Butler Gallery offers FREE weekend guided-tours which provide an engaging walk-through modern and contemporary Irish art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Our friendly and experienced tour guides introduce you to the wonderful artworks in both our Collection and O'Malley galleries along with the fascinating history of our Medieval location and refurbished Georgian building. Our guided tours take 1 hour.

Tours are currently limited to 15 people per tour. Call 056 7761106 for enquiries.

Booking recommended.

For group guided-tours please contact our Visitor Experience Team on 056 776 1106 or by email at [email protected]

Self-guided audio-tours are available Tuesday to Sunday during opening hours. No advance booking is required.

Available Languages:
• English • Irish • German • French • Spanish • Chinese

Within a beautiful light-filled space in the heart of Kilkenny City, this wonderful experience will create unforgettable memories for all ages. Through Butler Gallery’s Permanent Collection of both traditional and cutting-edge contemporary work by national and international artists, there is ample opportunity for fun, learning and art appreciation to suit all ages and interests. With emphasis on a vibrant delivery, this guided visit awakens a curiosity across all generations about the wonderful world of art. Pre-book a delicious lunch for your group at MUSE coffee+food onsite and skip the queues!

Art pack included for children under 12 years which includes a Butler Gallery branded bag, notebook and colouring pencils and a colouring book based on the Butler Gallery Permanent Collection.

Tour Details:
Duration: 50 mins
Minimum 3 Maximum 12
2 adults + 3 children (under 16): €25
Add 1 adult: €8 Add 1 child: €5

For booking information, please contact [email protected] t. 00 353 (0)56 776 1106

Enjoy a personal and exclusive introduction to the works of Jack B. Yeats, Louis le Brocquy, Evie Hone, Patrick Scott, Paul Henry and many more, by one of Ireland’s leading Contemporary Art Curators, Anna O’Sullivan. After your personal tour of the Permanent Collections, up to two of your group will have the opportunity to have their portrait sketched by Blaise Smith R.H.A, one of Ireland’s leading figurative painters. Enjoy Champagne and strawberries as you watch the artist at his easel, creating a work of art before your eyes. The portrait will be yours to take home as a memento of your special Irish Art Experience in Kilkenny.

NB: Your portrait can also be framed and shipped after the experience. For art lovers this is an experience that simply cannot be matched.

More about Anna O'Sullivan
Prior to joining the Butler Gallery in 2005, Anna spent over twenty years in New York where she enjoyed the position of Director of Robert Miller Gallery. Anna has worked with many internationally-renowned artists and artist estates during her career including Alice Neel, Eva Hesse, Lee Krasner, Patti Smith, Mary Reid Kelley & Patrick Kelley, Fischli & Weiss, Michael Snow, Bob and Roberta Smith, Hans Op de Beeck, Ian Burns, Louise Bourgeois, Werner Herzog, Tony O’Malley and many more. In 2021 Anna was the recipient of the Royal Hibernian Academy for her contribution to visual the arts in Ireland. Anna was the Commissioner and Curator of the Irish Pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale with Richard Mosse as the artist representing Ireland In 2013.

More about Blaise Smith
Blaise is a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy and has been commissioned to paint many notable portraits of leading figures from Irish politics, arts and academia. He has exhibited widely in Ireland and abroad and has won many awards including the BP Award at the National Portrait Gallery, London and the Irish Arts Review Portrait Prize. Blaise currently teaches advanced oil painting techniques, drawing and composition at the Royal Irish Academy Drawing School where he is Vice Principal. He lives in County Kilkenny.

Tour Details

• Duration: 3 hours
• Up to two members of the group will have their portrait sketched, as the remaining party watch the portrait develop while chatting to Blaise Smith.
• This highly entertaining and engaging experience takes place during normal opening hours.
• Your portrait can also be framed and shipped after the experience.
  

For price and booking information, please contact [email protected] t. 00 353 (0)56 776 1106

Within a beautiful reflective space in the heart of Kilkenny City, gain a deep appreciation for the 20^th century and Contemporary Irish Art scene through an exclusive Curator-led guided visit. Moving through light-filled gallery rooms in a building that effortlessly blends contemporary and 19^th century architecture, breathe deep surrounded by colour and vibrancy. Discover the eminent permanent collection of 20^th century Irish and international art that coexists with cutting edge contemporary work by national and emerging artists. Learn about iconic artworks and the curator’s favourites. End with light refreshments in the indoor/outdoor gallery garden café.

About Anna O’Sullivan
Anna was the recipient of the Royal Hibernian Academy Gold Medal in 2021 for her contribution to the arts in Ireland. In 2013, Anna was the Commissioner and Curator of the Irish Pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale with Richard Mosse as the artist representing Ireland. She has been a visiting lecturer at various third level institutions and served on many artist review panels including the Arts Council of Ireland and Culture Ireland. Anna graduated from the National College of Art & Design Dublin and also studied at the Whitney Museum of American Art Independent Study Program, New York and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Anna was a board member of Kilkenny Arts Festival from 2005-2020.

Prior to joining the Butler Gallery in 2005, Anna spent over twenty years in New York, first as curator of Performance Art at the avant-garde arts venue Franklin Furnace and then as Director of the Robert Miller Gallery. Anna has worked with many internationally-renowned artists and artist estates during her career including Alice Neel, Eva Hesse, Lee Krasner, Patti Smith, Mary Reid Kelley & Patrick Kelley, Fischli & Weiss, Michael Snow, Bob and Roberta Smith, Hans Op de Beeck, Ian Burns, Louise Bourgeois, Werner Herzog, Tony O’Malley, Barry McGee, Jeanne Silverthorne and Eve Sussman.

Group numbers: Min. 1 - Max. 12

Duration: 1 hour tour

Availability:

• All year round

For price and booking information, please contact [email protected] t. 00 353 (0)56 776 1106

Please give us as much notice as possible to help secure your preferred date and time. Butler Gallery welcomes donations both online and on our tap-to-donate terminals within the gallery.

* Please note that tours may not take place in particular areas of the gallery that may be in use for Engagement + Learning activities during your school's visit.

To book a School Tour please contact our Visitor Experience Team on 056 776 1106 or by email at [email protected]