Photographed By William Murphy - Select Image To View Photographs

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INCLUDING SANDY THE DOG

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The Rise of a Dynasty - The family arrived in Ireland during the Norman invasion in 1185. Their name comes from their hereditary title: "The Chief Butler of Ireland." Their job was literally to hand the first cup of wine to the King of England at his coronation. This ceremonial role made them incredibly wealthy and powerful.

By 1391, James Butler, the 3rd Earl of Ormond, purchased Kilkenny Castle. For centuries, the "Ormond Butlers" were the unofficial kings of the region, surviving the Wars of the Roses, the Tudor era (they were cousins to Anne Boleyn), and the Cromwellian siege.

The Final Residents - The era of the "Sandy" the dog coincided with the family's final peak of Edwardian glamour.

James Butler, the 3rd Marquess (died 1919): He lived in the castle with his wife, Lady Elizabeth Grosvenor. They hosted royalty, including the future King George V and Queen Mary. Despite the outward opulence, the changing political landscape in Ireland and the onset of World War I began to drain the family's resources.

The Move to London: Following the 3rd Marquess's death, his nephew George (the Earl of Ossory) took over. However, by 1935, the combination of high taxes, death duties, and the Great Depression made the castle impossible to maintain. The family held a massive auction of the castle's contents, packed their personal bags, and moved to London.

The Great Gift of 1967 - For over 30 years, the castle sat empty and fell into a state of semi-ruin. The final chapter is perhaps the most famous:

In 1967, Arthur Butler, the 6th Marquess of Ormonde, returned to Kilkenny.

Instead of selling the property to a developer, he sold the entire castle and its parklands to the people of Kilkenny for a symbolic £50.

He famously stated that the castle belonged to the people and he wanted to ensure its preservation.

Where are the Butlers now? - The Marquessate of Ormonde became extinct in 1997 following the death of the 7th Marquess, Charles Butler, who had no male heirs. However, the wider Butler family remains very active through The Butler Society, which connects thousands of descendants worldwide. They still hold rallies in Kilkenny to celebrate their shared heritage.

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