Gowran (barony) explained

Official Name:Gowran
Native Name:Gabhrán (Irish)
Native Name Lang:ga
Other Name:Barony of Gabhrán
Settlement Type:Barony
Image Alt:260
Coordinates:52.5972°N -7.0833°W
Pushpin Map:Ireland
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Ireland
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Ireland
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Leinster
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:County Kilkenny
Parts Type:Civil parishes
Parts Style:coll
P1:Ballylinch
P2:Blackrath
P3:Blanchvilleskill
P4:Clara
P5:Columbkille
P6:Dunbell
P7:Dungarvan
P8:Famma
P9:Gowran
P10:Graiguenamanagh
P11:Grangesilvia
P12:Inistioge
P13:Jerpoint Abbey
P14:Jerpoint West
P15:Kilderry
P16:Kilfane
P17:Kilkieran
P18:Killarney
P19:Kilmacahill
P20:Kilmadum
P21:Mothell
P22:Pleberstown
P23:Rathcoole
P24:Shankill
P25:St. Martin's
P26:Thomastown
P27:Tiscoffin
P28:Treadingstown
P29:Tullaherin
P30:Ullard
P31:Wells
P32:Woolengrange
Government Type:County Council
Governing Body:Kilkenny County Council
Area Total Km2:430.5

Gowran (;) is a barony in the east of County Kilkenny, Ireland. The size of the barony is . There are 35 civil parishes in Gowran. The chief town today is Gowran. The barony contains the ecclesiastical sites of Kilfane and Duiske AbbeyThe barony of Gowran is situated in the east of the county between the baronies of Fassadinin to the north (whose chief town is Castlecomer), the baronies of Kilkenny, Shillelogher and Knocktopher to the west (whose chief towns are Kilkenny, Bennettsbridge and Knocktopher), and the barony of Ida is to the south. It borders County Carlow to the east. The M9 motorway bisects the barony.

Geography

Gowran contains the towns of Thomastown, Paulstown, Bennettsbridge, Goresbridge, Gowran, Graiguenamanagh, and Inistioge, and the settlements of Ballyfoyle, Maddockstown, Whitehall, Castlewarren, Dungarvan, Rathgarvan or Clifden, Skeaghvasteen, and Johnswell.

There are 35 civil parishes in the barony (see map). They are: Blackrath, Blanchvilleskill, Clara, Columbkille, Dunbell, Dungarvan, Famma, Gowran, Graiguenamanagh, Grangesilvia, Inistioge, Jerpointabbey, Jerpointwest, Kilderry, Kilfane, Kilkieran, Killarney, Kilmacahill, Kilmadum, Mothell, Pleberstown, Powerstown, Rathcoole, Shankill, St. John's, St. Martin's, St. Maul's, Thomastown, Tiscoffin, Treadingstown, Tullaherin, Ullard, Wells, and Woolengrange. Three of which are split between the Barony of Gowran and the Baronies of Fassadinin and Ida (Mothell, Kilmadum and Inistioge). Most of the eastern boundary of the barony of Gowran is formed by the River Barrow.

History

The barony was part of the territory of the historic kingdom of Osraige (Ossory). That kingdom was almost co-terminus with the still extant Catholic diocese of Ossory . In the Church of Ireland, the diocese has been merged into the diocese of Cashel and Ossory. Gowran is currently administered by Kilkenny County Council.Gowran was recorded in the Down Survey (1656), and on Griffith's Valuation (1864). Parts of the barony were in the Poor law unions of Castlecomer, Kilkenny, and Thomastown.

Territory of O'Carroll and O'Dunphy. Given to Theobald Fitzwalter (Butler). Dobbyn family based there in the 15th century. Richard FitzPatrick was created Lord Gowran in 1715, and his son was created Earl of Upper Ossory in 1751. Both titles became extinct in 1818.

Contains the ecclesiastical sites of Kilfane and Duiske Abbey.

Kilbline Castle and Woodstock Castle are also located in Gowran.[1]

See also

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Lewis, Samuel . https://www.libraryireland.com/topog/K/Kilfane-Gowran-Kilkenny.php . Kilfane (Gowran) . A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland . 1837 . Kilfane, a parish, in the barony of Gowran [..] Here are some remains of the ancient church, and of Kilbline and Ballynaboola castles .