The tapestry in the castle is very handsome. Some of it is supposed to have been manufactured in Kilkenny, where Piers, Earl of Ormond, and his wife, Margaret FitzGerald, started a tapestry industry, some of the records of which are still preserved. A set of panels representing the “History of Deceus” is the most valuable tapestry in the castle.
Of the three towers, that on the south being the largest is called “The Tower.” The small turret in the north-west angle is part of the oldest masonry in the castle, and is supposed to belong to the twelfth-century fortress.
The Evidence Chamber contains an immense number of valuable historic documents and family records, among which are some deeds executed by Strongbow.
The first Norman fortress is supposed to have been erected by Richard, Earl of Pembroke, better known as Strongbow, shortly after his arrival in Ireland. In 1173 Donald O’Brien, King of Thomond, descended and seized the castle, its garrison of Flemings retreating to Waterford. They returned when the Irish had withdrawn and occupied what remained of the stronghold until William, Earl Marshal, arrived with Isabel, his bride, in 1191. She was the daughter and heiress of Eva and Strongbow, and had been brought up at the English Court. They were married in 1189, and he began to rebuild the Castle of Kilkenny in 1192. Thomas, 10th Earl of Ormond and favourite of Queen Elizabeth, repaired the castle. James, the 1st Duke of Ormond, remodelled the whole building after his return from exile with Charles II., in a style of architecture then common in France and Holland. Dr. Molyneux, writing in 1709, says: “There is not one handsome or noble apartment. The Rooms are Darke, and the stairs mighty ugly.”
It is at present in castellated Tudor style. In 1826 the change of architecture was entrusted to Mr. William Robertson, and during the minority of the present Marquess his mother carried out many improvements.
A passage is reported to exist from the castle to Dunmore cave.
In Earl Mareschal’s charter he granted the tenth part of the provisions in the castle to the Brotherhood of St. John. They were also to officiate in the castle chapel while the Earl was absent, but when at home his chaplain took their place.
The stronghold was inherited in succession by the Earl’s five sons, who all died without heirs, and Kilkenny passed to his third daughter Isabel, who married Gilbert de Clare, 6th Earl of Clare, Hertford and Gloucester, and in 1290 we find him surrendering Kilkenny Castle to the King to hold at his pleasure.
In 1334 the 9th Earl of Clare died without issue, and was succeeded by his sister Eleanor de Clare, whose husband became Earl of Gloucester through her right. His grandson Spencer, Lord of Glamorgan and Kilkenny, sold the castle in 1391 to James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormond.
Theobald Walter had been made Chief Butler of Ireland by Henry II., which appointment granted him a tun of wine out of every nine brought to Ireland, and this privilege remained in the family until 1810, when the Government purchased it from Walter, the 1st Marquess of Ormond.