Candlelit Tales Folklore Storytelling performances. Mayfair Library
Enjoy storytelling for adults and Children at the Mayfair Library on Tuesday 4th November. Candlelit Tales was founded by sibling storytellers Aron and Sorcha Hegarty. Their enthusiasm and expertise drives the rhythm of the storytelling, weaving through the tale and sweeping the listener away. The theme of this event is the Kilkenny Witch Trials, step back in time to 1324 and uncover the chilling tale of Ireland’s first Witchcraft Trial.
- Tuesday 4th November – Mayfair Library Folklore storytelling with music for children 6-12 years from 5.00-5.45 pm
• Tuesday 4th November – Mayfair Library Folklore storytelling with music for adults from 6.30 to 7.15 pm.
Price: Free, but please book a slot by phoning the Mayfair on 056-7794174 or email mayfair@kilkennylibrary.ie .
Éigse Sliabh Rua – Uí Dea – 7-15 November
The annual Eigse Sliabh Rua – Uí Dea festival will take place from November 7th to 15th. The event will celebrate the rich history and heritage of Slieverue and its surrounding areas. It will open on Friday, November 7th, at The Rhu Glenn with marine journalist Tom McSweeney and a lecture by railway historian Jonathan Beaumont, on the history of the North Wexford Railway Line. Highlights of the week will include an ‘Archaeology and Landscape in South Kilkenny’, talk by James Eogan, on November 11th, a railway-themed video screening and slide show on November 13th, and a guided walking tour of Glenmore Village led by Dr Kathleen Moore Walsh on November 18th. Children’s events will also feature throughout the week, with local historian Katherine Grant hosting talks and activities in Slieverue and Ringville schools, exploring folklore and local history. Admission to most events will range from €5 to €10. For more information contact 086 1954616.
Appeal for memories and photographs of Rothe House
2026 will mark the 60th anniversary of Kilkenny’s historic Rothe House officially opening to the public on the 17th of April, 1966. The day represented a significant milestone in the history of Rothe House, ushering in a new era for the property first built in 1594. A six-month programme of events is being planned to mark the 60th year – a major part of which will be an exhibition on the restoration itself – including the later restoration of the third house (officially opened in 1995) and the garden (2008). To that end, the team at Rothe House are very interested in hearing from anyone who may have memories, stories, and especially photographs/footage of the buildings before and during the restoration. The memories do not necessarily have to be your own – if your father/mother/other relative was involved in any aspect of the opening or any of the restoration works and spoke about it to you, they would also love to hear from you. The recollections gathered, some of which will be used in the exhibition itself, will be put together in a special archive as part of the commemoration efforts. Please email reception@rothehouse.com or phone 056 7722893.
Photo Credit: Kilkenny Archaeological Society
The Stained Glass Windows at St Mary’s Gowran – Free Lecture
The OPW are hosting a lecture on The Stained Glass Windows at St Mary’s Gowran by Seán Carroll at 8pm on the 18th November. The lecture will take place at St Mary’s Church, Gowran, admission is free and booking is not required. Parking will be available in Gowran village. For more information call: 056 772 4623 or email: jerpointabbey@opw.ie
The Stonyford Roman Burial – Kilkenny Archaeological Society Lecture
Kilkenny Archaeological Society will host a lecture on the Stonyford Roman Burial at 8pm on 26th November. The lecture will be delivered by Cóilín O’Drisceoil who will share some new research and discoveries on the Stonyford Roman Burial. Lecture will take place at Rothe House. For more information see: https://kilkennyarchaeologicalsociety.ie/events/
National Built Heritage Service Traditional Skills Training
The National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) has assembled a team of conservation experts and practitioners for a series of single- and two-day traditional skills training events aimed at owners and prospective owners of traditional buildings and contractors and professionals looking to upskill. Attendance will greatly benefit owners working on traditionally constructed buildings including those considering taking on the repair, reuse and retrofitting of vacant traditional buildings. The traditional skills training events will also give owners, and those contractors and professionals advising them, accurate and impartial conservation advice on the day-to-day maintenance of a traditional building. For more information see: https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/news-and-events/
| Date | Title | Aimed at | Venue | Price |
| 8-9 November | Two-Day Workshop on the Use of Earthen and Lime Mortars for Repair | Homeowners, professionals and contractors | Pallasgreen, Limerick | €120 |
| 8-9 November | Introduction to drystone walling with the Drystone Wall Association of Ireland (DSWAI) | Beginners and homeowners | Rosscahill, Connemara, Galway | €108.23 |
| 14-17 November | Four-day Introduction to Rope Thatching: Learn how to repair and maintain rope thatch buildings | Homeowners, professionals and thatcher’s wishing to upskill | Portnoo, Donegal | €100 |
| 15 November | One-Day Workshop: Introduction to Hedge Laying | Beginners | Shinrone, Offaly | €60 |
| 22 November | One-Day Workshop: Introduction to Hedge Laying | Beginners | Shinrone, Offaly | €60 |
| 21-24 November | Four-day Introduction to Rope Thatching: Learn how to repair and maintain rope thatch buildings | Homeowners, professionals and thatcher’s wishing to upskill | Portnoo, Donegal | €100 |
