Butler House

Butler House Butler House and Garden is the charming Dower House of Kilkenny Castle since 1786. Butler House is a proud member of Ireland's Blue Book. to 4 p.m. each day.
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This unique House in Kilkenny brings history, charm, romance and a warm welcome to all who visit. An integral part of the Kilkenny Castle Estate, Butler House was home to the Earls of Ormonde, who also built the castle, stables and coach houses at the rear of the house. Butler House was originally restored in the early 1970s by Kilkenny Design, who painstakingly restored all of the original archit

ectural features and furnished the house in a very unique and contemporary way. The influence of Kilkenny Design has always been one of the unique features of Butler House bedrooms. This charming Georgian Garden was restored to its former glory in 1999. It is now home to a superb boutique guest accommodation, comprising 17 bedrooms as well as meeting rooms, tea rooms, wedding and conference facilities. More recently, local Designer Orla Kelly, who specialises in working with Georgian properties worked with Butler House on three brand new unique bedrooms in 2020, and updated the original bedrooms in the House along with the drawing room and function room. The magnificent Butler Gardens are a feature of the property and are host to numerous cultural events and wedding ceremonies throughout the year. This charming Georgian Garden was also restored in 1999 and boasts its own private entrance to the Castle yard and Kilkenny Castle. With a view of the stunning Kilkenny Castle, our secluded walled gardens provide a beautiful backdrop across all seasons, particularly during the Spring / Summer when the garden is in full bloom. The superb location of Butler House offers visitors the very best of Kilkenny City. Through the front door, you will find Patrick Street, a two-minute walk to the centre. Through the back door, you will find the internationally renowned Butler House Walled Garden. Butler House and Garden is also a proud member of Ireland's Blue Book, a prestigious collection of Ireland's most charming and stylish hideaways. Butler House & Garden is owned and managed by the Kilkenny Civic Trust. Dining at Butler House

Afternoon Tea is served in our Restaurant Saturday from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m., and the Orangerie in the Garden is open Thursday - Sunday from 11 a.m. Private dining options also available. Guests will enjoy the historic setting of Butler House with the splendour of the large bow windows, original plastered ceilings, castle views and the finest locally sourced food. Our Restaurant walls are adorned with magnificent pieces of art from the Basil Goulding Collection. Butler House kitchen is overseen by our Executive Chef who ensures every dish is perfect, and our ethos is that the best meals start with the best ingredients. Very few places to eat in Kilkenny provide a dining experience as elegant and impressive as Butler House. Our much-loved Afternoon Tea is a ritual here at Butler House!

Set up & ready to go in the walled garden šŸƒ Delighted to host the Kilkenny Outreach Youth Awards here at Butler House to...
29/05/2026

Set up & ready to go in the walled garden šŸƒ Delighted to host the Kilkenny Outreach Youth Awards here at Butler House today.

Huge congratulations to all involved šŸ‘

Called by to say Hi to Julia and Nicola, the fab team at šŸ‘‹ today. Canā€™t tell you how much we at Butler House appreciat...
29/05/2026

Called by to say Hi to Julia and Nicola, the fab team at šŸ‘‹ today.

Canā€™t tell you how much we at Butler House appreciate how they support us; always showing up to represent the members so brilliantly. Thank you šŸ¤©

If youā€™re visiting Bloom 2026, do call by the Irelandā€™s Blue Book stand no. G37 in the Grand Pavilion.

Oh and thereā€™s a Giveawayā€¦just saying šŸ˜‰!

Excited to share news of an exciting exhibition of works by Irish Blacksmiths during Kilkenny Arts Festival 2026 in the ...
29/05/2026

Excited to share news of an exciting exhibition of works by Irish Blacksmiths during Kilkenny Arts Festival 2026 in the garden of Butler House and the Kilkenny Castle Yard, being brought to us in collaboration with Design & Crafts Council Ireland.

Stunning pieces and fascinating demonstration - we canā€™t wait for you to see these works!

Pictured today at Bloom2026 L to R: Ann Phelan (Kilkenny Civic Trust), Patrick Strahan (Irish Blacksmiths Association) and Mary Blanchfield (DCCI)

THE CASTLE YARD - THE HOME OF IRISH CRAFT & DESIGN The creative legacy of Kilkenny Design Workshops remains strong and ...
29/05/2026

THE CASTLE YARD - THE HOME OF IRISH CRAFT & DESIGN


The creative legacy of Kilkenny Design Workshops remains strong and evident in the studios of the Castle Yard.

Today, the Castle Yard is home to thriving craft and design businesses, where visitors can watch skilled craftspeople at work, including some of the original makers who stayed and established their studios here.

One such maker is JMK Goldsmiths, who create fine jewellery and also made one of Irelandā€™s most prized hallmark pieces, the MacCarthy Perpetual Challenge Cup, awarded annually to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling champions.

Another resident of more than 30 years is Ray Power of Castle Arch Pottery - visitors can see him in his studio throwing and decorating his distinctive, colourful pottery range.

The working studios of the yard showcase a whole range of crafts from pottery to leather working and gold and silversmiths, alongside candlemakers and soap makers.

You can meet the makers and see them blend traditional craft with contemporary design and innovation in their studios, generally from 10am till 5pm (Monday to Saturday).

Their doors are open to welcome you!

The Castle Yard is also home to the headquarters of DCCI and the National Design & Craft Gallery, the only dedicated design and craft gallery in the country. Its free, year-round exhibition programme features Irish and international designers and makers pushing the boundaries of creativity. The current exhibition features ceramicists, From the Ground Up - Transformation of Irish Clay.

Access to the Castle Yard is via the garden gate of Butler House or via The Parade opposite Kilkenny Castle.

22/05/2026
Inspirational interiorsā€¦ if ever there was an inspiring meetings venue, Butler House must surely be one of them. Bright...
21/05/2026

Inspirational interiorsā€¦ if ever there was an inspiring meetings venue, Butler House must surely be one of them.

Bright, flexible spaces in this historic house with works from the Sir Basil Goulding Collection and Georgian period features adding to the creative environment.

Break out to the gardens for some fresh air thinking or just to discover your favourite contemplative spot.

And there are wonderful possibilities to treat your delegates from morning breaks to artisan sandwiches served in tiered stands to full lunch menu , youā€™ll find there are great options to suit.

If you have a meeting coming up, just email details of your proposed dates & times, an idea of numbers and the kind of set up youā€™re thinking of and Tess Kavanagh will come back with costed suggestions for you.

šŸ“§ [email protected]

21/05/2026

šŸ«– Happy International Tea Day!

And what better way to celebrate than with a proper Butler House Cream Tea in the heart of Kilkenny? šŸ°

No booking needed - simply pop in any day from 11am and let us take care of the rest.
Scones, clotted cream, homemade jam and a perfectly brewed pot of tea in one of Kilkennyā€™s most beautiful Georgian settings.

BlissāœØ

Prefer something a little more special? Our Afternoon Tea experience is available on selected dates - booking required, so donā€™t leave it too late!

Visit our website or give reception a call

VisitKilkenny KilkennyCity TreatYourself

19/05/2026

POV: Youā€™ve found the perfect place for your next event šŸ¾

Speak with Tess about our exclusive private dining offers or exclusive use of Butler House for larger events šŸ„‚
We look forward to welcoming you for all occasions āœØ

Contact Tess
šŸ“ž 0861452928
šŸ“§ [email protected]

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Served on The Terrace or in The Garden View Room, Butlerā€™s Caesar Salad is that delightful concoction of crispy baby gem...
18/05/2026

Served on The Terrace or in The Garden View Room, Butlerā€™s Caesar Salad is that delightful concoction of crispy baby gem lettuce, confit garlic Caesar dressing, shaved Parmesan and pitta crisps with a crispy henā€™s egg to top it offšŸ„š šŸ„¬

And if you fancy it, add chicken & crispy bacon šŸ„“ and maybe a cheeky glass of crisp white or rose šŸ‡

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16 Patrick Street
Kilkenny
3807

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