Kilkenny Archaeological Society

14/10/2026

🏛️ 60 Years of Rothe House – Celebrating the Past, Looking to the Future!

Join Kilkenny Archaeological Society for the 10th John Bradley Weekend, taking place on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October 2026.

This year's theme, Rothe House: 60 Years On – and Onwards, celebrates six decades since the restoration of the first house at Rothe House.

Over two days, we'll explore the remarkable archaeology of Rothe House, the people who helped preserve Kilkenny's heritage, and exciting plans for the future.

📍 Friday: Reception and keynote lecture at Kilkenny Castle.

📍 Saturday: A morning of fascinating talks at Rothe House.

🎟️ Open to members and non-members. All welcome!

📖 Full programme and booking details see here - https://mailchi.mp/a857eb392373/september-upcoming-events-21205531

Kilkenny Archaeological Society invites members and friends to join us for the 10th John Bradley Weekend, celebrating sixty years since the restoration of the first house at Rothe House and looking ahead to the future of this remarkable historic complex.

09/10/2026

🏰 The Priory Puzzle – Rediscovering Inistioge’s Lost Cloister

Can modern technology help bring a lost medieval cloister back to life?

Join Kilkenny Archaeological Society for a fascinating lecture by Anne-Karoline Distel, exploring the history of Inistioge Priory and efforts to reconstruct its lost cloister using 3D technology.

📅 Thursday, 15 October 2026 @ 7.30 pm
📍 Rothe House, Kilkenny
🎟️ Members €8 | Non-members €10

All welcome!

Donate to KAS search the website About us The Kilkenny Archaeological Society (KAS) was re-established as a Kilkenny Society in 1945 having originally formed in 1849. Its aim is to promote and renew interest in the antiquities and history of Kilkenny county and city. All who share these interests ar...

04/09/2026

📚 Join us next Wednesday for a fascinating evening exploring the life and family of Lady Jane Wilde – writer, poet, nationalist and mother of Oscar Wilde.

Historian Vivian Lambert, with Mylo Miller, presents “Lady Jane Francesca Elgee Wilde – Her Life and Family”.

📅 Wednesday, 9 September | 7.30pm
📍 Rothe House, Kilkenny
🎟️ €8 Members | €10 Non-Members

All are very welcome – please spread the word!

22/08/2026

Heritage Week 2026: Thanks to Seamus Brennan who conducted a most interesting tour of William Street this morning giving an overview of its social and architectural history

18/08/2026

Heritage Week Lecture – Wednesday, 19 August at 7.30pm

Join us tomorrow evening at Rothe House for our special Heritage Week lecture, ‘Mountains and the Irish – A Forgotten Heritage’, presented by Kevin Higgins.

📅 Wednesday, 19 August
🕢 7.30pm
📍 Rothe House
🎟️ Admission: Free

The lecture will explore an often-overlooked aspect of Ireland’s heritage and our relationship with the Irish mountain landscape.

All are welcome – please feel free to bring a friend!

02/07/2026

📖 Old Kilkenny Review 2016 Now Available Online

We're delighted to announce that articles from the 2016 edition of the Old Kilkenny Review is now available to browse online.

Published annually by the Kilkenny Archaeological Society since 1948, the Old Kilkenny Review features articles on the history and archaeology of Kilkenny, together with book reviews, Society proceedings and more.

The 2016 edition includes fascinating research on St Francis Abbey, medieval Kilkenny, Jerpoint Abbey, Woodstock Estate, the Civil War in County Kilkenny, the restoration of Rothe House, and much more.

Visit our website to explore the latest addition to our online archive and enjoy some wonderful local history. Click on the below link www.kilkennyarchaeologicalsociety.ie/old-kilkenny-review-2016/

01/07/2026

Historic Catalpa Flag on Temporary Display at Rothe House

This Friday and Saturday (3–4 July), visitors to Rothe House & Garden will have the rare opportunity to see the historic Catalpa Flag.

The ‘Catalpa Flag’ was on board the former American whaling ship, the Catalpa, which was used to help six Fenian prisoners escape from Australia in 1876.

The year 2026 marks 150 years since the daring rescue and 250 years since the founding of the United States, making this a fitting time to display this unique artefact.

23/06/2026

KAS Summer Outing – Wednesday 1 July

A small number of places remain available on this year's Summer Outing to Castledermot and Ballitore, guided by historian and author John McKenna.

Castledermot and Ballitore represent two very different strands of Irish history.

Castledermot developed from an early monastic settlement into an important medieval town, while Ballitore is Ireland's best-known Quaker village and is closely associated with the Shackleton family and writer Mary Leadbeater.

John McKenna, a native of Castledermot, will guide us through both villages and share their rich history and stories.

Cost: €30 per person

Meet at Woodie's Car Park, Kilkenny, at 9.00am sharp.

Lunch will be available at Shackleton's Rest, Ballitore, or you may bring your own picnic.

To reserve a spot or further information, please contact [email protected].

18/06/2026

It was a magical afternoon for more than 100 members and friends who attended Kilkenny Archaeological Society’s Annual Garden Party at Rothe House. The beautifully restored 17th century garden was a tapestry of colour for the occasion, thanks to the ongoing dedication of Mary Pyke, head gardener.
Mary Kelly played her harp gently in the background as everyone enjoyed their favoured beverage, culinary delights and the quintessential strawberries and cream in glorious sunshine.
A special feature this year was the reenactment of John Rothe’s Will of 1619, scripted by Ann Tierney and performed by Martin Matthews with Angela Moylan O’Reilly and Nuala Roche telling John’s wife, Rose Archer’s own story in the language of today. Photos by Vicky Comerford

04/06/2026

🌿 Kilkenny Archaeological Society Annual Garden Party 🌿

Join us for our Annual Garden Party in the beautiful surroundings of Rothe House & Garden.

📅 Saturday, 13 June 2026
🕒 3.00pm – 5.00pm
📍 Entry via New Building Lane
💶 €10 per person (payable at the gate)

Your ticket includes strawberries & cream, cake, savouries and a glass of w**e.

Entertainment will be provided during the afternoon, with details to be announced shortly.

🌦 If the weather is unkind, the event will move indoors to the Tudor Kitchen.

We look forward to welcoming members and friends for an enjoyable afternoon.