Kilkenny Castle is a 12th-century fortress in the heart of Kilkenny town. The Norman-style château has evolved over the centuries, and is now open to the public for an unforgettable visit!
Kilkenny Castle gallery – © BOULENGER Xavier
Kilkenny Castle was built in the town itself in the 12th century (1192-1207). The town of Kilkenny was once one of the centres of medieval Irish life.
The castle was built by William de Claire, then sold in 1391 to the Butlers, the Counts and Dukes of Ormond, from the nobility. (This family ruled south-east Ireland for almost 500 years).
Over the centuries, the château was gradually transformed from its Norman style to a more Victorian one. Of these 4 corner towers, only 3 remain to this day.
However, 1935 was a difficult period for the Butlers’ descendants. The economic crisis of the time forced them to auction off the château’s furnishings, as well as the entire building. It was purchased by the state for the ridiculous sum of £60.
The castle was restored by the state in 1967, and fitted out in a much more pronounced Victorian style than before, to give an insight into the lifestyle of the Anglo-Irish nobility of the Middle Ages.
The château can still be visited today. The Long Gallery, for example, is one of the castle’s centerpieces, featuring Butler family portraits under an imposing wooden vault.
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