Celebrating 240 Years of Butler House
This year marks 240 years since Butler House first opened its doors as the Dower House to Kilkenny Castle. Built in 1786, the house has quietly witnessed generations of life in Kilkenny, from aristocratic gatherings to modern-day moments of rest and celebration. Today, it continues to offer the same sense of welcome and calm, where Georgian elegance, thoughtful hospitality and a deep sense of place come together in a setting that feels both historic and warmly lived in.
Throughout the year, Butler House will mark this milestone with a series of special experiences and seasonal events that celebrate local heritage, food and community.
Events & Festivities
A Taste of Kilkenny Long Table Dinner
Saturday 14 March, 7pm
We are delighted to announce a very special 30 Mile Taste of Kilkenny Long Table Dinner, taking place in the unique surroundings of Butler House as part of St Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny 2026.
The evening begins with a seasonal cocktail and canapés, before guests gather around a convivial long table in the Lady Eleanor Restaurant for an exceptional four-course menu. Created by Chef Ben Davis, the menu celebrates produce sourced from within 30 miles of this historic house, crafted by local producers and thoughtfully prepared to showcase the richness of the region.
This is an intimate dining experience and numbers are limited.
To book:
Email: res@butler.ie
Call: 056 7722828
Note: We’ll be updating this page with more events celebrating our 240 year anniversary, so make sure to check back with us to see what’s on throughout the year.
During Your Stay: Quiet Pleasures Close to Home
One of the joys of staying at Butler House is how much can be discovered without ever venturing far.
Castle Yard Craft & Design Studios
Step through the garden gate into the historic Castle Yard, where artisan studios and galleries showcase handcrafted ceramics, jewellery, textiles and contemporary Irish design. It is the perfect place to find something meaningful and beautifully made.
Kilkenny Castle Parklands
Wander through sweeping lawns and ancient trees in the castle grounds, where wide open space and gentle pathways invite unhurried walks and quiet conversation.
The Butler House Walled Garden
Settle into a quiet corner of the Georgian walled garden and enjoy the stillness. Seasonal planting, shaded walkways and hidden seating offer a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city.
Garden View Room & Patio
Relax in the Garden View Room, or during the warmer months, enjoy the patio overlooking the garden. Savour cream tea, a leisurely lunch, or selections from the evening menu in surroundings that invite you to linger.
These small, gentle moments often become the most memorable.
A Gentle 24 Hours at Butler House
Not a schedule to follow, but a rhythm to enjoy.
Afternoon Arrival
Arrive in Kilkenny and step into the calm of Butler House, where the pace softens from the moment you enter. Settle into your room, then enjoy afternoon tea overlooking the garden, or take a gentle stroll through the Castle parklands as the light begins to mellow.
Early Evening Wander
Step through the garden gate and explore the Castle Yard craft studios, where handmade ceramics, jewellery and textiles offer meaningful keepsakes. Continue along the Medieval Mile, browsing small galleries, bookshops and boutiques before pausing in a cosy café or traditional pub.
Evening at Ease
Return to Butler House for a relaxed dinner accompanied by good wine. As evening settles, the house grows quieter, creating a setting where conversation flows easily and the day draws to a gentle close. Afterwards, retreat to the comfort of your room for a restful night’s sleep.
Morning Stillness
Wake to garden views and the stillness of the demesne. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast served in the Lady Eleanor Room, where the ornate ceiling and garden outlook create an elegant start to the day.
On Saturday mornings, guests are invited to enjoy one of Butler House’s complimentary experiences.
At 10am, gather at Reception for Meet the Maker, where a local craftsperson will lead a relaxed stroll through the garden and into Kilkenny Castle Yard, offering insight into the creative traditions that make the Yard a centre of Irish craft.
At 11am, join Head Gardener Tommy Falsey for Meet the Gardener, an informal walk through the Georgian walled garden, sharing its history, seasonal planting and quiet corners within the historic setting once home to Lady Eleanor Butler.
Explore Kilkenny
After breakfast, explore Kilkenny at your own pace. Visit Kilkenny Castle, discover centuries of history at the Medieval Mile Museum, or climb the Round Tower at St Canice’s Cathedral for panoramic views of the city. Wander along the River Nore, where quiet pathways and gentle water create a peaceful start to the day.
Before You Leave
Pause once more in the Butler House garden, or enjoy a final coffee in the Garden View Room before setting off. Kilkenny’s charm lingers, and the calm of Butler House stays with you long after departure.
A House Shaped by History
Built in 1786 as the Dower House to Kilkenny Castle, Butler House has long been associated with the Butler family, Dukes and Earls of Ormonde, who resided at the castle for more than five centuries. Following the death of her husband Walter in 1783, Lady Eleanor Butler made her home here; she was the mother of John, the 17th Earl of Ormonde, and her daughter Eleanor later became one of the celebrated Ladies of Llangollen. In 1831, James, Earl of Ormonde, lived at Butler House while Kilkenny Castle was being rebuilt, and during the cholera epidemic of 1832 the house served the community as a soup kitchen. By 1870 it had become a centre of cultural exchange, hosting meetings of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland.
The Georgian walled garden, first laid out in the 18th century and restored in 1999, provides a tranquil retreat and a private gateway to the Castle Yard and Kilkenny Castle beyond. Its current layout reflects the work of garden designer Arthur Shackleton and gardener Susan Mosse, while stones from Dublin’s Nelson’s Pillar, destroyed in 1966, form part of the garden’s central pond. In 1972 the house was restored by Kilkenny Design, and in 1989 Kilkenny Civic Trust acquired Butler House and the Castle Stables, ensuring its preservation as a guesthouse and cultural landmark. Today, it remains a living part of Kilkenny’s heritage, where history, hospitality and community continue to meet.
To discover more about the history of Butler House, you can explore our full history here.
Kilkenny Civic Trust
Guardians of Kilkenny’s Living Heritage
Butler House & Garden is owned by the people of Kilkenny and has been cared for by Kilkenny Civic Trust since the 1980s. As a not-for-profit organisation, the Trust works to protect, enhance and promote the historic buildings in its care, creating living heritage experiences for both locals and visitors.
Every stay and every afternoon tea contributes directly to the preservation of these treasured properties, with all income reinvested into their ongoing care.
The Trust also manages the historic Castle Yard, now a vibrant centre of Irish craft and home to artisan studios, the National Design & Craft Gallery and the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland. Kilkenny’s designation as a World Craft City reflects this strong creative heritage.
Staying at Butler House means experiencing this history first-hand, within the original Kilkenny Castle demesne and just steps from the Castle Yard and Kilkenny Castle itself.
