Gowran

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Gowran is a small town in County Kilkenny, Ireland. The town surrendered to Oliver Cromwell, on March 21, 1650, following a siege. The garrison was executed. Gowran is well known for its picturesque racecourse, Gowran Park, which hosts the Thyestes Chase, one of the prestigious steeplechases in the south of Ireland which has been won by Grand National winners Hedgehunter and Numbersixvalverde.

In the centre of the village is the historic St Marys Collegiate Church which contains monuments from the 14th to 17th centuries.

[edit] People

Gowran is home to D.J Carey who was born there. He is a renowned sportsman and played hurling for Kilkenny until his retirement in 2006. He is regarded as an icon of the sport and has won all the major honours in the game.

Many of the families that live in and around the village have lived there for generations. The Kelly Family,who were traveller's, for example, have lived in various locations around the village from the late 19th Century, they now occupy a town house on Main Street where the family have lived permanently since the 1940's.