There has been a castle at this site since 1172. The Norman knight Richard de Clare, also known as Strongbow, built a wooden tower on a rocky height overlooking the River Nore. Twenty years later, William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke married Isabel de Clare, Strongbow's daughter and heiress. It was Marshal who built the first stone castle on this site, much of which survives today. Three of the drum shaped towers still stand. In 1967, Arthur Butler, 6th Marquess and 24th Earl of Ormonde handed Kilkenny Castle over to the Castle Restoration Committee for the nominal sum of £50. Here then, are the photos of our 2004 visit to Strongbow's legacy. It is indeed impressive.

 

Strongbow's Castle

 

Castle, your ramparts rise

To the sky, thrusting the gray

Walls to the Heavens.

Were you saved for us?

We mortals-to know of life when

Strongbow lived?

Your magnificence dwarfs the

Everyday world and we marvel

At your beauty and history.

----BT

May, 2004

 

This medieval castle was roughly square with drum shaped towers at each corner, three of which still stand.

 

 

For more on the history of the castle, click here.

 

 

The beautiful expanse of the grass in the Castle square.

 

City and County of Kilkenny

 

 

Would you like to tour Kilkenny Castle? Hours and information.