Each August, the Marble City transforms into a living stage, and this year’s Kilkenny Arts Festival promises one of its most exciting programmes yet. Celebrating its 52nd edition, the festival brings world premieres, stirring performances, bold collaborations, and intimate creative moments to every corner of Kilkenny — from ancient cathedral to hidden courtyard. As ever, Butler House & Garden, nestled within the Kilkenny Castle Demesne, plays its part in the cultural buzz, welcoming artists and guests alike into a space where history and creativity meet. From visual art and design to calm moments in the walled garden, read on to discover what’s happening at Butler House during this year’s festival.
In Butler House: Tim Goulding exhibits vibrant new works in his show ‘The Music Room’ in the Castle View Suite at Butler House
This August, Butler House is proud to host a very special exhibition as part of Kilkenny Arts Festival 2025, The Music Room by renowned Irish artist Tim Goulding. On display from 7th to 15th August, the show is a continuation of Goulding’s celebrated “Music” series, previously exhibited in Cork, Dublin, Bantry and London.
Set against the elegant backdrop of Butler House, within the grounds of the Kilkenny Castle Demesne, this exhibition is especially meaningful. The house is home to the Basil Goulding Collection, a permanent display of important Irish contemporary artworks collected in the 1960s and 70s by Sir Basil and Lady Valerie Goulding, Tim’s parents. The collection includes early works by Tim himself, making his return to Butler House a full-circle moment that bridges heritage, family, and artistic legacy.
In the Garden: Liam O’Neill Woodturner – A Retrospective
Liam O’Neill returns to the garden of Butler House for 2025 Kilkenny Arts Festival. Kilkenny Civic Trust in collaboration with Design and Crafts Council of Ireland are hosting an exhibition to mark August as Craft Month and Liam’s deep association with Kilkenny Design Workshops. The exhibition will feature large sculptural pieces throughout the garden and some smaller pieces in the Lady Eleanor Restaurant of Bulter House.
The exhibition will run for the duration of the festival 7th – 16th August.
Secret Music Series
The ever-popular Secret Music Series returns for another year, bringing a stellar (but unannounced) line-up of musicians to perform a series of short pop-up concerts in some of the city’s most iconic spaces. If you’re out and about during the Festival, why not come along and enjoy free performances from leading Irish and international musicians?
Duration 15 mins approx. at the Stone Circle in Butler House Garden on Mon 11 August at 3pm
Tue 12 August at 4pm, Thu 14 August at 3pm, Sat 16 August at 3pm.
In the Castle Yard: Neon Dusk
From 7th- 10th and 13th- 17th August, 9pm, Castle Yard Tickets: €15 (4 for €50)
Jonah McGreevy, co-creative director and producer of Loosysmokes – the award-winning modern circus company that’s thrilled Festival audiences in recent years – joins forces with two of Portugal’s leading performers, Daniel Seabra and Mafalda Conclaves, to present this explosive acrobatic spectacle exploring the troubling times we’re living through.
Powered entirely by solar energy, and blending circus acrobatics and performance art, Neon Dusk is a powerful, surreal and highly original take on human movement, bathed in the faint and fractured light of our electric age.
Travelling Tradesmen
Saturday, 9th August, 10am - 4pm, Castle Yard
The duo of Eoin Reardon, woodworker & James O’Connor, blacksmith will showcase their trades with live demonstration of the tools of their trade and bring stories from the road in an interactive experience for visitors to the Castle Yard.
Brought to the Castle Yard by Kilkenny Design, these boys are social media sensation promoting traditional craftworking in their inimitable style.
Relax and Enjoy the Festive Atmosphere at Butler House
As the city hums with creativity this August, take a moment to unwind and savour the atmosphere at Butler House. Whether you're exploring exhibitions or simply soaking up the festival spirit, we invite you to join us in the Garden View Room or out on the patio for a leisurely lunch, a classic cream tea, or some evening light bites and drinks. Surrounded by history and the calm of our walled garden, it's the perfect spot to pause, reflect, and enjoy the best of Kilkenny this festival season.