Kilkenny Castle And Its History

Kilkenny castle built 1195 by William marshall 1st earl of Pembroke to control a fording-point of the river nore and the junction of several routeways,it was of normal occupation and in its original thirteenth- century condition it would have an important element of the defencies of the town with four large circular corner towers and a massive ditch,part of which can be still seen today on the parade (BUTLER DYNESTY) james butler 3rd earl of Ormond bought the castle in in1391 and established himself as ruler of the area this james built gowran castle in 1385 and made it his usual residence he is buried in st Mary's collegiate church gowran james was called the earl of gowran the butler dynesty then ruled the surrounding area for centuries they were earls marqesses and dukes of Ormond lady Margaret butler was born in Kilkenny castle she was married to sir William Boleyn who was the paternal grandmother of ann Boleyn second wife of king henry the V111 of England the butler name was first FITZWALTER they changed it to butler in1185