Butler House, Kilkenny

Butler House, an exquisite 18th-century Georgian Dower house, graces the city of Kilkenny, serving today as a distinguished 4-star hotel and conference center. Completed by 1786, this architectural gem was commissioned by Walter Butler, the 16th Earl of Ormonde, as a residence for his wife upon the inheritance of their son, John Butler, the 17th Earl of Ormonde.

Lady Eleanor Butler, the first occupant, resided in the house, although uncertainty lingers regarding the timing of her move with her husband's passing. Noteworthy historical events unfolded within its walls, including the residence of James Butler, 1st Marquess of Ormonde, during extensive Castle reconstruction in 1831 and the house's use as a soup kitchen during a local cholera epidemic in 1832. The house underwent substantial extensions at this time.

In the 1870s, the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland found its home in Butler House, evolving into the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. The Kilkenny Design Workshops refurbished the house in the 1970s, later opening it as a hotel and conference center in 1989, now owned and managed by the Kilkenny Civic Trust.

The classic Georgian structure, featuring three bays over three stories with a basement, retains its historic charm, including well-preserved rooms. The east side boasts a pair of full-height bowed bays facing the walled garden, creating a harmonious connection to the Castle Yard and stables of Kilkenny Castle. The gardens, restored to their former splendor in 2000, enhance the allure of this captivating historical residence.