Rothe house & Garden

Embark on a journey through time at
Rothe House & Garden

Where each step tells a story of 16th century merchant life in Kilkenny.

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Rothe House & Garden 

Nestled in the heart of Kilkenny city, this 16th century merchant house is the only one of its kind in Ireland. 

Explore the three houses, cobbled courtyards and beautifully restored garden, laid out much as they have been for over 400 years. Rothe House & Garden promises a captivating journey through history and is a must-see in Kilkenny.

Visit Rothe House & Garden 

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Ireland’s history at Rothe House & Garden – not to be missed on your visit to the Medieval city. 

With layers of stories and plenty to explore, find out everything you will need to plan an unforgettable trip.

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House &
Garden Tours

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Genealogy

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Rothe House & Garden tours

Our Tours

Guided Tour

10.00 pp
60 Mins
1-20 People

Tour Information:

The best way to experience Rothe House is on a guided tour with one of our expert guides. Hear the fascinating story of the rise and fall of the Rothe family, and the journey to restoration for their ‘once noble mansion’. Enjoy the garden at your leisure after your tour. 

JUNE – AUGUST:

11.30 and 14.30  

SEPTEMBER – MAY:

11.30 and 14.30 

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Self Guided Tour

8.50 pp
45 Mins

Tour Information:

If you prefer to explore at your leisure you can take a self-guided visit anytime during opening hours. Enjoy the history, architecture and artefacts throughout the house, courtyards and garden at your own pace.

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Our History

In the heart of Kilkenny city on Ireland’s Medieval Mile, Rothe House & Garden was built between 1594 and 1610. 

It was once the home and business place of John Rothe and Rose Archer, one of Kilkenny’s wealthiest and most influential merchant families. With a family of eleven children, their prominent town centre household was a hub of social, business and political activity. Today you can visit the houses and garden much as they were when the Rothe family lived here. The three-storied houses are connected by cobbled courtyards before rising to reveal a magnificent walled garden, restored to its original splendour.

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testimonials

Kind words from our visitors

  • Rothe House is the real thing, easily passed by on Kilkenny’s High Street. The house is over 400 years old with beautifully restored rooms that give a real sense of what it must have been to live here in medieval times. This must have been a lovely home, with bright and airy rooms arranged around a courtyard and a long garden stretching to the town walls behind. The garden has been meticulously restored with flowers, herbs and fruit-trees of the period. After the grandeur of Kilkenny Castle which so many tourists visit, Rothe House is an oasis of calm, bringing the simpler but very elegant lifestyle of a prosperous Kilkenny merchant vividly to life. Highly recommended! 

    Debbie – August 2023

  • A wonderful house, full of many treasures and interesting facts. The garden is a stand-out and as you make your way around its florific enclosure we were encouraged by the welcoming staff to sample the fruits, an apple for us, and discover the fate of the Rothe family. A very pleasurable place.

    Trip Advisor – September 2023

  • This is a hidden gem in Kilkenny! I highly recommend taking a guided tour to get the full benefit. The guide is super knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information about the history of Rothe House, Kilkenny and Ireland. The house is beautiful and it really evokes the stories that are told on the tour

    Trip Advisor – November 2023

  • This historic House and its gardens are really worth a visit. You can take a Guided Tour ( recommended) or just walk around through the rooms and gardens. There is information provided throughout, and the original Rothe family came to Ireland from France.. The house was built around 1594, with an additional two houses built at intervals. The staff are rightly proud of the House , and are very knowledgeable about its history. The gardens are extensive and have been restored and laid out with a wealth of herbs, apple trees and other interesting or historic plants.

    Trip Advisor – April 2024

Events & News

Upcoming Events & News

  • Gardener’s Blog

    Tulips to tubers: your garden in April

    27 March 2025

  • News

    Genealogy at Rothe House: Delve into your Kilkenny roots

    22 March 2025

  • News

    Seachtain na Gaeilge 2025: Irish returns to historic Rothe House

    6 March 2025

  • News

    Open Call for the Rothe House Christmas Miscellany

    11 November 2024

Rothe House & Garden 

Book your tickets now and step back in time at Rothe House & Garden

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