Rothe House, Medieval merchant townhouse in Kilkenny, Ireland
Rothe House is a late medieval merchant residence comprising three connected buildings surrounding courtyards, with original timber frames and stone walls intact. The structure displays the craftsmanship of the period with narrow corridors and rooms of varying sizes throughout.
A wealthy merchant named John Rothe Fitz-Piers built this property between 1594 and 1610 as a center for trade and politics. The building survived warfare and change across several centuries of Irish history.
The house displays crafts and everyday objects from different periods of Kilkenny's history. The rooms show how merchants and their families lived and worked in this city.
The residence welcomes visitors most days, offering both guided tours and independent exploration. The compact layout requires careful movement and patience when navigating between different floor levels.
The garden has been recreated with period plants and herbs, alongside an old well originally dug by monks. This outdoor space provides a calm contrast to the tight rooms inside the house.
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