It’s open! Ribbon officially cut on new Butler Gallery in Kilkenny city

Picture perfect … the ribbon has officially been cut on the new Butler Gallery in Kilkenny city following a ceremony today.

The gallery will now open its doors to members of the public tomorrow following its move from Kilkenny Castle to Evans’ Home on John’s Quay in the centre of the city.

Attendees at the opening included Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan, local Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness, Kilkenny Fine Gael TD John Paul Phelan and the Chairman of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Andrew McGuinness.

“I thank and congratulate all those involved in the planning and building of this wonderful addition to Kilkenny,” Cllr McGuinness said.

“This is going to be a fantastic addition to Kilkenny and a project we can all be proud of.

“Great credit is due to all involved with the Butler Gallery for dedicating years of hard work to bring this project to fruition.

“Along with my colleagues on Kilkenny County Council we are very proud of this project.”

The 10,000 square feet building contains seven collection galleries which will be used to display the Butler Gallery Collection of 20th-century Irish art. It also boasts a large exhibition space that will feature temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.

The museum sits on the monastic site of St John’s Priory and is surrounded by walled gardens that have been repurposed to accommodate an outdoor sculpture garden, a children’s garden, a wildflower garden and a café with outdoor seating.

Butler Gallery is urging people who want to visit the new museum to book their free tickets online from Eventbrite or their website: https://www.butlergallery.ie/visit/tickets

Pictured: John Paul Phelan TD (left) Cllr Andrew McGuinness ( second left), Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan (centre) and John McGuinness TD (second right) and other attendees at the opening of Butler’s Gallery