Butler House

Butler House was completed in 1786 as the Dower house for Kilkenny Castle. Built by Walter Butler, the 16th Earl of Ormonde, it was initially intended for his wife upon their son's inheritance of the title. The first resident was Lady Eleanor Butler, whose daughter Eleanor later became one of the famous Ladies of Llangollen. In 1831, James Butler, the 1st Marquess of Ormonde, resided in the house while overseeing extensive renovations at the Castle. During the cholera epidemic of 1832, the family used Butler House as a soup kitchen, and the property was significantly expanded around this time. In the 1870s, the house served as headquarters for the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland, now the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. The Kilkenny Design Workshops refurbished Butler House in the 1970s, after taking over the Castle yard and house in 1965. In 1989, the property opened as a hotel and conference center, now managed by the Kilkenny Civic Trust. The beautiful gardens were restored to their original splendor in 2000. Explore the captivating story of Butler House and its transformation from a historic residence to a welcoming hotel and conference center, all while strolling through the magnificent gardens.