ALERT: Road closures confirmed on key routes in Kilkenny City for St Patrick's Day

Kilkenny motorists face widespread disruption on St Patrick’s Day 2026 after Kilkenny County Council confirm a major temporary closure of roads across the city to facilitate the annual parade and associated events.

The road closure notice, published under Section 75 of the Roads Act 1993, confirms that a series of busy routes in Kilkenny City will be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, with restrictions beginning from 9am in several locations and lasting until as late as 9pm in parts of the city centre.

Among the roads affected are Dublin Road, Castlecomer New Road, Upper John Street, Lower John Street including John’s Bridge, Rose Inn Street, Castle Road, Patrick Street, High Street, Parliament Street/Irishtown, and Market Yard/Batemans Quay.

The earliest closures begin at 9am, with some remaining in place until 3pm, 4pm, 6pm or 9pm, depending on location.

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According to the council notice, Dublin Road from O’Loughlin Road to John Street and Castlecomer New Road from the roundabout at Hebron Road to John Street will be closed from 9am to 3pm.

Upper John Street, from Dublin Road to the junction with Michael Street/Maudlin Street, will be closed from 9am to 4pm, while Lower John Street including John’s Bridge, from Michael Street/Maudlin Street to Batemans Quay, will remain closed from 9am to 6pm.

Some of the longest restrictions will apply in the city centre. Rose Inn Street, from Batemans Quay to The Parade, will be shut from 9am to 9pm. Castle Road, from The Parade to Nuncio Road, will also be closed from 9am to 9pm, with local access to be accommodated.

Further closures from 9am to 9pm include Patrick Street, from The Parade to Ormonde Road, and High Street, from The Parade to Parliament Street.

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Elsewhere, Parliament Street/Irishtown, from Market Yard to Dean Street, will be closed from 1pm to 4pm, while Market Yard/Batemans Quay, from Parliament Street to John’s Bridge, will be shut from 11am to 6pm.

Kilkenny County Council has also set out alternative diversion routes for motorists. These include O’Loughlin Road, Hebron Road, the Central Access Route, the Ring Road, Bennettsbridge Road, Waterford Road, Ormonde Road, New Street and Dean Street, depending on the closure area.

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