New licensing agreement between Rothe House Trust and Kilkenny Archaeological Society

A new licensing agreement has been officially signed between Rothe House Trust and Kilkenny Archaeological Society.

Established in 2004, Rothe House Trust operates Rothe House and Garden on Parliament Street, Kilkenny and is responsible for overseeing the continued preservation and promotion of the late 16th-Century merchant townhouse.

Rothe House is Ireland’s best-preserved merchant townhouse of this period and the only one to survive as a fully intact burgage plot, running from the street back to the original city wall. The house was purchased in the 1960s by the Kilkenny Archaeological Society (KAS) and gradually restored to its original splendour through the work and commitment of KAS members.

The terms of the updated 10-year agreement will strengthen the relationship between the two organisations and ensure the continued conservation, protection and promotion of Rothe House and Garden as a monument of local and national significance.

The care of the Society’s extensive collection of art, artefacts, costumes, furniture and memorabilia will come under the remit of Rothe House Trust.

Key stakeholders from Kilkenny County Council, Failte Ireland, the Heritage Council, Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce, KCLP and others were in attendance on the day to show their support for the new agreement.

Ian Coulter, Fonsie Mealy, President of Kilkenny Archaeological Society, Mayor Joe Malone, Peter McQuillan, former President of KAS, Valerie O' Sullivan, General Manager, Rothe House, Cathaoirleach Michael Doyle, David Fitzgerald, Chairperson Rotrhe House Trust and Ann Tierney, Secretary Rothe House Trust. PICTURE: Vicky Comerford