It's Ireland's answer to Wal-Mart. Yes, I know I'm quite the phrase-maker, but it's true. Jamie W…read more and I came upon the expansive single-floor one in central Kilkenny as we were leisurely strolling to our hotel on Patrick Street after a hearty evening of lamb stew, slabs of Irish beef, pints of Guinness, and plenty of song at Kyteler's Inn (review: http://bit.ly/2lWIzzw). We saw a huge store through the windows looking downward at all the merchandise for sale - household wares, clothing, and a large supermarket (photo: http://bit.ly/2lCMTsc). There's just something about exploring a supermarket in a foreign land that gets me all giddy. Seriously. This market was huge and looked very much like any American supermarket toward the Whole Foods end of the spectrum. I knew I was in Ireland when I saw the extensive collection of whiskey on the shelves in the liquor section (photo: http://bit.ly/2mWrRVH). Faith and begorrah. As we crossed over to the meat section, everything was labeled Irish - Irish gammon steak, Irish back bacon joint, Irish chicken (photo: http://bit.ly/2lCSTRN). Proud stock they are on the Emerald Isle. Obviously proud of their meat. We just shopped for almost healthy snacks like chocolate-dipped rice cakes for the next day's road trip across the country to Dingle. Those were portable and tasty. Coincidentally, Dunnes was a takeover target of the Walton family at the turn of the millennium, but Ireland's major store chain remains family-run, presumably a wealthy family given there are over 125 stores in the chain. We found the stores so convenient that we ended up stopping at Dunnes in Galway and Dublin for our travel snacks.

Nice one stop shop! Dunnes offers clothing (decent quality, decent prices), home goods such as…read moretowels, linens, decorations, kitchen items, and FOOD! The supermarket was my favorite part as there's a great selection of meats, dairy products, sweets (candy, cookies, fresh baked cakes), coffee, teas, soda, chips... You name it.a great place for a tourist to see a European supermarket and to try the food! Also - this Dunnes has an awesome parking lot that is very convenient especially if you want to see the city centre.

The Market Cross's main draw is Superquinn, probably the best supermarket to go to for baked goods…read more It has also got Kilkenny's only Penney's on the ground floor and Monsoon/Accessorise. There's not a huge amount of compelling shopping to be done here though. It has a small music shop (Heartbeat City), a couple of shoe shops, L'Occitane, a sports shop, a cafe, a pharmacy, newsagents, phone shop and so on. There are a few benches for sitting and it is partially covered by a glass roof. It has started to look a bit dingy though compared to the new McDonagh Junction shopping centre near the railway station.

Alright shops but don't park after 7 pm. Call out fee is €25. I was met by a very nasty man from…read moresentry security who made bigoted comments towards me after parking late. I don't understand why there even needed to be a conversation. I paid the fee and he got paid!

A new, modern shopping centre conveniently located next to Kilkenny railway station. The centre has…read moreworked parts of the old railway station outhouses into its design and the cobbled entrance give it a traditional feel. It hosts many well-known high street shops such as TK Maxx, River Island, Next, Bennetton, Zavvi, and a large flagship Dunnes Stores supermarket. Grab a coffee or some lunch in the foodcourt which has a Bagel Factory, Quigley's, Gloria Jeans and Costa Coffee with seating on a heated cobbled square covered over by a large glass roof.