Artistry at Mount Juliet Estate: A Celebration for Kilkenny Arts Festival

Return of Kilkenny Arts Festival

As Kilkenny Arts Festival returns with its vibrant celebration of music, theatre, literature and the visual arts, Mount Juliet Estate is proud to play host to one of this year’s most anticipated events, the Secret Garden Concert on Sunday the 17th of August. Tucked within the tranquil Georgian surroundings of the estate, this special performance offers an unforgettable moment of culture and atmosphere.

Yet for visitors to the Secret Garden or the wider festival, the artistic journey needn’t end there. Mount Juliet Estate is home to an exceptional collection of heritage, contemporary and commissioned artworks, thoughtfully curated across the Manor House, Hunter’s Yard and our award-winning restaurants. From Georgian stucco ceilings to local landscape murals, wildlife prints and rotating gallery works, the estate invites guests to continue their love of art in quiet, beautiful spaces that celebrate both Irish tradition and modern creativity.

Butler Gallery Paintings in the Manor House Morning Room

Since 2022, the Morning Room, a stately, light-filled space within our Manor House, has served as a refined setting for a rotating selection of artworks from Butler Gallery’s Permanent Collection. This thoughtful collaboration brings fine Irish art into the heart of Mount Juliet Estate, enriching the cultural atmosphere of the house and offering guests a contemplative moment amidst heritage surroundings.

Among the distinguished works that have adorned the Morning Room walls are:

• Head of a Boy by Louis le Brocquy – a quietly powerful study by one of Ireland’s most celebrated modern painters.
• Tipperary Parrot by Grace Henry – a vivid composition reflecting the artist’s bold palette and distinctive style.
• Malahide Estuary by Natanial Hone – a delicate portrayal rooted in the artist’s intimate connection with the Irish countryside.
• Waterbird by Patrick Collins – an ethereal and atmospheric work capturing the spirit of the Irish landscape.
• The Liffey at Ballymore Eustace by Dermod O’Brien – a graceful rendering of light and rhythm along a familiar stretch of river.

Together, these works form a dialogue between past and present, placing Ireland’s rich artistic heritage in conversation with the Manor House’s historic interiors and offering guests a moment of quiet discovery amid their stay.

Lady Helen’s Michael Stapleton & Patrick Osborne Stucco Artwork

The Lady Helen Dining Room is graced with exquisite stucco work by renowned 18th-century stuccodore Michael Stapleton, executed in collaboration with fellow craftsman Patrick Osborne. Commissioned by Henry Thomas Somerset Hamilton Butler, the 2nd Earl of Carrick, the ceiling and walls are adorned with intricate plaster detailing, delicate shells, floral garlands, and classical motifs, all characteristic of the high Georgian style. This ornate decorative scheme reflects the refinement of the era and remains one of the estate’s most treasured architectural features. Today, it forms the elegant backdrop to an award-winning dining experience that continues to celebrate artistry in every sense.

 

Glass Art & Culinary Innovation at Lady Helen

Enhancing the connection between art and dining, Head Chef John Kelly has also collaborated with Rory Leadbetter of Jerpoint Glass Studio, commissioning bespoke glassware for use in Lady Helen’s Tasting Menu. These hand-blown pieces are crafted across from the estate walls and serve not only as elegant tableware but as sculptural complements to the tasting menu, reinforcing the visual artistry that underpins every course. Guests are invited to discover this unique sensory experience, where heritage and craftsmanship meet on every plate.

Reserve your table at Lady Helen and savour a tasting menu that speaks to the season.

Michael Dylan’s Hallway Art in the Manor House

The corridors of the Manor House are adorned with bespoke murals by Irish artist Michael Dylan, whose work is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of the estate. Painted directly onto the walls, these pieces depict sites of local significance, including Jerpoint Abbey, Kells and Grennan Castle, offering guests a sense of place rooted in Kilkenny’s history. Dylan’s style, often figurative with a quietly expressive sensibility, lends warmth and narrative depth to the heritage setting, bringing a modern artistic voice to Mount Juliet’s storied interiors.

Portraiture of Mount Juliet’s Heritage

Throughout the Manor House you’ll also find classic portraits celebrating the estate’s lineage:

• Lady Helen
• Lord Sir Dermot McCalmont
• The famed racehorse Tetrach (affiliated with the McCalmont’s Ballylinch Stud)
• And Lady Juliet Butler, whose name graces the estate

These paintings blend personal history and equine heritage, anchoring Mount Juliet’s identity through art. Afternoon tea is available in the Major’s Room, where you can enjoy delicate pâtisserie, fine leaf teas, paintings from the Butler Gallery collection and stunning views across the parkland. Reserve your table here.

Wildlife Prints by Kathryn Callaghan at Hunter’s Yard

Contemporary artist Kathryn Callaghan brings a vibrant natural energy to Hunter’s Yard, where her expressive wildlife prints and giclée works are featured throughout the restaurant and bedrooms. Known for her dynamic use of ink and movement, Callaghan’s artworks depict birds, horses and other creatures with a distinctive, fluid style that complements the relaxed elegance of the interiors. Her pieces offer a thoughtful nod to the surrounding countryside and the estate’s equestrian heritage, inviting moments of stillness and connection within each room.

FAQs

What should I expect at the Secret Garden Concert at Mount Juliet Estate?
Visitors can enjoy a live performance in the picturesque Walled Garden of Mount Juliet, part of the Kilkenny Arts Festival’s Secret Garden Music Series. These are short pop‑up concerts featuring leading Irish and international musicians, usually lasting around 25 minutes. (Performances are weather-dependent.)

When and where does the Secret Garden Music event take place?
The special Secret Garden concert at Mount Juliet Estate takes place on Sunday, 17 August 2025 at 3 pm in the Walled Garden. These events are free to attend as part of the Kilkenny Arts Festival.

Can I combine visiting Mount Juliet Estate with other Kilkenny Arts Festival experiences?
Yes of course. The Estate is a venue partner for the Kilkenny Arts Festival and hosts select performances such as the Secret Garden Concert. Guests can enjoy the broader Festival programme across Kilkenny city and the Estate’s curated art installations, dining experiences and heritage spaces.

What artworks can I view during my visit?

• In the Morning Room, enjoy rotating works from Butler Gallery’s Permanent Collection, including signatures by Louis le Brocquy and Grace Henry.

• In the Major’s Room, paintings complement the afternoon tea setting.

• In other areas: stucco by Stapleton & Osborne in Lady Helen, wildlife prints by Kathryn Callaghan in Hunter’s Yard and murals by Michael Dylan throughout the Manor House.

Is it possible to stay at The Manor House after attending the concert?
Yes our Taste of the Manor House offer includes elegant accommodation in the Georgian Manor House, fine dining at Lady Helen or afternoon tea in the Major’s Room and full access to the house’s heritage and art-filled interiors.

How can I book afternoon tea at Mount Juliet?
You can reserve your table via the dining section of our website: Reserve your table here. Afternoon tea is available daily in the Major’s Room—seating is limited, so early booking is recommended.

Extend the Experience: Artful Dining and Afternoon Moments

Whether you are attending the Secret Garden Concert or simply soaking in the creative atmosphere of the Kilkenny Arts Festival, allow your visit to unfold further with a dining experience that echoes the same sense of artistry. Settle into the Georgian elegance of Lady Helen for an evening of seasonal tasting and thoughtful craft or linger over afternoon tea in the Manor House, where heritage surroundings and carefully composed flavours offer a quiet, refined finale to your day.

Make the most of your visit with our Taste of the Manor House experience — including fine dining and a refined overnight stay.