Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Castle was built over 800 years ago as Anglo-Norman stone castle. Since then it has had many additions and alteration and now sits proudly overlooking Kilkenny City. The original Anglo-Norman stone Castle was built by William Marshal, 4th Earl of Pembroke during the first decade of the thirteenth century. Kilkenny Castle later became the principal Irish residence of the powerful Butler family for almost 600 years. Butler ownership began when James, 3rd Earl of Ormond purchased the Castle in about 1391, and lasted until 1967 when Arthur, 6th Marquess and 24th Earl of Ormonde, presented it to the people of Kilkenny.

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