THE BUTLERS AND THE RIVER SUIR

Butler  Crest

The Butlers of Ormonde were one of the most powerful Anglo Norman families and they owned extensive property in Kilkenny and Tipperary, especially along the River Suir.

Originally their name was Walter but it was changed to Butler when the King of England made Theobald Fitzwalter Chief Butler of Ireland in 1185. This position entitled the Butlers to a tax on all wine being imported to Ireland which created a lot of wealth for the family.

The Butlers originally settled at Nenagh in Tipperary in the Barony of Ormonde and this is why they were later referred to as the Butlers of Ormonde.

In the 14th century they were obliged to leave the Nenagh Area and they came south to Kilkenny and established Castles at Gowran and Danesfort in County Kilkenny.

In 1319 the butlers purchased the barony of Iverk which includes the parish of Mooncoin and Piltown.

In 1375 the Butlers acquired Grannagh Castle. They became established in Kilkenny Castle in 1391.
The Butlers carried out many improvements to the castle at Grannagh.

Cromwell tried to take Grannagh Castle but he failed as it was strongly defended by a captain Butler.

The first Butler, Edward Butler appeared in Carrick on Suir in 1309 and built a castle there on the site of the present Ormonde Castle. The Butlers developed Carrick quickly and it became a town of note at that time and Edward Butler became the First Earl of Carrick in 1315. His first task was to build stone walls all around the town.
Edward was succeeded by his son James and he became the first Earl of Ormond. He founded the Franciscan Friary in Carrick on Suir which still survives in Carrick.

The second earl of Ormonde granted a charter of Liberties to Carrick on Suir in 1366. James the next earl was known as the White Earl of Ormonde.

The next most important member of the family was Edmund Mac Richard Butler. He rebuilt the Castle of Carrick on Suir and he also built the first bridge in Carrick which is the present old Bridge in 1447. Up to, that time you could only cross the Suir at Carrick by ferry. There were also ferries at Ferrybank and at Grannagh.

It was Edward Mac Richard Butler who was involved in the battle of Piltown which took place in 1462 between the Ormondes and the Desmonds.

Black Tom was the next Earl of Ormonde and was also very famous. He was Lord and Master in Carrick and it was he who built the Manor House in Carrick in front of the Castle.

James the second Duke of Ormonde was also important and he lived at Knocktopher and at Kilkenny. The most important demenses were at Carrick and Kilkenny although there were Butler castles at Kilcash, Fethard and Cahir.