Butler House

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Butler House Butler House and Garden is the charming Dower House of Kilkenny Castle since 1786. Butler House is a proud member of Ireland's Blue Book. to 4 p.m. each day.
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This unique House in Kilkenny brings history, charm, romance and a warm welcome to all who visit. An integral part of the Kilkenny Castle Estate, Butler House was home to the Earls of Ormonde, who also built the castle, stables and coach houses at the rear of the house. Butler House was originally restored in the early 1970s by Kilkenny Design, who painstakingly restored all of the original architectural features and furnished the house in a very unique and contemporary way. The influence of Kilkenny Design has always been one of the unique features of Butler House bedrooms. This charming Georgian Garden was restored to its former glory in 1999. It is now home to a superb boutique guest accommodation, comprising 17 bedrooms as well as meeting rooms, tea rooms, wedding and conference facilities. More recently, local Designer Orla Kelly, who specialises in working with Georgian properties worked with Butler House on three brand new unique bedrooms in 2020, and updated the original bedrooms in the House along with the drawing room and function room. The magnificent Butler Gardens are a feature of the property and are host to numerous cultural events and wedding ceremonies throughout the year. This charming Georgian Garden was also restored in 1999 and boasts its own private entrance to the Castle yard and Kilkenny Castle. With a view of the stunning Kilkenny Castle, our secluded walled gardens provide a beautiful backdrop across all seasons, particularly during the Spring / Summer when the garden is in full bloom. The superb location of Butler House offers visitors the very best of Kilkenny City. Through the front door, you will find Patrick Street, a two-minute walk to the centre. Through the back door, you will find the internationally renowned Butler House Walled Garden. Butler House and Garden is also a proud member of Ireland's Blue Book, a prestigious collection of Ireland's most charming and stylish hideaways. Butler House & Garden is owned and managed by the Kilkenny Civic Trust. Dining at Butler House

Afternoon Tea is served in our Restaurant Saturday from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m., and the Orangerie in the Garden is open Thursday - Sunday from 11 a.m. Private dining options also available. Guests will enjoy the historic setting of Butler House with the splendour of the large bow windows, original plastered ceilings, castle views and the finest locally sourced food. Our Restaurant walls are adorned with magnificent pieces of art from the Basil Goulding Collection. Butler House kitchen is overseen by our Executive Chef who ensures every dish is perfect, and our ethos is that the best meals start with the best ingredients. Very few places to eat in Kilkenny provide a dining experience as elegant and impressive as Butler House. Our much-loved Afternoon Tea is a ritual here at Butler House!

07/10/2026

Stay & Shenanigans ✨

Now you can pair your stay with the multi-award-winning Shenanigans Walks, a fresh, modern twist on the traditional tour, weaving through Kilkenny’s medieval streets with history, stories and a little magic along the way.

Meet the characters who shaped the city, from the Greatest Knight who ever lived to the infamous Witch Alice.

Your stay includes a full Irish breakfast cooked to order in the Lady Eleanor Restaurant overlooking the garden, plus your Shenanigans Experience Pass.

Book the Stay & Shenanigans package, link in bio 🌿

Autumn in Kilkenny is something special 🍂 Here are a few of our favourite things to do around the city this season…🍴 **S...
02/10/2026

Autumn in Kilkenny is something special 🍂

Here are a few of our favourite things to do around the city this season…

🍴 **Savour Kilkenny** | 22 to 26 October
The 20th Savour Kilkenny Food Festival takes over the city this bank holiday, with over 100 artisan food stalls, live chef demos and the Castle Park Concert. Free entry to the Festival Quarter on The Parade on Saturday and Sunday!

🎩 **Shenanigans Walks**
History, tall tales, a sprinkle of magic and plenty of craic along the Medieval Mile. Ask us about our special Shenanigans Walks package here at Butler House ✨

🎨 **The Castle Yard**
Right through our garden gate, the old stables of Kilkenny Castle are now home to working craft studios, Kilkenny Design Centre and the National Design & Craft Gallery. The perfect spot to pick up something handmade.

🏰 **St. Canice’s Cathedral & Round Tower**
Climb the 9th century Round Tower for the best views over the city, then step inside to see the beautiful Peace Dove exhibition 🕊️

🎃 **Medieval Mile Museum**
800 years of Kilkenny history under one roof, home to the infamous Witch Dame Alice Kyteler and this midterm the kids can join Magic & Mischief on 26, 28 and 30 October for spooky stories, amulet making and a treasure hunt.

🏡 **And finally, back to Butler House & Garden**
After a day exploring, come back to us and relax with something delicious from our menu, take a stroll through our Walled Garden, or make a weekend of it and stay with us right in the heart of the city 🧡

📍 16 Patrick Street, Kilkenny

KilkennyCity IrelandsAncientEast AutumnInIreland

Have you had lunch or evening light bites with us in Butler House & Garden yet? Think slow cooked Beef & Guinness Hot Po...
01/10/2026

Have you had lunch or evening light bites with us in Butler House & Garden yet?

Think slow cooked Beef & Guinness Hot Pot, Smithwicks battered fish ‘n’ chips, an Irish Cheese Slate with Cashel Blue and Smoked Gubbeen, and a Highbank Sticky Toffee Pudding that might just steal the show 🍮

Everything is made with local and/or Irish produce. From Deegan’s Kilkenny-grown veg, Arán Kilkenny Sourdough, apples from Highbank Orchards & Distillery to our own homemade ice cream, jams and brown bread muffins.

Pull up a chair, look out over the gardens and take your time ☕

🕛 Lunch served 12pm till 3pm
🫖 Cream Tea from 11am
📍 Butler House, Kilkenny

What are you ordering first? 👇

Autumn days 🍂 there’s a distinctly autumnal feel in the house this week,  as we bring hydrangeas and Cotinus smoke bush ...
30/09/2026

Autumn days 🍂 there’s a distinctly autumnal feel in the house this week, as we bring hydrangeas and Cotinus smoke bush in from the garden and pop them in a Castle Arch Pottery vase…. they’re especially lovely as evening sunshine streams through the windows

Lunch at Butler House, with a view of our walled garden🌿Our new lunch menu is here, & it’s full of good seasonal delight...
25/09/2026

Lunch at Butler House, with a view of our walled garden🌿

Our new lunch menu is here, & it’s full of good seasonal delights

🥪 The Club Sandwich has grilled chicken, McCarren’s crispy bacon, garden tomato and confit garlic mayo on toasted sourdough, served with fries. There’s also the Butler House Toasted Special with Rafferty’s Irish ham and Dubliner white cheddar, and a Cajun Chicken Open Sandwich with smashed avocado.

🥗 Butler’s Caesar Salad has crisp baby gem, shaved parmesan, pitta crisps and a crispy hen’s egg, and you can add Cajun chicken and streaky bacon. Or go for the Butler House Caprese with West Cork torn buffalo mozzarella and garden tomatoes.

The soup of the day comes with a homemade brown bread muffin and herb butter.

For something hearty, try the 8 hour slow cooked Irish beef and Guinness hot pot, or Smithwick’s battered fish ‘n’ chips with minty pea smash.

To finish, choose from a Highbank sticky toffee pudding, Butler’s orchard apple crumble or a chocolate lava cake. There’s also a cream tea for the scone lovers. ☕

Served daily from 12 noon till 3pm in the Garden View Room.

No need to book

See you soon

Address

16 Patrick Street
Kilkenny
3807

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