Rothe House & Garden

14/06/2026

📣Bilingual pottery workshops!💚

Join ceramicist, Chelsea Power, for her bilingual pottery workshops at Rothe House & Garden this summer!

The workshops will consist of two-hour pottery hand-building sessions, taught as Gaeilge and in English.

Spaces are limited so please call or email Chelsea to book your place: 085 2692071 / [email protected].

The workshops will take place on the following Wednesday evenings, 5.45pm-7.45pm:
- June 17th (early bird rate of €40)
- July 1st (early bird rate of €40)
- July 15th (€60)
- August 5th (€60)

Feicimid ann sibh! 😊

12/06/2026

Looking forward to hosting the annual KAS Garden Party tomorrow!
Come along from 3pm to 5pm!☀️🏡

11/06/2026

🎻Traditional Irish Music at Rothe House!🎶

'The Merchant’s Parlour' at Rothe House is an intimate evening of traditional music, song & story featuring the very best local musicians.

Join us this each Wednesday in Rothe House & Garden for an award-winning intimate evening of traditional Irish music in one of Kilkenny's most beloved heritage spaces.

Renowned musician Anthony McAuley returns this summer, joined by some of the most talented musicians performing today. Enjoy an evening of acoustic music, song and storytelling where every note is heard and appreciated!

Click the Eventbrite link below for tickets or get them on the door!

This is part of 's summer cultural series, supported by Kilkenny County Council, bringing many of the city's great attractions to life in the evenings!

Also participating are Butler Gallery, Butler House, Medieval Mile Museum, Saint Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower, and Smithwick's Experience!

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-merchants-parlour-an-intimate-evening-of-traditional-music-tickets-1990628733127?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

14/05/2026

Due to a wedding taking place today, we will be closing admissions to our house and garden at 1.30pm. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Wishing our happy couple all the very best! 💒💞

29/04/2026

📚Fadó Fadó: Kilkenny students recognised for bringing local history to life!🎒

The richness of Kilkenny's local history was celebrated recently at a prizegiving ceremony in the Mayfair Library, where students from across the county were honoured for their work in the 'Fadó Fadó: Sparking Memories - Kilkenny Young Historians' Local History Competition'!

Organised by the Kilkenny Archaeological Society in partnership with Rothe House Trust and the Kilkenny County Council Library Service, the event brought together students, their families and teachers in a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere.

Prizes were presented by archaeologist Cóilín Ó Drisceoil. The winning entry in the Primary section, 'If these walls could talk' by Jane Comerford, traced ten generations of the Comerford family at Coolgreaney House. Second place went to Niamh Carrigan's project on the Carrigan Uilleann Pipers.

The winning entry in the Transition Year section was Adam Staunton's study of Ballyragget Castle and its surrounding townland. While in second place was Enda Cunningham, who traced the origins of Burnchurch.

The competition continues to foster a deep appreciation of local heritage among young people across the county. A huge congratulations and thank you to everyone who was involved in this year's competition! 💐

22/04/2026

🎉Celebrating 60 Years of Rothe House🎉

This past Friday, Parliament Street felt a little more vibrant than usual! While Rothe House has been standing since 1594, last week marked a milestone of a different era: the 60th anniversary of its opening to the public.

It is hard to imagine today, when strolling through the restored buildings and Renaissance garden, that in the early 1960s, this site was on the brink of ruin. The celebration on Friday and over the weekend was a sincere tribute to the members of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society (KAS). In 1962, they stepped in to save the property from dereliction, embarking on a restoration project that was, at the time, radical.

Many in attendance at last week’s event had been at the opening in 1966, others were the children and grandchildren of the craftspeople and committee.

The guest of honour was Senator Malcolm Noonan who spoke of the importance of Rothe House and congratulated all who have kept it going over the last six decades.

Rothe House Trust also launched a new Five Year Strategy at the event which looks forward to a continued period of growth and community engagement.

Central to the anniversary is the new free exhibition, "Rothe House 1966-2026: The Restoration." For anyone who calls Kilkenny home, this is a must-see, telling the inspiring 20th-century story of how a community pulled together to save its own history. A touching video captures the recollections of local people, and the exhibition displays archival material, letters and photographs.

"Rothe House 1966-2026: The Restoration" is now open to the public. Admission to the exhibition is free and is open 10am - 5pm daily.

This project was supported by the Public Commemoration Grant Scheme 2026, funded by Kilkenny County Council and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

18/04/2026

13/03/2026

We can't wait to welcome Fionnuala Fallon to Rothe House to share her wisdom on creating a sustainable perennial cut-flower garden. Fionnuala is a well-know columnist with The Irish Times and runs her own flower farm and florist business.

This event is sure to sell out so book early to avoid disappointment.

🥀Saturday, 21st March
🪻11.00am - 13.00pm
🌹Tickets €20 via Eventbrite.

The workshop will include access to the beautiful garden at Rothe House and Head Gardener Mary Pyke will be on hand to answer questions.

RHSI - Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland The Carlow Garden Trail Gardens of Waterford GardenGuideIreland Visit Kilkenny

Discover how to design and maintain a nature-friendly perennial cut-flower patch, focusing on gardening techniques that support biodiversity

09/03/2026

Join us this Sunday for a magical evening of conversation and music.

Scattered Sessions offers a deep dive into the mesmerizing world of the hammered dulcimer with the incredible Brian Leach.

Brian will give an intimate performance of Irish traditional music, with a pre-concert talk between Brian and musicologist Oisín Quigley exploring how Ireland’s music tradition is evolved by reaching into the ancient world. Q&A with audience will follow.

🖲️ Sunday, 15th March
⏰ 3pm - 5pm
ℹ️ Rothe House & Garden

Kilkenny Tradfest

Scattered Sessions offers a deep dive into the mesmerizing world of the hammered dulcimer with the incredible Brian Leach.

14/02/2026

Wishing a very Happy Valentines Day to the many lovely couples who have said their 'I Do's' here at Rothe House. We have loved helping each and every couple achieve their perfect day and make very special memories.

And of course not forgetting the couples who will celebrate their special day with us this year. We can't wait to welcome your friends and families to this very special venue!

❤️💖💞Love is in the Air ❤️💞💕

We'd love to hear from you if you are looking for a unique venue for your wedding day so please get in touch 🥰