11 comments

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  • Kilkenny castle is an incredible structure. It has been redesigned on several occasions so it has both aspects of a Norman fortress and a French chateau rolled into one. Its overall shape is quite unique in that it only has three sides; originally it had a fourth, but it was blown away by Cromwell in a siege in 1650! The castle was built by William Marshall in the early 13th century, possibly on the site of a wooden fortress built by Marshall’s father-in-law Strongbow. Marshall’s life was like something out of a novel – he was the quintessential Norman knight. He was the younger son of a relatively minor English aristocrat but rose to be one of the most powerful men in England and lead the Norman drive into the South-west of Ireland. As part of this he drove the Gaelic Irish from Co. Kilkenny and constructed the stone castle amongst many other buildings to hold this new territory. The original castle he built still survives in parts . One of the first stages of the tour of the castle leads you to a room in the base of one of the towers – this is one few visible 13th century parts. In the late 14th century the castle was bought by the Butler family and they lived there until the 20th century. When you reach the upper floors you will see the family living quarters renovated to their 19th century grandeur. The tour ends in the Butler gallery which houses portraits of the great, good and not so good of the Butler family. Indeed there are numerous portraits throughout the castle. The collection came to prominence earlier this summer when some prize clown slashed a 16th century portrait for apparently no reason. home insurance Ireland

  • said MichaelSharaton

  • 2010.10.11 at 06:37:50 PDT

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  • Hi Randy, Incase you do read this, I was so pleased when I was able to see pictures of Kilkenny Castle and King John's even though the latter leaves a nasty taste in my mouth HA! Ha! He was sure quite the nasty bas____ along with the rest of his family. Anyway, I have been reading quite alot regarding Lord William Marshall,(1147-1219), Earl of Pembroke,(The Greatest Knight), whose wife was Isabella de Clare,Comtesse de Strigiol,(1172-1220),etc etc etc...She was the sole heir to Kilkenny Castle when her father Richard de Clare, Lord of Leinster and other titles he held died. Goes back to the Norman Invasion.Amongst many more they both held in Wales,England & Ireland. So on and So forth. I got carried away here. Sorry about that. Anything Irish I love. I'm 1/2. I have read somewhere that the front entrance door is still the original one that William Marshall, the father not the son, had commissioned. Most probably never will get to Ireland, so you have provided me with a tour that I have only dreamed of taking. Thank you again....now I'm going to look at your next set of photos on Ireland..

  • said sparkplugml

  • 2008.09.18 at 13:38:08 PDT

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  • Beautiful shots of a beautiful country. Thanks for the info on my O'Brien's tower photo - I have added a note and acknowledgement. Warm greetings from Petaluma, CA, Beth

  • said bvillanyi

  • 2007.01.31 at 07:35:44 PST

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  • Hi Randy! I should be taking trips with u you go every where I have ever dreamed

  • said penelopejane13044

  • 2007.01.11 at 10:58:25 PST

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  • I love Ireland very much. Look like you used a polarizing filter here. Your skys look great.Thank you for sharing. Bernard

  • said volvob12

  • 2006.03.17 at 01:28:23 PST

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  • Thanks for sharing this beautiful album with the rest of us. Best wishes from Israel, Yair.

  • said ykarelic4

  • 2005.12.25 at 07:03:16 PST

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  • Hey there, Randy - Nice album. Thanks for the armchair vacation. Visiting the land of my heritage has always been a dream of mine. Maybe someday, but until then I'll view and appreciated other peoples' memories. Thanks for stopping by my Vermont album. Shirley :)

  • said surelyyoujest100

  • 2005.11.04 at 12:33:53 PST

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  • Hi Randy! Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words in my clouds album. I was so happy seeing your gbe! I just found this Ireland album and I also love Ireland - in music as well as in the countryside. i have never been there but I just love pictures from there. Thanks to webshots I can travel to Ireland lituarly with my fingertips! Thanks for sharing this beautiful pictures. I enjoeyed them a lot. Take care and God bless you! Trixi :-)

  • said trixiko

  • 2005.11.02 at 07:11:50 PST

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  • A wonderful account of such a mysterious, vibrant, green, rich historical warm country! Loved the tour, thanks for sharing!

  • said kester110

  • 2004.07.30 at 04:44:49 PDT

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  • Ireland - 'tis so lovely! the home of my 3rd G-Grandparents and I have had the privilege of visiting one time - will go back again - thanks for your pictures - I feel I am right in the middle of them. Thx. T.

  • said taffygirl65

  • 2004.06.25 at 07:56:14 PDT

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  • Hi Randy! I'm honored to be the first to sign your guestbook. What a beautiful album!! It's impossible to choose a favorite as they are all wonderful. It's my dream to visit Ireland. I'll get there, yet. Enjoying your other albums as well. God bless, Shaun from Savannah

  • said shaunhouston

  • 2004.01.22 at 10:20:24 PST

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