Governance
Explore our Governance – Rothe House Trust (RHT) was established in July, 2004 to operate Rothe House & Garden, the only intact merchant’s house in the city of Kilkenny dating back to the late 16th century. The property sits on the original burgage plot and is true to its original layout consisting of three connected houses, cobbled courtyards and an enclosed garden.
The establishment of Rothe House Trust followed on from the publication of a Conservation Plan for Rothe House, commissioned in 2001 by the Heritage Council on behalf of Kilkenny Archaeological Society (KAS). The plan recommended that the Society, owners of the house since the 1960s, should set up an independent body to manage the house. The Conservation Plan proposed methods to conserve the architectural significance of the house, present the building and its collections to the public, and use it for cultural, educational and tourism purposes.
RHT is a charitable organisation and a Company Limited by guarantee registered in the Republic of Ireland. As such it must observe and comply with the Governing Laws of the Republic of Ireland and applicable overarching EU Laws and Regulations, including compliance with the Companies Act 2014. Rothe House Trust is funded annually from Kilkenny County Council and through raised income from its commercial activities, sponsorship and donations.
The Board of Directors of RHT have collective responsibility for promoting the success and long-term viability of Rothe House & Garden. The key roles of the board include governance of the strategic business and direction of the organisation and supporting Rothe House to achieve its vision and mission. The Board provides guidance to Senior Management and oversees the activities and effectiveness of the organisation.
The Board and Staff of Rothe House Trust are committed to compliance with the Recommended Guidelines for Financial Reporting using the SORP Accounting Standard for Charities. We are also committed to complying with the Code of Governance and principles of good fundraising.
Board Members
Ann Mulrooney, Chair
Ann Mulrooney has worked at senior levels in the creative and cultural sectors in Ireland for many years, including leadership of the National Design and Craft Gallery in Kilkenny, as CEO and Artistic Director of the VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art in Carlow and as Director of Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin, before taking up her current role with Cartoon Saloon with a focus on sustainability and public engagement. She also works on a consultancy basis for a number of Irish arts organisations and agencies.
She has curated multiple national and international exhibitions and devised, directed and produced artistic programming and engagement projects across many disciplines, including visual art, architecture, design, theatre, dance and animation, often realised through the development of strategic partnerships.
She is currently a member of the Animation Ireland Subcommittee on Sustainability, and leading a Creative Ireland Climate Award-funded exhibition and education project in partnership with the Heritage Council of Ireland to develop nature literacy in families.
Fonsie Meally, Director
Fonsie Meally is a Director of Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers and is one of the longest practicing auctioneers in Ireland. As one of Ireland’s leading auction houses it is recognised both nationally and internationally as the premier auctioneers in rare books, fine art, paintings, furniture, silver, sporting memorabilia, Irish historical artefacts, manuscripts and maps.
Fonsie has decades of experience in some of Ireland’s most established cultural institutions and is a Past President of Rotary Club Kilkenny, the Royal Dublin Society (RDS), Kilkenny Rugby Club and Kilkenny Archaeological Society. He is also a board member of the National Gallery of Ireland and the Sue Ryder Foundation. He brings a wealth of experience to Rothe House with his expertise in collections, furniture, fine art and rare books.
Fonsie is married to Eileen and has four children Aoife, George, Aishling and Bláthnaid and nine grandchildren. He is well-known in his home-town for playing the Dame in the Castlecomer Pantomime for over 20 years.
Roger Beeken, Director
Roger Beeken qualified in London as an architect, RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), and has worked abroad for the past five decades, establishing private practice in Kenya and subsequently in Botswana, now in South Africa. He also attended Goldsmiths Art College in London, going on to exhibit in a number of countries mostly in his preferred medium of watercolour.
During his architectural career he also combined development experience, establishing a number of companies that specialised in the construction of lodges, hotels, offices and apartment projects. This range of commercial and professional experience has been supported by a masters in Conservation Architecture at UCD and registration with RIAI in Ireland, and completion of a number of restoration projects in Kilkenny where he now resides. His interests include cycling, sailing, hillwalking, and travelling.
Seán Ó hArgáin, Director
Seán Ó hArgáin is an elected member of Kilkenny County Council and a member of the board of Rothe House since July 2024. He is a former Mayor of Kilkenny City. Seán served as a Primary School teacher and Principal in the city’s Gaelscoil until 2022 and served as Uachtarán of Gaeloideachas, the National representative body for Irish language medium education from 2019 to 2021. Seán also served on the board of Foras na Gaeilge, a cross border state board from 2015 to 2019 and is a current member of the state regulatory for eduction, the Teaching Council.
At local level, Seán has previously been a director of the Watergate Theatre from 2004 to 2014 and numerous other local bodies and committees. He has a passionate interest in local and national history and heritage issues and grew up in the hospitality industry in his native Kerry. Is Gaeilgeoir líofa é Seán.
Annette Fitzpatrick, Director
Annette Fitzpatrick is employed by Kilkenny County Council. She was appointed to the Rothe House Board in 2023. She is a long-serving council employee with over 30 years experience. Her current role within the Council is that of Town Regeneration Officer. This role covers both the city and county with a focus on regenerating town centres and tackling vacancy and dereliction. Annette has broad experience of the Council and has worked in the Community, Housing, Planning and Finance Sections.
Martin Costello, Director
Martin Costello is a co owner of Murphy Jewellers, a fourth-generation, family-owned jewellery business that has been a fixture of Kilkenny’s High Street since 1903. Since joining the business in 2003, Martin has combined his craftsmanship and business acumen with professional credentials as a graduate gemmologist from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), specialising in diamond and gemstone quality, selection, and bespoke design.
A past pupil of St. Kieran’s College, Martin is also deeply active in Kilkenny’s business and cultural life. He currently serves as Director of Kilkenny Leader Partnership (since 2024), Committee Member of the Kilkenny City Centre Business Association (since 2008), and a Committee Member of Kilkenny GAA Supporters Club. His previous leadership roles include President (2014–2016) and Vice President (2012–2014) of the Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as board or director positions with KIDCO, Kilkenny Information Age, Kilkenny Leader Partnership, Kilkenny Tourism, and Destination Kilkenny. Through both his professional work at Murphy Jewellers and his voluntary roles, Martin continues to champion all things Kilkenny. He has a keen interest in hurling, being involved with both Dicksboro and Kilkenny GAA supporters club. He is a member of Kilkenny Archaelogical Society and has given a talk to the society about DNA testing and its uses in local genealogy. Martin brings both retail business experience and his knowledge of genealogy and local history, to the board.
