It was Piers Butler who initially had a castle built in the 15C. Around 1560, part of what remained of the original building was integrated into a thoroughly Elizabethan manor house by Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond. He built the manor to receive his cousin, the sulphurous Queen of England, Elizabeth I. The interior is renowned for its long gallery and an outstanding collection of charters, by which the court of London entrusted titles and privileges to the members of the House of Ormond.