Gowran (
Gabhrán in
IrishIrish is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now only spoken natively by a small minority of the Irish population but also plays an important symbolic role in the life of the Irish state, and is used...
) is a village and former town in
County KilkennyCounty Kilkenny is one of the traditional counties of Ireland. It is located within the province of Leinster. It was named after the town of Kilkenny and has a population of 87,558....
,
IrelandIreland is a country in north-western Europe. The modern sovereign state occupies about five-sixths of the island of Ireland, which was partitioned on 3 May 1921. It is a parliamentary democracy and a republic...
.
Gowran ParkGowran Park is a horse race course in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located in the Annerly Estate near the village of Gowran.The first meeting was held in 1914...
race course is located nearby. Gowran is located on the N9
national primary roadA national primary road is a road classification in the Republic of Ireland. National primary roads form the major routes between the major urban centres. In short, they are the backbone of the Irish road network...
where it is crossed by the
R702The R702 road is a regional road in Ireland which runs west-east from the N10 at Coolgrange in County Kilkenny through Gowran before crossing into County Carlow at Goresbridge....
regional roadA regional road in Ireland is a class of road not forming a major route , but nevertheless forming a link in the national route network. There are over 11,600 kilometres of regional roads. Regional roads are numbered with three digit route numbers, prefixed by "R" A regional road in Ireland is...
.
Gowran was a place of importance prior to the
Norman invasionThe Norman invasion of Ireland was a Norman military expedition to Ireland that took place on 1 May 1169 at the behest of Dermot MacMurrough , the King of Leinster. It was partially consolidated by Henry II on 18 October 1171 and led to the eventual entry of the Lordship of Ireland into the Angevin...
and a royal residence of the Kings of
OssoryThe Kingdom of Ossory was an ancient kingdom of Ireland. It formed the easternmost part of the kingdom and province of Munster until the middle of the 9th century, after which it was attached to Leinster...
, sometimes recorded as the Kings of Gowran. King Robert the Bruce with his
armyAn army An army An army (from Latin armata "armed (things)" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based Military of a nation. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
of
ScotsThe Scots people and an ethnic group indigenous to Scotland.An ethnic group, historically they emerged from an amalgamation of Picts, Gaels and Brythons....
and
UlsterUlster is one of the four Provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island.Ulster is composed of nine counties: Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone are part of Northern Ireland; while Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan are part of the Republic of Ireland.-Terminology:The...
men took the town in 1316.
Gowran (
Gabhrán in
IrishIrish is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now only spoken natively by a small minority of the Irish population but also plays an important symbolic role in the life of the Irish state, and is used...
) is a village and former town in
County KilkennyCounty Kilkenny is one of the traditional counties of Ireland. It is located within the province of Leinster. It was named after the town of Kilkenny and has a population of 87,558....
,
IrelandIreland is a country in north-western Europe. The modern sovereign state occupies about five-sixths of the island of Ireland, which was partitioned on 3 May 1921. It is a parliamentary democracy and a republic...
.
Gowran ParkGowran Park is a horse race course in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located in the Annerly Estate near the village of Gowran.The first meeting was held in 1914...
race course is located nearby. Gowran is located on the N9
national primary roadA national primary road is a road classification in the Republic of Ireland. National primary roads form the major routes between the major urban centres. In short, they are the backbone of the Irish road network...
where it is crossed by the
R702The R702 road is a regional road in Ireland which runs west-east from the N10 at Coolgrange in County Kilkenny through Gowran before crossing into County Carlow at Goresbridge....
regional roadA regional road in Ireland is a class of road not forming a major route , but nevertheless forming a link in the national route network. There are over 11,600 kilometres of regional roads. Regional roads are numbered with three digit route numbers, prefixed by "R" A regional road in Ireland is...
.
History
Gowran was a place of importance prior to the
Norman invasionThe Norman invasion of Ireland was a Norman military expedition to Ireland that took place on 1 May 1169 at the behest of Dermot MacMurrough , the King of Leinster. It was partially consolidated by Henry II on 18 October 1171 and led to the eventual entry of the Lordship of Ireland into the Angevin...
and a royal residence of the Kings of
OssoryThe Kingdom of Ossory was an ancient kingdom of Ireland. It formed the easternmost part of the kingdom and province of Munster until the middle of the 9th century, after which it was attached to Leinster...
, sometimes recorded as the Kings of Gowran. King Robert the Bruce with his
armyAn army An army An army (from Latin armata "armed (things)" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based Military of a nation. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
of
ScotsThe Scots people and an ethnic group indigenous to Scotland.An ethnic group, historically they emerged from an amalgamation of Picts, Gaels and Brythons....
and
UlsterUlster is one of the four Provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island.Ulster is composed of nine counties: Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone are part of Northern Ireland; while Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan are part of the Republic of Ireland.-Terminology:The...
men took the town in 1316.
James Butler, 3rd Earl of OrmondeJames Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormond , was a noble in the Peerage of Ireland who built Gowran Castle and made it his usual residence. He was commonly called Earl of Gowran. He also purchased by deed, from the heirs of Sir Thomas le Despencer, 1st Earl of Gloucester, Kilkenny Castle...
built Gowran Castle in 1385 close to the site of the present castle and town walls were erected circa 1415.
King James IJames VI & I was King of Scots as James VI from 1567 to 1625, and King of England and Ireland as James I from 1603 to 1625....
made Gowran a
parliamentary boroughParliamentary boroughs are a type of administrative division, usually covering urban areas, that are entitled to representation in a Parliament. The term came into use in the 19th century in the United Kingdom, when certain boroughs were disenfranchised, becoming merely municipal boroughs. The two...
in 1608.
The town, under the command of Colonel Robert Hammond, surrendered to
Oliver CromwellOliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader best known for his involvement in making England into a republican Commonwealth and for his later role as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland.He was one of the commanders of the New Model Army which defeated the royalists in...
on 21 March 1650 following a
siegeA siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit"....
. Colonel Hammond was a cousin of Cromwell's. The soldiers of the garrison accepted Cromwell's offer of quarter for their lives and handed their officers over to the Parliamentarians. Cromwell ordered the execution by firing squad of all but one of the officers; a priest captured in the castle was hanged.
In 1688
James IIJames II & VII was King of England and Ireland as James II, and Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
granted A Charter of Incorporation to the town and of 18 burgesses listed, six were Kealy's. A Magdelan hospital was built outside the walls circa 1578 "For the relief of poor leprous people".
Churches
In the centre of the village is the historic St Marys
Collegiate ChurchIn Christianity, a collegiate church is a church where the daily office of worship is maintained by a college of canons; a non-monastic, or "secular" community of clergy, organised as a self-governing corporate body, which may be presided over by a dean or provost...
which contains monuments from the 14th to 17th centuries. This collegiate church was built in the late 13th century on the site of an earlier
monasteryMonastery , a term derived from the Greek word μοναστήριον, neut. of μοναστήριος - monasterios denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer Monastery (plural: monasteries), a term derived from the Greek word μοναστήριον, neut. of μοναστήριος - monasterios...
. It was served by a "college"—clerics who lived in a
communityIn biological terms, a community is a group of interacting organisms sharing an environment.In human communities, intent, belief, resources, preferences, needs, risks, and a number of other conditions may be present and common, affecting the identity of the participants and their degree of...
but who did not submit to the rule of a monastery. They lived in a house, now destroyed, beside the church. The church was a large and elaborate structure, with an aisled
naveIn Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
—the main part of the church where the congregation—and a long
chancelIn architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building. It may terminate in an apse....
—the section of the church where the altar was placed—and has high quality architectural sculpture used throughout. In the late
middle agesThe Middle Ages of European history is a period of European history covering roughly a millennium in the 5th century through 16th centuries. More specific starting and ending points are sometimes adopted by scholars to suit their respective specializations or current focus...
a massive tower was inserted between the nave and
chancelIn architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building. It may terminate in an apse....
, and in the 19th century this tower was incorporated into the parish church which was built in place of the chancel and which now takes up about half of the building. There were also several other changes made to the church at various periods. St Mary's is now a
National MonumentA National Monument in the Republic of Ireland is a monument considered by the State to be of "national importance". Such monuments are therefore preserved by the State...
.
The
CatholicThe word Catholic is derived from the Greek adjective , meaning "universal". In the context of Christian ecclesiology, it has a rich history and several usages. For some, the term "Catholic Church" refers to the church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, made up of the Latin Rite and the 22...
church is the Church of the
AssumptionThe Assumption of Mary is a belief held by Christians of the Catholic Church as well as some Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Anglicans, that the Virgin Mary, at the end of her life, was physically taken up into heaven...
.
Barony of Gowran
Gowran is at the centre of the Barony of the same name. The Barony of Gowran contains 36 parishes (See Map) 3 of which are split between the Barony of Gowran and the Baronies of Fassadinin and
IdaA Barony in the south-eastern part of Kilkenny. Named for the three Ossory tribal lands in this area, described as Ida, Igrinn and Iberchon which later merged into the Barony of Ida.-See also:*...
(Mothell, Kilmadum and
InistiogeInistioge is a small scenic village in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is situated on the River Nore, southeast of Kilkenny...
). Most of the eastern boundary of Gowran is formed by the
River BarrowThe River Barrow is a river in Ireland. It is one of The Three Sisters; the other two being the River Suir and the River Nore. The Barrow is the longest and most prominent of the three rivers...
.
Transport
Gowran railway station opened on 14 November 1850 and finally closed on 1 January 1963.
People
- Gowran is home to D.J. Carey who was born there. He is a renowned sportsman and played hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team sport of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. The game, played primarily in Ireland, has prehistoric origins and is thought to be the world's fastest field team sport...
for KilkennyThe Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
until his retirement in 2006. He is regarded as an icon of the sport and has won most of the major honours in the game. D.J now runs a successful business just outside the village called D.J Carey Enterprises. his wife and children live in Rockfield.
- Other noted residents and former residents are Capt Padraig Quinn (Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War was a major conflict that devastated Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939. It began after an attempted coup d'état by a group of Spanish Army generals against the government of the Second Spanish Republic, then under the leadership of president Manuel Azaña...
veteran).
- Kilkenny hurlers Kevin Fennelly
Kevin Fennelly is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with his local club Ballyhale Shamrocks and with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from the late 1970s until the late 1980s. Fennelly later served as Kilkenny Senior hurling manager for the 1998 season, and...
and Lester Ryan
- The ancestors of Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon and philanthropist. Disney is famous for his influence in the field of entertainment during the twentieth century. As the co-founder Walter Elias...
are from Gowran.
- Colonel Dan Bryan
Colonel Dan Bryan was an officer in the Irish Army and head of G2 during World War II, known in neutral Ireland as "The Emergency"....
, head of the Irish ArmyThe Irish Army is the main branch of the Irish Defence Forces . It was first formed in 1922 after the implementation of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the subsequent foundation of the Irish Free State...
's intelligence unit G2The Irish Military Intelligence Service is often referred to as G2 or G-2. G2 is used in several western and NATO forces to refer to the Intelligence and Security branch of the staff function. It is more commonly referred to in the Irish Defence Forces as the Defence Forces Directorate of...
during "The Emergency" (World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
), was born in Dunbell near Gowran.
Economy
Business within the village include:
- Gowran Park
Gowran Park is a horse race course in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located in the Annerly Estate near the village of Gowran.The first meeting was held in 1914...
Horse RacingHorse racing is an equestrian sport that has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times are an early example, as is the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. It is inextricably associated with gambling...
& Golf CourseA golf course consists of a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
- Harding Fireplaces
- Automotive Calibration
- Loughlins Public House
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises in countries and regions of British influence. Although the terms often have different connotations, there is little definitive difference between pubs, bars,...
and Undertakers.
Sport
- Gowran is internationally known for its picturesque racecourse, Gowran Park
Gowran Park is a horse race course in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located in the Annerly Estate near the village of Gowran.The first meeting was held in 1914...
, which hosts the Thyestes Chase (The Grand NationalThe Grand National is a famous National Hunt horse race which is held at Aintree in England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of about 4 miles and 856 yards , and during its running there are thirty fences to be jumped...
of the South), one of the prestigious steeplechaseSteeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* Steeplechase , an event in athletics that derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing* Steeplechase , an event in dog agility...
s in Ireland which has been won by three time Cheltenham Gold CupThe Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
Winner, ArkleArkle was a famous Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. A bay gelding by Archive out of Bright Cherry, his grandsire was the unbeaten flat racehorse and prepotent sire Nearco. Arkle was bred at Ballymacoll Stud, County Meath by Mrs. Mary Alison Baker of Malahow House, near Naul, County Dublin...
in 1964 and AintreeAintree is a village and civil parish in Sefton, Merseyside. It lies between Walton and Maghull on the A59 road, about north of Liverpool city centre, in the northwest of England....
Grand National winners HedgehunterHedgehunter is an Irish race horse, who won the 2005 Grand National steeplechase, ridden by Ruby Walsh and trained by Willie Mullins. He had fallen at the final fence the previous year when well placed. He then finished second in 2006 to Numbersixvalverde...
and NumbersixvalverdeNumbersixvalverde is an Irish race horse. He won the 2006 Aintree Grand National steeplechase beating Hedgehunter by six lengths, ridden by Niall "Slippers" Madden, as well as the 2005 Irish Grand National...
. It has 16 National Hunt and Flat meetings all year round. Gowran Park is also home to one of the most challenging golf courses in Kilkenny and is a venue for meetings, conferences, weddings and parties.
- Young Irelands
Young Irelands are a Gaelic Athletic Association Club based in Gowran, County Kilkenny. Formed in 1952, they are located on the Goresbridge Road just outside the village...
Gaelic Athletic AssociationThe Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders. The GAA also promotes Irish music and...
Club are based just outside the village on the GoresbridgeGoresbridge is a village on the R702 regional road in east County Kilkenny, Ireland, on the River Barrow.-History:Goresbridge is named for the New Bridge built in 1756 by Colonel Ralph Gore the first and last Earl of Ross. The bridge remains of significant importance in the area for its...
Road. Senior CountyA county is a land area of local government within a country. A county may have cities and towns within its area. Originally, in continental Europe, a county was the land under the jurisdiction of a count .Counts are called earls in post-Celtic Britain, Ireland and France—the term is from Old...
HurlingHurling is an outdoor team sport of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. The game, played primarily in Ireland, has prehistoric origins and is thought to be the world's fastest field team sport...
Champions in 1996 and 2002, they were also runners up in 1997, 2003 and 2004.
- There is a popular Pitch and Putt
Pitch and putt is an amateur sport, similar to golf but organized as an independent sport by FIPPA and EPPA and for IPPA it is golf with a difference, played and developed mainly in Ireland since the 1940s.Today it is a growing sport all over the world...
course in the village.
- The local soccer team is called Ajax.
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland