Rothe House Garden is the only urban garden of this period open to the public.
The long, walled burgage plot runs from the rear of Rothe House on Parliament Street to the city wall. Archaeological excavations in 2008 uncovered the original layout of the garden. Over 2,000 artefacts, including the seeds and pollen of 17th century plants, were also discovered.
A well-designed garden reflected the status and taste of its owner and would have been a place relating to food, business and pleasure. After a careful restoration, the garden now boasts heritage varieties of the vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers that would have been grown in the 17th century and is laid out in a similar style to what John Rothe and his family once enjoyed.
Fruits
Pear, fig, quince, damson, medlar, cherries and apples such as Blood of the Boyne and Scarlet Crofton
Flowers
Sunflower, lily, lavender, rose, violets, jasmine, anemone, tulip
Vegetables
Cabbage, onion, leek, turnip, artichoke, borage, carrot, spinach
Herbs
Chamomile, parsley, fennel, mint, rosemary, dill, tansy, wormwood, sage, mustard
Today, the garden is an oasis of calm away from the hustle and bustle of Kilkenny’s busy streets and a true hidden gem on the Medieval Mile.
Entrance to the garden is included in all admission tickets.
“The garden of the once noble mansion extended backward to the town wall. This ancient plantation still preserves an interesting freshness, and though a decayed aspect is visible, its leafy sweetness and early fragrance are still sensibly experienced in its atmosphere.”
– John Hogan, 1884

La Vie du Bruxelles

Purple Crocus

Herbaceous Borders in Bloom

Archway to Lower Garden

The Dovecote in Summer

Aromatic Borders

Vine Arbour

Raised Garden

Holm Oak

Herb Garden

Verbena

Moss Rose

Shasta Daisy

Morello Cherry

Vegetable Beds


Holm Oaks

Honesty Blossom

Dogtooth Violet
