15/10/2026
Daniel Axtell â Cromwellian Soldier in Kilkenny: A Notorious Legacy
Did you know Kilkenny was once ruled by one of Cromwellâs most infamous soldiers? Daniel Axtell played a key role in the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, supporting Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War and the ex*****on of Charles I. In 1650, Axtell captured Kilkenny and was rewarded as Military Governor of the city and county. Axtellâs time in Kilkenny was marked by controversy and cruelty. He was granted land in south Kilkennyâlater the Bessborough Estateâbut famously swapped it, calling it âa wild and uncultivated estate beside the Suir.â He attacked Grannagh Castle and forced it's surrender in 1650. His harsh rule included the torture and ex*****on of local figures, including the Butlers of Ballyragget, and the hanging of both Catholic and Protestant royalists. After the monarchy was restored in 1660, Axtell went into hiding but was captured, tried for treason, and executed in London. His six-year rule left a lasting mark on Kilkennyâs history, remembered for its âtyrannical conductâ and severe treatment of the local population. Discover more fascinating stories from Kilkennyâs past at your local library.
The Local Studies Team at Kilkenny Headquarters.
