From the Kilkenny Castle to Waterford
The Kilkenny Castle is one of Ireland's most iconic castles. Situated atop a hill on the banks of the River Nore it dramatically dominates the small city of Kilkenny.
Since we had not been able to fit it in yesterday, the Kilkenny Castle was our first sightseeing stop of the day today before we headed to Waterford and then on to our final destination of the day, Kinsale.
Since we had not been able to fit it in yesterday, the Kilkenny Castle was our first sightseeing stop of the day today before we headed to Waterford and then on to our final destination of the day, Kinsale.
The Kilkenny Castle is a stony, stalwart symbol of the 12th century and also serves as a classic reminder of the Butler family who controlled Kilkenny for nearly 500 years.
Today the castle is U shaped instead of its original, classic 4 walled medieval fortress, all thanks to Oliver Cromwell.
Cromwell and his men stormed the castle in 1650, knocked down one of the 4 castle walls thus creating the U shape it is today. Moreover, leaving destruction in its wake, Cromwell's men viciously and maliciously desecrated many of the once stunning stone figures such as this one below with its sword swiped nose.
Today the castle is U shaped instead of its original, classic 4 walled medieval fortress, all thanks to Oliver Cromwell.
Cromwell and his men stormed the castle in 1650, knocked down one of the 4 castle walls thus creating the U shape it is today. Moreover, leaving destruction in its wake, Cromwell's men viciously and maliciously desecrated many of the once stunning stone figures such as this one below with its sword swiped nose.
In 1391 the James Butler family purchased the castle from the crown. It remained in the Butler family until 1935. Over the centuries, the Butler family developed the castle from a medieval defensive Irish fortress into a Renaissance manor house, and later into a "big house", one of the large country mansions that became fashionable in the 19th century.
In 1967, Arthur Butler, the 24th Earl of Ormond, turned the castle over to the people of Kilkenny. He sold the castle to the Kilkenny Castle Restoration Committee for 50 pounds. Why did he sell it for such a small amount? Arthur Butler felt that, "The people of Kilkenny, as well as myself and my family, feel 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."
.‘The Butlers then also bought the land in front of the castle "in order that it should never be built on and the castle would be seen in all its dignity and splendor." Since 1969, the castle has been in the loving care of the Office of Public Works who have painstakingly restored it to its 1830's splendor.
Here's a photo of the restoration:
.‘The Butlers then also bought the land in front of the castle "in order that it should never be built on and the castle would be seen in all its dignity and splendor." Since 1969, the castle has been in the loving care of the Office of Public Works who have painstakingly restored it to its 1830's splendor.
Here's a photo of the restoration:
The Butlers were huge collectors of art and their 'Hall of Portraits" was astounding. This grand room's wooden ceiling was magnificently reconstructed in gold leaf just as it had been in the 1800's!
This is looking up at the hand painted ceiling.
An awe inspiring room!
Using photos from the 1880's, the preservationists were able to track down the original rug manufacturer in England who was still making rugs and created exact reproductions.
Here's an 1880's photo
Two small original hand-painted pieces of wallpaper were discovered in the renovation and art historians were able to locate the family owned French company which had created it in the 1800's. They were able to hand paint the wallpaper on the walls and restore it to its original splendor!
The outstanding renovation of Kilkenny Castle by the OPW or Office of Public Works of Ireland and the restoration of the two wings of this magnificent castle is truly impressive. OPW historians and preservationists have recreated an astounding presence of the 19th century luxurious life the Butlers lived within these stone walls.
Here's an 1880's photo
and the same room today:
The outstanding renovation of Kilkenny Castle by the OPW or Office of Public Works of Ireland and the restoration of the two wings of this magnificent castle is truly impressive. OPW historians and preservationists have recreated an astounding presence of the 19th century luxurious life the Butlers lived within these stone walls.
After touring Kilkenny Castle we were on our way to Kinsale; but first, we'll be making a stop at Waterford.
