Click for Butler Court location page

Read our Guest Reviews here

...

Visit Rothe House

Click logo for Rothe House & Garden website

Rothe House, an historic house in Kilkenny City, is a unique example of an early 17th century merchant’s townhouse in Ireland. The gardens have been restored and are worth a look. Located near to the Black Abbey.

...

See the fabulous stone carvings at Jerpoint Abbey

.....

A Brief History of Kilkenny City

Four hundred years ago, James I, King of England granted Kilkenny a charter conferring on it the status of a city, with the title of Mayor for its chief citizen. Four hundred years before that, in 1207, William Marshall, Lord of Leinster, had given Kilkenny a charter setting out the rights of its burgesses and freemen. Its first Council was elected in 1231 and since then Kilkenny has had a continuous record of municipal government. From the 13th century to the end of the 16th the chief magistrate was known as the Sovereign, and since then as Mayor.
Even before the Norman Invasion, there was an urban settlement here. Cill Chainnigh was a stronghold of the kings of Ossory, the Mac Giolla Phádraig family. This early settlement centred on St. Canice’s Cathedral, was known in after years as the Irishtown of Kilkenny, and formed a separate town from the Hightown, with its own Corporation until the 1830s.
Kilkenny retains many buildings from the early centuries of its existence. The Round Tower at St. Canice’s is at least 900 years old; the Talbot Tower, now under reconstruction, was built around 1260; there are five medieval churches dating from the 13th century; Rothe house is the best known of a series of merchants’ houses from the late 16th and early 17th centuries; a number of fine Georgian houses are to be seen on our streets. The two outstanding buildings in the city are Kilkenny Castle, and St. Canice’s Cathedral.
As well as its built heritage, Kilkenny has an outstanding written record. The Tholsel on High Street is our city hall and houses a marvellous collection of documents from the 13th century to the present day. As well as the charters mentioned already, there are deeds, grants, leases and record books giving a unique insight into the governance of Kilkenny over the centuries. The gem of the collection is Liber Primus Kilkenniensis, a manuscript record of urban records containing a copy of William Marshall’s charter, and continuing to the 16th century. source: Kilkenny400

Read more

We are listed in Rick Steve's Ireland Guide 2012

"where the locals stash their guests."

Click for walks in Kilkenny

For more local information, avail of our complimentary printed guide, or visit the Tourist Office, based in the historic Shee Alms House, Rose Inn Street, a short walk from Butler Court downhill, towards John's Bridge (which has a great view of the Castle)

Local Historic Sights A ten minute stroll will bring you to several remarkable buildings within the environs of Kilkenny City. For an historic walk, start at St Canice's Cathedral & Round tower, cross the road to the Black Abbey and then visit Roth House Gardens and info centre / bookshop. Shee Alms House (the tourist office) The Tholsel Rothe House Kilkenny Castle St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower A short drive brings you to: Kells Priory / Kilree Round Tower Jerpoint Abbey, Thomastown St Mary's Church - Gowran The Irish Heritage Service website is linked below:

Heritage Ireland link here

The former St Patrick's Gate in the town walls, Patrick Street, Kilkenny, near to Butler Court.