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Welcoming Grace Rinehart Macrae to the Medieval Mile Museum Team

The Medieval Mile Museum is delighted to welcome Grace Rinehart Macrae as Assistant Manager with responsibility for Education and Curation.

Supporting Education and Curation at an Exciting Time for the Museum

Grace joins the team at an exciting time for the museum as we continue to develop our educational programmes, exhibitions and public engagement, and as we look ahead to the opening of the Museum of Medieval Kilkenny in 2027. In her new role, Grace will work closely with Debbie Mangan, Chief Operations Manager at the Medieval Mile Museum, to support the continued growth of the museum’s educational and curatorial work and help shape future visitor experiences.

Academic Background and Research in Medieval Heritage

An archaeologist and historian, Grace holds an MSc in World Heritage Management and Conservation from University College Dublin, a UNESCO-accredited programme that prepares specialists to care for and interpret heritage of international significance. She is currently completing her PhD at UCD, where her research explores medieval heritage and the role of myth and legend in heritage tourism.

 

Teaching, Conferences and Public Engagement

Alongside her academic research, Grace has contributed to teaching and guest lecturing at UCD and was nominated for a Teaching and Learning Award in 2024, becoming the only non-faculty staff member to receive a nomination that year. Her work reflects a strong commitment to sharing knowledge and making heritage accessible to wider audiences.

Grace has also organised sessions at the European Association of Archaeologists annual meeting and has participated in conferences internationally. She regularly contributes to public discussion on archaeology and heritage through podcasts such as Digging Up Ancient Aliens, academic platforms including H-Net, and educational YouTube channels including Archaeodeath and Melissa In DeNile.

 

A Passion for Making Heritage Accessible to All

At the heart of Grace’s work is a passion for helping people understand how to experience and protect historic places responsibly. Her approach to education and interpretation strongly supports the museum’s mission to bring Kilkenny’s history to life for visitors of all ages.

Introducing MOMK

Looking Ahead to the Museum of Medieval Kilkenny in 2027

As the Medieval Mile Museum continues to grow and evolve, we are delighted to welcome Grace to the team and look forward to the important role she will play in supporting Debbie Mangan and the wider museum team as preparations continue for the opening of the Museum of Medieval Kilkenny in 2027.

Attractions

Discover the Museum of Medieval Kilkenny

The Museum of Medieval Kilkenny will introduce an exciting new way to explore Ireland’s medieval capital through the stories of the real people who lived here centuries ago. Set within the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church and The Tholsel, the experience will bring visitors closer to the lives of merchants, mayors, rogues and ordinary citizens through immersive interpretation, underground spaces and panoramic views from the city’s historic Clock Tower.
Click here to find out more.

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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Top 5 Things Kids Love at the Medieval Mile Museum

Planning a family visit to Kilkenny? The Medieval Mile Museum is full of discoveries that capture young imaginations and bring history to life in fun and unexpected ways. From interactive experiences to hidden characters and real archaeological finds, there is plenty to keep little explorers curious and engaged throughout their visit.

Here are five favourites that children especially enjoy when visiting the museum.

  1. A Child-Friendly Audio Guide with a Fun Quiz

Children love exploring the museum using the audio guide, which includes a quiz designed especially for younger visitors. It turns the visit into a mini adventure as they listen carefully, search for clues and test their knowledge about medieval Kilkenny along the way.

It’s a brilliant way to help children explore at their own pace while staying fully involved in the experience.

  1. The Interactive Medieval Kilkenny Map

The large interactive map of medieval Kilkenny lets children picture what the city looked like centuries ago. Streets, buildings and landmarks appear in ways that help young visitors imagine life in the past.

It’s one of the moments where history suddenly feels real and close at hand.

kids playing with the interactive map

  1. The LEGO Hunt Around the Museum

The LEGO Hunt is always a highlight for families. Children search for ten hidden historical characters placed throughout the museum as LEGO Minifigures.

Each month brings a new theme, so even returning visitors can enjoy a fresh challenge every time they visit.

  1. Tombs, Crypt Spaces and the Medieval Graveyard

Young visitors are often fascinated by the tombs, crypt spaces and historic graveyard at the museum. One favourite moment is seeing the monk’s stone coffin up close and exploring spaces filled with centuries of stories.

These areas spark curiosity and plenty of questions as children discover one of Kilkenny’s oldest historic sites.

  1. Real Treasures Found by Archaeologists

The museum’s archaeological displays give children the chance to see real objects uncovered beneath the streets of Kilkenny. From toy soldiers and coins to everyday items and historic weapons, these discoveries help young visitors connect with the people who once lived here.

Seeing genuine finds from the past makes history feel exciting and real.

Plan Your Family Visit

Whether you are visiting Kilkenny for the day or planning a longer stay, the Medieval Mile Museum offers a welcoming and engaging experience for families with children of all ages.

With interactive activities, hidden characters to discover and fascinating stories waiting around every corner, it’s one of the most enjoyable things to do with kids in 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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Must See Highlights at the Medieval Mile Museum in Kilkenny

Discover must-see highlights at the Medieval Mile Museum in Kilkenny, from the Rothe Chapel and high crosses to royal charters and family-friendly experiences.

A visit to the Medieval Mile Museum is a journey through centuries of Kilkenny’s story, all within the beautifully restored St Mary’s Church. From remarkable stone carving to royal documents and family-friendly discoveries, there is something here to capture every imagination.

If you’re planning your visit, here are five highlights you won’t want to miss.

  1. Rothe Chapel

Ireland’s Best-Preserved Medieval Chantry Chapel

The Rothe Chapel is one of the finest surviving medieval chantry chapels in Ireland. Built by the wealthy Rothe merchant family in the 16th century, it reflects both devotion and civic pride.

Inside, you’ll find richly carved altar tombs and intricate stonework created by master craftsmen of the period. The carvings are exceptionally well-preserved, offering rare insight into merchant life, religious practice, and artistic expression in late medieval Kilkenny.

This quiet space invites visitors to pause and reflect on the families who shaped the city’s history. Around 1560, the Rothes, who were wealthy Kilkenny merchants, built this private chapel.

  1. High Crosses of Ossory

Echoes of Ireland’s Early Christian Art

Standing nearly four metres high, the Ossory High Cross replicas celebrate one of Ireland’s most distinctive artistic traditions. The original high crosses once served as teaching tools and sacred markers, illustrating biblical scenes and Christian symbolism through detailed stone carving.

These striking replicas allow visitors to appreciate the craftsmanship and storytelling of early medieval Ireland up close. Look carefully and you’ll discover intricate figures, patterns and symbols that reveal the skill and faith of their creators.

  1. The Kilkenny Room

Royal Documents and a View Across the City

Modern in design yet rich in history, the glass-walled Kilkenny Room offers sweeping views across the city while displaying some of its most delicate treasures, including books, letters, petitions and leases. Kilkenny holds a unique set of civic records that trace the city’s history back to the 1200s.

Here you can see historic charters issued by monarchs, including King James II and Edward II, documents that reveal Kilkenny’s political importance and civic authority across centuries. These fragile manuscripts provide a direct link to the legal and administrative life of medieval Ireland.

It’s a striking space where past and present meet, framed by Kilkenny’s skyline.

  1. The Graveyard

An 800-Year-Old Cemetery

Visitors to the museum will marvel not only at some of Ireland’s finest examples of medieval sculpture, but also at the country’s largest collection of Renaissance tombs. Beyond the museum walls lies a peaceful garden that was once an active medieval cemetery. Used for burials for centuries, this sacred ground has been thoughtfully transformed into a reflective green space for visitors today.

Inside the museum, glass floor panels let you look down at archaeological remains beneath your feet, offering a powerful reminder of the generations who lived, worked, and were laid to rest here.

The graveyard is now also 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.

The garden outside provides a calm place to pause, reflect and take in the atmosphere of this historic site.

 

  1. LEGO® Hunt

History Made Fun for Families

The museum’s popular LEGO® Hunt offers an adventurous experience for both younger visitors and curious adults. Hidden throughout the exhibitions are ten LEGO® figures that represent characters from Kilkenny’s past, adding excitement to an already intriguing visit.

Each month introduces a new theme, encouraging families to return and discover different stories and historical figures. It’s a playful way to engage children with history while exploring the museum together.

The activity is free and included in the family admission.

Uncover More During Your Visit

Whether you are drawn by medieval craftsmanship, historic documents, peaceful spaces or family-friendly activities, the Medieval Mile Museum offers layers of discovery at every turn.

Allow time to explore, look closely and let Kilkenny’s stories unfold around 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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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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What’s On This Autumn & Halloween

halloween at the medieval mile museum

This October, the Medieval Mile Museum is summoning a season of magic, mischief and music to the heart of Kilkenny. Whether you’re chasing chills and thrills with the kids or fancy dancing the night away, there’s plenty to enchant your midterm break.

Magic & Mischief on the Mile

From 28th to 31st October, families with children aged 4 to 14 are invited to step into a world of enchantment with Magic & Mischief at the Medieval Mile Museum. Delivered in collaboration with Home of Halloween and Kilkenny Tourism, this spooktacular event is tailor-made for curious children and brave parents alike.
Step inside the ancient stone walls of the Medieval Mile Museum where shadows whisper and secrets linger… the perfect setting for a Halloween adventure steeped in folklore, fun and frightful surprises.

Each 60 – 75 minute session tricks up:

Spooky Storytelling with The Grim Chronicler, spinning eerie tales of witches, folklore and ghostly goings-on from Kilkenny’s medieval past. Expect flickering lanterns, goosebumps, and a tale or two you’ll never forget. Secure your place… before the witches do!

Potion-Making Workshop, where little witches and wizards can brew their own bubbling concoctions. There’s just enough mystery in the mix to spark wide-eyed wonder.
Claim your potion-making pass while supplies last!

Halloween Scavenger Hunt – Creep through the museum’s nooks and crannies on a quest filled with strange clues and chilling giggles, ending in a trick-or-treat surprise for every child.
Book now… if you dare step inside the Mile!

With spot prizes, themed décor and plenty of frightful fun, Magic & Mischief is set to be one of Kilkenny’s most memorable Halloween happenings. Sessions run twice daily at 10:30am and 2:30pm, but beware, spaces vanish fast, with just 25 children per session.

Cost: €7.50 per child
Dates: 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st October
Daily Times: 10:30 am and 2:30 pm
Ages: 4–14 and their families (children must be supervised).

Book your spooky spot before it disappears into the mist!

Latin Dance Nights – Bachata & Salsa

If ghosts and ghouls aren’t your thing, swap broomsticks for dance shoes! On Wednesday nights in November, the museum transforms into a dance floor for Latin Dance Nights, presented by The Dance Club Kilkenny and supported by Kilkenny County Council and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

Originating in the Dominican Republic, Bachata is known for its soft, romantic rhythm and close partner connection. It’s expressive, smooth, and easy to learn. Salsa, with its roots in Cuban and Afro-Caribbean traditions, is faster and more energetic full of spins, footwork, and joyful movement that lifts the soul. Whether you’ve danced before or you’re stepping out for the first time, these Latin styles bring people together through rhythm, laughter, and pure fun.

• 6:30pm – Bachata: smooth, romantic and full of flow.
• 7:30pm – Salsa: fiery spins and high-energy moves that will lift your spirits.
No partner required, all levels welcome, just bring your best moves (and maybe a little courage).
Cost:
• €12 for one class
• €18 for both classes on the same night
• €45 for all six classes
Dates: 5th, 12th, 19th November

Reserve your spot now and make your November nights sizzle with dance!

A Season of Spells & Steps

This autumn, the Medieval Mile Museum is alive with stories, spirits, and salsa. From eerie legends to sizzling Latin rhythms, we promise a season that’s equal parts spine-tingling and toe-tapping. And as always, our tours continue, whether you choose a guided tour, explore at your own pace with our interactive self-guided experience, or set out on a Medieval Mile walking tour. There’s no better way to encounter history than along the Medieval Mile in the golden glow of the autumn, with plenty of things to do in Kilkenny this autumn.

Dare to join us? Book your tickets now… if you’re brave enough.

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

 

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Culture Night 2025

Culture Night 2025
Culture Night 2025 at the Museum

This Culture Night, Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile Museum invites you to experience an evening where history, harmony, and heart come together in perfect tune. On Friday 19th September 2025, from 6.30 – 7.30 pm, the museum’s historic walls will resonate with the sublime sounds of the Phoenix Choir, performing a special set in aid of local charity Teac Tom.

The Phoenix Choir is a Kilkenny-based choir with over 30 members singing in four-part harmony. They cover a wide range of music genres including pop, country, and music from the 1960s to the present day. Their passionate and emotive performances promise to bring warmth, joy, and energy to Culture Night, making this a truly special occasion for audiences of all ages.

Culture night 2025

Teac Tom provides vital mental health support and suicide intervention services to those in need. Their mission as a community and voluntary organisation is to provide affordable and immediate services to help individuals struggling with their mental health or who have been bereaved by suicide. All donations and support from this performance will go directly to helping Teac Tom continue their essential work in the local community.

Expect a night filled with live music, community spirit, and the enchanting atmosphere of one of Kilkenny’s most iconic cultural landmarks. This free event promises to be a highlight of Culture Night, offering families, friends, and music lovers a chance to celebrate creativity, community, and Kilkenny’s rich cultural heritage.

Culture Night 2025

Come along, enjoy the music, and support Teac Tom make this Culture Night one to remember at the Medieval Mile Museum.

For more information, please get in touch with the Medieval Mile Museum:

Phone: 056 779 4180
Email: info@medievalmilemuseum.ie

 

 

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National Heritage Week 2025 Events at the Medieval Mile Museum

kids interactive activities
National Heritage Week 2025 – Free  Events at Medieval Mile Museum

August 16 – 24 | Exploring Our Foundations

Every August, National Heritage Week invites us to slow down, look closer, and reconnect with the traditions, places, and people that shaped Ireland. This year’s theme, Exploring Our Foundations, is about discovering the stories beneath our feet, from the stones of ancient churches to the words of storytellers and the creativity passed from one generation to the next.

At the heart of Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile, the Medieval Mile Museum will once again be a hub of activity for National Heritage Week 2025. Families, history lovers, and curious explorers are invited to step inside this historic landmark and take part in a series of special events designed to bring Kilkenny’s past to life in exciting, memorable ways.

Whether it’s uncovering myths during story time, hunting for LEGO figures, or tracing the artistry of Kilkenny’s tombstones, each event offers a different lens through which to explore our heritage.

things to do in kilkenny

Story Time at the Museum

Daily on 20th, & 22nd August | 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM | Free but Booking Required

Start the day with a little magic inside the museum walls. Our 30-minute storytelling sessions will whisk families into a world of local legends, quirky tales, and Kilkenny myths. Specially created for younger audiences, this engaging event is all about sparking imaginations and helping children connect with the heritage around them.

From knights to curious characters of the past, each tale weaves a thread between history and imagination, giving young listeners a fresh way to understand the city’s medieval story.

 

LEGO Heritage Hunt

Daily on August 20th, 21st & 22nd | Drop-in from 09:45 – 16:45 | Kids Go Free

For those who like their history hands-on, the LEGO Heritage Hunt is a playful way to connect with the past. Hidden throughout the museum are mini LEGO figures, each connected to a real piece of Kilkenny’s history. Armed with an activity sheet, young explorers will set off on an adventure to match characters with their historical stories.

Along the way, families will discover tales of kings, knights, and medieval life-proving that even the smallest brick can build big connections to the past.

No booking is required, just drop in and get hunting.

 

Lunchtime Tombstone Tours

August 20th, 21st & 23rd | 1:00 PM | Free but Booking Required

Step outside and take a walk through St. Mary’s Graveyard, where centuries of Kilkenny’s history are etched in stone. These guided lunchtime tours, led by expert museum guides, uncover the artistry, symbolism, and hidden stories carved into the city’s tombstones.

Over the course of 45 minutes, you’ll:

  • Trace the evolution of grave markers from medieval to modern.
  • Hear stories of prominent Kilkenny families buried on site.
  • Discover religious and cultural shifts reflected in burial practices.
  • Learn about the skills of local stonemasons whose work still endures today.

 

It’s a chance to reflect on Kilkenny’s built heritage, while gaining a new appreciation for the craftsmanship and memory woven into the graveyard’s stones.

 

Why Visit During Heritage Week?

Heritage Week is not just about looking back, it’s about making the past part of the present. At the Medieval Mile Museum, families can experience history in ways that are interactive, creative, and fun. From early morning story time to afternoon hunts and reflective tours, there’s something for every age group to enjoy.

And because these events are free to attend, they’re a perfect way for both locals and visitors to celebrate Kilkenny’s role in Ireland’s heritage.

So, this August, gather your family, bring your curiosity, and step inside Kilkenny’s stories. National Heritage Week 2025 promises to be a celebration of the foundations we all share, and the Medieval Mile Museum is the perfect place to begin.

Contact us to book;
056 781 7022 |  info@medievalmilemuseum.ie

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The Ahenny High Crosses, Preserving Ireland’s Early Medieval Craftsmanship

Ahenny High Crosses

Planning a visit to Kilkenny? Make sure the Medieval Mile Museum is top of your list. Located in the heart of this historic city, the museum is home to some of Ireland’s most remarkable artefacts, including the stunning Ahenny High Crosses, masterful replicas of 8th and 9th century Christian stonework that offer a rare glimpse into our early medieval past.

The Ahenny High Crosses on display at the Medieval Mile Museum date to the 8th / 9th Century.
In 1906, the Director of the National Museum of Ireland, concerned about the deterioration of the original stonework due to exposure to the elements, commissioned Signor Orlandi to create detailed casts of the crosses.
These faithful replicas serve as a testament to the exceptional artistry and craftsmanship of early medieval stone carvers, preserving intricate designs that might otherwise have been lost to time.

Today, visitors can admire these crosses up close, experiencing the beauty and symbolism of one of Ireland’s most iconic Christian art forms without damaging the precious originals still standing in Ahenny, County Tipperary.

While you’re here, be sure to explore the rest of the Medieval Mile Museum. Take a guided tour through the centuries, marvel at ancient tombs beneath your feet, and uncover stories etched into stone. Whether you’re a history lover, a curious traveller, or simply enjoying a day out in Kilkenny, the Medieval Mile Museum offers a truly unforgettable experience that brings Ireland’s medieval past to life.

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

By Curator : Sharon Kavanagh

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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