Medieval Mile Museum

About the museum

The Medieval Mile Museum occupies St Mary's Church, a cruciform church built in the early thirteenth century on St Mary's Lane in the centre of Kilkenny. It is described as the finest medieval church in the country and is the starting point of the Medieval Mile trail that links the city's medieval landmarks. The merchant Rothe family added a chantry chapel to the church around 1560, and its tombs are among the best preserved in the building.

Kilkenny County Council commissioned the conversion of the former church into a museum after a five-year programme of excavation and renovation costing around €6.5 million, with support from Fáilte Ireland. The museum opened to the public on 28 February 2017 and is run by the Kilkenny Civic Trust.

The displays tell the story of the city and its patrons through objects found during the restoration, medieval sculpture, replicas of the High Crosses of Ossory and what the museum describes as the country's largest collection of Renaissance tombs. The Kilkenny Room shows civic records going back to the 1200s, including the town's medieval book, the Liber Primus, and the civic sword and mace. Glass floors reveal the foundations of a former tower, and the surrounding medieval graveyard is now a small wildlife habitat.

Highlights

• Liber Primus Kilkenniensis, the city's medieval town book, and other civic records from the 1200s
• Rothe Chapel with well-preserved tombs of a medieval merchant family
• Largest collection of Renaissance tombs in the country, with medieval sculpture
• Replicas of the High Crosses of Ossory in the Stories in Stone exhibition
• Glass floors over the foundations of a former tower

Permanent exhibitions

• St Mary's Room – An animated timeline of the church, glass floors over the foundations of a former tower, and objects and human remains found during the restoration.
• Stories in Stone – A High Cross exhibition about the High Kings of Ossory and Kilkenny's tradition of stone carving, with replicas of the Ossory crosses and medieval sculpture.
• Kilkenny Room – Civic records from the 1200s onwards, including the Liber Primus, the civic sword and mace and other treasures of the city, with a large window over Kilkenny.

Founded

2017

Operated by

Kilkenny Civic Trust

Admission & discounts

The standard ticket includes the interactive self-guided audio tour. Tickets are booked online; annual membership is also offered.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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 museum has a ramp and a lift between floors, accessible toilets and a unisex toilet, seating throughout and audio guides. Staff help visitors who need assistance. For questions about other access needs, visitors can email or phone the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

A family ticket is available, and family activity sheets can be downloaded from the museum website.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The museum can be hired for private events and weddings and also hosts events and exhibitions.

Plan your visit