Saint Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum

The Kilkenny Medieval Museum is housed in the former St. Mary's Church. The gothic building was adapted for exhibition purposes through the use of modern solutions, which, however, did not disturb its character. The museum displays elements of the old temple decorations, stone crosses and tombstones.

The museum was opened in mid-2017 and in the same year was awarded the Architectural Award for the best renovation of a single building. Kilkenny's 13th-century Church of Our Lady was in a deplorable state at the beginning of the 21st century. Its presbytery had collapsed, the interior was devastated, and the roof could only be replaced. Local authorities took the trouble to transform it into a museum. A glazed part full of light was added to the stone body, which replaced the presbytery.

The interior is divided into sections, while maintaining the medieval character of the building. The wooden ceiling was reconstructed, but windows were made in the floor, allowing for easy access to the crypts. Carved elements of stonework, old tombstones and richly decorated stone crosses are displayed on the white walls.