Daily Exhibitions & Tours

• Saturday 23rd to Saturday 30th August – Nore View Folk and Heritage Museum – Danesfort Road, Bennetsbridge – 10am to 6pm, €15/5 – Enjoy browsing through this museum housing 12,000 items of local and national interest. Historical monuments are also on display.

• Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st August – A Walking Tour of the Famine Garden – Gairdin an Ghorta, Newmarket, Co.Kilkenny – 8am to 7pm, free – A walking tour of the Famine Garden. Take a walking tour of our Famine Garden and see the cause of the great famine of 1845-1850.

• Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st August – The Village Creamery Exhibition – Ionad Dara Centre, Goresbridge – 2pm to 6pm, free – The exhibition will portray the people and the struggle to establish a village creamery in Goresbridge in 1914. Butter-making and the utensils employed will also be demonstrated.

• Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st August – Photographic exhibition commemorating Kilkenny Families in the Great War – Kilkenny Castle, The Parade – 9am to 5pm, free

• Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st August – River Barrow Way: ready-to-go guided tour – River Barrow, Carlow – Walk, cycle or canoe a short stretch for an hour or an afternoon, or spend a tranquil week exploring all of the gentle Barrow Way. Discover history, heritage and wildlife along the idyllic towpath.

• Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st August – My Townland: Lisdowney – Lisdowney Hall, Lisdowney – 11am to 4pm, free – My Townland- an exhibition of local history, folklore, field names, maps, oral histories and photographs celebrating the history and heritage of the townlands of Lisdowney Parish and surrounding area.

• Saturday 23rd, Sunday 24th, Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st August – Guided Heritage Tours – Jerpoint Park, Thomastown, Co.Kilkenny – 10.30am to 12.30pm, 2pm to 4pm – Guided Heritage Tour of the footprints of a deserted 12th Medieval Town called Newtown Jerpoint plus the Tomb Effigy of St. Nicholas.

• Sunday 24th to Sunday 31st August – Free Admission to Kilkenny Castle – Kilkenny Castle, The Parade – 9am to 5pm, free – Visit of Kilkenny Castle is self-guided. Parts of the Castle may not be suitable for people with limited mobility. Parking available near site.

• Sunday 24th to Sunday 31st August – Collection of GAA Memorabilia to View – Graveyard Road, Harristown, Graignamanagh – 10am to 5pm, free – The public is invited to view this collection themselves and owner Jim Whelan will also be there to explain the items in his collection with the oldest GAA programme dating back to 1924. Limited car parking is available with more car parking spaces available at the local GAA which is a 30 second walk to the venue. This is only a ten minute walk from Duiske Abbey.

• Monday 25th to Wednesday 27th, Friday 29th to Saturday 30th August – Guided tour of Canice’s Cathedral – St Canices Cathedral, Coach Rd – 9am to 10am, free – Hear about some important historical figures associated with the medieval Cathedral. See the medieval burial stones and effigies of the Anchoress, the Kytler Family, the Butler Family and Bishops.

• Monday 25th to Friday 29th August – Free Bookable Tours of ‘Circle in The Square’ – Butler Gallery, Kilkenny Castle – 10am to 4pm, free – A contemporary art gallery in a 12th century castle? Exactly! Why not come and explore Marilyn Lerner’s exhibition ‘Circle In The Square’ with Butler Gallery’s free, bookable tours.

• Monday 25th to Friday 29th August – Sketching in The Picture Gallery – Picture Gallery, Kilkenny Castle – 3pm to 5pm, free – Kilkenny Castle is opening the Picture Gallery free of charge to artists who wish to sketch paintings from the Ormonde Picture Collection.

• Monday 25th to Sunday 31st August – Exploring Our Military Heritage – Stephen Barracks, Ballybought Street – 10.30am to 3.30pm, free – An exhibit of military heritage spanning across three centuries. The items on display help visitors to have a better understanding of our history and heritage relating to the South East.

• Tuesday 26th to Friday 29th August – Hidden Gems & Forgotten People and Fieldnames Exhibition – Ferrybank Libary, Ferrybank – 10am to 5pm, free – Exhibition of maps from the Fieldnames Project, run by Kilkenny County Council Heritage Office and The Hidden Gems and Forgotten People project organised by the Federation of Local History Societies

• Tuesday 26th to Saturday 30th August – A Picture Tells a Thousand Words – Castlecomer Library, Kilkenny St – 10am to 5pm, free – Intergenerational project exploring the past. Primary school pupils were asked to chat with their elders, to find an interesting photograph, and to describe what is happening. Over 70 photo-essays on display. Event takes place from Aug 26th – Sept 6th.

Day Events

Saturday 23rd August

• Saturday 23rd August – *Field Names for The Townland of Smithstown – Castlecomer Library, Kilkenny St – 10am to 5pm, free – Display of Map showing field names as recorded for the townland of Smithstown, Castlecomer.

• Saturday 23rd August – Object Conservation Leaflet – National Craft Gallery, Castle Yard – 10am to 5.30pm, free – Design & Crafts Council of Ireland are delighted to offer a free object conservation leaflet to all our visitors designed to support good conservation practice for objects in the home environment.

• Saturday 23rd August – Music, Motion & Magic with Mini Musos – Kilkenny Castle, The Parade – 10.30am to 11.15am + 12pm to 12.45pm, free – Musical workshop for children with special health and development needs aged 8 to 14. Come and join Karen on a fun musical journey.

• Saturday 23rd August – Kilkenny Book & Coin Fair – Club House Hotel, Patrick St – 10.30am to 5pm, €2 – The annual August fair will be held to coincide with Heritage Week 2014. Book and coin dealers will be here with thousands of interesting and rare titles to suit local and general interests.

• Saturday 23rd August – ‘Circle In The Square’ – Children’s Art Workshop – Butler Gallery, Kilkenny Castle – 11am to 12.30pm, €5 – Butler Gallery invites children aged 5-12 years to explore explosive colour, playful pattern and fascinating form at Marilyn Lerner’s exhibition “Circle In The Square’

• Saturday 23rd August – Celtic Drummers – Courtyard, Kilkenny Castle – 2pm to 3pm, free – Celtic drummers will perform a fusion of modern and tribal rhythms, creating an unforgettable and explosive performance.

• Saturday 23rd August – Exploring Gowran’s Contribution to the Great War – St Marys Church, Gowran – 2pm to 4pm, free – Three lectures will take place examining the connections with Gowran and WWI. Padraig Yeates will outline the situation which existed in Ireland during the War years at 2pm.

• Saturday 23rd August – An evening of remembrance for the local men who fought in World War I. by archivist & author John Kirwan – St Kieran’s Community Hall, Johnstown – 8.30pm to 10pm, free – An evening of remembrance for the local men who fought in World War I. John Kirwan, archivist & author, will speak on the subject. There will be an exhibition of memorabilia from the Great War.

 

• Saturday 23rd August – *Kilkenny on the Eve of the Great War – John’s Green House – 9am to 5pm, free – Launch and distribution of a commemorative brochure detailing Kilkenny City in the early years of the 20th Century up to the outbreak of the Great War

Sunday 24th August

• Sunday 24th August – Open Day at Clomantagh Castle – Clomantagh Castle, Freshford – 10am to 4pm, free – An opportunity to see the conservation work of the Irish Landmark Trust. Enjoy a self-guided tour of this 15th century tower house and 19th century farmhouse now available for holidays.

• Sunday 24th August – A look at some Kilkenny Families in the the Great War – Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle – 2.30pm to 3.30pm, free – An illustrated look at some Kilkenny families and the contribution they made towards the war effort by John Kirwan, author of ‘Kilkenny families and the Great War’.

• Sunday 24th August – Kilkennys Indpendence Story – Town Hall, High St – 4pm to 5.15pm, free – This is the third year of this walking tour which aims to give people an understanding of the events as they happened in County Kilkenny during the period 1913-1923.

Monday 25th August

• Monday 25th August – Walking Tour of St. Mary’s Church and Graveyard – Town Hall, St Marys Lane – 11am to 12.30pm, free – Cóilín Ó Drisceoil will lead this tour of the church and graveyard which contains a nationally significant collection of medieval and renaissance burial monuments. The repair, conservation and re-presentation of the monuments is part of a larger on-going programme of works at St. Mary’s to develop a civic museum in the church and graveyard which is currently underway.

• Monday 25th August – RPSI visit with Steam Locomotive No.461 – Kilkenny Railway Station – 1pm to 2.50pm, free – The RPSI will visit Kilkenny City on Sunday 24th August with Steam Locomotive No. 461and approx. 300 passengers. This loco was part funded by the Heritage Council to working order. The train will be in Kilkenny for approx. 2 hours, so come down and see a real life working steam locomotive looking resplendent in its new green livery. Bring your children who have never seen a steam engine in action and enjoy the smell, sound and steam from the loco as it moves around the station.

• Monday 25th August – *Guided Tour with the Butler of the House – Kilkenny Castle, The Parade – 2pm to 3pm, free – Let the Butler of Kilkenny Castle guide you through this beautiful Victorian Home and experience castle life in the Victorian age.

• Monday 25th August – Victorian Photography & The Butler Family – Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle – 3pm to 4pm, free – Lori Comerford-Moriarty will examine the development of photography over the Victorian period and the Butler families relationship with this new medium of representation.

Tuesday 26th August

• Tuesday 26th August – Research Your Family Tree – City Library, Johns Quay – 10am to 12.40pm, free – Research your family tree using RootsIreland website.This extensive database holds church records,census,land and ship passenger lists. 20 minute one on one sessions available but must be prebooked

• Tuesday 26th August – Leaded Glass Workshop – Ferrybank Library, Ferrybank – 10am to 1pm, free – Leaded glass workshop provides participants with a background knowledge of lead profiles and colour film. All materials are provided including a plain piece that each person will decorate & take home.

• Tuesday 26th August – Sow & Grow – Jerpoint Abbey, Thomastown – 10am to 4pm, free – Hands on gardening for children. Get your hands dirty and bring home the fruits of your labour!

• Tuesday 26th August – *Field Names for The Townland of Smithstown – Castlecomer Library, Kilkenny St – 10am to 5pm, free – Display of Map showing field names as recorded for the townland of Smithstown, Castlecomer.

• Tuesday 26th August – Deerpark Colliery Tour with Seamus Walsh (Local Historian/Ex-Miner) – Visitor Centre, Castlecomer Discovery Park, Castlecomer – 10.15am to 11.30am, free – Follow Seamus back in time as he leads you to the mouth of the tunnel, and hear about Castlecomer Colliers and the 600 miners who worked there. Meet at the Visitor Centre in Discovery Park.

• Tuesday 26th August – Medieval Kilkenny: Sand Pit Excavation – Rothe House & Garden, Parliment St – 11am to 1pm, 2pm to 4pm, free – The theme this year is exploring the medieval history of Kilkenny through archaeological excavation in a fun and friendly manner. There are two workshops lasting 2 hours each. Booking is essential as these workshops are very popular. Suitable clothing may be required as participants may get a little wet and muddy.

• Tuesday 26th August – Guided Tour of Rothe House and Garden by Colm Murray – Rothe House & Garden, Parliment St – 2pm to 3.30pm & 4pm to 5.30pm, €3.50 – Colm Murray of the Heritage Council will guide visitors through the rich and varied history of Rothe House and Garden.

• Tuesday 26th August – “A Fight with Fate” with Lori Comerford-Moriarty – Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle – 3pm to 4pm, free – Lori Comerford-Moriarty will examine a little known case of Victorian fraud perpetrated against the Marquis of Ormonde in 1863 which inspired the drama ‘A fight with Fate’.

• Tuesday 26th August – Woodland Bat Walk with Lorcan Scott – Visitor Centre, Estate Yard, Castlecomer – 8.45pm, free – Join Lorcan Scott, from the National Park & Wild Life Service for an exciting family friendly event as we take off through the woodlands on a Bat Walk, searching for bats.

Wednesday 27th August

• Wednesday 27th August – Introduction to Kilkenny County Library’s Local History and Genealogical Sources – Ferrybank Library – 10.30am to 12.30pm, free – http://www.heritageweek.ie/whats-on/event-details?EventID=217

• Wednesday 27th August – “A Short Introduction to Early Christian Ireland” by Katriona Burke – Chapter House, Jerpoint Abbey, Thomastown – 11am to 11.20am & 3.30pm to 3.50pm, free – Katriona Burke will give a brief introduction to early Christian Ireland. This 20 minute talk will occur twice during the day, both followed by question time.

• Wednesday 27th August – *Guided Tour with the Butler of the House – Kilkenny Castle, The Parade – 2pm to 3pm, free – Let the Butler of Kilkenny Castle guide you through this beautiful Victorian Home and experience castle life in the Victorian age.

• Wednesday 27th August – “From Strongbow to the I.R.A” by Patrick Mannix – Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle – 3pm to 4pm, free – Patrick Mannix, historian and author, will give a talk on the siege of Kilkenny Castle in May 1922 by the anti-treaty forces.

• Wednesday 27th August – *Demonstration of Traditional Lime Kiln in Production – Near Swifts Heath, Ballyragget Road – 3pm to 8pm, free – A unique demonstraion of a lime kiln in operation. Kiln is situated on the lands of Mr Michael Bergin (Sr. and Jr.) which is near Swifts Heath on the Ballyragget Road. Suitable footwear and/or clothing may be required depending on the weather.

• Wednesday 27th August – Lime Kiln Demonstration – Ballyragget Road, Conahy – 5pm to 8.30pm, free – A restored lime kiln is used to display the process of turning stones into lime as was once common in the Irish countryside.

• Wednesday 27th August – Famine Walk from Callan Workhouse to Pauper Burial Ground at Cherryfield (2km) – Callan, Co.Kilkenny – 6pm to 8pm, free – Guided walk from Callan Workhouse to Pauper burial ground at Cherryfield. Approx 2 kilometres.

• Wednesday 27th August – Project Wild Thing – Heritage Council Office, Church Lane – 7pm to 9pm, free – Project Wild Thing is a film led movement to get more children and their families outside and reconnecting with nature. The film is an ambitious, feature length documentary that takes a funny and revealing look at a complex issue, the increasing disparate connection between children and nature. Project Wild Thing is more than a film, this is a growing movement of organisations and individuals who care deeply about the need for nature connected, free range, roaming and outdoor playing children in the 21st Century

Thursday 28th August

• Thursday 28th August – Kilkenny Pop-Up Museum – The Parade – 10am to 5pm, free – Chat to archaeologists, handle artefacts, enjoy the 10 minute medieval plays, see local animators have a Draw Off interpreting our archaeological stories…all as you munch on a medieval pie! Join us!

• Thursday 28th August – “Medieval Revival or Artistic Rebellion” with Bettina Norton – Picture Gallery, Kilkenny Castle – 3pm to 4pm, free – A new look at the history of, and influences on, the great painted ceiling at Kilkenny castle with Bettina Norton.

• Thursday 28th August – Kilkenny and the Great War – St Canice’s Cathedral, Coach Road – 6pm to 7.15pm, free – A walking tour of Kilkenny City telling the story of Kilkenny peoples’ participation in ‘the war to end all wars’. We will visit the streets which help us understand the effects the war had from 1914.

• Thursday 28th August – An Evening of Military Heritage – James Stephen Barracks, Ballybought Street – 7.30pm to 8.45pm, free – There will be two talks given this year. The topics are WW1: The Kilkenny Missing & Civil War Executions in Kilkenny.

• Thursday 28th August – Killeen Cemetary at Mount Juliet – Mount Juliet, Thomastown, Co.Kilkenny – 8pm to 9pm, free – A guided tour of Killeen Cemetery at Mount Juliet, led by Dessie McGrath. Burials in Killeen Cemetery include 5 Earls of Carrick.

Friday 29th August

• Friday 29th August – *Kilkenny on the Eve of the Great War – John’s Green House – 9am to 5pm, free – Launch and distribution of a commemorative brochure detailing Kilkenny City in the early years of the 20th Century up to the outbreak of the Great War

• Friday 29th August – *Field Names for The Townland of Smithstown – Castlecomer Library, Kilkenny St – 10am to 5pm, free – Display of Map showing field names as recorded for the townland of Smithstown, Castlecomer.

• Friday 29th August – Children’s Workshop – Rothe House and Garden, Parliment St – 10.30am to 12.30pm, €8 – A creative workshop with a nature theme for children involving arts and crafts, fun and games.

• Friday 29th August – Public access to The Abbots Tower, Kells Priory – Kells Priory, Kells – 10.30am to 1pm & 2pm to 4pm, free – Public access to the beautifully restored Abbot’s Tower, within the 12th Century Kells Priory. Numbers will be strickly limited to 10 at one time. OPW staff will be on hand to answer questions.

• Friday 29th August – Guided Tours of Kells Priory – Mullins Mill, Kells – 11.30am to 12.45pm & 2pm to 3.15pm, free – A guided tour of the extensive 12th Century Kells Priory. Led by Albert Smith, this tour will include access to the recently refurbished Abbots Tower, with OPW staff on site to answer questions.

• Friday 29th August – The Early Theobalds – Medieval Room, Kilkenny Castle – 3pm to 4pm, free – Peter Kenny will discuss the origin of the Butler Family and the early Earls of Ormond.

• Friday 29th August – Official Opening of Tullahought Heritage Week – Tullahought Community Center, Tullahought – 8pm to 11.45pm, free – Official opening with lecture by Richard Hyland. The lecture will be ‘Slatequarries, 1820 to 1827 – Hyland Family connection’. Followed by a night of music and storytelling from Cois Siure and friends

Saturday 30th August

• Saturday 30th August – Art Detective Workshop – Kilkenny Castle – 10am to 11am, free – Become an Art Detective in Kilkenny Castle. Discover clues hidden in paintings to learn more about some of the portraits of the Ormonde Picture Collection. Booking is essential as numbers are limited. Workshop is tailored for children aged between 8 and 12. Parking available near site.

• Saturday 30th August – Mini Beast Hunt – Woodstock Gardens, Inistioge, Co.Kilkenny – 11am to 12.30pm, free – Be a nature detective for a day and join our wildlife experts in a hunt for insects amongst the trees and gardens in Woodstock. Learn also about foraging for wild food and identifying edible plants.

• Saturday 30th August – Unearthing Freshford’s Forgotten History – St Lachtains Church of Ireland, Freshford – 2pm to 6pm, free – Unearthing Freshford’s forgotten history by taking a look at the lives of those laid to rest in St Lachtains old graveyard.

• Saturday 30th August – Walking Tour of Kells village – Kells Village Hall, Kells – 2pm to 3pm, free – A guided walk through Kells village led by Susan Smith & Siobhan Tulloch, outlining the history of the buildings and the families who lived there.

• Saturday 30th August – Lime Kiln Demonstration – Ballyragget Road, Conahy – 2pm to 7.30pm, free – A restored lime kiln is used to display the process of turning stones into lime as was once common in the Irish countryside.

• Saturday 30th August – *Demonstration of Traditional Lime Kiln in Production – Near Swifts Heath, Ballyragget Road – 3pm to 8pm, free – A unique demonstraion of a lime kiln in operation. Kiln is situated on the lands of Mr Michael Bergin (Sr. and Jr.) which is near Swifts Heath on the Ballyragget Road. Suitable footwear and/or clothing may be required depending on the weather.

• Saturday 30th August – Tullahought Photography Exhibition – Tullahought Community Center, Tullahought – 3pm to 10pm, free – Exhibition of old photos of local events and Tullahought in general with particular reference to 2013’s Gathering and school reunion.

• Saturday 30th August – Opening of Quern Stone Sculptures – Tullahought Community Centre, Tullahought, Co.Kilkenny – 8pm to 9.30pm, free – The opening of the Quern Stone Sculptures is followed by a lecture from Dr. Barry O’Reilly. The lecture will be on Domestic Milling in Ireland.

• Saturday 30th Augustt – *Night of Traditional Music and Song – Powers Pub & Delaney’s Pub, Tullahought – 10pm to 11.45pm, free – Traditional music and song in traditional pubs. Saturday and Sunday will be held in Powers Pub, Tulllahought and Sunday will also be held in Delaney’s, Bawnreigh. Come join in the fun.

Sunday 31st August

• Sunday 31st August – Free admission to this outstanding 12th century Cistercian monastery, Jerpoint Abbey – Jerpoint Abbey, Thomastown – 9.30am to 4.30pm, free

• Sunday 31st August – Hill Walk – Brandon Hill Archaeological Field Monuments Tour – Omniplex Cinema, Brandon Hill – 10.30am to 4.30pm, free – Hill walk to visit some of the Brandon Hill suite of archaeological field monuments.

• Sunday 31st August – Hurling and Camogie under age blitz for Mike Williams Shield Tournament – Tullahought Sportsfield, Tullahought – 11am to 1pm, free

• Sunday 31st August – High Nelly Cycle History Tour – Egans Bar, John St – 1pm to 5.30pm, €5 – High Nelly cycle through Kilkenny City to vintage show, James park, with reenactments about local history on the way and later High Nelly tea, music and song in Egans Bar. Cyclists are askd to cycle High Nelly vintage bicycles and dress in vintage period or traditional costumes. There will be a prize for best costume and bike. All style bikes are welcome if you don’t have a vintage one, we just ask you don’t dress in Lycra.

• Sunday 31st August – Kilmacoliver Loop Walk – Tullahought Community Center, Tullahought – 2pm to 4pm, free – Starting at Tullahought Community Center. The walk is 5km through country roadss, grassland and woodland with views adjoining counties. Part of Failte Ireland and Trails Kilkenny walks.

• Sunday 31st August – Traditional Skills With Vintage Car Show – Tullahought Community Center, Tullahought – 2pm to 4pm, free – Demonstration of traditional skills and games. There will also be a vintage car display.

• Sunday 31st August – Goldilocks and the Three Bears – The Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle – 2pm to 2.45pm, free – Kilkenny Castle is delighted to host puppeteer Miriam Lambert and her production of the classic fairy tale ‘Goldilocks and The Three Bears’.

• Sunday 31st August – Open Day at KAS Library in Rothe House & Garden – Rothe House & Garden, Parliment St – 2pm to 6pm, free – Come and see the large and impressive selection of books, records and papers relating to Kilkenny’s past in the beautiful setting of Rothe House.

• Sunday 31st August – Guided Walking Tour of Inistioge – The Square, Inistioge – 3pm to 4.15pm, free – Local historian, Michael Tennyson will lead a walk around this beautiful village on the banks of the River Nore. He will explain its historic development and its significance as a National Monument.

• Sunday 31st August – *Night of Traditional Music and Song – Powers Pub & Delaney’s Pub, Tullahought – 10pm to 11.45pm, free – Traditional music and song in traditional pubs. Saturday and Sunday will be held in Powers Pub, Tulllahought and Sunday will also be held in Delaney’s, Bawnreigh. Come join in the fun