ROTHE HOUSE
History Podcasts
Members of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society broadcast short pieces on Kilkenny history on local radio stations.
Here is a collection of pieces relating to Rothe House and its history. You can use these as a supplement for your self-guided tour.
Kilkenny Museum History
Paddy Neary talks about the history of the Kilkenny Museum and the role Kilkenny Archaeological Society played in it.
Link to audio file
Play audio
Relating to
all three houses & courtyards
John Lavery
Rosemary Barnes portrays the background of John Lavery, creator of the two paintings in the Cronin room.
Link to audio file
Play audio
Relating to
Cronin Room (portrait gallery) in the second house: Lavery paintings.
The Battle of Clashancrow
Eamonn Kiely sheds light on the Battle of Clais an Chro (Clashancrow) near Freshford, depicted in this last panel of the Ros Tapestry project.
Link to audio file
Play audio
Relating to
The Ros Tapestry
Rulers of Kilkenny: 14th – 17th Century
Paddy Neary relates the background of the ten civic families who ruled Kilkenny from the 14th to 17th century. He points out where to find traces of them in Kilkenny today.
Link to audio file
Play audio
Relating to
2nd courtyard and Kilkenny City
Tomb monuments in churches in Kilkenny
The Banim Brothers
Paddy Neary tells you about the life of the Banim Brothers who went to school in Rothe House in the early 19th century. In their book “Fr. Connell”, they describe the predecessor of the spiral staircase in the 2nd house.
Link to audio file
Play audio
Relating to
2nd house: spiral staircase
Thomas MacDonagh
Hear about Thomas MacDonagh, playwright, poet and revolutionary, who taught Irish in Rothe House. Read by Peter McQuillan.
Link to audio file
Play audio
Relating to
2nd house (MacDonagh room)
Freney the Robber
Peter McQuillan relates the story of Freney the Robber, whose Blunderbuss is on display in the 2nd house.
Link to audio file
Play audio
Relating to
2nd house, ground floor
Garden Herbs in use
Anne-Karoline Distel talks about a selection of herbs grown in Tudor gardens and their use in the household.
Link to audio file
Play audio
Relating to
1st part of the garden
The Trees of Rothe House Garden
Anne-Karoline Distel talks about some of the trees growing in out 17th century restored garden and what people in that period thought about them.
Link to audio file
Play audio
Relating to
garden