Butler Gallery

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Butler Gallery Butler Gallery is an art gallery & heritage site in Kilkenny, funded by The Arts Council. Registered Charity No 20038977. CHY 12922
(1)

Butler Gallery actively promotes and affirms the value of the arts to society through a diverse programme of contemporary exhibitions, which reflects the constantly changing nature of visual art practice. The Gallery has a significant permanent collection, which is maintained and safeguarded for the future. Butler Gallery has also developed a significant programme of innovative education projects encouraging the participation of diverse audiences in the activities of Butler Gallery, including family, school, youth, adult and older age programmes. These opportunities encourage meaningful public engagement and contribute to the development of an audience of diverse age groups, backgrounds and abilities. In 2008 Butler Gallery was awarded Full Museum Accreditation in 2008 from The Heritage Council of Ireland’s Museum Accreditation Scheme for excellence in Caring for Collections, Museum Management, and Exhibition, Education and Visitor Services.

23/10/2026

LAST CHANCE TO VISIT! 'The Shared Studio' exhibition closes Monday 26th Oct. (Bank Holiday).

Hear from our Chair, Lamber de Bie about this wonderful show, on display throughout the entire gallery!

Butler Gallery, in association with Kilkenny Arts Festival, is delighted to present a building-wide exhibition honouring the work of the late Tony O’Malley (1913-2003) and Jane O’Malley (1944-2023). This expansive exhibition marks the receipt of the bequest of both artists’ estates by Jane O’Malley to Butler Gallery where the artists had a long association.

Major support provided by Brian Baum in loving memory of Úna Wilson and added support from Taylor Galleries.

Learn more about this exhibition on our website.



Whether it's presents for friends and family or a treat for yourself, you'll love our gorgeous selection of high quality...
22/10/2026

Whether it's presents for friends and family or a treat for yourself, you'll love our gorgeous selection of high quality products available at our Craft Fair this year! Here's a quick look at some items from a selection of our makers.

You can also meet all of our makers of ceramics, jewellery, glass, textiles, candles, body care, wood, food and mixed media on our website - visit our 'What's On' page.
Opening times:
Friday 13th November - 2pm - 8pm
Saturday 14th November - 10am - 5pm
Sunday 15th November - 11am - 5pm

*Deadline Reminder - Monday 26th October 5.00pm*Butler Gallery is pleased to invite expressions of interest for one-mont...
21/10/2026

*Deadline Reminder - Monday 26th October 5.00pm*

Butler Gallery is pleased to invite expressions of interest for one-month studio residencies in our Garden Studio to take place in 2027. The residency offers artists the chance to research and develop their work within the inspiring context oButler Gallery is pleased to invite expressions of interest for one-month studio residencies in our Garden Studio to take place in 2027. The residency offers artists the chance to research and develop their work within the inspiring context o Butler Gallery.

The Garden Studio is designed to expand Butler Gallery's learning programme. It offers artists a dedicated space to research, experiment and create. Butler Gallery is committed to supporting newly emerging and established artists in their practice.

Residency participants are encouraged to engage with the public through at least one activity, such as an open studio, workshop, or artist talk. This engagement is designed to foster community interaction and encourage dialogue about contemporary practices.

A monthly studio residency will include a stipend of €2500. Studio access is available during gallery operating times.

Please note this is a non-accommodation residency.

**How to Apply**
This call is open to artists from all disciplines and we particularly encourage artists with a demonstrated track record of community engagement.

Please provide, in a single PDF, a proposal outlining your intended work and how this residency would benefit your practice, a CV and 3 images of work.

Applications to be sent via email to [email protected]

Deadline for submissions is Monday 26th October.

See link in bio for further details.

Samhain is when the veil between worlds is said to grow thin. This mid-term break, Youth Ecology Art is going under it.O...
21/10/2026

Samhain is when the veil between worlds is said to grow thin. This mid-term break, Youth Ecology Art is going under it.

Over three afternoons at Butler Gallery, young people will:
- grow their own fungi “monsters” in petri dishes
- paint the underworld with floating ink, charcoal and earth pigments
- build a giant map of the hidden world beneath Kilkenny.

Then they’ll record its sounds with musician Mark White (King Kong Company), creating the Foley soundtrack for their own short horror film intro!

It all comes together on the last day: the fungi glow under UV light.

Because in horror, the sound is the monster.

Tue 27 – Thu 29 October, 2–4pm
Butler Gallery, Kilkenny
Free. Ages 12–17. Places are limited.

Register through the link in bio.
Know a curious teen who’d love this? Pass it on.

Our Craft Fair is taking over the whole gallery this year, so you'll be spoilt for choice, from body care to prints, fel...
20/10/2026

Our Craft Fair is taking over the whole gallery this year, so you'll be spoilt for choice, from body care to prints, felt work, jewellery and more!

You can also meet all of our makers of ceramics, jewellery, glass, textiles, candles, body care, wood, food and mixed media on our website - visit our 'What's On' page.

Opening times:
Friday 13th November - 2pm - 8pm
Saturday 14th November - 10am - 5pm
Sunday 15th November - 11am - 5pm

19/10/2026

VE Team Member, James Wellwood discusses his favourite work by Jane O'Malley in our exhibition 'The Shared Studio'.

This is the last week to view the show, closing Bank Holiday Monday, 26th October.

Butler Gallery, in association with Kilkenny Arts Festival, is delighted to present a building-wide exhibition honouring the work of the late Tony O’Malley (1913-2003) and Jane O’Malley (1944-2023). This expansive exhibition marks the receipt of the bequest of both artists’ estates by Jane O’Malley to Butler Gallery where the artists had a long association.

Major support provided by Brian Baum in loving memory of Úna Wilson and added support from Taylor Galleries.

Learn more about this exhibition on our website.



Last remaining tickets for Savouring Art at Butler Gallery October Bank Holiday Weekend!Explore where fine art meets cul...
17/10/2026

Last remaining tickets for Savouring Art at Butler Gallery October Bank Holiday Weekend!

Explore where fine art meets culinary creativity with the Culinary Art Tour led by Food Designer Clare Anne O’Keefe!

Join Clare Anne and an expert gallery guide at Butler Gallery for a unique tour connecting the art on the walls to the world of flavor. Discover fascinating stories of how food is used in art, see how colors and themes inspire creative dishes, and finish with a special small bite directly inspired by the gallery collection!

📅 Sunday 25th October 2026
⏰ 3:00pm – 4:00pm
📍 Butler Gallery, John’s Quay, Kilkenny (R95 YX3F)
🎟️ €5

Part of Savour(ing) Art led by Food Designer Clare Anne O'Keefe.

Wheelchair accessible. Please notify upon booking if it is possible to cater to your dietary requirements.
Spaces are limited for this delicious artistic journey, see What's On section of our website to book your ticket! 🎟️



Savour Kilkenny Food Festival Clare Anne O'Keefe

The Butler Gallery Craft Fair is coming soon! Here's a sneak peek and just a few of the wonderful makers... We'll have l...
16/10/2026

The Butler Gallery Craft Fair is coming soon! Here's a sneak peek and just a few of the wonderful makers... We'll have lots of handmade quality Irish craft on display throughout the gallery, so don't miss out!

You can also meet all of our makers of ceramics, jewellery, glass, textiles, candles, body care, wood, food and mixed media on our website - visit our 'What's On' page.

Opening times:
Friday 13th November - 2pm - 8pm
Saturday 14th November - 10am - 5pm
Sunday 15th November - 11am - 5pm

Join us at Butler Gallery on Saturday 24th October for a special evening celebrating the closing weekend of Tony and Jan...
16/10/2026

Join us at Butler Gallery on Saturday 24th October for a special evening celebrating the closing weekend of Tony and Jane O'Malley: The Shared Studio Exhibition.

Over the summer, seven of Ireland’s leading plein air artists visited the O’Malley's former home and studio, capturing the character and spirit of this remarkable place through painting. Each artist created a personal response to the site, documenting a moment in time and offering a fresh perspective on a place deeply connected to the lives and work of Tony and Jane O’Malley.

For this special event, the public will see the launch of these newly created works, displayed throughout Butler Gallery. Visitors can discover and purchase these original works, bringing a piece of this special story home.

The evening will also include a bespoke tour of the Shared Studio exhibition, music, and a reception with w**e and canapés. It promises to be a fun and celebratory gathering.

Tickets are free, but booking is essential. Join us between 6.00pm - 8.00pm for this free drop evening of art, conversation and celebration at Butler Gallery.

Visit our website to book and learn more!

Plein Air Artists:

Kieran Guckian, Sheila MacNally, Dave West, Deirdre Hayes, Orlagh Murphy, Kasper Zier, Jamie Dunne

Event Funded by After Hours at the Museum, a Department of Culture, Communications and Sport initiative. Special thanks to Pembroke Hotel for providing the hospitality.

The Shared Studio Exhibition was developed in association with Kilkenny Arts Festival with major support provided by Brian Baum in loving memory of Úna Wilson.

Image Credit: Artist Jamie Dunne work in progress. Photo Credit: Brian Baum.

'The Shared Studio' is more than an exhibition, it is a unique insight into the lives and work of Tony and Jane O'Malley...
15/10/2026

'The Shared Studio' is more than an exhibition, it is a unique insight into the lives and work of Tony and Jane O'Malley. In our upstairs galleries we are delighted to include an interactive tour of their studio and home in Callan, not to be missed!

Visit the gallery and explore their world before the exhibition closes on Monday 26th October.

Photography by Ros Kavanagh.

This exhibition is in association with Kilkenny Arts Festival. Major support provided by Brian Baum in loving memory of Úna Wilson and added support from Taylor Galleries.

Learn more on our website.



Address

Butler Gallery, Evans’ Home, John’s Quay
Kilkenny
R95YX3F

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 8pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

00 353 56 7761106

Website

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