Kilkenny Castle is located in Kilkenny, Ireland. The castle was built for William Marshal, the
fourth Earl of Pembroke in 1195 AD and completed in 1213 AD. The defensive structure was built to control
the crossing point of the Nore River. The
castle dominates the “High Tower” of Kilkenny City and serves as a symbol of
the Norman occupation. The original structure
was made of wood and designed in the motte-and-bailey style, twenty years passed
before the first stone structure was built.
Three of the original stone towers have survived to this day. The Castle became the home of the powerful
Butler family when James Butler, the third Earl of Ormonde, purchased the
castle and established himself as a ruler of the area in 1391. Through the centuries, the castle underwent
renovations and additions, making it a structure of many architectural
styles. For nearly 600 years, the Butler
family thrived, but by the 18th century the castle had become
rundown as the Butler family suffered financial misfortunes. In 1967, the sixth Marquess of Ormonde sold
the abandoned castle to the Castle Restoration Committee. In the 20th century, the castle
was restored and opened to visitors.
