Ireland Lord of Kilkenny
The Lordship of Kilkenny
Kilkenny was effectively the capital of Anglo-Norman Ireland and the seat of the Butler family, one of the most powerful dynasties in Irish history. The Butler Earls (and later Dukes) of Ormonde ruled from the magnificent Kilkenny Castle for nearly 600 years, from 1391 to 1967.
The Statutes of Kilkenny, enacted in 1366, were one of the most significant legal acts in Irish lordship history. They attempted to prevent the Anglo-Norman lords from adopting Irish customs, language, and dress, reflecting the ruling elite's fear that they were becoming 'more Irish than the Irish themselves.'
James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde, was the most powerful lord in 17th-century Ireland. He served as Lord Lieutenant and fought in the Irish Confederate Wars, navigating the complex loyalties of the Civil War period with remarkable political skill.
Kilkenny and the Peerage
The Marquessate of Ormonde (Butler family) was one of the premier Irish peerage titles, elevated to a dukedom twice (1661 and 1688). Kilkenny Castle was the Butler seat for nearly 600 years. The Viscountcy of Kilkenny existed as a subsidiary title.
View the full Peerage Hierarchy ChartNotable Lords of Kilkenny
The Butlers were so powerful that the phrase 'Kilkenny cats' entered English idiom, referring to two entities that fight until both are destroyed, from a supposed incident involving cats tied together by soldiers from the Butler and Fitzgerald factions.
Ireland Noble Surnames
Explore the noble heritage of Ireland's most prominent family names and discover their connections to the peerage.
Become a Lord or Lady of Ireland
The lords of Kilkenny shaped centuries of history. Today, you can carry a Ireland title of your own as Lord or Lady, with a complete title pack from £55.
