Sir Walter Butler had received instructions from Lord Castlehaven to surrender, in case no help arrived before a given time, so considering the weakness of his garrison he made terms with the Parliamentarians which were of an honourable nature. As the garrison marched out Cromwell complimented them on their gallantry, saying he had lost more men in the storming of Kilkenny than in the taking of Drogheda.
The estate was restored to the Duke upon the Restoration. The Count de Lauzun had been commander for James II. at Kilkenny, and the castle had been carefully preserved by him.
The Duke died in 1688, and was succeeded by his son, who also was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. William III. dined in the castle in August, 1690, as the Duke’s guest.
In 1715 he was accused falsely of conspiring against the Crown, and in anger at the charge he crossed to France, and joined the Stuarts.
His estates, valued at £80,000 a year, were forfeited and he died at Avignon, supported by a pension from the Court of Spain.
The Irish House of Lords restored part of the estates and the Irish Earldom to another branch of the Ormonds, and John Butler became 17th Earl of Ormond.
Walter, the 18th Earl, was created Marquess in 1816, and from him the present representative is descended, who in 1904 entertained King Edward VII. and Queen Alexandra at the castle.
J. Hogan, “Kilkenny.” Brewer, “Beauties of Ireland.” J. Robertson, “Antiquities and Scenery of Kilkenny.” P. Egan, “Kilkenny Guide.” E. Ledwidge, “History of Irishtown and Kilkenny” in “Collectanea de Rebus Hibernices.” J. Graves, “Journey to Kilkenny, 1799” (_Journal of Kilkenny Archæological Society_). MacMahon, “Kilkenny Castle” in “Historic Houses.” Calendar of State Documents. Calendar of Carew MSS.
This fortress is situated in a parish of the same name in the Barony of Forth, about three miles south-east of Wexford. The name, which is written Killyan in the _Liber Regalis_ visitations, signifies “The Church of St. Liedania.”
The building consists of a castellated rectangular keep, to which a modern house has been attached. There is also an enclosed bawn with most excellently preserved walls. Near the castle stand the ruins of its chapel.
In the notes attached to the Down Survey Maps, dating from about 1657, it is stated that at Great Killiane is “a Castle with a slate house adjoining, a decayed windmill, and seven cabbins.”