kilkennycastle

In the Ashbourne News Telegraph - Friday 06 May 1904 (where else would it be?) is a feature entitled "Kilkenny Castle", which includes:

In the drawing-room two mascots of the family are_preserved—a crystal ball and an old key. The crystal ball is of extreme age, and its origin is entirely legendary. In Pagan times such halls were used for divination, even as they are now by Bond-street soothsayers, but in Ireland and Scotland they became • valued possession of the early Christian saints. They were always associated with the working of miracles, and were believed to possess healing properties of supernatural power. The 'Osiden Key" was the chief butler's symbol of office, and hung at his girdle when he attended the King. The rise of the Ormondee is, indeed, marked by this little key. The founder of the great family which for seven centuries has borne the surname of Butler was an Anglo-Norman, by name Theobald Walter, eon of Herveius Walter by his wife Maude de Valois, and brother of .Archbishop Hubert Walter. who occupied the See of Canterbury in the reigns of Richard I. and John. Theobag Walter came to Ireland with Henry 11., and, for services rendered in the King's cause, had conferred upon him the title of "Chief Butler of Ireland." This Theobald Walter's only son was the first to assume the surname of Le Botiler, or Butler.

and this illustration

Symbol of office

Yes, a similar story in 1912 via Trove -
"... One relic preserved within its walls is the "Golden Key," which is a symbol of the office of Butler granted to the head
of the family more than seven centuries ago. ..."
See - trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/170952979?searchTerm=%...

The key doesn't look very C13th. More like C18th.
O Mac will unlock the mystery ...

My wife's maiden name is Butler and she was the 2001 representative from South Australia for the Rose of Tralee quest. Her name resides on a glass wall in Tralee.

Rings a big bell ...

Via John Spooner's comment on the above photo ... "The "Prince of Wales" photo: it looks like the future Gerorge[sic] V, who became Prince of Wales in 1901. However, as Duke of York, he and the Duchess stayed at Kilkenny Castle from 19th to 24th April 1899 (Belfast News-letter)."

Interestingly, the National Archives has an entry for a photo described as: "Photograph 11½ x 9½ group of fifteen figures including the Duke and Duchess of York (in centre) on the occasion of the Royal visit to Kilkenny Castle, six ladies and one gentleman seated, eight gentlemen standing, the Duke standing behind the Duchess seated, portraits in background." However, it also says "Copyright owner and author of work: August Nielsen, Rose Inn Street, Kilkenny. Form completed 5 May 1899.".

Mary of Teck is wearing her Shamrock brooch again:

2nd from the right front row doesn't look at all happy.