Commercial Vacancy Rate in Kilkenny rises slightly, but stays below national average

The commercial vacancy rate in Kilkenny was recorded at 12.9% in June 2026 – lower than the national average of 14.5%, according to the latest GeoDirectory Commercial Vacancy Rates Report.

The analysis, prepared by EY, found that the commercial vacancy rate in Kilkenny increased by 0.3 percentage points compared to the same period in 2025.

Nationally, the commercial vacancy rate dropped marginally by 0.1 percentage points (pp) year-on-year to 14.5% in Q2 2026. This is the first time the commercial vacancy rate has experienced an annual decline since GeoDirectory began reporting this data in 2013.

A total of 30,611 commercial properties were classified as vacant across the country in Q2 2026. The highest commercial vacancy rates were concentrated in the West and North-West of the country. Donegal recorded the highest vacancy rate in the State at 20.7%, meaning more than one in five commercial properties in the county lie vacant. Sligo (20.2%), Galway (18.6%), Leitrim and Limerick (both 18.1%) made up the remainder of the top five highest county vacancy rates, with all five Connacht counties featuring in the top seven nationwide.

At the other end of the spectrum, Meath recorded the lowest commercial vacancy rate in the country at 9.9%, the only county under the 10% mark. Wexford (11.2%), Westmeath (12.0%), Kerry (12.3%), and Cavan (12.7%) rounded out the counties with the lowest rates.

Of the urban areas in Kilkenny surveyed, Callan had the highest rate of commercial vacancies (17.3%), while Kilkenny City had the lowest at 14.9%

“With over 30,611 commercial units lying vacant across the country and 13 counties still seeing vacancy increases, commercial property owners and local high streets need to continue to adapt to shifting consumer habits,” said Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory.

Simon MacAllister, Partner at EY Ireland said: “While the decline in the national commercial vacancy rates is modest, it is significant as it marks a break from a long period of steadily rising commercial vacancies since 2013. The data highlights a growing divide between areas benefiting from population growth, employment and investment, particularly in the East, and those that continue to face challenges sustaining commercial activity, especially in the West and Northwest.”