James was the eldest son of Sir Edmund MacRichard Butler, whom he succeeded in 1464 as Lord Deputy of Ireland over his absentee cousins John and Thomas, the 6th and 7th Earls of Ormond, respectively.
As was his family's tradition, he had a long career as a Gaelic warlord which included raiding and rustling across southern Leinster.
The King, in consideration of his faithful services from that time, granted him, in April 1468 (among other things) the manor and advowson (right to nominate the parish priest) of Callan for life.
[2] And on 12 October 1477, he was constituted by John, Earl of Ormond, his attorney and deputy, to manage his lands in Ireland.
Domhnall mac Gerald MacMurrough-Kavanagh), King of Leinster and an unknown daughter of an O'Nolan chieftain.