Walter Butler of Nodstown (or Ballynenoddagh or Moyaliffe), (died 1560) was the fourth son of James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond and Lady Joan Fitzgerald

Joan Fitzgerald, Countess of Ormond

Joan Fitzgerald, Countess of Ormond, Countess of Desmond was a Norman-Irish noblewoman and heiress, a member of the Fitzgerald family, who were also known as the "Geraldines". She married three times...

. Nodstown is a townland

Townland

A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...

 in the civil parish

Civil parish

In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...

 of Ardmayle in the barony

Barony (Ireland)

In Ireland, a barony is a historical subdivision of a county. They were created, like the counties, in the centuries after the Norman invasion, and were analogous to the hundreds into which the counties of England were divided. In early use they were also called cantreds...

 of Middle Third

Middle Third (South Tipperary)

Middle Third is one of the baronies of Ireland, a historical geographical unit of land. Its chief town is Cashel. It is one of 14 baronies in the old county of Tipperary between Eliogarty to the north , Iffa and Offa East to the south , Clanwilliam to the west and...

, South Tipperary

South Tipperary

South Tipperary is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Munster. It is named after the town of Tipperary and consists of 52% of the land area of the traditional county of Tipperary. The county was established in 1898 and has had a county...

. Moyaliff is a townland and a civil parish in the barony of Kilnamanagh Upper

Kilnamanagh Upper

Kilnamanagh Upper is one of the baronies of Ireland, an historical geographical unit of land. Its chief town is Borrisoleigh...

, South Tipperary.

Marriage and issue

He was married to Anne, daughter of MacBrien O'Gonagh. Their children were:

• Pierce Butler, of Nodstown. He was only two years old at his father's death. He married Ellen, daughter of Thomas Purcell, Baron Loughmoe. He died on 21 February 1627 and was buried in nearby Holycross Abbey. They had a son, and two daughters:
• James Butler, of Nodstown, his heir

• Richard Butler of Rorane.
  • Joan Butler, who married John O'Dwyer of Dundrum
    Dundrum
    Dundrum is the name of several places:in Ireland:*Dundrum, Dublin, a suburb of Dublin city.**Dundrum Town Centre, a shopping centre*Dundrum, County Tipperary** the Dundrum meteorite of 1865, which fell in Munster, Ireland...
    
    , South Tipperary
    South Tipperary
    South Tipperary is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Munster. It is named after the town of Tipperary and consists of 52% of the land area of the traditional county of Tipperary. The county was established in 1898 and has had a county...
    
     (who died in January 1627). Their children were:
  • Philip their heir,
  • Connor,
  • Donogh,
  • Margaret, and
  • Winifred.
  • Ellice Butler, who first married John Sherlock of Mothe, County Waterford. They had a son Patrick and other children. He first husband died 25 May 1587. She secondly married Sir Edward Gough, by whom she had a son and a daughter. Thirdly she married Sir Laurence Esmond. He was created Baron of Lymbrick, County Wexford on 20 May 1622.

Moyaliffe Castle

While this was a Butler castle, it was in the possession of the O'Dwyer clan by 1654 as evidenced by the Civil Survey of that year. While the Butlers had been in occupation, it had been under constant attack by the O'Dwyers and their neighbours, the Ryans. An record of 1500 AD records that Sir Pierce Butler was in possession of the castle and lands of Moyaliffe when a serious territorial quarrel broke out with Turlough O'Brien of the O'Brien dynasty of Thomond

Thomond

Thomond The region of Ireland associated with the name Thomond is County Clare, County Limerick and north County Tipperary; effectively most of north Munster. The name is used by a variety of establishments and organisations located in , or associated with the region...

, (with whom the O'Dwyers were traditionally allied). The fight reached its climax when Moyaliffe Castle was surrounded by the O'Briens. The Butlers immediately sent reinforcements from their main stronghold of Kilkenny

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...

under the leadership of Robert Shea, to relieve their besieged brethren. A desperate battle ensued which resulted in the complete defeat of the Butlers and the fall of Moyaliffe on Aug 6th, 1500.