Afternoon Tea at Butler House

Butler House & Garden 16 Patrick Street, Kilkenny, Ireland

Afternoon Tea is quite a tradition at Butler House and there’s perhaps no better place to enjoy it than in this historic Georgian reception room, with its large bow windows, original decorative ceilings and the view of Kilkenny Castle beyond the walled garden. This stunning setting combines with our Chef’s delicious homemade sweet treats and savoury delights to create an altogether special experience.

Upcoming Dates for Afternoon Tea:
Saturday 17th February - ‘Galentines’
Saturday 9th March - Mothers Day
Saturday 23rd March
Saturday 6th April
Saturday 20th April

€39

Artist Talk with Helen Hughes at Butler Gallery

Butler Gallery Evans Home, John's Quay,, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Artist Helen Hughes in conversation with Butler Gallery Director, Anna O’Sullivan, on Wednesday 17th April from 1pm - 2pm at Butler Gallery. The conversation will encompass Hughes' practice and the work on show, in the exhibition 'finding the most forgiving element'.

Learn more about the exhibition on our website.

This is a free, ticketed event with limited places.

Free

Sister Act – Kilkenny College

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

When disco diva, Deloris Van Cartier, witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won't be a found: a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community but, in doing so, blows her cover. Soon, the gang is giving chase, only to find them up against Deloris and the power of her newly found sisterhood.

Filled with powerful gospel music, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story, Sister Act will leave audiences breathless. The cast is chock full of amazing roles for women of all ages, making this a perfect choice for high schools and community theatres. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, Sister Act is reason to REJOICE!

€17.50

The Zone Of Interest – Movie

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

In the grounds of Auschwitz, commandant Rudolf Höss and his family live in luxury. As unspeakable atrocities unfold in the concentration camp, the family members go about their lives - wilfully ignoring the ever-present sounds of terrible things happening just over their garden wall.

The Zone of Interest - director Jonathan Glazer’s first film since 2013’s Under the Skin - is a deeply unsettling, masterfully directed cinematic study of the banality of evil. Loosely based on the novel by Martin Amis, Glazer’s film refuses to show the audience the atrocities of the Holocaust. Instead, we’re kept at a devastating, chilling remove - artfully enhanced by pristine camerawork, extraordinary sound design and an eerie, bone-shaking score from Mica Levi.

€7

Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival 2024

This year's line-up includes names such as Robert Finley, The Zipheads, Jeffrey Martin, John Blek & The Rats, Dan Stuart, White Horse Guitar Club and many more. Audiences wind their way through the medieval streets sampling the huge range of music in the 30 plus venues, hosting over 40 Irish and international acts, with over 90 ticketed and free shows from early afternoon until late into the night.
There’s a mixture of old and new acts on the free pub gig trail and all styles are catered for, from swing to bluegrass, rockabilly to cajun, folk, blues and beyond.

Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny Barrel Yard Sessions

Smithwick's Experience 44 Parliament Street, Kilkenny

Looking for a fun way to spend this bank holiday weekend? Add Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny to your Roots Festival plans! Whether you're up for our immersive tour or prefer relaxing in the Barrel Yard, we have something for everyone. Get 20% off tickets with code SEKRootsFest24 via the link in bio. Enjoy BBQ street food…

Free

Breda Cashe and Pat Moylan present Tuesdays with Morrie

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Tuesdays with Morrie is adapted from the phenomenally popular first novel by Mitch Albom. It is an autobiographical story of Mitch Albom, an accomplished journalist driven solely by his career, and Morrie Schwartz, his former college professor. Sixteen years after graduation, Mitch happens to catch Morrie’s appearance on a television news programme and learns that his old professor is battling Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Mitch is reunited with Morrie, and what starts as a simple visit, turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a last class in the meaning of life. It is a heart-warming exploration of friendship and life. It will make you cry but above all it will make you laugh.

€20 – €25

Music in Kilkenny presents the State Choir Latvia – Mãris Sirmais – director

St. Canice's Cathedral

The State Choir Latvia is one of the world’s most important professional choirs. They have a distinctive sound – the glorious sound of the Latvian choral tradition, characterised by warmth, balance and precision. Along with their Artistic Director and Chief Conductor, Māris Sirmais, they will present a rich programme of Latvian/Baltic music alongside that of Irish composers. This includes Arvo Pärt’s The Deer’s Cry, a setting of the well-known ‘St Patrick’s Breastplate’ commissioned by Louth Contemporary Music Society in 2007.

€15 – €20

Foodie Fest 2024

FoodieFest is a unique new event celebrating food for the mind, body and soul. This event will take place in the spectacular surrounds of Mountain View, Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny, a private venue, which hosts one of the best known and most popular food markets in the country on the May Bank Holiday weekend. Seven contestants from the hit BBC show MasterChef are collaborating with Mountain View and local award-winning nutrition company Elite Living Nutrition for a unique new food festival this summer.

Aside from the culinary masterclasses in everything from Italian-style cooking, family-friendly meals and perfecting the art of the summer BBQ, food lovers will get the opportunity to attend workshops and talks on the Sunday, on how to grow their own produce, as well as specialised classes in pilates, good gut health and healthy nutritional treats for the kids.

€5 – €10

Storytelling Workshop with grand slam storytelling champion Mary Kate o Flanagan

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Grand Slam Champion storyteller Mary Kate O Flanagan comes to the Watergate on 4 May with a storytelling workshop from 10am - 1.30pm.   Mary Kate returns to the Watergate on Friday 10 May with 'Making a Show of Myself'. This show has earned standing ovations and stellar reviews, contains six of her award-winning true-life…

€12 – €20

The White Horse Guitar Club

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

The White Horse Guitar Club, with 11 men, 11 voices, and 11 guitars, masterfully intertwines roots Americana with an Irish soul. After two sold-out Irish tours in 2023, and accumulating over one million views on YouTube, plus an exclusive invitation from President Michael D. Higgins to perform at Áras an Uachtaráin, the band continues to captivate with their live shows.

Filled with stirring and powerful emotions, the band unveils a treasure trove of songs - reimagined and delivered with pristine authenticity - ensuring each performance is a timeless journey through the heart of their musical narrative.

Step into Watergate Theatre, Parliament Street, Kilkenny on Sat 4 May 2024 and join The White Horse Guitar Club who will play fresh tracks from their upcoming album, along with beloved classics that have solidified their ever-growing fanbase at home and around the globe.

€27

Shane Daniel Byrne – But He’s Gay

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

The award winning Shane Daniel Byrne is Irish comedy’s new wonderkid (in his mid 30s). He’s, embarking on his first national Irish tour after sold our runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and the Dublin Fringe. Once considered an exciting talent of contemporary performance art in Dublin he messed that up and now he’s a comedian. Join him for his fierce and fiery début hour about whatever is wrong with him.

€24

Castleinch Vintage Rally

Castleinch Venue R95DW92 Kilkenny, Ireland

€5 per adult, kids under 16 are free.

- Vintage tractors
- Steam rollers
- Stationary engines
- Vintage cars & motorbikes
- On show collectable models

FREE face painting and bouncy castles. Donations will be made to Family Carers Ireland.

€5

The Great Escaper – Movie

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

In the summer of 2014, Bernard Jordan (Michael Caine) made global headlines. He had staged a “great escape” from his care home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy, commemorating their fallen comrades at the D-Day Landings 70th anniversary. It was a story that captured the imagination of the world as Bernie…

Free

Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny Barrel Yard Sessions

Smithwick's Experience 44 Parliament Street, Kilkenny

Ready to kick off your weekend in style? Join us at Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny for our Barrel Yard Sessions!

This Saturday, The Savage Jim Breen will provide the soundtrack from 5-7pm, and on Sunday, Crossroads will be rocking the stage from 2-4pm.

Treat your taste buds to mouthwatering Mexican street food from Chingon Bad Ass Burritos all weekend long. Think tacos, loaded nachos, and yes, we've got vegan options too.

Live music, good food, and perhaps a pint of Smithwick's - what more could you ask for? See you there!

Drinkaware.ie

Free

Making A Show of Myself by Mary Kate O Flanagan

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Grand Slam Champion storyteller Mary Kate O Flanagan comes to the Watergate on 4 May with a storytelling workshop from 10am - 1.30pm.

Mary Kate returns to the Watergate on Friday 10 May with 'Making a Show of Myself'. This show has earned standing ovations and stellar reviews, contains six of her award-winning true-life tales, woven together with insights into why storytelling is an essential part of being human.

€18 – €20

BruceFest

Sullivan's Taproom 15 John Street Lower, KILKENNY, KILKENNY, Ireland

The boss returns to Kilkenny this May and we’re celebrating by hosting a 2 day event here on John Street.

Get into the spirit on Bruce-mas eve with live music from Springsteen tribute band ‘Glory Days’ out in the Beer garden or join us before you head up the hill on Sunday with live music from Resident musician (and big Bruce fan) Big Phil. Inflatable instruments will be on hand. Bandanas Mandatory.

This is a free event & bookings are highly recommended.

Free

The Bridge – Eduardo Martín and Ahmed Dickinson

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

The Bridge is Cuba’s most internationally acclaimed guitar duo. With their musical empathy, Eduardo Martín and Ahmed Dickinson transform their concerts into a vehicle that connects, incorporates and juxtaposes their different generations; and the spiritual journey that drives their thrilling yet soothing performances.

Like many other Cubans or Caribbean, they enjoy a natural sense of rhythm. The guitar is their favoured instrument, which idiomatically conveys all the melodic and rhythmic intricacies of South- America's cultural diversity.The Bridge is a compilation of the most alluring works for two guitars by Grammy nominee composer Eduardo Martín.

Here, classical styles and rock merge with son montunos; old Yoruba chants, feel-good rumbas, funk- boleros, new age tunes and cinematic pieces sit alongside Cuban tumbaos with slap bass.

€20

Music in Kilkenny presents The Geminiani Ensemble – Alison Bury violin, John Dornenburg viola da gamba, Malcolm Proud harpsichord

The Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle, The Parade, Gardens, Kilkenny, Ireland The Parade Tower, Kilkenny

Since meeting in the Netherlands during their student days the three members of the Geminiani Ensemble have each had successful international careers performing with some of the world’s leading Early Music ensembles and in recital.

€15 – €20

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band

UPMC Nowlan Park Kilkenny Pennefatherslot, Kilkenny

The Boss is back! Bruce Springsteen returns to Kilkenny with The E Street Band on Sunday 12th May 2024. UPMC Nowlan Park plays host to The Boss on his 2024 tour of Europe.

The Other Selves

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

A reflection on ageing. The memory and anticipation of ordinary traumas and tragedies. The histories that are embedded in the way you feel your movement. The sufferings of others that have stuck to the skin, the bones the ligaments and which you carry with you. The inevitability of a continuing, perhaps pathetic, conversation with yourself... between yourselves... about who you are, who you have been... who you still might become...

The skeleton of this solo is made out of a series of letters between Anton and Anton, the protagonist of this solo. Letters about different topics related to different fears, ageing and desire. The material of the solo varies from movement scenes, to videos and text. What all materials have in common is a poetic sense to reveal some of the more hidden and deeper layers of the protagonist.

Benno is 65... maybe not such an age these days... but for a dancer? Maybe the intimations of ageing come earlier and more subtly for someone for whom movement is their art; but everyone moves, so maybe the dancers story is just a refined version of everyone’s.

€15