Photo: Jimmy joe jazz / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Kilkenny

Kilkenny sees a deep partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 95.0% of the Sun covered at around 19:11 IST, with the Sun a comfortable ~15° above the horizon.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~19:11 ISTLeinster · Ireland · 12 Aug 2026

Duration~1h 53m of partial eclipseThis is the full partial eclipse from first to last contact. There is no totality here — the Sun is never completely covered, so there is no corona and no moment when it is safe to look without protection.

Sun altitude~15° above the WNW horizonhigh enough that cloud, not terrain, is the risk

Coverage95.0% (partial)Kilkenny is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 95.0% of the Sun is covered at maximum — a deep partial eclipse, but not a total one. The corona never appears and the sky does not go dark.

Clear-sky odds Cloud is very likely · ≈42%Ireland in August is cloudy more often than not and conditions change fast. The high Sun means a moderate gap suffices.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Kilkenny sees a deep partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 95.0% of the Sun covered at around 19:11 IST, with the Sun a comfortable ~15° above the horizon.

Below: Kilkenny's exact timings, the best open viewpoints, why your eclipse glasses never come off here, and where the real totality is.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~18:13 ISTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~19:11 ISTPartial — ~1h 53m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~21:00 ISTEclipse ends ~20:06 IST

The eclipse runs from about 18:13 to 20:06 IST, with maximum at around 19:11 and the Sun ~15° above the west-northwest horizon. The eclipse finishes before sunset at 21:00 IST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Kilkenny Castle parkland

Park · open ground

Space with a castle backdrop

The castle's open parkland gives clear sightlines and one of Ireland's finest foregrounds.

Nore riverbank

Riverside · low open

Corridor through the city

The river gives a building-free channel with an open outlook.

Castlecomer Discovery Park

Park · elevated

Height and open sky

Higher ground north of the city with open views and room to gather.

Open country toward Freshford

Rural · west

Cleanest low horizon

West of Kilkenny the farmland opens out with unobstructed sightlines.

West and south for deeper coverage

More of the Sun covered

Cork and Kerry

Coverage increases toward Ireland's south-west.

Local astronomy societies and science centres often organise safe public viewing with filtered telescopes — worth checking closer to the date.

Plan your trip

Where to stay near the eclipse

Accommodation around the viewing area for eclipse night (11–13 Aug 2026). Compare hotels and rentals live on the map below.

The weather call

Will the sky be clear?

Ireland in August is cloudy more often than not and conditions change fast. The high Sun means a moderate gap suffices.

The deciding factor here is simply whether the sky is clear at the right moment. Check the forecast in the final 48 hours and, if you can, keep the option of moving to a gap in the cloud.

Plan the day

Your eclipse-day checklist

Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE eclipse glasses — one pair per person
Glasses stay ON for the entire eclipse — there is no safe moment here
A reasonable view west — the Sun is ~15° up, so gaps in cloud are enough
Arrive before 18:13 to catch first contact

Check the cloud forecast in the final 48 hours
Never look through a camera, phone or binoculars without a proper solar filter
Pinhole projection is a safe way for groups to watch together
If you want totality, it is northern Spain — not here

Watch it safely

However you’re watching, watch it safely

Every Absolute Eclipse product is independently certified and made in the EU. There’s no safe moment to look unaided here — keep certified eyewear on the entire time.

ISO 12312-2 certified
CE · EU 2016/425 PPE
Made & shipped in the EU

Kilkenny eclipse FAQ

Will Kilkenny see a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?

No. Kilkenny is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 95.0% of the Sun covered at maximum. It is a striking sight through eclipse glasses, but the corona does not appear and the sky does not go dark. The path of totality crosses northern Spain.

What time is the eclipse in Kilkenny?

The partial phase begins at about 18:13 IST and maximum — 95.0% coverage — comes at roughly 19:11 IST. The eclipse finishes before sunset at 21:00 IST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Kilkenny?

Yes, for the entire eclipse without exception. Because the Sun is never fully covered, there is never a safe moment to look with the naked eye. Even at 95.0% coverage the remaining sliver is dangerously bright. Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE glasses stay on from start to finish.

Where should I watch from in Kilkenny?

With the Sun about 15° above the horizon at maximum, a break in the cloud matters more than a perfect horizon — though higher, open ground still gives the best view.

Will the weather be clear in Kilkenny on eclipse day?

Ireland in August is cloudy more often than not and conditions change fast. The high Sun means a moderate gap suffices.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Lähteet: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (sää) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Ajat ovat paikallisia (CEST).