Rothe House & Garden

Rothe House & Garden, is Ireland’s only 16th century merchant townhouse and garden, still sitting on the original plot of land.

Visitors can step back in time to explore the three houses, cobbled courtyards and restored walled garden.

As one of the wealthiest of the merchant families in Kilkenny, John Rothe built his home to accommodate his large family, to showcase his successful business and to maintain his position in society.

The restored garden at Rothe House is a recreation of the Rothe family garden as it would have appeared in the early 17th century. It is the only urban garden of this period which is open to the public.

Archaeological excavations uncovered the original layout of the garden as well as the seeds and pollen of the plants that were grown here. The plants and trees that now grow in the garden are many of the same varieties that would have been grown by the Rothes.

Rothe House has an award-winning gift shop that promotes the very best of Irish crafters, producers and makers. It also houses the genealogical research centre for Kilkenny city and county.