Kilkenny Castle Yard & Design Workshop

The crescent-shaped building, featuring circular windows and a copper-domed tower, was constructed by the Duke of Ormonde in 1790. In 1963, these historic buildings were transformed into the Kilkenny Design Workshops (KDW), a pioneering state-sponsored initiative aimed at elevating Irish design and boosting exports. Under the guidance of William H. Walsh, the workshops opened with five specialist areas: silver and metalwork, textile weaving, textile printing, ceramics, and woodworking. With talented designers from across Europe serving as mentors, Kilkenny became a hub of design excellence, significantly influencing modern Irish craft practice. Although the KDW closed in 1988, the site remains a vibrant location for flourishing design and craft businesses. Delve into the captivating story of Kilkenny Castle and the KDW, and witness firsthand the legacy of design excellence that still thrives here today.