The Ros Tapestry exhibition has drawn in thread the story of the Normans and their arrival in the Southeast of Ireland and the consequent development of the dynamic port of Ros is depicted in a series of fifteen large striking embroidered panels. From the initiation of a Celtic King to Hiberno-Norman commerce, the cultural legacy of Leinster is immortalised in stitches. The Ros Tapestry project is the brainchild of Rev. Paul Mooney, St Mary’s Church, New Ross, inspired by the famous Bayeux Tapestry in France, who conceived the idea of creating a series of tapestries to commemorate the Norman history of New Ross and South East Ireland. The first tapestry was completed in 2002 and to date 14 of the 15 tapestries are finished. The final one is being stitched in Kilkenny and is nearing completion. Volunteers throughout the country have done all the stitching, with well over 150 stitchers contributing, working both at home and in local venues. Each tapestry is embroidered on to Jacobean linen twill fabric with woollen thread using a multitude of different stitches, such as ‘Long and Short’, ‘French knots’ and ‘Bullion knots’. It takes approximately 1 hour to stitch 1 square inch and can take anything from 3 to 7 years to complete a panel.
The exhibition is part of the self-guided visit of Kilkenny Castle. Admission is free but tickets must be booked in advance on https://kilkenny.admit-one.eu/?p=calendar&ev=SELFGUIDED
Pour célébrer le Festival de la Francophonie, le Château de Kilkenny-OPW propose des visites guidées gratuites en français pour les classes de Collèges et Lycées ( Niveau Brevet & Bac)
Les visites sont gratuites mais la réservation est essentielle.
Contactez kilkennycastleinfo@opw.ie pour réserver
To celebrate Francophonie Festival OPW-Kilkenny Castle is offering free guided tours in French to secondary schools classes (TY level and up). Contact kilkennycastleinfo@opw.ie to book your class!
This March join one of our guides for a Free Child Friendly Guided Tour of Kilkenny Castle and view our beautiful Period rooms in a more relax environment.
These Guided tours are aimed at school going aged children and their families
2 adults maximum per child
Parts of the Castle may not be suitable for people with limited mobility but ground floor rooms fully accessible.
Booking required, limited availability. To reserve your place contact: kilkennycastleinfo@opw.ie
This March we are offering free Sensory Friendly Tours. This will be a unique opportunity for people with sensory needs and their family to view our Victorian period rooms in a quiet environment.
This event is free of charge but advance booking is required.
Parts of the Castle may not be suitable for people with limited mobility but ground floor rooms fully accessible.
Booking required, limited availability.
OPW Kilkenny Castle is delighted to present our Garden Talks once again as part of our Spring Programme 2023. As usual, there will be a wide range of speakers, covering a variety of topics.
All talks are free and entry is on a first come first served basis. Doors open at 7:30pm.
Speaker : Roger Goodwillie
Wildlife Lessons From the Garden
Ecologist and author Roger Goodwillie, is known as one of the most knowledgeble wildlife experts in Ireland. From his renowned mushroom foraging walks, tours of the Burren and advisory scientific reports on the natural world, Roger is one of our best informed speakers on ecology and biodiversity. We are fortunate to have secured him for what will be an important talk.
OPW Kilkenny Castle is delighted to present our Garden Talks once again as part of our Spring Programme 2023. As usual, there will be a wide range of speakers, covering a variety of topics.
All talks are free and entry is on a first come first served basis. Doors open at 7:30pm.
Speaker : Colm O Driscoll.
Grow Soil- Harvest Food
Colm O’Driscoll first came to public notice working the restored historic gardens at Airfield in South Dublin. He has recently taken over as head gardener in the even older and unique Lismore Castle Garden. Colm can also be found presenting the new RTE programme on horticulture ‘Homegrown’ and writing on gardening in ‘The Irish Garden Magazine.’ He is a keen and expert organic gardener.
OPW Kilkenny Castle is delighted to present our Garden Talks once again as part of our Spring Programme 2023. As usual, there will be a wide range of speakers, covering a variety of topics.
All talks are free and entry is on a first come first served basis. Doors open at 7:30pm.
Speaker : Alex Lavarde
No-Dig, Bio-Dynamic, Organic Growing
Alex is a talented and innovative organic grower. He has recently taken over the gardens at Ashford Castle in Mayo. As one of the great new go-ahead gardeners, we are delighted to have him share some of his knowledge with us. This will be a talk that anyone who wants to grow vegetables should not miss.
OPW Kilkenny Castle is delighted to present our Garden Talks once again as part of our Spring Programme 2023. As usual, there will be a wide range of speakers, covering a variety of topics.
All talks are free and entry is on a first come first served basis. Doors open at 7:30pm.
Speaker : Dr Mary Forrest
Trees in Ireland – Distinguished natives and honoured guests
Mary is an acclaimed UCD lecturer of long standing, in landscape architecture, horticulture and garden history. She will share insights with us from her extensive knowledge of trees in Ireland. This will be invaluable information gleaned from decades of learning and experience. This promises to be a wonderful talk.
OPW Kilkenny Castle is delighted to present our Garden Talks once again as part of our Spring Programme 2023. As usual, there will be a wide range of speakers, covering a variety of topics.
All talks are free and entry is on a first come first served basis. Please note the earlier start time of 7:15pm for this talk.
Speaker : Colm Mangan
Castle Park Walk and Talk
Colm, horticultural foreman with the OPW at Kilkenny Castle, has been providing us with his hugely popular Walk-And-Talk sessions for several years. These are wonderfully enjoyable, educational sessions, where Colm shares from his great store of knowledge about the Castle Park and its trees and plants, the wildlife and different eco systems. These talks are full of information and fun. Not to be missed.