Archive for the 'Rothe House News' Category
Rothe House Trust invites expressions of interest for the running of a café in the Third House at Rothe House. This is in line with the Conservation Plan, and it is intended that the café facility will form part of the final phase of the Plan, and open at the same time as the new exhibition which is being installed during 2011. Invited parties can contact roisin@rothehouse.com for more details, and to obtain the application form, which is required to be completed and returned to Roisin McQuillan, CEO, Rothe House & Garden, Parliament Street, Kilkenny by Friday April 29th.
April 07 2011 | Rothe House News | 1 Comment »
Rothe House Trust’s one-day conference on the subject of ‘Early Modern Townhouses in Kilkenny (1550-1660)’ on Saturday 2nd April 2011 was very successful. It was held in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle and was a fundraising event, for the Rothe House & Garden Renaissance Project. We are very grateful to all our eminent speakers for giving their time free of charge. Also many thanks to the Office of Public Works for free use of the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle. Details of the programme are given below. We hope to make this an annual event. Â
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 EARLY MODERN TOWNHOUSES OF KILKENNY
 9.00 am          REGISTRATION AT PARADE TOWER, KILKENNY CASTLE
9.30 am          Opening of conference by Mayor of Kilkenny, Councillor Martin Brett
9.40 am          Welcome from Chair of Rothe House Trust Limited
9.50 am          ‘Town house & town life in Kilkenny c. 1600’ – John Bradley MA
10.30am         ‘Great Stone Houses’ – Kilkenny and its early modern townhouses 1550 – 1650 – Gertie Keane MA
11.15 am        Coffee
11.40am         ‘Black Tom’s House at Kilkenny Castle’   Ben Murtagh MA
 12.20pm         ‘Rothe House – evolution of a Renaissance merchant’s palazzo’   Dr. Jason Bolton MA DipArchaeology PhD
 1.00pm           Close of Conference – President of Kilkenny Archaeological Society
 Lunch – own arrangements
  2.30pm          Choice of tours of Kilkenny City leaving from Kilkenny Castle. Please indicate your preference when making reservation for conference.
                        Early Modern townhouses with Gertie Keane MA
                       ‘The Hole in the Wall’- Michael O’Boyle, Conservation Architect
                        Rothe House – an architectural view of the building with Jason Bolton
                        Tour of Kilkenny Castle with Staff of Castle
                        Key features of Black Tom’s House with Ben Murtagh
                        Tour of Heritage Council headquarters with Colm Murray
Cost: Kilkenny Archaeological Society Members and concessions €25, Non-members: €30
February 24 2011 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
Having postponed our Christmas Miscellany not once, but twice, due to the extreme weather in December, it finally went ahead on Tuesday 14th December. We were fortunate that all participants were still available. The evening was a great success, with the Sonas Chamber Choir and their young supporters providing seasonal carols and songs. Interspersed with the music, our speakers provided great enjoyment in remembering times past. Ann Murtagh spoke of ‘Christmas Shopping in Kilkenny in 1937′, Cllr Malcolm Noonan remembered his childhood Christmases in ‘The Village’, i.e. Larchfield with his parents and 9 siblings, Cathy Power spoke of Christmases lost as she remembered those who populated her childhood Christmases who were no longer alive, and Anna Michalska told us of Polish Christmas traditions and customs.Â
Mince pies and mulled wine were welcome barriers to the cold outside, and everyone really enjoyed the evening. Many thanks to all who participated, and who attended. Particular thanks to all staff and volunteers at Rothe House who also gave freely of their time.
Sonas Chamber Choir entertaining the audience
December 16 2010 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
Mary and Rosemary creating an alternative Christmas Tree
Christmas on a Shoestring took place on Saturday 11th December 2010. Mary Pyke, Head Gardener at Rothe House & Garden, and Rosemary Barnes demonstrated ways to create alternative Christmas trees, wreaths, table decorations and garlands.
Mary had made a number of wreaths, all of which were sold on the day. Watch this space for our Easter on a Shoestring workshop in March …..!
November 16 2010 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
POSTPONED AGAIN – now taking place on Tuesday 14th December at 7.30 pm.
The annual Christmas Miscellany takes place on Wednesday 1st December, with music and musings on a Christmas theme. Sonas Chamber Choir will perform, singing old winter carols to enhance the atmosphere, helped along by a glass of mulled wine, a mince pie and a crackling log fire. It’s a great way to kick start the Christmas season. This is a fundraising event for Rothe House, and tickets cost €20.00. They are available at 056 7722893, or by emailing info@rothehouse.com. Book early – this event is usually a sell out.
November 08 2010 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
Mary White TD, Minister for Equality, Integration and Human Rights, opened House 3, representing the completion of Phase one of the Renaissance Project, and launched Phase Two which starts in January.
The Minister was given a guided tour of the House by Joe Ledwidge, Project Manager, and was very impressed at the standard of work which has taken place. She congratulated the Society and the Trust for the work which has been done to date, and wished them very well in the ongoing project.
Mayor Martin Brett, Councillor Catherine Connery (Cathaoirleach of the County Council) and Ciarán Tuite of Failte Ireland also spoke at the opening. Those present were welcomed by Miss Bernadette Dermody, President of Kilkenny Archaeological Society, and by Mr. David Culliton, Chairman, Rothe House Trust Limited. 
November 08 2010 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
Rothe House & Garden is participating in the first ever Culture Night to be held in Kilkenny. In partnership with Tynan Tours, Kilkenny Borough Council and St. Canice’s Cathedral, we are hosting part of a City Cultural Walk. Pat Tynan will guide a group through the streets of Kilkenny, stopping off at City Hall to inspect the City Charters, Rothe House to see how people lived in the 17th century and St. Canice’s Cathedral. The walk starts at 6.00 pm at the Parade Kiosk, and is free of charge.
September 13 2010 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
In conjunction with the Shakespeare in the House Festival, a children’s Art Competition has been launched, open to children of all ages. There are three categories:
1) Ages 4-7 yr old. Download ‘Brendan from the Secret of Kells’, colour it in and send it back to ‘Shakespeare in the House’, Rothe House, Parliament Street, Kilkenny by Friday 4th June. Entries must be on an A4 size sheet of paper, and have your name, age and contact details printed on the back.
2) Ages 8-12 yr old. Download ‘Brendan from the Secret of Kells’, colour it in and send it back to ‘Shakespeare in the House’, Rothe House, Parliament Street, Kilkenny by Friday 4th June. Alternatively, children in this category can free draw a character from one of Shakespeare’s Plays, and send it in. Entries must be on an A4 size sheet of paper, and have your name, age and contact details printed on the back.
3) Ages 13-18 yrs old. Free draw a character from one of Shakespeare’s Plays, and send it in. Entries must be on an A4 size sheet of paper, and have your name, age and contact details printed on the back. Send it back to ‘Shakespeare in the House’, Rothe House, Parliament Street, Kilkenny by Friday 4th June.
First prize winner only:Â
1) A copy of the ‘Secret of Kells’ DVD and an annual family ticket to Rothe House Garden.
2) One year’s tuition at Dreamstuff Youth Theatre and an annual family ticket to Rothe House Garden.
3) One year’s tuition at Dreamstuff Youth Theatre and an annual family ticket to Rothe House Garden.
May 17 2010 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
June 19th and 20th will see the famed Shakespeare in the House festival, in the authentic surroundings of our 17th century courtyard. Children from the Dreamstuff Youth Theatre in Kilkenny will perform abridged versions of Macbeth (ssssshhhhh!), Much Ado about Nothing and Taming of the Shrew in the open air. Free performances during the afternoon. On both evenings, the Advanced Acting Group will perform Twelfth Night, with a BBQ in the garden afterwards. Tickets for this will cost €15.00 and may be purchased at Rothe House, tel: 056 7722893, email info@rothehouse.com. Facepainting, sonnets and art competitions are also part of the two day festival, so make sure you bring your children with you ……….
April 23 2010 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
Signing of the Contract between Rothe House Trust and Duggan Lynch & Co.
15th March saw the builders (Duggan Lynch & Co) take possession of the Third House to begin work on the Renaissance Project.Â
Rothe House & Garden Renaissance Project comes to life
The Renaissance Project at Rothe House & Garden in Kilkenny got underway last week. Much work has been completed to get the project to this stage, including obtaining planning permission, undertaking an archaeological dig and tendering for the contract. Now Duggan Lynch & Co. from Sion Road Kilkenny has been appointed as Main Contractor.
The project team is being overseen by Mr. Joe Ledwidge, current Chair of Rothe House Trust Limited, and includes Michael O’Boyle, from Bluett & O’Donoghue Architects, Shane McCullagh from McCullagh Lupton Quinn Quantity Surveyors, John Moloney from Don O’Malley Consulting Engineers, and Kevin Clancy from Michael Punch & Partners Structural Engineers.
The project has been supported by Fáilte Ireland through the NDP 2007-2013, and by the Councils of the City and County of Kilkenny. Gary Breen, Operations Manager Fáilte Ireland South East, said that Fáilte Ireland is delighted to support the development of projects such as this which continue to enhance the cultural and heritage product in Kilkenny. Joe Crockett, Kilkenny County Manager, said that this was a great day for Kilkenny when a piece of history is being made, and the Local Authorities are very pleased to be part of the project.
Work on Phase One will continue until mid June, and involves the refitting of the Third House. The Kilkenny Archaeological Society’s library will be transferred to the top floor, and will be accessible by lift and staircase. The FÃS Local Training Initiative will also re-locate to the Third House during the summer. The ground floor of this building will house an exhibition space and coffee shop, and there will also be a meeting room available for hire.
During this phase, approximately 40 craftsmen will be employed on the project. This will provide a financial boost to Kilkenny and ensure that local skills and expertise are utilised.
Phase Two will begin in November of this year, and will see the development of a new and exciting exhibition space throughout the first and second houses in the complex. This will tell the story of the Rothe family, the House and the history of 17th century Kilkenny. When complete, Rothe House & Garden will be fully accessible to all visitors.
The project is the final piece of the conservation plan which was commissioned in 2002, through the Heritage Council of Ireland, by the Kilkenny Archaeological Society (KAS), who own Rothe House & Garden. This plan has already seen the reconstruction of the 17th century garden (opened by the President of Ireland, Mrs Mary McAleese on 11th April 2008) and major conservation and structural maintenance works on the buildings themselves (in November/December 2008).
The works of the conservation plan have been supported by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Office of Public Works and Kilkenny Civic Trust, as well as the Councils of the City and County of Kilkenny.
The whole project has also been supported by the members and friends of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society. The President of KAS, Ms Bernadette Dermody, said that the Society is very proud of the work which has been undertaken over the past long number of years to secure the future of Rothe House since it was saved from destruction in 1962, and noted that when the Renaissance project is complete in 2011, Rothe House & Garden will take pride of place among the heritage buildings of Ireland.
‘We have an exciting twelve months ahead of us to complete this project,’ said Mr. Joe Ledwidge, Chair of Rothe House Trust Limited and Project Manager. ‘We look forward to presenting Rothe House & Garden to our visitors in a new light.’
For more details, contact RóisÃn McQuillan, Manager, Rothe House & Garden: 086 2321275
March 29 2010 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
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