Christmas at Butler House
A Celebration of Tradition and the Joys of the Season!
Christmas in Kilkenny
There’s something truly special about Christmas in Kilkenny. As the days grow shorter and the lights begin to glow along The Parade, Butler House & Garden feels like the heart of it all. The scent of mulled wine drifts through the air, the fires are lit, and our elegant Georgian townhouse fills with that unmistakable festive warmth.
Just beside Kilkenny Castle, Butler House is the perfect place to stay, dine, or simply take a moment to enjoy the season. Whether you’re meeting friends for lunch, joining us for Afternoon Tea, or escaping for a night away, this is where festive memories are made. Relax in elegant reception rooms or cosy corners while enjoying a cream tea, lunch, or a warming hot drink.
Kilkenny transforms into a winter wonderland each December. With Yulefest running throughout the month, the city comes alive each weekend with entertainment, special events, and a magical Christmas light trail. Discover The Medieval Mile, browse boutiques and gift shops, and wander through Castle Yard, once the stables of Kilkenny Castle, now home to craft studios, the National Craft Gallery, and Kilkenny Design, before visiting Kilkenny Castle, beautifully decorated for Christmas.
Come and celebrate the magic of Christmas and the wonders of winter in Kilkenny’s beautiful medieval city and county.
Click Here to View Our Christmas Brochure
Experience the Warmth of Hospitaility at Butler House
At Butler House, Christmas is not about rushing but about slowing down, getting together, and savouring the small things. We have a few lovely ways to do just that this December.
Festive Cream Tea
Daily from 1st – 21st December | 11am – 4pm
A simple pleasure that feels wonderfully indulgent. Enjoy a freshly baked Christmas scone, a rich mini plum pudding with brandy cream, and your choice of barista coffee or tea, all for €10.50 per person. The perfect pick-me-up after a morning of shopping or a stroll through the Yulefest Kilkenny markets.
No booking needed unless you’re a group of four or more...
Festive Afternoon Tea
A Festive Afternoon Tea in the stunning and historic surroundings of Butler House is possibly the most perfect way to catch up with friends.
€42 per person | Booking Required
Our Afternoon Tea takes on a festive glow each December, served in the beautifully dressed reception rooms overlooking the gardens. Expect delicate sandwiches, sweet treats, and a sprinkling of Christmas sparkle. It’s one of our most-loved traditions, and it books up quickly each year.
Dates: Saturdays 6th, 13th & 20th December | Sundays 7th & 14th December
Nollaig na mBan: Saturday 3rd January
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Please contact events@butler.ie for more details.
Breakfast with Santa – In Aid of Temple Children’s Hospital (SOLD OUT)
Saturday 6th December | 10.30am | €20 per adult | €10 per child
Join us for a delightful morning filled with holiday cheer! Gather your family for a festive breakfast featuring everything from delicious waffles topped with berries to a hearty Full Irish. And guess what? You’ll even get to meet Santa before he heads back to the North Pole!
Plus, you'll be doing something wonderful this Christmas, as half of all proceeds will be donated to Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
We can’t wait to celebrate the season with you!
Carol Service with Cairdeas Kilkenny Parkinson’s Choir
Thursday 11th December | 5.30pm
Few things capture the spirit of Christmas like carols by candlelight. On Thursday 11th December at 5.30pm, we’re delighted to welcome back the Cairdeas Choir for an evening of music, laughter and community.
Guests can enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and mince pies. Everyone is welcome, no booking required.
Dining in the Glow of the Season
All through December, the Garden View Bar is a cosy retreat from the winter chill. Settle in for comforting seasonal favourites, Roast Turkey & Ham, Beef & Guinness Hot Pot, or Irish cheese plates by the fire. There’s always something delicious on the menu, whether you’re after a light lunch or an evening bite with a glass of mulled wine.
And if you’re meeting friends, our Bubbles & Nibbles offer is just the thing, a bottle of prosecco with cocktail bites for €45, perfect for a festive toast.
Garden View Bar Opening Hours:
• Festive Cream Tea: 11am – 4pm
• Lunch Menu: 12 noon – 3pm
• Full Bar Service: until 11pm
Christmas Sunday Lunch
Sunday 21st December | 1pm or 2.45pm | €49 per person
Our traditional Christmas Sunday Lunch is one of the highlights of the season. Gather around the table for a three-course meal featuring all the festive favourites, Turkey & Ham, Roast Beef, and those all-important desserts like Apple Crumble and Plum Pudding. Served in the elegant surroundings of the Lady Eleanor Restauarant, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season.
Please note: not suitable for children under 12
Gather at Butler House
Butler House has a special atmosphere at Christmas. Fires flickering, laughter spilling from the reception rooms, and that wonderful atmosphere of friends meeting again. Whether you’re planning a festive drink, a long-overdue catch-up, or a private party, we can tailor the perfect celebration with drinks, canapés, finger food or a sit-down meal.
Please call Tess Kavanagh on T: 056 772 28 28 or Email: events@butler.ie
Festive Stays at Butler House
Come and soak up the wonderful atmosphere of the lead-in to Christmas in Kilkenny or take time out to chill and unwind after Christmas with one of our Christmas hotel breaks. Something you can enjoy in the most perfectly relaxed surroundings, with all the attractions of Kilkenny City, quite literally on your doorstep.
An overnight stay with breakfast served in the Lady Eleanor Restaurant overlooking the walled garden and with views of Kilkenny Castle starts in November or December or choose one of our Seasonal or Signature Breaks including a signature drink.
Check Festive Stays Availability Here
Yulefest Kilkenny
29th November – 23rd December
Yulefest Kilkenny is a cherished tradition that brings festive cheer to the heart of the city. Just a few steps from Butler House, the Christmas market unfolds along The Parade, right outside Kilkenny Castle — filling the air with the scent of seasonal treats, the sounds of music, and the sparkle of lights. From the arrival of Santa on opening night to creative craft workshops, vintage carousel rides, and the beloved Santa truck, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to wander through the adjoining Kilkenny Design and Craft Yard, home to artisan studios and unique Irish-crafted gifts, the perfect spot for meaningful Christmas shopping. And don’t miss Starlight by Luxmuralis at St. Canice’s Cathedral from 14th–21st December, a breathtaking light and sound installation that promises to be a highlight of the season.
Click here to view the full Yulefest Kilkenny programme.
Butler House Gift Vouchers
There’s wonderful craft, maybe unsurprisingly as we’re very proud that Kilkenny has been designated a World Crafts Council Craft City and Region. From the craft studios of the Castle Yard and The National Craft Gallery to the MADE in Kilkenny pop up and on stalls in the Yulefest Market you’ll find designer makers with wonderful inspirational gift ideas for you. Watch out too for crafting workshops as part of the Castle Yard Craft Experience.
Boutiques and gift shops, cute cafés and restaurants dot the medieval streets with plenty for you to browse and explore.
This Christmas, give a Butler House Gift Voucher for a memorable experience. You can use it for a luxurious overnight stay, a seasonal Afternoon Tea, or dining in the Lady Eleanor Restaurant. Our vouchers are thoughtful, flexible, and beautifully presented. The perfect gift for someone special.
Click Here to buy a Butler House Gift Voucher
Make Memories With Us This Christmas!
We take a short break for a few days over Christmas and close on Monday 22nd December, re-opening Saturday 27th December 2025
For events enquiries, contact Tess Kavanagh at 086 145 2928 or email events@butler.ie.
For more info, contact us on +353 56 7722828 or email res@butler.ie