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food-drink · Thursday 6 August 2026 · 10:00am 
Kilkenny Arts Festival Food and Drink
At Kilkenny City Centre and Castle Venues · Kilkenny City Centre, Co. Kilkenny
At Kilkenny City Centre and Castle Venues · Kilkenny City Centre, Co. Kilkenny
The Kilkenny Arts Festival is one of Ireland’s longest-running and most respected multi-arts festivals, and food has become as much a part of the August experience as the concerts in the medieval churches and theatre in the castle grounds. Running from 6 to 16 August 2026, the festival draws thousands of visitors into the city over ten days, and the local food and drink scene rises to meet them. If you have been curious about Kilkenny’s reputation as one of Ireland’s best small cities for eating out, this is an ideal moment to test it.
The festival weaves food into the wider programme rather than keeping it in a corner. One of the highlights is “Taste Kilkenny’s Culture and Cuisine,” a guided food tour run in partnership with Kilkenny Food Tours on 7, 8, 13 and 14 August. The tour starts outside Kilkenny Courthouse and takes in local food stops before leading guests to a live concert at St John’s Priory - so you get a proper flavour of the city and a performance in the same evening.
Beyond that specific programme event, the festival period is a strong time to visit Kilkenny’s acclaimed restaurants. Campagne, located under the old railway arches near McDonagh Junction, holds a Michelin star and is the work of chef-owner Garrett Byrne, who returned to his home city after years in London and Dublin; the cooking centres on seasonal produce and the menu changes regularly. Petronella sits on Butterslip Lane, a narrow medieval passage in the city centre, and operates out of a building dating to 1602. The menu focuses on local Irish and European food and includes strong vegetarian and vegan options. Both restaurants are busy during the festival weeks - booking ahead is advisable.
Street food, craft drinks and market stalls also appear around the city during August. The Smithwick’s Experience on Parliament Street offers brewery tours and tastings of Kilkenny’s most famous export throughout the year, and the festival atmosphere makes it an easy addition to any day in the city.
Kilkenny sits roughly 115km south of Dublin. By car it is about 90 minutes on the M9 motorway. Irish Rail runs regular services from Dublin Heuston to Kilkenny MacDonagh station, with the journey taking around 80 minutes. Bus Éireann and Citylink routes also connect Kilkenny with Dublin and Waterford. Parking in the city centre is paid during the day; the Coach Road and Loughboy car parks are popular options if central spots are full.
Ten days in August gives you plenty of time to take in more than the food programme. Kilkenny Castle, the Black Abbey and the medieval mile of streets between the castle and St Canice’s Cathedral are all within a short walk of the festival venues. There is more to see in Kilkenny and across Co. Kilkenny.
Heading to Kilkenny City Centre and Castle Venues in Kilkenny? Kilkenny has plenty more to see. Read the Kilkenny area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.