King House
Restored Georgian mansion in Boyle that was home to the King family and later a military barracks, with exhibitions on local and Irish history.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
King House is a Georgian mansion built in 1720 in the centre of Boyle. It was the home of the King family, who settled in Boyle in the early 1600s, and in 1795 it was bought for use as the headquarters of the Connaught Rangers, an Irish line infantry regiment of the British army. Later it served as a barracks of the Irish Free State, and its jail cells held soldiers and revolutionaries.
Today the house is a historical and cultural centre. Its exhibitions cover Gaelic Ireland in the age of High Kings and chieftains, the King family and their lost home at Rockingham, the Connaught Rangers and the struggle for Irish independence, and the restoration of the building itself.
A number of cultural collections are also on display, among them the Boyle Civic Art Collection, the Mary McAleese Collection of presidential gifts and the Boyle to Boulevard collection. The courtyard has a tea room, a craft shop, a weekend market and the Boyle town library.
Highlights
- Georgian mansion of 1720 with guided tours
- Gaelic Ireland exhibition on High Kings and chieftains
- Connaught Rangers and Creation of a Nation exhibitions
- Jail cells used by soldiers and revolutionaries
- Mary McAleese Collection and Boyle Civic Art Collection
Permanent exhibitions
- Gaelic Ireland – The exhibition brings to life the age of High Kings and chieftains, with the celebrations, legends and hard times of medieval Ireland.
- Connaught Rangers and Creation of a Nation – Exhibitions on the regiment that was based in the house from 1795 and on the house and Boyle during the struggle for Irish independence.
- Rockingham and the King family – The story of the King family and their grand home at Rockingham House, destroyed by fire in 1957.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €9Seniors (OAPs) and students |
| Children & teens | €6Ages 5 to 18 |
| Seniors | €9 |
| Students & apprentices | €9Students aged 18 and over |
| Groups (10+ people) | €9 per personGroup rate per person for adults; seniors and students pay €8 and children €5 |
| Families | €302 adults and 2 children |
Tickets can be bought online or at the house. A number of exhibitions in King House are free to enter; see the events section of the website.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The house is described as fully accessible to wheelchair users, with a lift between floors and accessible parking spaces.
Kids & families
| Family ticket | €30 · 2 adults and 2 children |
|---|
A family ticket is available for two adults and two children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus stop outside King House
King House is a seven-minute walk from Boyle railway station, and the bus stops right outside. In July and August a shuttle bus runs from Lough Key Forest Park; visitors can also arrive by the Shannon–Erne Waterway (ten minutes’ walk from the harbour) or the Lough Key to Boyle cycle way.
By car
Free parking
Free on-street parking and a free car park behind the house, with accessible spaces.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Tea Rooms and the Craft Shop are in the courtyard, which also has a weekend market, the Boyle town library and a garden. The courtyard can be visited without entering the house.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Weddings, corporate events, room hire and funeral hospitality are offered.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Visits are by guided tour, which can be tailored for groups of ten or more. School and group tours can be arranged outside the main season by contacting King House. |
