Could night-time markets be the norm in Kilkenny going forward?

Kilkenny has become one of the fastest growing tourist destinations across Ireland and Europe.

From bustling shops and shopping centres to coffee shops and restaurants acclaimed far and wide, the Marble City’s offering is matched by few and surpassed by even less, as tourists flock to the city.

However, unlike many of our European counterparts, the unique gems and practical services Kilkenny has to offer are quite often only available between the conventional hours of 9am and 5pm.

The locality is not an outlier in that regard, and unlike many regions, the area’s hospitality sector provides high quality services for those special occasions with friends and family into the night hours.

But, practically, those cherished nights together, especially on these cold January nights are the exception rather than the rule. The treat of fine dining can’t act the barometer for evening activities available.

Practically, where you can buy that snappy casual cup of coffee or make the unplanned purchase of a new handbag from a small local trader after 5pm, is the greatest indication.

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Broadly speaking, surely it’s time as a society we re-evaluate our opening hours to cater for a nurse working the night-shift as well as the 9-5 office worker? Such change appears to be happening slowly in bigger cities, but surely the time is now for Kilkenny and other well-populated locations to follow suit.

Locally, the eagerness for change amongst local business people and the county council can’t be doubted. In April, the 'Kilkenny City pilot Night Time Economy Action Plan 2024-2025 was launched identify a number of key night time opportunities for development.

A notable driver and talking point in the night-time economy will certainly be the extension of pub opening hours, but for the growing numbers who don’t drink or wish to have their afternoon date with their bestie a little bit later in the day, such opportunities should also be up for discussion.

A potential avenue into a new dawn is the expansion of the highly successful night markets in Kilkenny.

The sight of the Yulefest market operating until 8pm on Saturday nights during the Christmas period was one to behold. The Parade under lights packed full of young families and groups of friends who weren’t staggering home after a night of indulgence was a pleasant surprise. Kilkenny suddenly became an inclusive night-time setting where non-drinkers weren’t locked up before bed-time.

Meanwhile, one similar market held in a South Kilkenny venue was open all the way up until 10pm in November with over 150 traders present, giving the community the chance to support and embrace local businesses.

The Savour Kilkenny Market also injected great life into the city as local business and entertainment teamed up for an evening of fun, laughs and vital income for the small businesses that need slogans like ‘Shop Kilkenny’ and ‘Shop Local’ to register in the public’s psyche.

Little did we think 50 years ago that Christmas markets would not only be looked forward to, but expected by the public in 2024. We’ve come a long way...

I believe the next step is to expand these markets into social norms rather than Christmas phenomenon. Little did our parents or grandparents think there would be an era where a cooked takeaway meal or your shopping could be delivered to your front door. We jumped that hurdle, why not this?

Festival organiser, Marian Flannery has proven to be a visionary when it comes to planning and executing ideas previously unseen and at times unheard of in Kilkenny. There’s no reason this can’t be part of a wider plan.

A small step into the dark could provide immeasurable economic benefits to the city, and more importantly, further expand the range of activities and services available to our increasingly diverse workforce, both in terms of working hours and personal backgrounds, making Kilkenny a trailblazer in placing its citizens’ needs first and foremost.