Garden

The Rothe Family Garden is open to the public throughout the summer, seven days a week. It is a reconstruction of an early 17th century Irish urban garden, and is the first of its kind in Ireland.  It was officially opened by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, on 11th April 2008. 

Opening times:          Monday - Thursday: 10.30 - 4.30, Friday: 10.30 - 4.00, Weekends/Bank holidays: 2.00 - 5.00

The reconstruction was undertaken by the Kilkenny Archaeological Society and Rothe House Trust, and was funded by Failte Ireland under the NDP 2000-2006, Kilkenny Borough Council and Kilkenny Civic Trust.

The walled garden has two compartments: the Lower Garden which has vegetables and herbs, and the Upper Garden or Orchard which has been planted with almost 40 fruit trees, and a wildflower meadow. The planting is authentic, and every attempt has been made to secure early varieties of all plants.