Kilkenny Castle in Ireland - photo architecture, creations of people. Kilkenny Castle is the main symbol of the city on the banks of the River Nore Kilkenny Castle Ireland
The history of the castle began in the 12th century - it was then that the Norman knights arrived in County Kilkenny; Among them was Richard de Clare. The hill near the river Nore immediately appeared to the knights ideal place for the construction of fortifications; It was then that the first – still wooden – castle was built here. The Normans, by the way, were by no means the first warriors who were able to appreciate all the strategic advantages of this hill; Once upon a time, even before the Norman invasion, the residence of Irish leaders stood here.
The wooden castle served its owners for two decades; in 1195, William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, built a stone fortification here. For some time, the seneschal of the local lands, Sir Gilbert De Bohun, lived in the castle; he inherited the castle from his mother in 1270.
In 1300, Edward I deprived Sir Gilbert of all rights - however, only for 3 years; continued to live in the castle of de Bohun until his death in 1381. Sir Gilbert's heirs did not get the castle - the Crown took Kilkenny for itself; Later the fortress was transferred to the Butler family.
The new owners of Kilkenny were an extremely powerful family; the foresight and loyalty to the crown characteristic of the representatives of this family literally became a legend. The rulers of Ireland valued such devoted servants - the Butlers were almost always quite rich and occupied good positions in the government. The family's affairs began to deteriorate only in the 18th century; This deterioration also affected the condition of the castle itself. Some repairs were carried out - for example, the wife of John Butler, 17th Earl of Ormonde, Anne Wandesford, at one time quite actively led the restoration work; Unfortunately, this could not solve the problem as a whole.
The next attempt to restore the castle to its former grandeur - and its authentic medieval appearance - was made only in the 19th century; As part of a new series of works, the northern wing was rebuilt and the southern wall was expanded. Work continued in 1854.
The Butler family continued to own Kilkenny until 1935; in 1935, everything in the castle was sold for £6,000. The Butlers moved to London and did not think about Kilkenny for at least 30 years. Taxes continued to rise, and the family's fortune melted literally before our eyes.
In 1967, Arthur Butler, 6th Marquess and 24th Earl of Ormonde sold abandoned and dilapidated Kilkenny to the Castle Restoration Committee. Arthur took only 50 pounds for Kilkenny; in his own words, neither he nor the residents of the county the current state of such an important historical monument I didn’t like it - and the intervention of someone capable of restoring the castle was simply necessary. At the same time, Butler also bought the lands in front of the castle - in order to be sure that they would never be built on, and Kilkenny would still be visible from afar.
Restoration work took some time, but Kilkenny was eventually opened to the general public.
The castle itself is a highly impressive sight; The surrounding gardens are also very popular among tourists. In the basement of the castle there is the Butler Gallery; Here, through the efforts of the regional society of art lovers, various exhibitions are regularly held. On this moment Kilkenny is one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Ireland.
Kilkenny Castle was built in the 12th century by the first Earl of Pembroke, William Marshal. The stone fortification occupied a strategic position on the top of a hill located near the River Nore. During its existence, the castle was rebuilt many times, which could not but affect its appearance. What tourists see today is an original, but very organic combination of different architectural styles.
For six centuries - from 1391 to 1967. - Kilkenny was the main residence of the Butler family. The castle has lived through various periods. At first, for more than two centuries, there was relative calm. In the 17th century, when Kilkenny became the seat of James Butler, who supported the rebels, much changed. In 1650, the castle was besieged and suffered partial destruction. 
Upon Butler's return from exile, Kilkenny underwent a restoration that gave the building European features. But then, for almost a whole century, the castle deteriorated and grew old, until the 17th Earl of Ormonde, John Butler, married favorably. This made it possible to bring the family estate into proper shape. 
In the middle of the 19th century. The Butlers are carrying out another reconstruction, deciding to return the fortress to its medieval appearance. Then there was calm again, lasting until 1935, after which much of the castle's contents were sold and the Butler family moved to London. Thirty years later, in 1967, the 6th Marquess of Ormonde, Arthur Butler, transferred Kilkenny to the Authority for a nominal fee public works.
Since then, having undergone minor changes, the castle has become accessible to everyone. 
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The top of one of the hills of the Irish city of Kilkenny, next to which the River Nore splashes, has been crowned by a beautiful castle of the same name for eight centuries. Over the years, its structure has undergone many changes. Now Kilkenny Castle harmoniously and originally combines several architectural styles.
Initially, a stone Anglo-Norman castle was erected on this site by order of the fourth Earl of Pembroke, William Marshal. This happened around the beginning of the 13th century. After some time, the third Earl of Ormond, James Butler, became the new owner of the castle, whose powerful family it served as a residence for almost six hundred years. And in 1967, the sixth Marquess of Ormond Arthur - the heir to the clan - sold Kilkenny Castle to the people for the ridiculous price of 50 pounds sterling.
Immediately after this, the Department of Public Works, which received ownership of the castle, preserved it, launched archaeological excavations in the adjacent territory and began restoration of the historical monument. So the castle park received new entrances.
The decoration of the main entrance was a 19th-century gate. Fountain, dated XVII century, were restored, and unique statues of Diana and Hermes were placed on pedestals near the castle. The park terraces and the park itself were also updated and modernized.
Currently, Kilkenny Castle can clearly demonstrate the sequence of development of architectural styles in Ireland, represented by separate stages. After all, initially it was only a stone fortress with a command post in the form of a ditch around it; in the 17th and 18th centuries, elegant additions appeared here, and the reconstruction of the 19th century diversified the image of the building with Gothic elements.
One, and probably the main symbol of the city of Kilkenny is the wonderfully preserved Kilkenny Castle or the castle of the Butler family, so it is worth telling about it in more detail.
Kilkenny Castle (Gelic: Chainnigh Chill Caisleán) is a castle founded in 1195 by William Marshal, 4th Earl of Pembroke, at a key location at the crossing of the River Nore and the junction of several roads. It became a symbol of Norman rule and the key to the prosperity of the city.
Kilkenny Castle has been an important point since Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, known as Strongbow. He built the first wooden castle in 1173 on an area of more than early place residence of Mac Gill Patrick, King of Ossory. Kilkenny was part of the province of Leinster, the possession of which was granted to Strongbow. Earl Strongbow's daughter and heiress, Isabel, married William Marshal in 1189. The Earl Marshal had large estates in Ireland, England, Wales and France and ruled them very successfully and efficiently. He gave impetus to the development of Kilkenny, including the construction of Kilkenny Castle and the adoption of the agreement on rents and privileges for burghers and citizens of the city. The first stone castle on the territory of the city was completed in 1213. It was a square-shaped castle with towers at each corner; To this day, three of the four original towers are perfectly preserved.
James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormonde, bought the castle in 1391 and established himself as ruler of the area. The Butler dynasty was a remarkable family, politically astute and loyal to the crown and Ireland. These attachments determined their fortunes and careers for several centuries. The Butlers arrived in Ireland with the Norman invasion, and initially settled in Gowran. They changed their surname from Fitzwalter to Butler in 1185 and were subsequently Earls, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde and lived at the castle for over five hundred years. Notable members of the family include Lady Margaret Butler (b. 1454 or 1465–1539), an Irish noblewoman, daughter of Thomas Butler, 7th Earl of Ormonde, born at Kilkenny Castle. She married Sir William Boleyn and was the paternal grandmother of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII of England.
During the 18th century the castle fell into disrepair, reflecting the fortunes of the Butler family. However, John Butler, 17th Earl of Ormond, improved matters a little by marrying Anne Wandesford Castlecomer, who returned wealth to the family. The Butlers then attempted to restore its original medieval appearance by also restoring the northern wing and expanding the southern part of the castle.
The Butler family remained at the castle until 1935, when they sold its furnishings for £6,000 and moved to London, leaving the castle for thirty years.
In 1967, Arthur Butler, 6th Marquess and 24th Earl of Ormonde, sold the abandoned and deteriorating castle to the Castle Restoration Committee for a token £50 with the statement: "The people of Kilkenny, myself and my family, feel great pride in the castle, and we We don't like to see it fall into disrepair. We decided it couldn't be allowed to fall into ruin. There are already too many ruins in Ireland."
He also bought the land in front of the castle with the words "so that it would never be built on, and the castle would be presented in all its dignity and splendor."
So, only the entrance directly to the castle is paid. But in front of the castle it is broken huge park, with free entry.
I estimated from Google Map that the length walking trail There is about a kilometer and a half around the park. And all this time it stretches under the canopy of centuries-old trees. With such giant stumps. Apparently this tree's time has passed. But one of the Butlers once walked under its shade.
And in the center is a stunning water meadow, similar to a golf course. Which Kilkenians and tourists use. Someone is walking the dog, someone is running for health, and someone is settling down for a picnic.
We did just that, looked briefly into the freely open southern tower, where the arsenal used to be, and now there is a large TV and a film about the history of the castle is playing, and then we lounged in the clearing in front of the castle.
Then we went to wander around the park. In the farthest corner there is a small lake where proud swans like to relax.
And at the end of the park is a traditional piece of art. It is unclear what they wanted to tell them.
And in the middle there is a large playground where our children hung out for a long time. With a funny sign.
And then they went to the foot of the castle, and looked from the top of the hill on which it was built at the bend of the River Nore and tried to imagine how Sirs Pembroke, Ormonde and Butler felt at the same time, examining their possessions.
Nice place. When in Kilkenny, you should definitely set aside a couple of hours for a walk around the castle park in order to work up an appetite. Although no one suffered from its absence in Ireland. Fresh air and an abundance of greenery always do their job, and there is still an acquaintance with the city itself, about which a little later.