Kilcash Castle

Cill Chais (Kilcash) was the great house of one of the branches of the Butlers near Clonmel until well into the 18th century. It was once occupied by Lord Castlehaven, a noted Confederate Catholic commander in the 1641-52 war, who wrote his memoirs here. The early 19th-century song Cill Chais mourns the death of Margaret Butler, Viscountess Iveagh. Near the castle are the remains of a medieval church with a Romanesque doorway. This building was partially repaired in the 1980s and is now safe to visit. In the graveyard, the mausoleum (a building nearly as large as the church) contains the tombs with headstones carved with elaborate scenes of the crucifixion.

The main building is a fortified tower form the 16th century. Following the death of Black Tom Butler in 1614, his nephew, Walter Butler of Kilcash (known as Walter of the Beads) became the 11th Earl of Ormond. However, he spent most of the rest of his life in prison. His grandson, James Butler became the first Duke of Ormonde. The famous song “A Lament for Kilcash” – “Cad adheanaimid feasta gan adhmad…” mourns the death of Margaret Butler Viscountess Iveagh who died in 1744.

This building was partially repaired in the 1980s and is now safe to visit. In the graveyard, the mausoleum (a building nearly as large as the church) contains the tombs with headstones carved with elaborate scenes of the crucifixion.

Location
Location 5 miles (8 km) east of Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland

Co-ordinates
Coordinates 52°23′52″N 7°31′17″W