Ormonde Door Ormonde Castle was before 1315 and was acquired by the Butler family that very same year. Tipperary, Ireland

Arrow Slit Of Cahir Built in 1142, Cahir Castle is one of the largest castles in Ireland and is situated on an island in the river Suir, and was granted to the Butler family by King Edward III. Tipperary, Ireland

Cahir Tower Here the tower of Cahir Castle still stands after countless attacks, especially during the Elizabethan-Irish Wars, which lasted over three decades 1560's, 1570's and 1580's, because the Butler dynasty sided with the Roman Catholic Irish instead of the Anglican Protestants. Tipperary, Ireland

Ruins of Hoare On a typical blustery Irish day, the ruins of Hoare Abbey, a Cistercian monastery near the Rock of Cashel, gaze over the quiet meadow. The Butler family gained possession of the property in 1540 Tipperary, Ireland

Goose House Bridge A goose house floats along the reeds under a stone bridge Tipperary, Ireland

Folly Tower Towering above the trees, this folly was constructed primarily for decoration Kilkenny, Ireland

Horse Tie Ring On the side of the carriage house at Kilkenny Castle Kilkenny, Ireland

Horse Tie Ring On the side of the carriage house at Kilkenny Castle Kilkenny, Ireland

Ruin of Kells During the tenth century, Kells was repeatedly sacked and pillaged by maurauding Viking. Despite the constant raids, the monks managed to keep the Book of Kells intact until 1006, when it was successfully stolen. While it was returned only two months later, sadly the front cover and many of the pages were missing. Kells, County Meath, Ireland

Watchful Sentry A guardian bust keeps a watchful eye over the castle grounds Kilkenny, Ireland

Celtic Mourning A cold blustery day shrouds this cemetery and its headstones Kilkenny, Ireland

Enter Thru Here The carriage house at Kilkenny Castle housed many of the retainers of the Earl and the Butler family. Kilkenny, Ireland