“Forty Years of Design Excellence”

Kilkenny is Ireland's Largest Emporium for Irish Designed Products. Our philosophy is to offer customers a modern and contemporary interpretation based on the very best in Irish traditions. Kilkenny’s stores have been associated with Ireland’s craft and design industry for over four decades.

In 1998 the store was re-launched as Kilkenny, a name that reflected both its link to the original Kilkenny Design Workshop ideal and the desire to move confidently forward into the future. The following year saw Kilkenny become an independent entity, under the directorship of sisters Marian O’Gorman and Bernadette Kelleher Nolan. Under their guidance the Nassau Street shop and restaurant continued to flourish, whilst new Kilkenny outlets have been opened in Killarney, Galway, Cork Cashel and Shanagarry   

The name Kilkenny remains synonymous with the finest of Irish craftsmanship.  But contemporary tastes are far more sophisticated than they once were, and the constant demand for new and better products has encouraged the Group to become more flexible and imaginative in its approach to retailing.

Many of Kilkenny’s suppliers, such as the potters Louis Mulcahy and Stephen Pearce, have been internationally recognised as masters of their art. Irish glass has also made its name abroad, with companies like Jerpoint and Tipperary Crystal emerging alongside the long established Waterford Crystal.

The years since the opening of the Kilkenny Design Workshops have seen Irish craft and design evolve into a booming domestic and export industry.  But its ongoing success still depends on the nurturing of new talent and products.  As it faces into the future, Kilkenny is proud to be a part of this process.  

Kilkenny currently have six own brand stores in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Killarney, Cashel and Shanagarry and also two sister brand stores known as Christy’s in Killarney, Co. Kerry and Cobh, Co. Cork