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13 Jan 2026
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13 Jan 2026
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CEO John Hurley, President Anne Barber, and Business Development Officer Róisín McQuillan celebrating the sales of Kilkenny Gift Cards in 2025
Sales of the Kilkenny Gift Card in December 2025 more than doubled from the previous year, rising from €148,000 to over €290,000, according to Kilkenny Chamber.
Following Kilkenny Chamber’s successful launch in November 2024 the continued momentum behind the county’s shop-local campaign continued throughout 2025 as St Canice’s Credit Union began to sell Kilkenny Gift Cards in May.
The Chamber says the achievement is a testament to the commitment of the Kilkenny community to support local businesses and back local jobs. Kilkenny County Council and the Local Enterprise Office were quick to see the positive aspects of the project and supported it from the start.
"We were delighted to support the Chamber’s initiative, and we congratulate them on achieving this success," said Aileen McGrath, Head of Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE KILKENNY BUSINESS NEWS
John Hurley, CEO Kilkenny Chamber, said: "The response from local people, whether it’s the outlets joining the Kilkenny Gift Card programme, the employers who purchased the Cards as end of year bonuses, or the general public who purchased the cards as Christmas presents, has been phenomenal. The programme can only grow from here. We thank Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office for their support.’
Kilkenny Gift Cards with a total value of €290,825 are now in circulation —funds that can only be spent in Kilkenny businesses. This represents a significant and very welcome boost to the local economy.
The Kilkenny Gift Card is available both as a traditional plastic swipe card and as a convenient digital version for smartphones. Notably, digital card sales increased ten‑fold in 2025 reflecting a growing appetite for simple, contactless ways to support local.
One feature of the Kilkenny Gift Card is the ability to pick up blank cards from St Canice’s Credit Union and load them up to €250 whenever it suits. Customers can purchase the Kilkenny Gift Card online at www.kilkennygiftcard.ie, or in person at St Canice’s Credit Union.
With over 140 shops and businesses now accepting the Kilkenny Gift Card — and more joining every week — recipients enjoy an outstanding range of choices across retail, hospitality, and services.
Kilkenny Gift Cards aren’t just for Christmas - they are available all year round, offering a meaningful way to shop local at any time.
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