SW W-036 Kilkenny Castle, Ireland

Kilkenny Castle (Irish: Caisleán Chill Chainnigh) is a castle in Kilkenny built in 1195 by William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke. It was a symbol of Norman occupation and in its original thirteenth-century condition it would have formed an important element of the defences of the town of Kilkenny with its four large circular corner towers and a massive ditch, part of which can still be seen today.

Kilkenny Castle stands dramatically on a strategic height that commands a crossing on the River Nore and dominates the 'High Town' of Kilkenny City. Over the eight centuries of its existence, many additions and alterations have been made to the fabric of the building, making Kilkenny Castle today a complex structure of various architectural styles.

The original Anglo-Norman stone castle was built for William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke (c.1146-1219) during the first decade of the  thirteenth century.  Kilkenny Castle later became the principal Irish residence of the powerful Butler family for almost 600 years.The Butler ownership lasted until 1967 when Arthur, 6th Marquess of Ormonde (1893-1971), presented it to the people of Kilkenny in return for a token payment of £50.

The buildings have been in the care of the Office of Public Works since 1969, and many important programmes of archaeological excavation, conservation, and restoration have been carried out there.

There are ornamental gardens on the city side of the castle, and extensive land and gardens to the front. It has become one of the most visited tourist sites in Ireland.

This postcard came from Aistė Dimskytė (aistia) of Lithuania (16 April 2014) Swap-bot.