Make memories with us this Christmas at Butler House & Garden, where festive celebrations, wonderful food and cherished traditions come together in the heart of Medieval Kilkenny.
Christmas is a time to gather with family and friends, share good food, and enjoy the special moments that make the season so memorable!
This December, Butler House & Garden invites you to celebrate with a lovely programme of Christmas events in Kilkenny, from Breakfast with Santa and Festive Sunday Lunch to Afternoon Tea and relaxed festive dining in the Garden View Room.
Located within the historic Kilkenny Castle Demesne, Butler House combines the character of an 18th-century Georgian house with the peaceful surroundings of its beautiful walled garden. Just a short stroll from Kilkenny's shopping streets and historic attractions, it is a wonderful setting to enjoy the Christmas season.
Breakfast with Santa: A Magical Morning for Families
Sunday 6th December 2026 | 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
Christmas is particularly special for children, and Breakfast with Santa at Butler House promises a morning full of excitement and festive cheer.
Join us for a lovely family breakfast and the opportunity for little ones to meet Santa himself in the welcoming surroundings of Butler House.
This year's event will also support a very special cause. One-third of every ticket price will be donated to Temple Street Children's Hospital, and Butler House will match the donation.
It's a wonderful opportunity to make happy Christmas memories while helping to make a difference for children and their families.
Tickets: €30 per adult | €10 per child
Pre-booking is essential.
Festive Sunday Lunch: Gather Around the Table
Sunday 13th & 20th December 2026 | 12 noon – 3 pm
There is something lovely about a leisurely Sunday lunch in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Time to gather with family, catch up with friends and enjoy the pleasure of good company.
Butler House & Garden invites you to celebrate the season with a special Festive Sunday Lunch in the beautiful surroundings of this historic Georgian house.
Whether you're organising an early Christmas get-together, celebrating a family occasion or enjoying a relaxed afternoon with friends, it's a wonderful way to make the most of the festive season.
Let someone else handle the preparations while you enjoy good food and time together.
Price: €49 per person
Pre-booking is essential.
Festive Afternoon Tea and Nollaig na mBan Celebrations
Saturday 5th, 12th & 19th December 2026 | 1 pm – 3 pm
Afternoon Tea is a much-loved tradition at Butler House, and Christmas brings an extra sense of occasion to this delightful experience.
Enjoy Festive Afternoon Tea in the charming surroundings of the Georgian house, with a selection of savoury and sweet treats, freshly prepared scones and your choice of tea or coffee.
Perfect for a Christmas catch-up with friends, an afternoon with someone special or a thoughtful festive treat, Afternoon Tea offers a welcome opportunity to slow down and enjoy the season.
Nollaig na mBan: Saturday 9th January 2027
The celebrations continue into the New Year with a special Afternoon Tea for Nollaig na mBan, or Women's Christmas.
An Irish tradition of women coming together at the close of the Christmas season, Nollaig na mBan is a lovely occasion to gather with friends, mothers, daughters, or sisters and enjoy an afternoon in good company.
Price: €45 per person
Serving time: 1 pm – 3 pm
Pre-booking is essential.
Festive Dining and Cream Tea in the Garden View Room
Not every Christmas gathering needs a special occasion. Sometimes, a leisurely lunch, a pot of tea or an evening drink with friends is just what the season calls for.
Overlooking the beautiful Georgian walled garden, the Garden View Room at Butler House offers a relaxed and welcoming setting throughout the festive season.
Whether you're taking a break from Christmas shopping in Kilkenny, meeting friends for lunch or enjoying a quiet moment during a visit to the city, there's always a reason to call in.
Festive Dining and Daily Opening Hours
- Teas and Barista Coffee: Served throughout the day
- Cream Tea: Daily from 11 am – 9 pm
- Festive Lunch Menu: Daily from 12 noon – 3 pm
- Evening Menu: Daily from 3 pm – 9 pm
- Full Bar Service: Until 11 pm
For something a little more traditional, enjoy Butler House Cream Tea with freshly baked scones, preserve and cream, served with your choice of tea or barista coffee.
The Garden View Room is a lovely place to take time out and enjoy the quieter moments of Christmas in Kilkenny.
Make Christmas Memories at Butler House & Garden
Built in 1786 as the dower house of Kilkenny Castle, Butler House celebrates its 240th anniversary in 2026, bringing an added sense of occasion to this year's festive celebrations.
Its Georgian interiors, historic walled garden and central location create a distinctive setting for Christmas gatherings, while the garden gate leads through Castle Yard towards Kilkenny Castle and the city's Medieval Mile.
For visitors planning a Christmas break in Kilkenny, Butler House also offers 17 individually designed bedrooms and suites, providing a peaceful and comfortable base from which to explore the city.
We can also arrange private Christmas parties and festive celebrations, and the team is happy to discuss your plans.
Book Your Christmas Celebration
We look forward to welcoming you to Butler House & Garden this Christmas.
To book Breakfast with Santa, Festive Sunday Lunch or Afternoon Tea, please contact our reservations team. Call: 056 772 2828 or email: res@butler.ie
For private Christmas parties: Contact Tess Kavanagh at events@butler.ie
Planning a festive stay in Kilkenny? Explore our offers here.
Butler House & Garden and the adjacent Kilkenny Castle Yard are owned and managed by Kilkenny Civic Trust, a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to protect, enhance, and promote heritage in Kilkenny. Profits are reinvested in the upkeep and conservation of the historic properties in its care. Butler House & Garden Celebrating 240 years is a member of Ireland's Blue Book.
FAQ About Christmas at Butler House & Garden, Kilkenny
What Christmas events are taking place at Butler House in Kilkenny in 2026?
Butler House & Garden is hosting Breakfast with Santa on 6th December, Festive Sunday Lunch on 13th and 20th December, and Festive Afternoon Tea on 5th, 12th and 19th December 2026. A special Nollaig na mBan Afternoon Tea will also take place on 9th January 2027.
Where can I book Festive Afternoon Tea in Kilkenny?
Festive Afternoon Tea is available at Butler House & Garden on selected Saturdays in December 2026, from 1 pm to 3 pm, priced at €45 per person. Advance booking is essential. Reservations can be made by calling 056 772 2828 or emailing res@butler.ie.
Is Butler House hosting Breakfast with Santa in 2026?
Yes. Breakfast with Santa takes place on Sunday 6th December 2026, from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. Tickets cost €30 per adult and €10 per child. Pre-booking is essential.
Can I visit Butler House for lunch or Cream Tea during Christmas?
Yes. The Garden View Room offers festive lunch daily from 12 noon to 3 pm, an evening menu from 3 pm to 9 pm, and Cream Tea from 11 am to 9 pm, as part of the festive programme. Teas and barista coffee are also available throughout the day.