A ‘secret garden’ in the centre of Kilkenny City is just waiting to be visited. The walled garden at Butler House is a peaceful gem in the heart of of Kilkenny. Earlier this year, the walled garden marked a special anniversary, 25 years since the garden was re-imagined by renowned garden designer Arthur Shackelton. Arthur was back in the walled garden for the occasion and was joined by Robert Miller, of Altamont Plants, to lead a walk of the garden. While the thunder showers tried to dampen the event, the many gardeners and heritage enthusiasts who went along were happy to relocated to the Orangerie in the gardens, where the talk, then gardening questions and answers continued. On his first visit to Butler House gardens, 25 years ago, Arthur described what he found as “pleasant but incoherent.” The garden needed a ‘sense of direction’ to make it enjoyable to visitors, he said. From the word go Susan Mosse was extremely involved, he recalled. They planted trees and made the garden terrace bigger. The advice ‘make your patio twice the size you think you need’ applies to everyone, the group was told. During the enjoyable event Arthur and Robert spoke about the evolution of the garden and the plans for its rejuvenation. Dating from the 18th century, the walled garden of Butler House is part of the dower house of Kilkenny Castle. Butler House is managed by the Kilkenny Civic Trust and is located on Patrick Street. The gardens can also be accessed through the Castle Yard, where the DCCI Gallery is located, if coming from Kilkenny Castle.
Discover the walled garden at the heart of Kilkenny City
Tommy Falsely, Garden Maintenance, Anthony Drohan, Facilities Manager, at Butler House and Gardens
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Members of Kilkenny Horticultural Society - David O’Sullivan, Martina Lynch, Ann O’Reilly, Patricia Burns, Mary Farrell, Catherine Tobin and Mary Hally
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Arthur Shackleton, Ann Phelan, Robert Miller and Ciaran Conroy
