Co. Kilkenny GOWRAN

St Marys Church

In the centre of Gowran village is the historic St Marys Collegiate Church 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 monastery and was served by a "college" - clerics who lived in a community but who did not submit to the rule of a monastery.

The church was a large and elaborate structure and has high quality architectural sculpture used throughout. In the late middle ages a massive tower was inserted between the nave and chancel, and in the 19th century this tower was incorporated into the parish church.

St Mary's is now a National Monument.

Glasrai & Goodies