Rothe House & Garden is alive with activity for this year’s Kilkenny Arts Festival.  As well as being part of the official programme, with the very exciting Bob and Roberta Smith installations, we have lots of other activities taking place as well including the ever popular Children’s workshops.

Claire Bourke returns with her fascinating photograph exhibition. Claire has been taking photographs in Kilkenny and throughout the world for the past number of years, and brings these places to life with incredible imagination.  Her work is beautiful, and affordable, and every home in Kilkenny should have a Claire Bourke photograph.

Ailbe O’Donoghue, of Wellread Books, also returns. Ailbe has been coming to Rothe House for so long that it wouldn’t be Kilkenny Arts Festival without him.  All enthusiastic book lovers must treat themselves to a visit to his ‘pop up’ bookshop.

A newcomer to Rothe House & Garden this year is Gabrielle Sampson, a ceramicist who divides her time between the USA and Ireland.  Her works are certainly unique and will complement the beautiful courtyard in which they are being exhibited.

All these exhibitions are free of charge.

Children's Workshop  On Thursday and Friday 15th and 16th August, our Children’s workshops return.  Children from the ages of 5 – 12 can spend a couple of hours in this magnificent 17th century setting, and let their imaginations run riot.  Creative craftwork is the order of the day, and the children get to bring home what they make.  Due to their popularity, it’s advised to book places as soon as possible, by telephone: 056 7722893, or email: info@rothehouse.com.  €6 per child.  (These workshops have been made possible with the support of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under their 2013 Scheme to Assist Local and Regional Museums.)

More information on Rothe House & Garden can be found on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/rothehouse, or on Twitter @rothehouse