The 1981 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship was the 87th staging of the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Kilkenny County Board in 1887.
Ballyhale Shamrocks entered the championship as the defending champions, however, they were beaten by Fenians in a quarter-final replay.
The final was played on 11 October 1981 at Nowlan Park in Kilkenny, between James Stephens and Fenians, in what was their fourth meeting in the final overall and a first meeting in the final in eight years. James Stephens won the match by 2-10 to 0-08 to claim their sixth championship title overall and a first title in five years.
Knockout stage Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
References