The original building on the site was commissioned by James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormond as the new home for Kilkenny Grammar School and was completed in 1667.

[1] The current building, which was designed by Charles Vierpyl in the Neoclassical style to replace the original facility, was completed in 1785.

[1] A serious fire engulfed the building and left the roof badly damaged in 1980; pupils and teachers had to move out while major repairs were carried out.

[2] It remained the home of what became Kilkenny College until the school moved to modern facilities at McAdoo Hall on the Celbridge House site in 1985.

[2] Kilkenny County Council, which had previously been accommodated in offices at John's Green House,[3] moved into the building in 1994.