On John’s Quay, just steps from the Nore, a former charitable home houses one of Kilkenny’s most accessible art venues. The Butler Gallery presents modern and contemporary art in the rooms of Evans’ Home, an 1818 building complemented by newer exhibition spaces. Admission is free. Come for an exhibition, take time to explore the world of Tony and Jane O’Malley, then wander around the building through its gardens. The gallery stands on the opposite bank from the castle, making it a good reason to cross the river.
Exceptional closure on Thursday 12 November 2026. The gallery has announced that it will be closed on this date on its visitor information page.
The story of Evans’ Home began with a bequest. When he died in 1818, Joseph Evans left his fortune to several charitable causes, including accommodation for former servants with no means of support. The house built that year stands on the site of former barracks. Before its military use, the area formed part of the estate of the Augustinian Priory of St John. These successive occupations are best understood by looking at the building in its surroundings. From the gardens, the remains of the priory are a reminder that the site’s history stretches back long before its 19th-century façade.
The gallery, whose history dates back to 1943, displayed its exhibitions at Kilkenny Castle for many years. It moved to Evans’ Home in 2020, following the restoration of the building and the creation of spaces suited to its collections. The gallery’s heritage information traces this conversion, with photographs of the building before and during the works. As you explore, notice the transition between the older volumes and the new galleries. It is a way of understanding the project without having to read the full architectural documentation before your visit.
In Kilkenny, the Butler name can cause confusion. On your map, select Butler Gallery, Evans’ Home, John’s Quay. Butler House is a different address, on Patrick Street near the castle. If you plan to visit both in one day, walk through the historic centre between visits, or cross the Nore via the Lady Desart Footbridge to reach the area around the gallery.
The gallery holds a modern and contemporary art collection with a strong focus on 20th-century Irish art. The works on display may vary. If you are interested in a particular artist, check the exhibition programme before your visit. For a first visit, start with the temporary exhibition, then move on to the collection displays. This route shows how the contemporary programme engages with works acquired or donated throughout the gallery’s history.
The O’Malley Collection is a good place to begin. Tony O’Malley, who was from Callan in County Kilkenny, met Canadian painter Jane Harris in St Ives, Cornwall. Jane donated works by Tony to the gallery when it moved to Evans’ Home. Her own work documents, among other things, their life together and the garden she created around their home. If works by both artists are on display during your visit, take time to look at how each uses the shapes and colours of the world around them.
The outdoor spaces extend the visit around the building. The gallery distinguishes between an archaeological garden, a sculpture garden and a wildflower area. It is an opportunity to take in the sense of the place after the exhibition rooms. Look towards St John’s Priory, then turn back towards the river. The contrast between the ruins, the former almshouse and the contemporary spaces unfolds in just a few steps. For visitors exploring Kilkenny mainly on foot, this short loop offers another view of the Nore’s east bank.
If you are visiting with children, invite them to choose one work in the galleries, then one sculpture outside, and say what caught their eye. This small detour gives the visit a thread to follow and alternates between indoors and out. The gallery’s programme also includes activities for families.
Allow around an hour to explore the galleries and gardens, longer if you wish to read the labels or take a break. The gallery publishes an accessibility guide detailing its lifts, accessible toilets and wheelchair available on request. Parking spaces near Carnegie Library are limited. From the centre, approaching on foot along John’s Quay gives you a chance to take in the building and its surroundings before going inside.
For a half-day of culture, combine the gallery with the Medieval Mile Museum, on the opposite bank. Check the opening days of both venues if you plan to visit them one after the other. At Butler Gallery, last admission is 30 minutes before closing, a detail worth bearing in mind if you end your day on the quays.
Want to extend your visit without having to rush around? Here are a few well-located places to stay near the must-see attractions.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
John’s Quay, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, Republic of Ireland, Tourist sites in Ireland
52.65385, -7.24916
Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Late opening on Thursday until 8pm. Sunday, 11am to 5pm. Closed on Monday, except public holidays when Sunday opening hours apply. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Exceptional closure on Thursday 12 November 2026.
Check the opening hours and admission requirements before you leave, especially during peak season or on Irish public holidays.
Free admission. Check the programme for details of workshops and events.
