Rothe House & Garden

Kilkenny Archaeological Society 1854

Early Conservation Works on Rothe House

‘unfit for human habitation’ 1884

O’Hanrahan’s Conservation Work 1897-1899 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 SocietyConservation & Restoration works House 1, 1962

Kilkenny Archaeological SocietyRe-construction of House 3, 1988-1996

Officially opened by Mrs Mary Robinson, then President of Ireland

Conservations Policies adopted by the KAS in 2002

1.Conservation Philosophy2.General Conservation Policies3.To protect the Urban Setting – policies 1-44.Architectural Significance – Structural Conservation & Maintenance – policies 5 – 85.Archaeology – the Buildings and the Garden – policies 9-126.Museum and Archive Collections – policies 13-207.Tourism, Education and Presentation – policies 21-288.Management and Finance – policies 29-34

Garden Re-construction Project 2006-2008

Before Re-construction Following Re-construction

Winner of Regional & National Landscape Award 2008, Tidy Towns Competition

Rothe House Trust LimitedStructural 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 House2009-2011

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 2009-2011

Activity

2008. Quarter 1 2008. Quarter 2 2008. Quarter 3 2008. Quarter 4 2009. Quarter 1 2009. Quarter 2 2009. Quarter 3 2009. Quarter 4 2010. Quarter 1 2010. Quarter 2 2010. Quarter 3 2010. Quarter 4 2011. Quarter 1 2011. Quarter 2 2011. Quarter 3 2011. 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 . 2008 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

2008. Quarter 1 2008. Quarter 2 2008. Quarter 3 2008. Quarter 4 2009. Quarter 1 2009. Quarter 2 2009. Quarter 3 2009. Quarter 4 2010. Quarter 1 2010. Quarter 2 2010. Quarter 3 2010. Quarter 4 2011. Quarter 1 2011. Quarter 2 2011. Quarter 3 2011. 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, 1594-1610