He was known as "James the Lame" and he died in 1546 by poisoning in London. His body was buried in London but his heart returned to Ireland and buried in the cathedral

In 1391, James, 3rd Earl of Ormond, purchased Kilkenny Castle in Kilkenny City and made it the primary family home. Built in the twelfth century, the castle has endured numerous times of crisis in Ireland's history

Called "The Lame". Viscount Thurles, E. Ossory. Brought up at the Court of Henry VIII who had a high regard for him and created him Viscount Thurles in the lifetime of his father. The King's policy was to equalise as far as possible the influence of the rival houses of Butler and FitzGerald. For 14 years James was Lord High Treasurer of Ireland, and he was given no less than seven religious establishments on the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Then, 17 Oct 1546 at the age of 42, he went with his steward, and sixteen of his servants to be entertained to supper at Ely House in Holborn and he and they were mortally poisoned. His steward and 16 of his servants reportedly died of the same. The confusion caused by his Will gave rise to the founding of the Irish Public Record Office.