'Kind remembrances and best wishes': Christmas card from 1898 found at Kilkenny hotel

The Club House Hotel has a legacy of hospitality dating back to 1797, when the Georgian townhouse on Patrick Street served as a lively inn and a fox-hunting lodge for the local gentry.

The property’s annual lease was once paid to the Duke of Ormond in the form of “two fat turkeys”. By 1813, when the new Cork Road opened, the inn had officially become one of Ireland’s earliest recognised hotels, establishing a tradition of service that has endured for more than two centuries.

The hotel is adorned with historic features. One nostalgic artefact is a Club House Christmas card found on the property. It dates back to 1898 with an inscription that reads, “with Kind Remembrances and Best Wishes for Christmas and New Year”, commissioned by the former proprietors, Mr and Mrs TF Murphy.
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This year, The Club House is stepping back in time to celebrate its heritage. The hotel has announced a festive programme inspired by Georgian customs, reflecting the conviviality of the era through décor, food and entertainment. Throughout December, the owners, Ian Brennan and Joanna Hannick, are inviting guests, groups and families to take part in a series of festive events.

“We feel a deep responsibility to preserve this building and the heritage it represents,” said Ian Brennan, owner of The Club House Hotel. “This year, we undertook a significant restoration of the hotel with the support of the Heritage Council and specialist conservation architects. It was important to us that the work honoured the original character of the house and the stories it holds. 

READ: Club House Hotel, Kilkenny celebrates 40 great years of Brennan family ownership

So when it came to planning this year’s festive season, we wanted to do something that reflects where we came from. A Georgian Christmas gives us the chance to celebrate tradition in a way that honours our heritage and offers something our local community and returning guests can enjoy together.” Brennan concluded.

Festive highlights include Georgian Christmas Party Nights, private dining and group, seasonal table traditions and masquerade. Family gatherings, including long-table Sunday lunches and private rooms for extended celebrations. For more information, visit www.clubhousehotel.com