Author: sgoss@kilkennycivictrust.ie

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Illuminated Manuscripts Workshop at the Museum

illumination
Discover the Art of Illuminated Manuscripts in Kilkenny

Looking for creative workshops in Kilkenny or a cultural evening experience with a difference?

Experience the vibrant and captivating world of medieval art at the Medieval Mile Museum through our Illuminated Manuscripts Workshop, which is part of the Six After 6 Summer Cultural Series.

Led by artist Jade Butler, this inspiring evening invites participants to explore the artistry and symbolism behind some of Ireland’s most celebrated medieval treasures while creating their own illuminated-style artwork in the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church.

illumination

The Beauty of Medieval Illumination

The illuminated manuscripts of the medieval world remain among the most admired and recognisable artworks in history.

Created by skilled scribes and artists, these beautifully decorated pages combined storytelling, symbolism and extraordinary craftsmanship. Ireland became internationally known for its distinctive Insular artistic style, most famously represented by the Book of Kells and other richly decorated manuscripts produced by medieval monks.

Through intricate lettering, decorative borders and vibrant colours, illuminated manuscripts transformed written words into works of art. This workshop offers participants the opportunity to learn about these remarkable traditions and experience the creative techniques behind them.

 

Learn with Artist Jade Butler

Artist Jade Butler will guide participants through the history and methods of medieval illumination while helping them create their own illuminated-style canvas inspired by Ireland’s artistic heritage. Whether you are interested in medieval history, enjoy drawing and painting or simply want to try something creative, this workshop welcomes all skill levels and provides a relaxed and engaging evening of learning and making.

Participants will leave with:

  • Their own illuminated-style artwork
  • New artistic skills and inspiration
  • A deeper appreciation of medieval Irish creativity

Event Details

Date: Friday, 26 June
Time: 6 pm
Location: Medieval Mile Museum, Kilkenny
Tickets: €15 per person | 15 places available | 18+

Click Here to Book Your Place

All materials included. Places are limited and advance booking is recommended.

Book now and create your own medieval-inspired artwork in the heart of Medieval Kilkenny.

Six After 6 Summer Cultural Series

The 6 After 6 Summer Cultural Series offers a unique opportunity to enjoy creative workshops and evening cultural experiences in Kilkenny within some of the city’s most historic and inspiring settings.

Featuring 36 free and ticketed events from June to early September, the Six After 6 – Summer Cultural Series brings many of Kilkenny’s leading visitor attractions to life after hours, creating memorable evenings for both locals and visitors throughout the summer.

The six attractions taking part in the series are:

◆ Medieval Mile Museum
◆ Butler House & Garden
◆ Smithwick’s Experience
◆ Rothe House
◆ St Canice’s Cathedral
◆ Butler Gallery

Whether you are seeking a new hobby, a cultural evening out or simply looking for something different to do in Kilkenny, the Six After 6 programme offers a rich mix of creativity, heritage and discovery across the city.

At the Medieval Mile Museum, our workshops provide an inspiring opportunity to connect with medieval history through making, learning and creativity in the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church.

The Six after 6 – Summer Cultural Series is supported by Kilkenny County Council, Fáilte Ireland – Ireland’s Ancient East and the Kilkenny Night Time Economy Pilot.

6 after 6 cultural series

 

Discover more about Medieval Kilkenny through our
guided tours, immersive exhibits, and special events.

Click here to book your visit today.

For more info
Visit: www.medievalmilemuseum.ie
Call: 056 781 7022 | Email: info@medievalmilemuseum.ie

 

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Nålbinding & Cordage Workshop at the Museum

nailbinding
Looking for creative workshops in Kilkenny or something different to do this summer?

Join us at the Medieval Mile Museum for a fascinating evening exploring one of the oldest textile traditions in human history as part of the Six After 6 Summer Cultural Series.

Led by experimental archaeologist Madison Blankenship, this hands-on Nålbinding & Cordage Workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn historic craft skills within the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church, right in the heart of Ireland’s Medieval Mile.

What is Nålbinding?

Dating back to approximately 6500 BCE, nålbinding is an ancient yarn-working technique that predates both knitting and crochet. Found across many cultures throughout the ancient world and often associated with Viking Age Nordic clothing, nålbinding was used to create warm, durable textiles long before modern knitting needles existed.

During this workshop, participants will also learn the traditional craft of cordage making, using a mixture of nettle and alpaca fibres to understand how strong ropes, ties and lacing were created by cultures across the world. This engaging workshop offers more than a craft lesson. It provides an opportunity to slow down, learn historic skills and experience how creativity and practical knowledge shaped everyday life centuries ago.

nailbinding

Learn with Madison Blankenship

Experimental archaeologist Madison Blankenship will guide participants through both techniques, sharing the history, practical uses, and cultural importance of these ancient skills. Whether you are completely new to historic crafts or already enjoy textiles and heritage making, this welcoming workshop is suitable for all skill levels.

Participants will leave with:

  • Their own starter project
  • A traditional nålbinding needle
  • New practical skills to continue at home

 

Event Details

Date: Friday 12 June
Time: 6 pm
Location: Medieval Mile Museum, Kilkenny
Tickets: €15 per person |15 places available | 18+

All materials included. Places are limited and advance booking is strongly recommended.

Click Here to Book Your Place

 

Places are limited and advance booking is strongly recommended.

Book now and discover one of the world’s oldest textile traditions in the heart of Medieval Kilkenny.

 

Six After 6 Summer Cultural Series

The 6 After 6 Summer Cultural Series offers a unique opportunity to enjoy creative workshops and evening cultural experiences in Kilkenny within some of the city’s most historic and inspiring settings.

Featuring 36 free and ticketed events from June to early September, the Six After 6 – Summer Cultural Series brings many of Kilkenny’s leading visitor attractions to life after hours, creating memorable evenings for both locals and visitors throughout the summer.

The six attractions taking part in the series are:

◆ Medieval Mile Museum
◆ Butler House & Garden
◆ Smithwick’s Experience
◆ Rothe House
◆ St Canice’s Cathedral
◆ Butler Gallery

Whether you are seeking a new hobby, a cultural evening out or simply looking for something different to do in Kilkenny, the Six After 6 programme offers a rich mix of creativity, heritage and discovery across the city.

At the Medieval Mile Museum, our workshops provide an inspiring opportunity to connect with medieval history through making, learning and creativity in the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church.

The Six after 6 – Summer Cultural Series is supported by Kilkenny County Council, Fáilte Ireland – Ireland’s Ancient East and the Kilkenny Night Time Economy Pilot.

6 after 6 cultural series

Discover more about Medieval Kilkenny through our
guided tours, immersive exhibits, and special events.

Click here to book your visit today.

For more info
Visit: www.medievalmilemuseum.ie
Call: 056 781 7022 | Email: info@medievalmilemuseum.ie

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6 After 6 Summer Cultural Series at the Museum

6 after 6 launch kk
PHOTO Vicky Comerford

Looking for things to do in Kilkenny this summer or a creative evening experience with a difference? The 6 After 6 Summer Cultural Series returns to the Medieval Mile Museum with a unique programme of hands-on workshops inspired by medieval skills, traditional crafts and historic creativity.

6 after 6 launch kk
In the photo, Martina Comerford (Tourism Officer, Kilkenny County Council), Cllr John Coonan (Kilkenny City Mayor), Grace Rinehart Macrae and Debbie Mangan (Medieval Mile Museum), and Feargus Dunne (Night Time Advisor, Kilkenny City)

 

Taking place on selected Friday evenings from June to September, this much-loved series invites adults to slow down, learn something new and explore the remarkable traditions that shaped life centuries ago, all within the atmospheric surroundings of St Mary’s Church in the heart of Ireland’s Medieval Mile.

From ancient textile techniques and embroidery to illuminated manuscripts, basket weaving and calligraphy, the 6 After 6 Summer Cultural Series offers an engaging and welcoming space for creativity, learning and conversation.

Led by archaeologists, artists, historical costumers and experienced practitioners, each workshop combines history with hands-on making and offers participants the opportunity to leave with both a finished project and a new skill to continue at home. All workshops are suitable for participants 18+, with materials included and no previous experience required.

 

Nålbinding & Cordage Workshop

Friday 12 June | 6 pm | Madison Blankenship

nailbinding

Begin the series with experimental archaeologist Madison Blankenship and discover the ancient craft of nålbinding, a yarn technique dating back to 6500 BCE, older than both knitting and crochet. Participants will also explore cordage making using nettle and alpaca fibres while learning how ropes and lacing were created by cultures around the world.
Participants will take home both their project and their own nålbinding needle to continue the craft beyond the workshop.

15 places available | €15 per person

Click Here to Book Your Place

 

Illuminated Manuscripts Workshop

Friday 26 June | 6 pm | Jade Butler

Explore the realm of medieval art with artist Jade Butler and create your own illuminated page inspired by the Book of Kells and Ireland’s renowned Insular artistic tradition.

This workshop introduces participants to the colours, patterns and decorative techniques used by early Irish scribes and offers the chance to create an illuminated-style canvas to take home.

15 places available | €15 per person

Click Here to Book Your Place

 

Tudor Blackwork Embroidery

Friday 10 July | 6 pm | Grace Rinehart Macrae

Tudor Blackwork Embroidery

Join Grace Rinehart Macrae, Assistant Manager and historical costumer, for an evening exploring Tudor blackwork embroidery, once popular among the Tudor upper classes.
Participants will create their own embroidered sampler while learning about historic clothing, decorative traditions and the beautiful geometric patterns that defined this distinctive craft.

20 places available | €15 per person

Click Here to Book Your Place

 

Bayeux Tapestry Embroidery

Friday 24 July | 6 pm | Grace Rinehart Macrae & Lyn Keane

bayeux tapestryInspired by the upcoming Year of the Norman 2027 and the 1000th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s birth, this workshop explores the famous Bayeux Tapestry and the stories stitched into its remarkable scenes. Grace Rinehart Macrae and Lyn Keane will guide participants through the techniques and storytelling traditions behind the tapestry as they begin creating their own tapestry-inspired scene.

20 places available | €15 per person

Click Here to Book Your Place

 

Basket Weaving Workshop

Friday 7 August | 6 pm | Madison Blankenship

Discover one of the oldest crafts in human history with Madison Blankenship.
Dating back more than 10,000 years, basket weaving combines practicality with creativity and tradition. Participants will learn the history and techniques behind weaving while creating their own medieval-style basket to take home.

15 places available | €15 per person

Click Here to Book Your Place

 

Tablet Weaving Workshop

Friday 21 August | 6 pm | Grace Rinehart Macrae

tapestry

Dating back to at least the 8th century BCE, tablet weaving has been used throughout history to create decorative trims, belts and textiles.
Grace Rinehart Macrae will guide participants through this historic craft and demonstrate how tablet weaving techniques can still be used today, including creating a traditional crios belt.

20 places available | €15 per person

Click Here to Book Your Place

 

Calligraphy Workshop

Friday 4 September | 6 pm | Dr Julia Skinner

calligraphy

The series concludes with Dr Julia Skinner, who will introduce participants to medieval calligraphy and the beautiful uncial script found throughout illuminated manuscripts.
Whether continuing illuminated artwork or learning calligraphy for the first time, participants will leave with practical skills and creative inspiration.

15 places available | €15 per person

Click Here to Book Your Place

 

Event Information

Location: Medieval Mile Museum, Kilkenny
Time: 6 pm
Price: €15 per workshop
Suitable for: 18+
All materials included

Places are limited and early booking is recommended.

A Different Kind of Evening in Kilkenny

The 6 After 6 Summer Cultural Series offers a unique opportunity to enjoy creative workshops and evening cultural experiences in Kilkenny within some of the city’s most historic and inspiring settings.

Featuring 36 free and ticketed events from June to early September, the Six After 6 – Summer Cultural Series brings many of Kilkenny’s leading visitor attractions to life after hours, creating memorable evenings for both locals and visitors throughout the summer.

The six attractions taking part in the series are:

◆ Medieval Mile Museum
◆ Butler House & Garden
◆ Smithwick’s Experience
◆ Rothe House
◆ St Canice’s Cathedral
◆ Butler Gallery

Whether you are seeking a new hobby, a cultural evening out or simply looking for something different to do in Kilkenny, the Six After 6 programme offers a rich mix of creativity, heritage and discovery across the city.

At the Medieval Mile Museum, our workshops provide an inspiring opportunity to connect with medieval history through making, learning and creativity in the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church.

Join us this summer and discover the stories, skills and creativity of the past in the heart of Medieval Kilkenny.

The Six after 6 – Summer Cultural Series is supported by Kilkenny County Council, Fáilte Ireland – Ireland’s Ancient East and the Kilkenny Night Time Economy Pilot.

Discover more about Medieval Kilkenny through our
guided tours, immersive exhibits, and special events.

Click here to book your visit today.

For more info
Visit: www.medievalmilemuseum.ie
Call: 056 781 7022 | Email: info@medievalmilemuseum.ie

 

 

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Discover Unique Gifts and Medieval Treasures at the Museum

organic wax candles

Looking for unique gifts in Kilkenny or a memorable souvenir from your visit to the Medieval Mile Museum? The museum shop is filled with carefully selected items inspired by the rich history, stories and traditions of Medieval Kilkenny, with exciting new arrivals now available for visitors of all ages.

Located in the heart of Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile, the Medieval Mile Museum shop offers a wide range of history-inspired gifts, books and keepsakes, making it a must-visit destination for locals, tourists and families exploring the city.

 

New Arrivals at the Medieval Mile Museum Shop

This season, the shop has welcomed a number of exciting new products inspired by medieval history and Irish heritage.

Exclusive “Labaabaa Norman Sheep” Collection

The newest arrivals to the Medieval Mile Museum shop are causing quite a stir. Meet our LaBaaBaa Sheep collection, handmade in Ireland by Erin Blarney, including the Norman Soldier Sheep exclusive only at the Medieval Mile Museum, Kilkenny.

Inspired by the Norman history, these fun and quirky sheep characters, including our Norman soldier sheep, are unique to the museum and available in medium and large sizes, as well as keyrings and magnets. These quirky characters have quickly become favourites with families and younger visitors.

laabaabaa's

Sheep played a much bigger role in medieval Ireland than many people realise. Wool was one of the most important resources of the medieval world and became one of Ireland’s key exports by the 1500s. People commonly wore long woollen cloaks called mantles or brats, practical garments used for warmth, shelter and protection.

And a fun fact for young visitors: sheep can recognise up to 50 faces, form friendships and even become grumpy when separated from their flock.

 

Drinking Horns Inspired by Medieval Tradition

One of the most striking new arrivals in the museum shop is our collection of medieval drinking horns, inspired by feasting traditions from Ireland and beyond.

In early Ireland, feasting played an important role in daily life. Gatherings in the halls of chieftains were places where stories were shared, friendships strengthened and loyalty celebrated. While drinking horns are often associated with Norse culture, they also became part of Irish life during the Viking Age as traditions and cultures mixed.

Legends of Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna tell stories of great gatherings and celebrations after the hunt, where sharing food and drink formed part of ritual and community life.

Today, these drinking horns offer visitors a small connection to that fascinating world of storytelling and celebration.

horn cups

Handcrafted Organic Beeswax Candles

We are also delighted to introduce a beautiful collection of handcrafted beeswax candles, made using wax sourced from an organic Irish farm.

These natural candles are created using real beeswax and offer a more traditional and sustainable alternative. Their warm colour, subtle scent and handcrafted quality make them a lovely gift or keepsake.

Inspired by traditional craftsmanship and natural materials, they are a perfect addition to our growing range of heritage-inspired products.

organic wax candles

Knight Gear for Young Explorers

Young visitors can now continue their medieval adventures at home with our new range of children’s knight gear. Perfect for imaginative play, the collection helps bring the world of Medieval Kilkenny to life for younger visitors after their museum experience.

knight gear

History Books for Adults and Children

For visitors who want to explore Ireland’s story further, the shop also stocks a growing collection of historic books for both adults and children, covering topics from medieval Ireland and archaeology to local Kilkenny history and folklore.

 

Irish Heritage Gifts and Souvenirs

The shop also features a variety of locally inspired keepsakes and gifts, including:

  • Medieval-themed postcards
  • Historical pins and badges
  • Name coat of arms souvenirs
  • Mirrog T-shirts
A Unique Shopping Experience in the Heart of Medieval Kilkenny

Whether you are searching for family-friendly souvenirs, Irish heritage gifts, medieval-inspired souvenirs or educational books, the Medieval Mile Museum shop offers something unique for every visitor.

 

Next time you visit the museum, take some time to browse the collection and discover a piece of Medieval Kilkenny to bring home with you.

Discover more about Medieval Kilkenny through our
guided tours, immersive exhibits, and special events.

Click here to book your visit today.

For more info
Visit: www.medievalmilemuseum.ie
Call: 056 781 7022 | Email: info@medievalmilemuseum.ie

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What Medieval Kilkenny Was Really Eating?

Richard Shee mural tomb

A Special FoodCult Talk at the Medieval Mile Museum

What did people living in Kilkenny during the 1500s and 1600s really eat? What can centuries-old teeth reveal about daily life, health and the environment of Medieval Kilkenny?

On Thursday, 29 May, the Medieval Mile Museum will host a fascinating public talk with Dr Robert Power of University College Dublin, exploring how scientific analysis of dental calculus, better known as tooth plaque, can unlock remarkable insights into the lives of people who once lived in Kilkenny.

The dental samples discussed during the talk were taken from individuals buried at St Mary’s Church in Kilkenny, home of the Medieval Mile Museum, offering a unique local connection to this groundbreaking research. Through this analysis, researchers can learn about diet, health, living conditions and even environmental changes experienced by people centuries ago.

The event forms part of the wider FoodCult Project, an international research initiative exploring food culture, heritage, archaeology and environmental history across Europe. The project brings together researchers across Europe to better understand how food shaped communities and societies over time.

Set within the atmospheric surroundings of the Medieval Mile Museum, this talk offers visitors a rare opportunity to combine history, archaeology and cutting-edge scientific research in one engaging evening.

Richard Shee mural tomb

Visitors will also have the chance to connect the research directly to the museum’s own medieval tombs and historic spaces, including the Richard Shee tomb, which dates to the same period explored in the talk.

Event Details
Event: FoodCult Talk with Dr Robert Power
Date: Thursday 29 May
Time: 6 pm
Location: Medieval Mile Museum, Kilkenny
Admission: €5 per ticket

Book your ticket here!

Donations are welcome!

This special event is open to anyone with an interest in history, archaeology, science, or Medieval Kilkenny, and offers a fascinating glimpse into the everyday lives of the people who once walked the city’s streets centuries ago.

Join us for a unique evening of history and discovery at the Medieval Mile Museum, Kilkenny and learn what centuries-old evidence can reveal about the lives, diets and health of the people who shaped Medieval Kilkenny.

Discover more about Medieval Kilkenny through our
guided tours, immersive exhibits, and special events.

Click here to book your visit today.

For more info
Visit: www.medievalmilemuseum.ie
Call: 056 781 7022 | Email: info@medievalmilemuseum.ie

 

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Kids Bealtaine Carnival at the Museum

flower crowns

Looking for things to do with kids this May Bank Holiday in Kilkenny? Celebrate the arrival of summer together at the Kids Bealtaine Carnival at the Medieval Mile Museum, a joyful family event specially created for children aged 5 and up. Inspired by ancient seasonal traditions, this lively event brings together storytelling, crafts, music, games and movement in a fun and welcoming setting for young explorers.

Bealtaine marked the beginning of summer in Ireland long ago, a time of gathering, creativity and celebration. At the museum, children can experience a taste of those traditions through hands-on activities designed especially for curious minds and energetic imaginations.

A Morning or Afternoon of Medieval Fun
Young visitors will enjoy a range of activities throughout the carnival, including:

  • Making their own flower crowns or festival masks
  • Listening to stories from our Chief Storyteller
  • Taking part in traditional medieval games
  • Learning a traditional dance
  • Helping decorate the colourful Maypole

It’s a wonderful chance for children to learn through play while connecting with Ireland’s seasonal traditions in the heart of Kilkenny’s historic Medieval Mile.

Event Details
Event: Kids Bealtaine Carnival
Dates: May 2nd & 4th 
Time: 11:30 and 15:30
Tickets: €10 per child
Suitable for: Ages 5+

Click Here to Book Your Tickets!

A Celebration Inspired by the Past
Bealtaine was once one of the most important seasonal festivals in Ireland. Communities gathered to welcome longer days, new growth and brighter weather. The Kids Bealtaine Carnival brings a playful version of that spirit to life inside the unique surroundings of St Mary’s Church, offering families a memorable way to celebrate the season together.

Come along, get creative, enjoy the stories, and help us welcome summer the way it might once have been celebrated in medieval Kilkenny.

Discover more about Medieval Kilkenny through our
guided tours, immersive exhibits, and special events.

Click here to book your visit today.

For more info
Visit: www.medievalmilemuseum.ie
Call: 056 781 7022 | Email: info@medievalmilemuseum.ie

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The Museum of Medieval Kilkenny Arrives in 2027

Attractions

Introducing MOMK

Exciting News for Kilkenny: The Museum of Medieval Kilkenny Arrives in 2027

Kilkenny has long been recognised as Ireland’s medieval capital, a city where centuries of history live in its streets, buildings and stories. Now there is even more to look forward to. In 2027, a remarkable new visitor experience will open its doors in the heart of the city, The Museum of Medieval Kilkenny.

This exciting new attraction will bring together a collection of historic buildings and spaces to tell the story of the people who shaped medieval Kilkenny. Rather than focusing only on dates and architecture, the museum will place real lives at the centre of the experience, revealing the hopes, fears and everyday realities of those who lived here centuries ago.

Click here for more information & news on this project

 

Discover the People Behind the History

The Museum of Medieval Kilkenny will invite visitors to explore the stories of the rich and the poor, the rogues and the righteous. Through engaging storytelling and immersive spaces, visitors will learn what life was really like in one of Ireland’s most important medieval cities.

From powerful merchants and influential mayors to ordinary townspeople, each story offers a glimpse into the lives of those who once walked Kilkenny’s streets.

 

Historic Buildings at the Heart of the Experience

A key part of the experience will be the opportunity to explore remarkable historic spaces, including the magnificent St Mary’s Church, which has stood in Kilkenny for over 800 years. Visitors will also have the chance to climb the original Clock Tower, where sweeping views across the city reveal the medieval layout that still shapes Kilkenny today.

These historic settings provide a powerful connection to the past, allowing visitors to experience the city’s history in the very places where it happened.

Attractions

Hero Attractions at the Museum of Medieval Kilkenny

Visitors will be able to explore a series of fascinating attractions throughout the museum, including:

  • Witch’s Dungeon
  • Medieval Museum
  • Mayor’s Chamber
  • Clock Tower
  • Medieval Tombs
  • Medieval Café

Each area offers a different perspective on medieval life, from dramatic tales of justice and superstition to the everyday lives of Kilkenny’s citizens.

 

Explore the Darker Side of Medieval Life

Not all stories from medieval times are comfortable ones. Beneath the surface, underground spaces reveal the darker side of life in the city. Visitors can discover tales of unusual punishments, superstition and the harsh realities faced by many during this period.

These powerful stories add depth to the experience, offering a fuller picture of life in medieval Kilkenny.

momk

A New Chapter for Kilkenny’s Heritage

The Museum of Medieval Kilkenny is set to become one of the most exciting heritage attractions in Ireland’s Ancient East. By bringing together historic architecture, engaging storytelling and immersive interpretation, the museum will offer a new way to experience the rich medieval heritage that defines Kilkenny.

Opening in 2027, it promises a fascinating journey into the lives of the people who shaped this remarkable city. Whether you are visiting Kilkenny for the first time or rediscovering its history, the Museum of Medieval Kilkenny will offer a memorable and engaging way to explore Ireland’s medieval capital.

More details coming soon!

Discover more about Medieval Kilkenny through our
guided tours, immersive exhibits, and special events.

Click here to book your visit today.

For more info
Visit: www.medievalmilemuseum.ie
Call: 056 781 7022 | Email: info@medievalmilemuseum.ie

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Liber Primus Kilkenniensis Now Online

Liber primus kilkenny

Liber Primus Kilkenniensis – Kilkenny’s Oldest Civic Record

Some objects do more than record facts. They give us a living sense of a place and the people who shaped it. In Kilkenny, few documents achieve this as profoundly as Liber Primus Kilkenniensis, often called the First Book of Kilkenny.

liber primus

At first glance, it is a modest manuscript: a vellum book bound in oak boards, measuring approximately 23.5 by 17.6 centimetres and written in multiple medieval hands. Yet within its 174 pages lies a remarkable journey through more than two centuries of city life, spanning the early 1200s into the 1500s.

This was no book of saints or scripture. It was a town book, meticulously maintained by the Corporation of Kilkenny, documenting how the city governed itself. Here, one can trace early civic ordinances, elections of town officials, appointments of freemen, and even rules governing the price of bread and ale.

One entry, dated 1231, marks a defining moment in Kilkenny’s municipal life: an annual gathering of the community to elect its leaders. This is among the earliest independent records of its kind in Ireland, revealing a community actively shaping its own future.

As the centuries pass, the entries grow richer in detail. They record not only routine civic business, but also disputes, legal agreements, public works, and the rules that determined civic status. Liber Primus Kilkenniensis is more than ink on vellum, it is a testament to the real people, leaders, merchants, tradespeople, and citizens, whose choices shaped the city.

When you looking at the Liber Primus, you are not simply looking at old writing. You are connecting, page by page, with the living heart of Kilkenny’s past.

 

Kilkenny’s Oldest Civic Record Goes Digital

Some books are more than objects, they are voices carried across centuries, holding the memories, decisions, and daily lives of those who built our cities. For Kilkenny, that voice lives in Liber Primus Kilkenniensis, now carefully digitised and made available worldwide through Irish Script on Screen (ISOS).

What was once accessible only to a select group of scholars can now be explored by anyone with curiosity and a love of history.

liber primus

A Book Born with the City

Liber Primus is no ordinary manuscript. This small vellum volume, consisting of 86 folios bound in oak, records civic life in Kilkenny from 1230 to 1538. At nearly 800 years old, it is one of Ireland’s most significant surviving town books.

Its pages preserve:

  • Grants and charters from the 13th century
  • Early civic regulations issued under William Marshal and his son
  • Legal agreements between feudal lords and townspeople
  • Records of governance, authority, and responsibility within the medieval city

 

Through these entries, we see how Kilkenny functioned as a living, breathing community: who held power, how disputes were resolved, and how order was maintained.

Yet what makes Liber Primus so compelling is not only its political significance, but its humanity. Its pages reveal the lives of ordinary people: stubborn, hopeful, ambitious, flawed, the same qualities that shape communities today.

 

The Ordinary Lives Behind the Ink

Between formal records lie glimpses of daily life: penalties for misconduct, notes on behaviour, and rules designed to keep peace in a bustling medieval town. These details animate the manuscript, transforming it from a historical record into a personal connection with Kilkenny’s past.

 

Preserving the Past, Opening Access

Manuscripts are fragile. Vellum ages, ink fades and handling leaves its mark. Digitising Liber Primus ensures its long-term preservation while opening it to the world.

Through the work of ISOS, part of the School of Celtic Studies at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), every page has been captured in exquisite detail. Readers can explore the texture of the vellum, the medieval handwriting, and marginal notes that reveal centuries of civic life. The manuscript is no longer confined to a single archive. It can now be studied in schools, universities, libraries, and homes worldwide. Kilkenny’s story has become part of the world’s story.

 

Collaboration and Expertise

This work has only been possible through dedication and collaboration. Special thanks are due to Dr Anne Marie O’Brien, Professor Pádraig Ó Macháin (University College Cork), and the continued support of Kilkenny County Council. Their scholarship ensures that one of Kilkenny’s greatest cultural treasures is preserved with care, accuracy, and respect.

liber primus digital

Returning to Public Display

Following a period of conservation, Liber Primus Kilkenniensis will return to public display at the Medieval Mile Museum. Visitors will once again encounter the book not merely as an object behind glass, but as a witness to nearly three centuries of civic life.

For locals, it offers a tangible connection to the foundations of their city. For visitors, it presents a rare opportunity to engage with one of Ireland’s most significant civic manuscripts in its original context.

 

Why Liber Primus Still Matters

In a world where history can feel distant, Liber Primus reminds us that communities are shaped slowly, collectively, and carefully. Its pages speak of responsibility, identity, fairness, and belonging, values as relevant today as they were in 1230.

By bringing this manuscript online, Kilkenny does more than preserve its heritage. It invites curiosity, conversation, and connection. The past is no longer silent. It is here to be read, questioned, and understood.

 

Explore Liber Primus Online

Click Here to View the Liber Primus Manuscript.

And when it returns to display, we invite you to visit the Medieval Mile Museum and experience the real manuscript, where ink, vellum, and centuries of history meet in the heart of Kilkenny.

Discover more about Medieval Kilkenny through our guided tours, immersive exhibits, and special events.

Click here to book your visit today.

For more info
Visit: www.medievalmilemuseum.ie
Call: 056 781 7022 | Email: info@medievalmilemuseum.ie

 

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International Museum Day May 18th 2022

The Museum from above

800 years of history under one roof…

It’s International Museum Day and we wanted to give you a little background information on the Medieval Mile Museum, Kilkenny.

The History of the Building

Following an award-winning restoration by McCullough Mulvin Architects, the former St Mary’s Church has been converted into a modern museum. Designed to enrich the cultural life of the city and provide a new international standard attraction for visitors the museum has several functions: as the starting point for understanding Kilkenny’s medieval history, to display Kilkenny’s Civic Treasures and replicas of some of Ossory High Crosses and to provide a space for temporary exhibitions and cultural events.

The Museum Today

We are delighted to be among the many fantastic attractions along Irelands Medieval Mile. As the starting point of the Medieval Mile trail, the Museum brings to life Kilkenny’s history as Ireland’s premier medieval city.

Visitors to the museum will marvel not only at some of Ireland’s finest examples of medieval sculpture, but also the country’s largest collection of Renaissance tombs. Stepping into the Rothe Chapel you will find the best surviving example of a medieval chantry chapel in Ireland.

Stories of power and wealth written and preserved in magnificent stone carvings – Our High Cross exhibition introduces the High Kings of Ossory and the foundation of the monastery of Kilkenny by St Canice. The displays describe how Kilkenny has the finest stone sculptural tradition in Ireland extending from the Neolithic period of 5,000 years ago to the modern era.

Books, Letters, Petitions, Leases… Kilkenny holds a unique set of civic records, tracing the city’s history right back to the 1200s. The ancient papers and treasures tell fascinating stories about daily life in a medieval city governed by wealthy merchants and are on display in the Kilkenny Room along with the Liber Primus – Kilkenny’s extraordinary town book.

Our cutting-edge exhibition, 3 lives, 3 deaths, One life unlived welcomes the return of three skeletons that were excavated at the main gate of the museum in 2016. We have learned a lot about these individuals’ lives through scientific analysis and historical research.

The atmospheric medieval graveyard – A place of rest for the great and good of Kilkenny for 800 years, the graveyard is now an oasis for wildlife in the centre of the city. Bats, butterflies and bees have made their homes here as well as a variety of plants.

Our wonderful, expert storytelling Tour Guides give visitors a wonderful introduction with Guided Tours and a Medieval Mile Trail City Walking Tour running daily. We also offer an Interactive Audio Tour allowing visitors to explore the Museum at their own pace.

Education

The Museum’s education and outreach programmes for schools and the wider community are central to its operational strategy and are a key priority. We offer a range of engaging educational experiences tailored to each group. Our School Tours and Workshops link closely with the primary and secondary curricula. We also offer tours for Third-Level and Language School Students.

Events

Ideally located in the heart of the city centre the Medieval Mile Museum also provides a stunning, atmospheric backdrop for a private function or corporate event striking the perfect balance of traditional and contemporary features. We have hosted many great local festivals and events, most recently Kilkenny Tradfest and April Sounds, along with beautiful, unique wedding ceremonies.

For more information on the Museum, please don’t hesitate to get in touch directly at info@medievalmilemuseum.ie