City Guide

An Ancient City with a Vibrant Outlook

Kilkenny city- characterised by beautifully restored old buildings and winding slipways - is small and compact enough to explore on foot, yet full of fascinating historical buildings and contemporary shops, design galleries and restaurants.

The ancient city of Kilkenny - from the "Gaelic Till Cearmaigh" - was named after a 6th century monk called Saint Canice. His memory lives on in the beautifully preserved St. Canice's Cathedral built overlooking the city in the thirteenth century.

The Normans arrived in the twelfth century and their legacy remains in the superb and fully restored Kilkenny Castle, and in the thriving and cosmopolitan merchant city.

Kilkenny offers a unique selection of historic sites and buildings from the 7th century onwards reflecting a tradition of monastic settlement and gracious living.

Black Abbey

Abbey Street,
Kilkenny.

Founded in 1225 by William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, the Domincan Church has been restored to its original splendour with spectacular stained glass windows.

Butler Gallery

Kilkenny Castle,
Kilkenny.

Tel: 056 7761106.
Fax: 056 7770031
Email: butlgal@indigo.ie
Web: www.butlergallery.com

Open 7 days a week year round

April-May: 10.30-12.45/ 14.00- 17.00
June-August: 9.30-19.00
September: 10.00-18.00
Oct-March: 10.30-12.45 and 14.00-17.00.
Admission Free.

Closed Good Friday and over the Christmas Period.

Castle Yard

Situated opposite Kilkenny Castle, these former stables and coach houses are owned by Kilkenny Civic Trust and include craft studios and workshops, Kilkenny Design Centre and Restaurant.

Grace's Castle

Parliament St.
Kilkenny.

The remains of this fortress, which was built in 1210 and converted to a prison in 1568, are now incorporated into the basement area of the 19th century courthouse in Parliament St.

Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny.
Tel: 056 7704100
Fax: 056 7763488

Email: izabel.pennec@opw.ie

Go back in time to a 12th Century castle, remodelled and restored and set in 1830's splendour and extensive parklands: includes art gallery, bookshop and playground. Guided tours only delays can occur in high season.

Open: Daily

April - May 10.30- 5.00,
June - August 9.30- 7.00,
September 10.00-6.30
October - March 10.30-12.45 and 2.00-5.00.

Admission: Adults €5.30
Senior/Group (20+) €3.70
Child/Student €2.10
Family €11.50

Closed over Christmas and on Good Friday. Unscheduled closure may occur over the winter months for essential maintenance, please check with the site for details.

Please note that this is a very busy site and visitors may experience a delay during the summer months.

National Craft Gallery

Crescent Building,
Castle Yard,
Kilkenny.
Tel: 056 7761804

The National Craft Gallery is Kilkenny newest exhibition space, which will stage exhibitions of some of the finest contemporary craft and design from Ireland and abroad, will be located in Kilkenny at the Crescent Building, the former stables of Kilkenny Castle.The National Craft Gallery was designed by Orna Hanly whose most recent work includes the Irish Pavillion at Expo 2000 in Hannover, Germany.

Open: Mon - Sat 10am to 6pm

Rothe House

Parliament Street,
Kilkenny.
Tel: 056 7722893
Email: rothehouse@eircom.net
Web: www.kilkennyarchaeologicalsociety.ie

Rothe House & Garden: 52o 39.3' N, 7o 15.3'W

Rothe House is a 16th century Merchants home which was built in 1594, consisting of 3 separate town houses with 3 interconnecting courtyards, and a burgage garden which is presently being recreated in the style of a 16th century Irish urban garden.

Rothe House is the home of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society, and it houses an extensive museum collection of Kilkenny and of National artifacts, having many unique artifacts from the prehistoric times to those of modern times. The house also features a fine collection of period costumes and paintings, and an exhibition of the Trades and Crafts guilds of Kilkenny city and county. The house also has frequent visiting exhibitions of interest to visitors to the house.

Rothe House provides a Kilkenny County Genealogical research facility, and its professional genealogist carries out research for those looking for their Kilkenny ancestry, it also has an extensive Members Library containing books, newspapers, maps etc of local and of national interest, the Kilkenny Archaeological Society has regular lectures of historical and academic interest.

Online Family history service available on www.kilkenny.brsgenealogy.com

Rothe House is open to the public and to group tours daily, and it also hosts events and receptions in the unique 16th century surroundings.

Open:April to Oct:
Mon to Sat 10.30am to 5.00pm and Sun 3.00pm to 5.00pm.
Nov to March:
Mon to Sat 1.00pm to 5.00pm and Sun 3.00pm to 5.00pm

Garden open during the daytime 4pm (closed sundays)

Adm: Adults €5

Senior Citizens/Students €4.

Children under 12 free.

A new exhibition called "Rothe House and Kilkenny through the ages" will run from Tuesday 27th October, 2009 at Rothe House. The exhibition features twelve illustrations by artist Roger O'Reilly showing Rothe House and its gardens throughout its eventful and remarkable history. Also on show are numerous sketchbooks illustrating everyday life for the city's inhabitants in the period that saw the construction and completion of this merchant's townhouse.

"The history of the house really starts with the Cistercian monks at the site in the 1400s" says O'Reilly, "and that's where I've chosen to start with the illustrations"

The twelve illustrations show events such as Archbishop Rinuccini's visit to the gardens in the 1640s, a Confederate assembly at the house and preparations for Cromwell's siege of the city among others.

The sketchbooks will be of special interest to those who take an interest in the day-to-day goings-on of our ancestors, covering subjects like children's toys, food preparation of the period and street traders and hawkers.

Rothe House & Garden is open Monday - Saturday 10.30 to 4.30. For more information ring 056 7722893, or see www.rothehouse.com

Start the Christmas Season in style this year! Rothe House & Garden will host a Christmas Miscellany on Wednesday 2nd December at 7.30 pm.
Enjoy a glass of mulled wine by the roaring log fire, and listen to the Sonas Choir perform. The music is interspersed with readings and musings (cast includes the poets Kerry Hardie and Mark Roper), and the whole evening will have a winter and Christmas theme. Tickets are €20, and all proceeds will go to the Rothe House fundraising project. For pre-booking contact reception@rothehouse.com or telephone 056 7722893. A wonderful evening full of atmosphere and winter warmth is guaranteed.

Shee Alms House

Rose Inn Street,
Kilkenny.

Tel: 056 7751500

Established in 1582 to accommodate the poor. It has recently been refurbished and is home to Kilkenny Tourist Office. Shee Alms House was first owned by the church. The Shee family originally came from Kerry.
Richard Shee was a lawyer. He bought the house and he used it to care for twelve homeless people. The Shee family kept the poor people in care and shelter for 150 years.

In 1752 the house was sold. The house was restored in 1978. It is a priceless Tudor style building. It is situated in Rose Inn Street. The house is now a tourist office.

St. Canice's Cathedral

Irishtown,
Kilkenny.
Tel: 056 7764971
Fax: 056 7723646
Email: stcanicescathedral@eircom.net

ST CANICE'S CATHEDRAL

(Anglican/Episcopal)

Built between 1202 and 1285, St Canice's has been preserved in its original style and form. Worship has taken place here for over 800 years. See the wonderful stained glass and the largest collection of ancient monuments. View Kilkenny and the surrounding area from the 9th century round tower (weather permitting) and see the seat of the bishop of Ossory dating back to 1120AD.

Facilities include:
Gift shop, toilets, wheelchair access. Information leaflets are available in 15 languages. Group and guided tours available by booking in advance.

April, May and September:
Mon - Sat: 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm, Sun: 2pm - 5pm

June, July and August:
Mon - Sat: 9am - 6pm, Sun: 2pm - 6pm
October - March:
Mon - Sat: 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm, Sun: 2pm - 4pm
(Please note the round tower opens at 10am and is not open between October and March)

ENTRANCE RATES

Entrance Fees: Cathedral Round Tower Combination
(Cathedral and round tower) Rothe House and Cathedral Combination
(Does not include the round tower)
Adults €4.00 €3.00 €6.00 €7.00
Concession €3.00 €2.50 n/a €5.00
Groups: (10+ pax) €3.00pp €2.50 €5.50 €5.00
Groups (10+ pax) with a cathedral guide €3.50pp €2.50 €6.00 €5.00
Family ticket n/a n/a €12.00** n/a

*Please ring ahead to arrange combined entry to the cathedral and round tower for groups. Groups that wish to book a Rothe House/St Canice's cathedral combined tour must also ring ahead.
**Family ticket includes entry to round tower and cathedral for 2 adults and up to 3 children between 12-18 years old. Under 12's are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Under 12's will not be admitted unless accompanied by an adult.

Group bookings and guided tours
All group visits must be booked in advance. If a cathedral guide is required this must be indicated at the time of booking. A cathedral guide will not be available if one is not requested at the time of booking. During June, July and August, guided tours are not available between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

A cancellation charge will be made for groups who fail to arrive for guided tours and who have not cancelled the tour at least 2 days before the intended visit date. (This will be 50% of the income that would have been due to the cathedral). Payment for group visits may be made by cash, cheque or credit card. Vouchers will also be accepted. Payment of vouchers must be made within 30 days of receipt of an invoice from the cathedral. Failure to adhere to this payment policy may results in future tour bookings being refused.

Round Tower:
No under 12's are permitted to climb the round tower. The tower will be open depending on weather conditions and staffing. The tower is generally not open between October and March. Please ring ahead to confirm.

Combination and Family tickets
A combination ticket for an adult covers entry to the cathedral and round tower. A family ticket covers entry to the cathedral and round tower for two adults and up to three children aged over 12 and under 18.

Parking
At present there are no parking facilities in the vicinity of the cathedral. Plans are in hand for a visitor car park in early 2007. Coach parking and other general parking is available on Dean Street, and at other convenient locations in the city.

For further information, bookings etc, please contact:
The Cathedral Administrator
The Cathedral Church of St Canice
The Close, Kilkenny, Ireland
Tel: +353 (0) 56 776 4971
Fax: +353 (0) 56 772 3646
Email: cathedral@ossory.anglican.org
Web: www.stcanicescathedral.ie

St. John's Priory

John St. Kilkenny Early 13th Century Priory - The choir is all that remains of the original structure.

St. Francis Abbey Brewery

Parliament St.,
Kilkenny.
Tel: 056 7721014

Located on site of Franciscan Abbey.
Open June, July and Aug.
Commercial brewing had a fresh start around 1710 under the Smithwick family and the brewery became the largest Irish Brewery outside of Dublin and Cork by 1873.

By 1964, Guinness took over control and 'Smithwick's Draught' was launched in 1966 becoming an instant success and still Ireland's favourite ale. 'Kilkenny' Beer was created and launched more recently and enjoys inter-national success.
The oldest brewery in Ireland is St. Francis Abbey Brewery standing on the site of a Franciscan Abbey founded in 1231. Brewing was carried on here for Centuries until the dissolution of the Monasteries (around 1540). The beautiful Tower and Chancel survive, and the medieval city wall of Kilkenny also runs through the brewery's grounds.

A visit to St. Francis Abbey Brewery, in the historic medieval city of Kilkenny exposes the visitor to a thriving brewery proud of its unique heritage and of its continuing achievements in producing some of the world's finest beers.

Diageo Global Supply
Saint Francis Abbey Brewery Presents

"The Making of Smithwicks"

Daily Video Presentation @ 3:00 pm
(15 minutes in duration)
Mon to Fri - June to Aug

Afterwards try a Sample of Brewery Produce and soak up the atmosphere of Ireland's Oldest Brewery

Admission Free

St. Kieran's College

College Road,
Kilkenny.

College Road, Kilkenny Open since 1836. The campus accommodates the imposing Gothic College structure. The Carrigan room contains archival material and manuscripts, some dating back to medieval times. St. Mary's Cathedral James' St. Kilkenny Completed in 1849 from traditional local limestone.

The Tholsel

High Street,
Kilkenny

High St. Kilkenny Built in 1761 by Alderman William Colles from the family who made Kilkenny black marble famous. Now the City Hall, it was completely restored following a fire in 1987.

The Watergate Theatre

Parliament St, Kilkenny.
Tel: 056 7761674
Fax: 7715780
Email: watergategc@eircom.net
Web: www.watergatekilkenny.com

Performances by local and visiting professional theatre companies.