Hotel Near Kilkenny Arts Festival

Butler House is a Georgian townhouse in central Kilkenny. We offer comfortable rooms in a historic setting and are recognised by Fáilte Ireland as a Historic House. Butler House’s history is the perfect setting for the Kilkenny Arts Festival with its excellent location, comfortable rooms and tasty dining.

Formerly the Lady Dowagers House and part of the Kilkenny Castle demesne, Butler House was associated with the Butler family for 500 years and is superbly located in the centre of the city and at the heart of the Festival.

Butler House has housed exhibitions and workshops as part of Kilkenny Arts Festival for many years. Behind the house lies the charming Georgian walled garden which was recently restored to its former glory and hosts the Festival’s opening party.

Butler House & Garden is the venue for a number of Festival events including Secret Garden Music. This ever-popular Secret Music Series returns for another year, bringing a stellar (but unannounced) line-up of musicians to perform a series of short pop-up concerts in the walled garden of Butler House and in other of the city’s most iconic spaces.

Why Choose Us for the Festival?

Butler House is located in the heart of Kilkenny City. We are within walking distance of all the main venues for the Kilkenny Arts Festival and our guests love staying here for that reason alone.

Walking distance to each location from Butler House:

- Watergate Theatre: 3-minute walk (250m)

- St Canice's Cathedral: 10-minute walk (850m)

- Set Theatre: 5-minute walk (400m)

- Kilkenny Castle: 2-minute walk (150m)

- St John's Priory: 7-minute walk (550m)

- Cleere's Theatre: 4-minute walk (300m)

- Parade Tower: 3-minute walk (200m)

On-Site Facilities

Not only are we in the perfect location for the Kilkenny Arts Festival, we also provide some essential and luxury on site facilities for our guests.

- Free Private Car Park (one space per room)

- Complimentary Full Irish Breakfast

- Access to Gardens

- Cots for Babies

- Babysitting Service (advanced booking essential)

Dining

The Georgian surroundings of Butler House Kilkenny provide a wonderfully elegant backdrop to dining in the house.

- Full Irish Breakfast: Served daily for our guests in the Lady Eleanor Restaurant

- Daytime Dining in the Garden View Room: From 11am daily, serving premium Tea and Barista Coffees with a mini cookie or Butler House Cream Tea

- Lunch Menu: Served from 12noon till 3pm, featuring homemade soup, toasted sandwiches, Thai chicken strips wrap, and more

- House Bar: Fully stocked bar open daily and every evening till late in the Garden Room

Book Your Stay

For the best rates and availability during the Kilkenny Arts Festival, book directly through our website.