Back row L-R: Mayor Joe Malone, Rothe House General Manager, Valerie O’Sullivan, and Cathaoirleach Michael Doyle. Seated: KAS Chairperson, Ian Coulter, KAS President Fonsie Mealy, former President, Peter McQuillan, Rothe House Trust Chairman, David Fitzgerald, and KAS Honorary Librarian, Ann Tierney. Photo credit: Vicky Comerford

A new licensing agreement has been officially signed between Rothe House Trust and Kilkenny Archaeological Society.

Established in 2004, Rothe House Trust operates Rothe House and Garden on Parliament Street, Kilkenny and is responsible for overseeing the continued preservation and promotion of the late 16th-Century merchant townhouse.

Rothe House is Ireland’s best-preserved merchant townhouse of this period and the only one to survive as a fully intact burgage plot, running from the street back to the original city wall. The house was purchased in the 1960s by the Kilkenny Archaeological Society (KAS) and gradually restored to its original splendour through the work and commitment of KAS members.

The terms of the updated 10-year agreement will strengthen the relationship between the two organisations and ensure the continued conservation, protection and promotion of Rothe House and Garden as a monument of local and national significance.

The care of the Society’s extensive collection of art, artefacts, costumes, furniture and memorabilia will come under the remit of Rothe House Trust.

Photo Credit: Vicky Comerford

Key stakeholders from Kilkenny County Council, Fáilte Ireland, the Heritage Council, Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce, KCLP, as well as members of Kilkenny Archaeological Society, and staff of Rothe House and Garden were in attendance on the day to show their support for the new agreement.