Environment

Heritage hot spots: History, nature, art, environment

Kilkenny Castle

Sylvia Thompson's face
Sylvia Thompson
Sat Mar 24 2012 - 00:00

Kilkenny Castle

What is it?Kilkenny Castle, which sits strategically above the River Nore, is one of the country's most popular castles to visit. It is a strong architectural presence in a city that also has a round tower, next to the 13th-century St Canice's Cathedral, and Rothe House, an early-17th-century merchant's home.

Why visit?Besides illustrating how medieval castles were remodelled and redesigned over the centuries, Kilkenny Castle, which remained in the hands of the Butler family – aka the earls of Ormonde – from 1391 to 1935, gives us an insight into the way this powerful Anglo-Norman family lived and ruled over tracts of Ireland. In 1967 the family handed the castle to the people of Kilkenny for £50, after which it underwent various phases of restoration.

Highlights of guided tours include the long gallery, library and drawing room as they would have been in Victorian times. In the 17th century the Ormonde collection of paintings was the largest in the country, containing paintings by Dutch and Italian masters. The rose garden, extensive parkland (with a great children’s playground) and river walk are also worth exploring.

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Why now?On Wednesday at 8pm, Kilkenny Archaeological Society hosts a debate on whether the Celts occupied Ireland. With contributions from David Stifter, professor of Old Irish at NUI Maynooth, Peter Woodman, emeritus professor of archaeology at University College Cork, and Tadhg O'Keeffe, professor of archaeology at University College Dublin, among others, it promises to be a lively and entertaining debate (tickets €7; bookings on 056-7722893).

Alpha to Omega, a free exhibition of work by the Kilkenny-based artist Helen Comerford, is at the Butler Gallery, in the basement of Kilkenny Castle, until April 22nd (056-7761106, butlergallery.com).

How do I get there?Kilkenny Castle is in the centre of the city, on the Parade. It is open daily from 9.30am to 5pm this month; from 9.30am to 5.30pm in April (closed Good Friday), May and September; from 9am to 5.30pm between June and August; and from 9.30am to 4.30pm between October and February. Admission costs €6 for adults, €2.50 for children aged six and over, €4 for students/senior citizens and €14 for families; 056-7704100; kilkennycastle.ie.