April - October
10:30am - 5pm (Mon to Sat), 3pm - 5pm (Sunday)
November - March
10:30am - 4:30pm (Mon to Sat)
Phone: +353 56 7722893
Email: info@rothehouse.com
Thanks to the magic of 3D and the assistance of Tom Bialek at 3D Modeling, Rothe House can now be viewed on Google Earth. We’re working on a panoramic view from our second courtyard, so check us out but keep coming back as we update all the time.
February 17 2010 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
We’ve been digging in the third courtyard now for over a week, as we prepare to construct a new kitchen in that area. A local firm, Kilkenny Archaeology, has been in during the cold and rain but it’s all proving worth it. Late last week, they uncovered a 17th century wall going from north west to south east directly outside the back door of the third house. We never knew of its existence before, and it might possibly indicate a separate yard area within the third courtyard. Speculation is that the Rothe family used it to separate themselves from the servants! Thinking of an Upstairs Downstairs scenario there.
Then this week, the archaeologists went further down and uncovered a waste pit from c. 14th/15th century. This would have been when the Cistercian monks lived on the site, so well before John Rothe even got his hands on it! The pit was connected to a chute known as a garde-robe which served as a toilet within the house. We have found animal bone remains, medieval roof tiles and very specially what looks like a belt buckle! It’s in terrific condition, and is made of iron. How that ended up in thewaste pit we can only imagine.
February 10 2010 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
Rothe House & Garden remained open through the bad weather. Our intrepid staff made their way into work each day to open up. The garden was beautiful on Monday 7th January, before anyone ventured out in it.
January 07 2010 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
We’ve now added PayPal to our website, so that it’s even easier to make donations. Check out our ‘Support Us’ Page for more details.
November 06 2009 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
On Tuesday 27th October, at 5 pm, Rothe House Trust Limited and the Kilkenny Archaeological Society launched the final phase of their Conservation Plan for Rothe House on Parliament Street in Kilkenny city.
The Renaissance phase of the Conservation Plan will now commence in November 2009, and the project is being supported by the NDP programme, by Fáilte Ireland, and the Kilkenny Local Authorities, together with private individuals. It is a major conservation and presentation project coming to Kilkenny in these difficult times, which will see substantial investment in the Heritage of the County. The project is estimated to cost €3.1 million and will take two years to complete. The project design will provide full accessibility for all to Rothe House and Garden, and when complete will prove to be a major tourist attraction and historical and genealogical research facility for Kilkenny and the South East of Ireland.
The project programme is being undertaken in two phases, during the winter months of 2009 and 2010.This is to ensure that the House and Garden can continue to operate as one of Kilkenny’s major tourist attractions during the busy season next year.
Rothe House & Garden will be the flagship of Kilkenny’s heritage and tourist industry when the Renaissance project is completed, and all conservation works finished. This will complete the restoration and the presentation of one of Ireland’s treasures for present and future generations.
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September 11 2009 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
On August 16th, HE Mr. David Reddaway, British Ambassador to Ireland, visited Rothe House & Garden and planted a tree to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the granting of the City Charter to Kilkenny. It was the last day of the Kilkenny Arts Festival, and the House and Garden was very busy. Mr. Reddaway was welcomed by the Mayor of Kilkenny Councillor Malcolm Noonan, the Chair of Rothe House Trust, Mr. Joe Ledwidge, and the Vice-President of Kilkenny Archaeological Society, Mr. Peter McQuillan.
 He spoke of the close ties of friendship which had been forming between the two countries in recent years, and hoped that these would continue into the future. He was delighted to visit Kilkenny, and to leave a lasting reminder of his visit here at Rothe House & Garden, where he had been very impressed by the work which had been done in re-creating the 17th century garden.
August 28 2009 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
               There was a full house for the Rothe House & Garden Christmas Miscellany on Wednesday 2nd December at 7.30 pm.  The audience enjoyed a glass of mulled wine by the roaring log fire, and heard the Sonas Choir perform. The music wasinterspersed with readings and musings, which included Kerry Hardie, Mark Roper, Sean Keane, Edwina Grace and Mary Byrne, and the whole evening had a winter and Christmas theme. A wonderful evening full of atmosphere and winter warmth was had by all. Â
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For more details, phone 056 7722893.
May 29 2009 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
Two days of Shakespeare took place in the authentic surroundings of an early 17th century mansion and garden earlier this year in June. Rothe House was built as Shakespeare was writing his plays in London! Abridged versions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet, and A Comedy of Errors were performed in the Second Courtyard by children of all ages. Also monologue, art and film competitions – all with a Shakespeare Theme. Held in collaboration with Dreamstuff Theatre Company and the Devious Theatre Company. Suitable for all the family. This Festival was part of the Kilkenny400 Celebrations.Â
May 29 2009 | Rothe House News | No Comments »
Every Thursday evening, from 25th June to 27th August, visitors to Kilkenny had an opportunity to take a guided tour of Rothe House & Garden in the company of John Rothe Fitzpiers, and his wife Rose Archer, who built Rothe House between 1594 and 1610. They were taken on a journey through the 400 year old story of Rothe House & Garden. Visitors were very complimentary about the tour, and spoke of a greater understanding of the family who lived in Rothe House in the early 17th century.
May 29 2009 | Rothe House News | 1 Comment »
1907 Great Exhibition in Herbert Park, DublinÂ
In 1907, a Great Exhibition was held in Dublin. It was centered on Herbert Park in Donnybrook, which was in fact created particularly for this event. It was a huge exhibition, and over 2.5 million people saw it during the four months it was in place. The Chairman of the Organising Committee was the Marquess of Ormonde, so there is an interesting Kilkenny connection.  100 years later, the RDS commissioned a Commemorative Exhibition. This was co-curated by Brian Siggins of the Old Dublin Society and John Holohan. The RDS have kindly lent the exhibition to Rothe House, and it will be on show during the month of September, in the ground floor of the Third House.
The Exhibition is part of the overall tour of the House & Garden. Â Â
May 29 2009 | Rothe House News | No Comments »