Rothe House & Garden

Kilkenny Archaeological Society 1854 Early Conservation Works on Rothe House ‘unfit for human habitation’ 1884 O’Hanrahan’s Conservation Work Houses 1 and 2 ‘One of the finest of the Elizabethan buildings remaining in Kilkenny, as two of the old houses in High Street have been recently taken down’. James Graves, Kilkenny Archaeological Society 1854.

Kilkenny Archaeological Society Conservation & Restoration works House 1, 1962

Kilkenny Archaeological Society Re-construction of House 3, Officially opened by Mrs Mary Robinson, then President of Ireland

Conservations Policies adopted by the KAS in Conservation Philosophy 2.General Conservation Policies 3.To protect the Urban Setting – policies Architectural Significance – Structural Conservation & Maintenance – policies 5 – 8 5.Archaeology – the Buildings and the Garden – policies Museum and Archive Collections – policies Tourism, Education and Presentation – policies Management and Finance – policies 29-34

Garden Re-construction Project Before Re-constructionFollowing Re-construction Winner of Regional & National Landscape Award 2008, Tidy Towns Competition

Rothe House Trust Limited Structural Conservation and Maintenance – October/November 2008 Garde-Robe uncovered

2002: Heritage Conservation Plan Four main recommendations 1.Formation of Management Company – Complete 2.Reconstruction of Garden – Complete 3.Structural Conservation and Maintenance - Complete 4.Re-presentation of the House

The building Extraordinary example of early 17th century Irish merchant’s house The only complete burgage plot complex of its type in Ireland Structural evolution revealed Represents how people lived and interacted in Kilkenny The Rothe family People come to visit a house to meet the people who live there People bring a house to life People respond to people, discovering what they have in common Complex stories and far away periods become real when personalised 16th-17th century Kilkenny Provides a context for relating themes A watershed in Irish history The House Project

Activity Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter 4 Appointment of RHT project team Outline design/concept agreed. Consultations DOE/NMI/HCI/KBC. Planning submission and approval. DOE 2008 Conservation Grant Windows works House No.1 Roof works House No.2 Ceiling works House No.2 Courtyard works No.1 and 2. HCI Conservation Grant Parapets capping on House No.1 Cobblestone repairs House Project Design Approval Civil and Building Design Mech. and Elec. Design Tenders and contracts Evaluation of tenders Appointment of main contractor House No.3 Works Civil works, stairs, wall opes. Mech.and Elec Services install Install Passenger lift 3rd courtyard Relocate Boiler Heating system Outscale and kitchen in 3rd courtyard Fit-out KAS Library/Archives Fit-out FAS and Genealogy rooms Fit-out Coffee and visitor shop Opening of House No.3 x Activity Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter 4 Houses Nos 1 and 2 Works Transfer admin staff to 3rd House. x Relocate shop and reception area x Civil works, stairs, wall opes. Mech.and Elec Services install Install Passenger and wheelchair lifts. Fit out Shop and Visitor reception area. Fit-out House No.1 Fit-out House No.2 Fit-out Visitor Toilet/Restrooms. Install Link Building in 1st Courtyard Opening of Houses No's 1 and 2 x Exhibition programme. Detail Design Appoint specialist consultants Research/Scripting Lighting Design Sound Design Projection Design A/V and Power systems Setwork Design Showcase design Graphic Design Detailed Design Approval Package Contractor Procurement Production Off Site Exhibition Installation Exhibition Commissioning/Soft opening Staff-maintenance team training Public Opening x Official Opening of House Project xx House Project Programme

Images of Kilkenny and the Rothe Family,