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 governing 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.
