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Gowran Castle today

Ireland · Restored

Gowran Castle

Gowran Castle is the early-19th-century manor house rebuilt 1816–1819 in the centre of Gowran, County Kilkenny. The present building incorporated stone from an earlier medieval stronghold and was fully restored in 2013–2014.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1819

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1819

What Gowran Castle looked like in its prime.

The castle is dominated by a tall, almost square stone tower of rough grey limestone with plain vertical walls pierced by narrow slit windows and a few larger vertical openings; this tower is directly abutted by lower two-storey stone ranges with pitched slate roofs and chimneys. A low mossy stone boundary wall and narrow street verge run in front, with town buildings close on either side. At its 1819 prime the tower and attached manor ranges were complete, roofed and of coursed stone.

Its story

The story of Gowran Castle.

Gowran's castle history begins with the Norman invasion of Ireland: after 1169 the Manor of Gowran, a grant of 44,000 acres, was made to Theobald Fitzwalter, first Chief Butler of Ireland. Before the Normans, the Mac Giolla Padraig, the modern family name Fitzpatrick, chief rulers of Ossory, kept a residence in Gowran.

The first Gowran Castle was built in 1385 by James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormond, close to the centre of the town. He made it his usual residence and was called the Earl of Gowran, and in 1391 he bought Kilkenny Castle along with a large part of County Kilkenny. In 1650, following the Cromwellian invasion, Gowran was besieged by Oliver Cromwell.

The present building is an early-19th-century manor house, rebuilt between 1816 and 1819 incorporating stone from the earlier medieval stronghold. It stands in the centre of Gowran, County Kilkenny, and was fully restored between 2013 and 2014.

Step inside

4 places to explore in 1819.

The record describes 4 distinct spots at Gowran Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Main street approachBase of the tower (exterior)Attached manor range and rooflineBoundary wall and street verge

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Recreate Gowran Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1819, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Gowran Castle.

The families that held Gowran Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Butler

    The Manor of Gowran was granted to Theobald Fitzwalter, first Chief Butler of Ireland, after 1169; James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormond, built the first castle in 1385 and made it his usual residence.

Questions about Gowran Castle

What is the history of Gowran Castle?

Gowran Castle began as a 14th-century residence and stronghold built by James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormond, in 1385. He made it his usual residence and was called the Earl of Gowran. Oliver Cromwell besieged it in 1650, and the present manor house was rebuilt between 1816 and 1819.

Why was Gowran Castle built, and what was it used for?

Gowran Castle was built as a residence and stronghold for James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormond. He made it his usual residence after building the first castle in 1385. The present building is an early-19th-century manor house that incorporated stone from the earlier medieval stronghold.

Where is Gowran Castle?

Gowran Castle is in the centre of Gowran, in County Kilkenny. It stands close to the town centre and is approached from the main street, with town buildings close on either side. County Kilkenny is the administrative territorial entity in which the castle is located.

When was Gowran Castle built?

Gowran Castle was built in two main phases: the first castle was raised in 1385, while the present manor house was rebuilt between 1816 and 1819. The current building therefore belongs to the early 19th century and incorporates stone from the earlier medieval stronghold.

Was Gowran Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Gowran Castle was besieged and attacked in 1650 by Oliver Cromwell and his army during the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland. The castle was badly damaged in the assault. It was later replaced by the present building, rebuilt between 1816 and 1819 using stone from the earlier medieval stronghold.

Which family or clan held Gowran Castle?

Gowran Castle was held by the Butler family, particularly James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormond, who built the first castle in 1385 and made it his usual residence. The Manor of Gowran had earlier been granted to Theobald Fitzwalter, first Chief Butler of Ireland, after 1169.

What did Gowran Castle look like in its prime?

Gowran Castle’s prime appearance was dominated by a tall, almost square tower of rough grey limestone. Narrow slit windows and a few larger vertical openings pierced its plain walls, while lower two-storey stone ranges with pitched slate roofs and chimneys abutted the tower. A low mossy boundary wall fronted the street.

Is Gowran Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Gowran Castle is still standing and has been restored. It was fully restored between 2013 and 2014, after the present building had incorporated stone from the earlier medieval stronghold. A fire in 2010 caused considerable damage, but the castle was saved from total destruction.

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