fbpx
Close
Articles by Year

<<     >>

Articles by Category
+353 (0) 91 457 898

Locations

Selected Trips

    Kilkenny Castle – From Strongbow to A Butler’s Pride

    Kilkenny Castle is one of the most beautiful sights to visit in Ireland and has been through many changes throughout a period of eight hundred years.

    Discover more below.

    By Neil Irvine, SEO Content Editor
    More by Neil

    Kilkenny Castle

    self drive ireland

    Kilkenny Castle was built in 1195 and was designed to control a fording point (where water is shallow enough to be crossed on foot by wading) of the River Nore. The castle was one of the first Norman castles to be constructed in Ireland soon after the Normans conquest of the country and over a massive period of eight hundred years, many changes took place with the building being subject to rebuilds, extensions, and adaptions.

    “In 1967 the castle and grounds were transferred to the people of Kilkenny for a massive sum of £50 pounds!”

    Fast forward to the modern days of the 21st century and the castle is a special attraction for visitors to the beautiful county of Kilkenny. In its current incarnation, the building has largely been remodelled by the Victorians to resemble its original thirteenth design. In the nineteenth century, a few elements were added to the area surrounding the castle such as woodlands, a rose garden and a man-made lake which really added a uniquely distinctive appeal to an amazing historical scene.

    Kilkenny Castle Map & The Area

    ‘In Irish Gaelic, the name Kilkenny translates to the church of Cainnech.’

    Kilkenny Castle is located overlooking the River Nore in the heart of Kilkenny city which is based in the county of Kilkenny – in the southwest region of Ireland.

    County Kilkenny has three major rivers that run through the county and River Nore is one of these rivers, which are all also known as the three sisters, with the other two rivers being Suir and the Barrow. Many people think of Dublin as being the capital city of Ireland and one would not fault them for thinking that this was always the case, but in 1641 Kilkenny actually became the capital city of Ireland and it remained this way for nine years until the Cromwell led conquest of Ireland in 1649.

    The city of Kilkenny is very much a city that is decorated in medieval architecture and Kilkenny Castle definitely fits in with the beautiful historic environment of the area. There are many buildings that are scattered throughout Kilkenny which have been well preserved and are maintained to a high standard.

    The city is also sometimes referred to as marble city because of its famously unique black marble that is sourced from the Black Quarry in Archersgrove and Gowan which is situated not far south from Kilkenny city.

    Kilkenny Castle History

    The Castle’s Beginnings

    The beginnings of Kilkenny Castle dates back as far as the 12th century and although there is no accurate record it is thought that the castle was originally built as a wooden structure. History does, although, know that the original castle was constructed by the famous Norman knight 2nd Earl of Pembroke – Richard de Clare, who most people know as ‘Strongbow.’ His marriage to the Irish princess Aoife cemented Norman rule in Ireland.

    The first stone castle on the site was completed in 1260 and would have been a rather basic square-shaped building with classic towers located on each of the four corners of the building – and incredibly, despite hundreds of years passing, three of the original towers survived the passage of time and still stand proudly in the present day Kilkenny Castle.

    The Butlers Era

    In 1391 the castle was sold to the very wealthy Anglo-Norman Butler family of Ormonde who all originally come to Ireland in 1171 during the first Norman invasion of the country. James Butler was the member of the family that bought Kilkenny Castle and over time he became very powerful and generations of the family ruled the surrounding area for many centuries. Many of the Butler family (James Butler included) were buried not far from Kilkenny City in St Mary Collegiate Church in Gowran – which is around a 15 minutes drive away from the castle.

    James Butler’s Castle Remodelling

    In 1661 James Butlers remodelled Kilkenny Castle to resemble a modern chateau style which was inspired by his time in France. A new entrance to the castle was also created around the same time, which is the same entrance that you can walk through today. The entrance to the caste is around 300 years old and was started by James Butler, but he never did manage to see the completed entrance as he died before it was finished – his grandson made sure that the entrance was eventually completed in his honour.

    Further Kilkenny Castle Restoration

    By the eighteenth century the fortunes of the Butler family were failing and as a result the castle was affected. The Butler’s financial failings seeped into the castle and the building had become rather ran down and was not maintained well. Eventually the castle did see some positive restoration when John Butler, 17th Earl of Ormonde, married Anne Wandesford of Castlecomer who brought some wealth back into the family. With this newly-found wealth, the castle saw some restoration in an attempt to restore this run down castle to its former glory.

    Continued riches allowed the Butler family to further add restoration efforts to the caste, in the nineteenth century there was an attempt to restore the castle to its original medieval design. During this time the north wing of the castle was rebuilt and the south curtain wall was extended before more extensions were added in 1854.

    Kilkenny Castle in The Twentieth Century

    After the deaths of a number Butler family members and the Irish Civil War, Kilkenny Castle, once so full of life, saw itself in a state abandonment. In 1967 Lord Ormonde decided to sell the castle to the Castle Restoration Committee for just £50 because he felt a sense of pride with the castle and did not want it to deteriorate any further. He is famously quoted as saying:

    “The people of Kilkenny, as well as myself and my family, feel a great pride in the Castle, and we have not liked to see this deterioration. We determined that it should not be allowed to fall into ruins. There are already too many ruins in Ireland.”

    To mark the occasion, a handover ceremony took place in Kilkenny where even famous rock and songwriter legends Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull turned up to celebrate Kilkenny Castle’s newfound life!

    Remains of an Earlier Castle

    It seems that the history of the castle in the area goes back further than was initially thought – this is as a result of excavations and building surveys that took place during the 1990s. Around this time period, remnants of an earlier castle were discovered – a side entrance to an old castle was found and also a part of a ditch was uncovered which is visible and you can see it if you are visiting Kilkenny Castle.

    The Scenery of County Kilkenny


    Trips with Castles

    TripDatePriceAvailabilityBook
    Hiking - Dingle Way30th Mar - 5th Apr 2024€2,44010 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - Kerry & Clare6th Apr - 12th Apr 2024€2,2505 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way7th Apr - 12th Apr 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Ireland's West Coast13th Apr - 19th Apr 2024€2,2908 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way13th Apr - 21st Apr 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided+ Cycling - Connemara & The Burren13th Apr - 19th Apr 2024€1,82011 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way14th Apr - 19th Apr 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way18th Apr - 26th Apr 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Bike Tour - Donegal From Cliffs to Coast20th Apr - 26th Apr 2024€3,1808 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - Dingle Way20th Apr - 26th Apr 2024€2,4406 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way20th Apr - 28th Apr 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Hiking - Highlights of Ireland20th Apr - 30th Apr 2024€4,3906 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way21st Apr - 26th Apr 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way25th Apr - 3rd May 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way27th Apr - 5th May 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - Kerry & Clare27th Apr - 3rd May 2024€2,2508 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way28th Apr - 3rd May 2024€1,270Trip Full
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way2nd May - 10th May 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - Dingle Way4th May - 10th May 2024€2,4403 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Hiking - Ireland Coast to Coast4th May - 10th May 2024€2,5605 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way4th May - 12th May 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way5th May - 10th May 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way9th May - 17th May 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Bike Tour - The Kerry Peninsulas11th May - 17th May 2024€3,4508 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way11th May - 19th May 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way12th May - 17th May 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way16th May - 24th May 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way18th May - 23rd May 2024€940Trip Full
    Deluxe Hiking - The Kerry Mountains18th May - 24th May 2024€2,6407 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided+ Cycling - Wild Atlantic Way Southwest18th May - 24th May 2024€1,97012 place(s) leftBook Now
    Road Cycling - The Five Countries19th May - 31st May 2024€09 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way19th May - 24th May 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way23rd May - 31st May 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - Connemara's Atlantic Edge25th May - 31st May 2024€2,1903 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Ireland's West Coast25th May - 31st May 2024€2,2901 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way25th May - 2nd Jun 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way26th May - 31st May 2024€1,275Trip Full
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way30th May - 7th Jun 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Bike Tour - Wild Atlantic Way1st Jun - 14th Jun 2024€5,5605 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Hiking - Ireland Coast to Coast1st Jun - 7th Jun 2024€2,5607 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way2nd Jun - 10th Jun 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way2nd Jun - 7th Jun 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way6th Jun - 14th Jun 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way9th Jun - 14th Jun 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way9th Jun - 17th Jun 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way13th Jun - 21st Jun 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way16th Jun - 24th Jun 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way16th Jun - 21st Jun 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Road Cycling - The Five Countries16th Jun - 28th Jun 2024€08 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way20th Jun - 28th Jun 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided+ Cycling - Connemara & The Burren22nd Jun - 28th Jun 2024€1,82010 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Hiking - Highlights of Ireland22nd Jun - 2nd Jul 2024€4,3906 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - Connemara's Atlantic Edge22nd Jun - 28th Jun 2024€2,1907 place(s) leftBook Now
    E-bike - Ireland's West Coast22nd Jun - 28th Jun 2024€3,3202 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Cork and Kerry22nd Jun - 28th Jun 2024€2,4606 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way23rd Jun - 1st Jul 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way23rd Jun - 28th Jun 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way27th Jun - 5th Jul 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Ireland's West Coast29th Jun - 5th Jul 2024€2,2901 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Hiking - The Kerry Mountains29th Jun - 5th Jul 2024€2,6408 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way30th Jun - 8th Jul 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way30th Jun - 5th Jul 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Family Adventure - Giants, Myths and Legends3rd Jul - 9th Jul 2024€2,7305 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way4th Jul - 12th Jul 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Family Adventure - Legends of the Southwest6th Jul - 12th Jul 2024€3,050Trip Full
    Hiking - Dingle Way6th Jul - 12th Jul 2024€2,44010 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal6th Jul - 12th Jul 2024€2,4908 place(s) leftBook Now
    Bike Tour - Donegal From Cliffs to Coast6th Jul - 12th Jul 2024€3,18010 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way7th Jul - 12th Jul 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way7th Jul - 15th Jul 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way11th Jul - 19th Jul 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Hiking - Highlights of Ireland13th Jul - 23rd Jul 2024€4,3908 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Cork and Kerry13th Jul - 19th Jul 2024€2,4608 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - Kerry & Clare13th Jul - 19th Jul 2024€2,2505 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided+ Cycling - Wild Atlantic Way Southwest13th Jul - 19th Jul 2024€1,97010 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way14th Jul - 19th Jul 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way14th Jul - 22nd Jul 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way18th Jul - 26th Jul 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Bike Tour - The Kerry Peninsulas20th Jul - 26th Jul 2024€3,45010 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal20th Jul - 26th Jul 2024€2,4906 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Hiking - Ireland Coast to Coast20th Jul - 26th Jul 2024€2,5608 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way21st Jul - 26th Jul 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way21st Jul - 29th Jul 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way25th Jul - 2nd Aug 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Cork and Kerry27th Jul - 2nd Aug 2024€2,4608 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Ireland's West Coast27th Jul - 2nd Aug 2024€2,2908 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - Connemara's Atlantic Edge27th Jul - 2nd Aug 2024€2,1908 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way28th Jul - 2nd Aug 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way28th Jul - 5th Aug 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way1st Aug - 9th Aug 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal3rd Aug - 9th Aug 2024€2,4908 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided+ Cycling - Connemara & The Burren3rd Aug - 9th Aug 2024€1,8207 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - Kerry & Clare3rd Aug - 9th Aug 2024€2,2508 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way4th Aug - 9th Aug 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way4th Aug - 12th Aug 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way8th Aug - 16th Aug 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Cork and Kerry10th Aug - 16th Aug 2024€2,4608 place(s) leftBook Now
    E-bike - Ireland's West Coast10th Aug - 16th Aug 2024€3,3207 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Hiking - Highlights of Ireland10th Aug - 20th Aug 2024€4,3908 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way11th Aug - 16th Aug 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way11th Aug - 19th Aug 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way15th Aug - 23rd Aug 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way15th Aug - 20th Aug 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Hiking - The Kerry Mountains17th Aug - 23rd Aug 2024€2,6408 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Ireland's West Coast17th Aug - 23rd Aug 2024€2,2908 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - Dingle Way17th Aug - 23rd Aug 2024€2,44010 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way18th Aug - 26th Aug 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way18th Aug - 23rd Aug 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way22nd Aug - 30th Aug 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way22nd Aug - 27th Aug 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - Connemara's Atlantic Edge24th Aug - 30th Aug 2024€2,1908 place(s) leftBook Now
    Bike Tour - Donegal From Cliffs to Coast24th Aug - 30th Aug 2024€3,1808 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal24th Aug - 30th Aug 2024€2,4906 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way25th Aug - 2nd Sep 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way25th Aug - 30th Aug 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way29th Aug - 6th Sep 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way29th Aug - 3rd Sep 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way30th Aug - 8th Sep 2024€2,320Trip Full
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Cork and Kerry31st Aug - 6th Sep 2024€2,4603 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Hiking - The Kerry Mountains31st Aug - 6th Sep 2024€2,6406 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way1st Sep - 6th Sep 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way1st Sep - 9th Sep 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way5th Sep - 13th Sep 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided+ Cycling - Wild Atlantic Way Southwest7th Sep - 13th Sep 2024€1,97012 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Hiking - Ireland Coast to Coast7th Sep - 13th Sep 2024€2,5608 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - Kerry & Clare7th Sep - 13th Sep 2024€2,2506 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way8th Sep - 16th Sep 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way8th Sep - 13th Sep 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way12th Sep - 20th Sep 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Bike Tour - The Kerry Peninsulas14th Sep - 20th Sep 2024€3,45010 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal14th Sep - 20th Sep 2024€2,4903 place(s) leftBook Now
    Deluxe Hiking - Highlights of Ireland14th Sep - 24th Sep 2024€4,3906 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way15th Sep - 23rd Sep 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way19th Sep - 27th Sep 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Ireland's West Coast21st Sep - 27th Sep 2024€2,2908 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way22nd Sep - 30th Sep 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way26th Sep - 4th Oct 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - Kerry & Clare28th Sep - 4th Oct 2024€2,2508 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Dingle Way29th Sep - 7th Oct 2024€1,4252 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Ireland's West Coast5th Oct - 11th Oct 2024€2,2908 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way6th Oct - 11th Oct 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now
    Self Guided - The Wicklow Way13th Oct - 18th Oct 2024€1,2752 place(s) leftBook Now

    Meet the Author: Neil Irvine

    “Neil, our Scottish Highlander, has travelled all over Ireland (and Scotland!). Though originally from the city, Neil prefers the tranquillity of the outdoors. Joining Wilderness in 2017, Neil is our SEO expert.”

    View profileMore by Neil

    Want more Wilderness in your life?

    Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about trip news, blogs and offers.