of 27,184 at the 2022 Census (CSO).
Population and demographics
Kilkenny had a population of 27,184 at the 2022 Census.
| Population (2022 Census) | 27,184 |
|---|---|
| Households | 10,050 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56% |
| Rented homes | 40% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 (CC BY 4.0). Household tenure from the same release.
Shortlist is full (max 3 towns). View your shortlist to remove a town first.
Each point is the median of that calendar year's open-market sales on the Property Price Register. 2026 is a part year, covering the 381 sales recorded to July 2026. Over the 12 months to 25 September 2026 the median was €335,000.
Could a home in Kilkenny pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Kilkenny's median price and average rent (RTB Q4 2025). Change any figure and it recalculates instantly.
Illustrative. Assumes ~18% of rent for management, insurance and voids; 25-year mortgage on the borrowed share; ~4% acquisition costs. Not financial advice.
What can you afford to buy in Kilkenny?
Pre-filled with Kilkenny's median price. Adjust the income and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Assumes 4x gross income for a first-time buyer or 3.5x otherwise, plus your deposit, with no minimum deposit applied (the Central Bank's 10% floor can cap the price lower; the affordability calculator applies it), and a 3.7% rate over 30 years unless you change them.
Central Bank of Ireland mortgage measures (since Jan 2023): first-time buyers can borrow up to 4x gross income, movers and second or subsequent buyers up to 3.5x, both with a minimum 10% deposit. Figures are illustrative, not financial advice.
Stamp duty on a Kilkenny property
Pre-filled with Kilkenny's median price. Change the purchase price, tick new build if it applies, and see your stamp duty and total cost instantly.
Irish residential stamp duty (rates in force since 2 October 2024): 1% on the first €1,000,000; 2% from €1,000,000 to €1,500,000; 6% on any amount above €1,500,000. New builds: duty is charged on the price net of 13.5% VAT. Figures are illustrative, not legal or financial advice.
Local Property Tax for a Kilkenny home
Pre-filled with Kilkenny's median price. Uses the 2026 Revenue valuation bands (valuation date: 1 November 2025) and your local authority's 2026 adjustment factor.
Revenue LPT 2026-2030 band table and Local Adjustment Factors (source: revenue.ie). Each local authority can vary the base charge by up to 15%. Figures are illustrative; verify at Revenue's LPT service for your exact property.
Rent cap calculator for Kilkenny
Pre-filled with Kilkenny's average rent (RTB). From 1 March 2026 all private tenancies in Ireland are covered by national rent control: for a standard tenancy the annual increase is capped at 2% or CPI inflation, whichever is lower. This computes the 2% leg as an illustrative cap.
No figure for this tenancy type: it follows CPI with no 2% cap and this widget holds no CPI series. Use the official RTB Rent Calculator.
Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2025; national rent control from 1 March 2026 (source: rtb.ie). Illustrative, not legal advice: if CPI is below 2% the lawful ceiling is lower, and the RTB Rent Calculator at rtb.ie is the official tool.
What a month in Kilkenny costs
Real figures for Kilkenny: RTB average rent and an ownership estimate built on the median sale price. Adjust the mortgage rate and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Average rent by size: 1 bed €891 · 2 bed €1,085 · 3 bed €1,243 · 4+ bed €1,487
Rent: RTB average monthly rents (RIQ02), Q4 2025. Ownership: repayment mortgage on Kilkenny's median Property Price Register sale price over 30 years, plus Revenue's 2026 LPT band charge divided by 12. Excludes utilities, insurance, management fees and council LPT adjustments. Illustrative, not financial advice.
More on Kilkenny
- Kilkenny house prices: median, year trend and the latest sales recorded on the Property Price Register.
- Things to do in Kilkenny: attractions, heritage sites and walks nearby.
- What's on in Co. Kilkenny: festivals, markets and gigs, grouped by week and refreshed every Monday.
- Planning applications in Co. Kilkenny: what has been lodged, granted and refused in the last 12 months.