SeasonMapKilkenny weather in May
Ireland
May in Kilkenny: cool, a little rain, with clean air — an excellent time to visit.
#4 of 12 months in Kilkenny · #516 of 1383 destinations to visit in May · comfort 83/100 (tier A)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Kilkenny in May
No notes yet. Open Kilkenny on the map to add the first one.
Kilkenny climate normals — May
| Daytime high | 15°C / 60°F | 🙂 cool |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 8°C / 46°F | |
| Rainfall | 52 mm / 2.1 in | 🌦 some rain |
| Rainy days | 9 days | |
| Humidity | 78% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 9°C / 48°F | |
| Sunshine | 10.5 h/day | |
| Daylight | 15.8 h | |
| Wind | 18 km/h / 11 mph | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 37 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Kilkenny in May
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Peak crowdsKilkenny Roots Festival, Cat Laughs comedy festival, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Kilkenny's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Fair weatherKilkenny's weather peaks June–August, best around July.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Kilkenny in May
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Festival
Kilkenny Roots Festival
1–4 MayMajor festivalCrowdedBook earlyThirty-odd venues across the medieval streets run Americana, bluegrass and rockabilly acts from early afternoon into the night over the May bank holiday weekend, now approaching its thirtieth year. Source ↗
- Festival
Cat Laughs comedy festival
28 May – 5 Jun · usuallyMajor festivalCrowdedBook earlyIreland's comedy weekend, run over the June bank holiday in pubs, halls and the castle grounds rather than one arena. The town is full and the late shows sell out long before the weekend. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Kilkenny — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Kilkenny?
Kilkenny in May — FAQ
- Is May a good time to visit Kilkenny?
- May in Kilkenny: cool, a little rain, with clean air — an excellent time to visit. It ranks #4 of 12 months for Kilkenny on SeasonMap's comfort score (83/100).
- What is the weather like in Kilkenny in May?
- In May, Kilkenny averages a daily high of 15.4°C and a low of 7.8°C, with about 52.4 mm of rain over roughly 9.4 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Kilkenny in May?
- Kilkenny has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 37 in May.
Other months in Kilkenny
Compare Kilkenny in May
Warmer or cooler than Kilkenny in May
Similar destinations in Northern Europe — May
Within 300 km: Dingle's Blasket Islands boats around 1 Apr – 30 Sep, and St Ives' Food and Drink Festival on 15–17 May.