It’s due to be wet and wild in Kilkenny this Friday morning (24 January) as Storm Éowyn takes hold of the country.
With Ireland braced for what’s being described as one of (potentially) the most destructive weather events we’ve seen in the history books, restaurants and cafés around the country at battening down the hatches and shutting up shop this Friday with Kilkenny among the first to land in the red weather warning time band.
Per Met Éireann, Kilkenny is under a red weather warning, the highest state of alert that can be issued. It brings ‘gale to storm force southerly winds, becoming westerly with extreme, damaging and destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h’. That means danger to life, extremely dangerous travelling conditions, many fallen trees, disruptions and cancellations to transport, widespread power outages, unsafe working conditions, and more.
Kilkenny will remain under a red weather alert from 2am Friday through 10am Friday. Neighbouring Tipperary sees the alert extended to 11am, all the way out to 2pm for Donegal as the storm tracks north.
Much like the closures due to snow only a fortnight ago, many cafés and restaurants have elected to shut up entirely for the day, with some eateries and supermarkets electing to open post-weather alert.
It goes without saying but in line with warnings, if you don’t need to travel on Friday, don’t, and at the very least avoid the roads until 10am. If you are chasing a coffee, a lunch out or otherwise, the below outlets are confirmed as closed or having times altered due to Storm Éowyn.
Storm Éowyn: Cafés, Restaurants, Supermarkets closed in Kilkenny – Friday 24 January
- Aldi (All branches) – Closed for the duration of the weather warning, to be reviewed
- Arán Bakery, Deli & Restaurant, Barrack Street. Late opening until 5pm Thursday, reopens Saturday at usual time.
- Barista Sistas, Callan. Late opening 11am
- Butcher Restaurant, The Butterslip. Open from 4.30pm
- Bovine, Ormonde Street. Closed until 5pm (no lunch service)
- Breagagh Valley Artisan Meats, Newpark Shopping Centre. Closed until 11am
- Café La Coco, Patrick Street. Closed all day Friday
- Caffe500, The Parade – Closed until 3pm.
- Cakeface, Irishtown. Closed until 11am-ish.
- Chingon, Ormonde Street. Closed until 3pm.
- Coffee To A Tea, Urlingford. Closed for the morning, hoping to re-open Friday afternoon.
- Doppio, Smithlands. Closed for breakfast, opening for lunch from 12pm.
- Ed’s Café at Bretts, Callan. Closed all day, reopens Saturday.
- Fennelly’s of Callan. Closed all day Friday. Reopening 11am Saturday.
- Fragola Café, William Street. Closed until 10.30am.
- Fusion Treats, Walkin Street. Delayed opening until 6pm
- Grogan & Brown Butchers, Smithlands. Closed until 12pm.
- Kilkenny Café at Kilkenny Design Centre. Reopens Saturday.
- Knockdrinna Café, Stoneyford. Reopens Saturday 9.30am.
- La Bottega, James’ Street. Delayed opening until 11am.
- La Rivista, Parliament Street – Market and Café closed for the day, restaurant open as normal from 5pm
- Lemongrass, John’s Quay – Closed until 1pm
- Lidl (All branches). Closed until 11am.
- Low Lane, Kieran’s Street. Closed all day. Reopening Saturday.
- Market Cross Shopping Centre (All Units) – Closed until 11am
- Mise en Place, Drakelands
- Nóinín, John’s Quay – Closed for lunch, hoping to open for dinner service post 5pm.
- Nicholas Mosse Café. Reopens Saturday 10am
- Paris Texas, High Street
- Pennyfeather Café at Kilkenny Book Centre – Closed until 11am
- Petronella Restaurant, The Butterslip. Reopens 5pm Saturday.
- Rive Gauche, The Parade. Closed until 5pm (no lunch service)
- Ristorante Rinuccini. Lunch service cancelled, open for evening dining from 5pm.
- SuperValu Loughboy – Closed until 10.30am
- SuperValu Callan – Closed until 11am
- Tabú, Thomastown. Closed all day (bonus: extra time to work on their new menu, we’re told)
- Tess’ Homestyle Baking, High Street. Closed all day, reopening 9.30am Saturday.
- The Coffee Stop, Inistioge. Closed all day. Reopening Saturday.
- The Cookie Co-Op, Friary Street. Aiming for 11am opening. No DPD deliveries Friday from online orders.
- The Cup, Newpark Shopping Centre. Closed all day, reopning Saturday.
- The House Of Pretzels, Market Cross. Reopens Saturday
- The Pantry, Kieran’s Street. Reopening Saturday.
- The Pink Box, Parliament Street. Delayed opening until 11am-ish.
- The Wine Centre, John Street – Closed until 1pm
- The Yard Café, Market Yard
- Tower & Castle, John Street. Delayed opening until between 9-10am, subject to storm passing.
- Zuni, Patrick Street. Closed for breakfast, opening for lunch as normal at 12.30pm.
- Wildflower Café at Butler Gallery
- Xpresso Coffee, Ormonde Retail Park
Miss something? Keep an ear on KCLR across Friday morning or find more details in my Instagram stories.
