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In 1922, the Butler family - namely Lord and Lady Ossory - were residents of the castle. The Irish Civil war, raged around them. Lord Ossory memorably wrote that he was woken at the "unreasonable hour of 5.30am" by his butler, who brought the news that Republican forces had seized and occupied his castle.

The Butler family handed Kilkenny Castle over to the people of Kilkenny in 1967 – for £50!

Irish legend describes Dunmore Cave, seven miles north of Kilkenny, as one of Ireland�s darkest places and the site where the monster Luchtigen 'The Lord of the Mice' was killed.

The annals tell of a terrible massacre which took place in Dunmore Caves, with 1000 people killed by attacking Vikings in 928AD. Over the years there have been numerous finds of human bones, which together with finding of the Viking artifacts, seem to bear out that terrible tale.

"To understand Kilkenny's unique character one should retire from the busy streets to the lovely Castle Park and, standing within the shadow of the ancient pile, contemplate the great jumble of roof-tops, old and young, which tumble down to the quiet-flowing river beneath. Here dove-grey spires and battlemented towers proclaim a city old in Christian living and wise in human experience. One can feel the heartbeat of an ancient civilised community."

Katherine M Lanigan, Gerald Tyler, 'Kilkenny, Its Architecture & History', Appletree Press 1977

Nowadays, Kilkenny Castle is effectively three-sided. One of the four walls - and one of the great round drum towers - has disappeared over time.

Where did it go? Well, the Eastern wall and the North-Eastern tower were blown up during the 1650 Cromwellian siege of Ireland.

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Bruce Springsteen - Cork and Kilkenny gigs sell out in 90 minutes

Kilkenny Castle is the most popular paid visitor attraction run by the OPW in Ireland

Alternative Kilkenny Arts Festival

Reopening of Kilfane Waterfall and Garden

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