Gowran Demesne

98 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Gowran Demesne, from 24 m² to 231,357 m² (23.14 ha, 57.17 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 47 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland as DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings, or as GeoJSON or KML.

No zone of a development plan covers Gowran Demesne in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply to each application.

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

• 7 Jul 2026Conditional

  I, Mr. Tim Brennan seek permission within the grounds of protected structure ref C344 Gowran Castle for construction of a covered sand arena, rain-water harvesting tank, storm-water soakaways and all associated site works including the upgrading of our existing agricultural entrance located on the Mill Road, Gowran, L6718-10 which serves the proposed site at the Demesne, Gowran, Co. Kilkenny.

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2652

• 16 Mar 2026N/a

  for development works for 6no private dwelling house sites, access roadways, footpaths, connection to public water supply and public foul sewerage services and all associated site development works.

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2660149

• 13 Mar 2026N/a

  for Construction of a Covered Sand Arena, Rain-water Harvesting Tank, Storm-water Soakaways and All Associated Site works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2626

• 29 Sept 2025Conditional

  for the construction of a new Padel Centre of excellence which shall include indoor Padel Courts and all associated indoor facilities including refreshment areas, breakout spaces, changing facilities, reception area at ground floor level. For the construction of one external Padel court. The development will be accessed via the existing entrance to north of racecourse and golf course and will include the construction of a new parking facilities to serve the development and for the construction of a new storm water drainage system in compliance with SUDS directives, for connection to the existing on-site foul sewer network and public watermain and for all associated site development works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2560628

• 25 Sept 2025N/a

  for the construction of a new Padel Centre of excellence which shall include indoor Padel Courts and all associated indoor facilities including refreshment areas, breakout spaces, changing facilities, reception area at ground floor level. For the construction of one external Padel court. The development will be accessed via the existing entrance to north of racecourse and golf course and will include the construction of a new parking facilities to serve the development and for the construction of a new storm water drainage system in compliance with SUDS directives, for connection to the existing on-site foul sewer network and public watermain and for all associated site development works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2560620

• 10 Jun 2025Conditional

  to extend the existing commercial storage yard for the storage of raw and bailed farm plastic over the existing concrete surface on site (change of use from agricultural yard to commercial storage yard) and the erection of a 5.4m high green mesh fence to front boundary and all associated site works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2560334

• 8 Apr 2025N/a

  to extend the existing storage yard over the existing concrete surface on site and the erection of 5.4m high green mesh fence to front elevation and all associated site works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2560185

• 9 Dec 2024Conditional

  for development to consist of works to the existing two-storey residential dwelling as follows: 1) the construction of a single-storey extension to the side (north facing) elevation, including carport; and 2) the construction of a single-storey extension to the side (south facing) elevation. Other works as part of the development include alterations to all elevations, rooflights, and all associated site development works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2460614

• 29 Nov 2024N/a

  for the Redesign & Relocation onsite of Equestrian Indoor Arena Building originally granted under PL 13/360 and all associated site works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 24142

• 16 Sept 2024Conditional

  for the construction of a domestic style garage for the ancillary use of the existing dwelling including the extension of the existing driveway; soakaway; solar panels; landscaping; and all associated site development works to facilitate the development.

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2460440

• 21 Aug 2024Conditional

  for indefinite retention of conversion of attached domestic garage and attic space to lounge / games room and first floor home office plus retention of existing roof windows

  Retention · Kilkenny County Council, 2460403

• 25 Jun 2024Refused

  to 1) relocate the existing business to the opposite side of the road and decommission the existing activity and business in its current location. 2) relocate the existing weigh bridge and prefabricated building 3) new entrance with 2.2m high walls and electric gates 4) new earth mound with landscaping 5) proposed 5m high wire mesh fence around perimeter of proposed site 6) site office with treatment plant and percolation area 7) proposed yard which will be a mixture of concrete and hard standing area with underground storage tank, petrol oil inceptor and soakaway 8) relocate all machinery associated with the storage of agricultural plastic wrap 9) Proposed shredder for timber waste 10) permission for existing business site to revert back to agricultural use incorporated into the existing farm complex and all associated site works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2460295

• 9 Apr 2024Conditional

  Permission for extension constructed to side of dwelling including entrance lobby, kitchen, living room and ancillary works and bedrooms and ensuite on the first floor and permission for utility room on the ground floor and ensuite on the first floor of existing

  Retention · Kilkenny County Council, 2460166

• 6 Dec 2023Conditional

  for layout alterations to existing first floor bar area to include extension of the internal area into an existing covered terrace area, the provision of weather covering to the remaining terrace area, and all associated building elevation alterations

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2360563

• 13 Sept 2022Conditional

  for alterations to the previously permitted weigh room building (Planning Reference 21/385) to include an increase in floor area from 691 sqm to 757 sqm with all associated building elevation alterations

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 22606

• 8 Jul 2022Conditional

  for the existing entrance walls, gate and driveway with all associated site works

  Retention, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 22447

• 7 Oct 2021Conditional

  for 3 No. prefabricated structures containing a total of 19 No. stables and all associated site development works

  Retention · Kilkenny County Council, 21845

• 6 May 2021Conditional

  for the following works: - Demolition of existing 308 sqm single storey weigh room; - Construction of 691 sqm two storey replacement weigh room; - all associated site development works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 21385

• 22 Dec 2020Conditional

  for development of a slatted cattle shed, concrete apron and associated site works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 20912

• 1 Dec 2020Conditional

  to construct a new dwelling garage treatment system and percolation area and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 20830

• 23 Jun 2020Refused

  to extend existing storage yard to opposite side of road for the storage of agricultural plastic e.g. silage wrap etc. before collection and disposal. The works consist of a concrete yard with effluent storage tank and all associated site works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 20385

• 7 Jun 2019Conditional

  to construct a single-storey dwelling, detached garage, with treatment system / percolation area, and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 19401

• 1 Feb 2019Conditional

  for development. The proposed development will consist of the construction of a detached, single-storey dwelling; the construction of an associated garage; the provision of a new driveway, using an adapted existing agricultural entrance; and the provision of all other associated site excavation, infrastructural and site development works above and below ground, including waste water treatment system and percolation area.

  Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 1945

• 19 Dec 2018Conditional

  is sought for the following development: 1. Erection of two single storey extensions to the north and south elevation of the existing dwelling. Comprising of a sun/family room to the South Elevation, and gym, shower room, store and covered car port to the North elevation with associated internal modifications. 2. Erection of a front entrance canopy and associated columns to the existing dwelling with modifications to the existing front door. 3. Erection of 40 sq metres of ground mounted photovoltaic Solar Panels to the curtilage of the dwelling and all associated site works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 18834

• 24 Apr 2018Conditional

  for development at this site situated at Mill House, a protected structure (Ref D110). The development will consist of demolition of existing single storey extension to side and gable wall of derelict shed to rear and the construction of a single storey and two storey extension to the side, elevational changes, and all associated site works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 18258

The 25 most recent of 29 applications.

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

No designated site (Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Natural Heritage Area or proposed one) touches the townland of Gowran Demesne.

Recorded monuments

• KK020-060004 Castle - unclassified
  Description

  Located c. 60m S of the medieval town of Gowran. The site of the castle is marked on the 1900 revision of the OS 6-inch map, c. 60m NE of Gowran House, and was visible in 1992 as, ‘an overgrown mound, with evidence of masonry and rising to c. 1.5m above the surrounding ground level’ (Farrelly et al. 1992, 143). This mound has been removed and the E half is now incorporated in a farmyard where the ground level has been significantly reduced (McLoughlin 2007, 18). An archaeological excavation (06E0237) in 2006 in the W portion of the former mound, prior to a proposed development, revealed very large stones as well as red brick and mortar (ibid.). Following the acquisition of the Kingdom of Leinster by Richard de Clare (Strongbow) in 1172, his followers were rewarded with portions of the kingdom and Gowran went to Theobald fitz Walter, Chief Butler of Ireland (Carrigan 1905, vol. 3, 400). It is likely that a motte and bailey castle (KK020-060005-) was erected in Gowran around this time. Gowran became the principal seat of the Butlers for a short period from the second half of the 14th century, when they lost Nenagh (KK020-037001-), until 1391 when they acquired Kilkenny Castle (KK020-019078-). In the 14th century Gowran was very much a frontier town, as is emphasised in a document of 1382 which gives, ‘licence to Thomas Derkyn and Walter Cantell, who are staying in the marches of Ballygarveran on the frontier of the Irish enemies, viz. McMurgh and Onolan and their accomplices, to treat and make concord for themselves, their tenants and for the men of others, and to give them provisions and cloth, for the defence of their tenants and others against the invasions of the Irish, provided that they should not give or sell them any victuals, horses or armour in time of war, and that this treat is not to the K[ing]’s prejudice nor that of this faithful people (chancery.tcd.ie/document/patent/https://chancery.tcd.ie/document/patent/5-richard-ii/192; accessed 9 March 2021). In c. 1385 James Butler, the 3rd Earl of Ormond built a new castle at Gowran (Carrigan 1903, vol. 3, 400). This castle (KK020-060004-), which no longer survives, appears to have been built on a site close to that occupied by the later house built in 1816 by Viscount Clifden (ibid.). ‘Castle (Site of)’ is indicated on the 1900 revised 6-inch OS map c. 75m NE of the later ‘Gowran Castle’, though curiously is not indicated on the earlier 1839 edition. There is a reference to one Teige OCarroll being imprisoned in Gowran castle in 1399 (ibid.). According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 401) the castle was rebuilt c. 1500 by Margaret FitzGerald, the Countess of Ormond. The Calendar of Ormond Deeds records an inquisition taken at Kilkenny after the death of James Butler, Earl of Ormond in 1546 which describes the manor of Ballygawran (Gowran) as containing, ‘appurtenances [rights pertaining to property], and one castle, thirty messuages [a house with outbuildings and a parcel of land or yard], eighty acres of arable land, four acres of meadow, twenty acres of pasture, with two acres of underwood and two water mills, with appurtenances, in Ballygawran, also 9l. 6s. 8d. chief rent due of the burgesses of said town each year, besides suit of court [obligation to attend and participate in the manorial court]’ (Curtis 1937, vol. 4, 301-02 (361)). A rental account of Gowran in the Calendar of Ormond Deeds, c. 1550, mentions seven town gates in Gowran, including the ‘Castell barr’, which presumably gave access from the SE quadrant of the town southward to the castle (Curtis 1941, vol. 5, 44-7 (25)). On a 1710/11 map of Gowran a lane is depicted at the E end of the town running southward towards the castle and probably lead to the castle gate (White 1710/11). The castle itself is depicted on this map (ibid.). Though probably stylised, it shows a central two storey block with turrets on either end and with other possible turrets or chimneys appearing above the roof of the central block (ibid.). Also depicted on this map is a street, ‘Haggerd Street’ running outside of, and parallel to, the S town wall, between the castle and the SW end of the town (ibid.). A royal grant of lands to George Sherlock in 1597 includes, ‘a messuage and garden in Haggard-street, extending in length from the Haggard Street leading to the castle of the earl of Ormond on the north, and to the lands of the said Earl on the south’ (Carrigan 1905, vol. 3, 401; Curtis 1943, vol. 6, 106 (131)). In 1650, the castle was besieged by Cromwellian forces and, after a short pounding by artillery, was surrendered by Colonel Hammond who, together with his officers, was executed (Carrigan 1905, vol. 3, 402). Cromwell described this as, ‘a very strong castle’ in which there were ‘good store of provisions for the army’ (ibid.). The castle was then set on fire (ibid.). The castle is indicated on the Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Gowran, County Kilkenny as a stylised tower, annotated, 'Castle of Gowran' on 'Lord Iretons Lands' (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin). The castle and estate remained in Butler hands until c. 1700 (ibid. 400). It then passed to Lewis Chaigneau, a Dublin merchant who sold it, c. 1710 to James Agar, the son of a Cromwellian solider. According to Moran (1980s, 2) the castle then consisted of ‘a large round tower in the centre and four smaller ones around it’ but following a fire in 1713 the castle was altered, adding, ‘a front two storeys high of nine windows with a pediment in the centre’. In 1815-16 he began building a new house to replace the castle which was falling into disrepair (ibid., 13; Bence-Jones 1988, 144). See attached: KKK020-060004-_01 Extract from Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Gowran, County Kilkenny (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin) K020-060004-_02 White, J. 1710/11 A survey of the towne and lands of Gowrane in the County of Kilkenny belonging to Mr Lewis Chaigneau of Dublin merch[an]t made in the presence of Mr David Chaigneau Mr John Bayly Mr John Sandbeach Sam[ue]l Bingham James Quigly and Mr James White the surveyor; and the said lands contain arable pasture and meadow one thousand two hundred ninety seven acres thirty five perches plantation measure over and above all deductions for intermixt lands and common high roads as appeareth by a table of reference hereunto. Surveyed in the month of March 1710/11 by a scale of 20 p[er]chs. Ja: White. NLI MS map 21.F.55 (4). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 24 March 2021

• KK020-060005 Castle - motte
  Description

  Following the acquisition of the Kingdom of Leinster by Richard de Clare (Strongbow) in 1172, his followers were rewarded with portions of the kingdom and Gowran went to Theobald fitz Walter, Chief Butler of Ireland (Carrigan 1905, vol. 3, 400). It is likely that a motte and bailey castle (KK020-060005-) was erected in Gowran around this time. Gowran became the principal seat of the Butlers for a short period from the second half of the 14th century, when they lost Nenagh (KK020-037001-), until 1391 when they acquired Kilkenny Castle (KK020-019078-). In c. 1385 James Butler, the 3rd Earl of Ormond built a new castle (KK020-060004-) at Gowran (Carrigan 1903, vol. 3, 400). The precise location of this late 12th/early 13th-century castle is unknown, though it may have been on the site of the later 14th-century castle, which is also no longer visible above ground level. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 24 March 2021

• KK020-060018 House - 17th century
  Description

  At the E end of Gowran, on the S side of the Main Street. A house on the E side of ‘the lane’ leading to Gowran Castle is indicated on White’s map of 1710/11. Though the map is early 18th century in date, it is likely that the building, which no longer survives above ground, dated to, at least, the 17th century. It appears to have been located between the present 19th-century gate lodge and the court house. See attached: KK020-060018-_01 White's 1710/11 map with building highlighted. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 25 March 2021

• KK020-060022 Maltings
  Description

  At the E end of Gowran, on the S side of Main Street. A building annotated, ‘Malt House’ is indicated at this location on White’s map of Gowran, 1710/11. Though the map is early 18th century in date, it is likely that the malt house, which no longer survives above ground, dated to, at least, the 17th century. The malt house appears to have been situated roughly where the 19th-century gate lodge at the main entrance to Gowran Castle is located. See attached: KK020-060022-_01 White's map of Gowran 1710/11 with malt house highlighted. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 March 2021

• KK020-060029 Cross - Market cross
  Description

  A 1710/11 map the town showing a cross towards the E end of the main street, suggests that the original market place was located in this area, S of the main street and probably infilled where a 'Malt House' (KK020-060018-) is indicated on the map (White 1710/11). According to Drennan (1965, 58) this area was locally called the 'Bull Ring'. There is a triangular fair green at the W end of the town which Thomas (1992, vol. 2, 115) suggests may have originally been outside the town but which was incorporated as a result of an expansion westward. The cross indicated on the White map was probably the market cross and this appears to have subsequently moved (see KK020-060002-) to the fair green which effectively became the market place. Local tradition relates that, ‘the Cromwellians broke the cross down and that the pieces were scattered on the green’ (Drennan 1965, 58). See attached: KK020-060029-_01 White’s 1710/11 map of Gowran with the market cross highlighted. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 March 2021

• KK020-061001 Castle - tower house
  Description

  On level ground within Gowran Demesne and c. 400m SSW of the medieval town of Gowran (KK020-060----). The tower house is named Ballyshanemore and Birthistle (1997, 35) suggests that it may have been named after John (in Irish Seán), the sixth Earl of Ormond, who died c. 1477. However, Manning (2006, 71-2), promotes Shane More [mac] Elliot, who is mentioned in a number of Ormond documents from 1432 to 1443 relating to Gowran, as being the more likely candidate. According to Manning (ibid. 72-3), ‘Shane Mór was not the constable of the castle of Gowran, who was listed separately in 1443, but appears to have been an important and trusted tenant and servant of the White Earl in his management of the demesne of the manor. In such a key position he may have been encouraged to develop the settlement, to which he gave his name, and possibly even build the tower house, which could have served as part of the outer defences of Gowran, commanding an important roadway from the south’. Manning (ibid. 73) also suggests that Castle Ellis townland, immediately W of Gowran, could have also derive its name from Shane Mór’s family. A four-storey tower house (ext. dims. without base-batter 10m N-S; 8.3m E-W; wall T 1.5m) with a mural chamber along the N wall at parapet level. It is built of roughly coursed limestone rubble with cut quoins and has a high, gradually tapering base-batter (H c. 2.5m; Wth c. 0.2m). The coping stones of the steep-pitched roof are visible on the S face of the mural chamber at parapet level, as are projecting steps to the W of the roof, which gave access to a look-out platform above the chamber. This is probably the feature at the top of the castle known locally as the ‘leaba chaol’ (the narrow bed) (Carrigan 1905, vol. 3, 410). The entrance is through a pointed doorway at the N end of the E wall, within a rectangular recess in the base-batter. The recess accommodated an iron grill or yett. A detailed annotated drawing of the entrance by the Rev. James Graves, dated 1852, records the sockets for the hanging irons to hold the yett in the S jamb, with a spud-hole at the base, and a bolt hole in the N jamb (Manning 2006, 75-6, fig. 4). The entrance lobby is protected overhead by a murder-hole. Opposite the entrance doorway there is a pointed doorway to the ground-floor chamber and on the S side of the entrance lobby there is a pointed doorway leading directly to a mural stair which rises in the E wall. The ground floor is lit by four double-splayed loops, one at the S end of the E wall, one roughly centrally placed in the S wall and two in the W wall. There are two wall-cupboards in the SW angle, one at the end of the S wall and the other at the end of the W wall. There is a large round-arched recess (D 1m) at the W end of the N wall. The first floor is entered from a lobby at the top of the mural stair at the S end of the E wall, which is protected overhead by a murder-hole. The chamber is lit by two loops, one towards the E end of the N wall and one W of center in the S wall and there is a wall-cupboard at the S end of the W wall. The mural stair, which is lit by simple narrow loops, turns in the SE angle and continues to rise to roughly mid-way along the S wall. The entrance lobby, which is lit by a loop with slop-stone in the S wall, is again protected overhead by a murder-hole. The second-floor chamber is accessed via a pointed doorway. The second floor rests on a well-preserved stone vault which covers the floor below. There are window seats within the window embrasures. It is lit by a two-light window at the N end of the W wall, the center of the window and mullion are missing but it appears to have been ogee-headed with decorated spandrels. Externally this window is recessed within a chamfered surround, with a hood-moulding with a drop label which tapers to a point. There is a single-light window in the N wall and two single-light windows in the E wall, one either side of a fireplace. Both of the window embrasures in the E wall contain openings to the murder-holes at ground and first-floor level. The fireplace had a sloping canopy which rested on seven joggled voussoirs, now largely missing but depicted in a drawing of 1813 (ibid. 74, 76, fig. 3). The voussoirs were held in place by curving supports embedded in the wall and the jambs are carried on either side by an inverted pyramidal corbel. The chimney flue projects externally and is carried on two corbels, though the chimney itself does not survive. There are three wall-cupboards, one at the N end of the W wall, one towards the E end of the N wall and one at the E end of the S wall. A flat-headed doorway in the S portion of the E wall gives access to a small lobby with a garderobe chamber to the S and a mural stair which rises in the E wall to the N, lit near the bottom of the stair by a loop with slop-stone base. The garderobe is lit by a small loop and the garderobe chute exits lower in the S wall. The third floor, which was carried on a timber floor, now gone, was entered from the mural stair at the N end of the W wall, lit by a loop oppose the doorway. It is lit by four windows, that in the N wall being the most elaborate and consisting of four lights, two over two, ogee-headed with hollow spandrels, all within an external recess with a hood-moulding with drop labels. The lower mullion is missing. There is a single-light ogee-headed window at the S end of the E wall, a two-light ogee-headed window roughly centrally placed in the S wall and a two-light step-headed window towards the S end of the W wall. There is no fireplace at this level. There is a wall-cupboard towards the N end of the E wall and another towards the W end of the S wall, the later containing the opening to the second-floor murder-hole. The mural stair turns in the NW angle and rises to the mural chamber at parapet level along the N wall. Within this chamber a flat-headed doorway gives access to the roof space of the tower house and roughly opposite this there is an unusual double cruciform loop with rounded terminals. At the E end of the chamber there is a cruciform loop with square terminals, with a rectangular opening at the base. A flat-headed doorway at the E end of the S wall gives access onto the parapet. At parapet level there was a machicolation protecting the ground-floor entrance but only the two corbel supports survive. Similarly only two corbel supports survive of the machicolation at the W end of the S wall which protected the garderobe exit. Most of the parapet does not survive, only a string-course along the base and some lower courses along the S wall. See attached photographs: KK020-061001-_01 Exterior S face, 7 July 1992 KK020-061001-_02 Exterior S and E face, 7 July 1992 KK020-061001-_03 Exterior Upper N face, 7 July 1992 KK020-061001-_04 Exterior N face – 3rd floor two over two ogee-headed window, 7 July 1992 KK020-061001-_05 Exterior – 3rd floor two-light step-headed window, 7 July 1992 KK020-061001-_06 Interior – 3rd floor two-light step-headed window within embrasure, 7 July 1992 KK020-061001-_07 Exterior – 2nd floor two-light ogee-headed window, 7 July 1992 KK020-061001-_08 Interior – 2nd floor canopy fireplace, 7 July 1992 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 1 March 2021

• KK020-061002 Bawn
  Description

  On flat level ground. Identified as a cropmark of a fosse c. 55m N and c. 50m E of a tower house (KK020-060001-) on an aerial photograph (CUCAP AYK080, 9 July 1969). The cropmark appears to form the N and E side (L c. 70m) of a bawn associated with the tower house. A road runs NE-SW along the W side of the tower house and a field boundary runs NW-SE S of the tower house running southeastward. There is no indication of the cropmark in the field W of the road and S of the field boundary, probably due to different crops in these fields. See attached aerial photographs: KK020-060002-_01 Google Earth image (imagery date 14 July 2018) KK020-060002-_02 CUCAP AYK080, 9 July 1969 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 1 March 2021

• KK020-061003 Road - road/trackway
  Description

  On flat level ground within Gowran demesne. Identified as a cropmark on an aerial photograph (CUCAP AYK080, 9 July 1969). Listed as ‘enclosure site’ in the SMR (1987) and RMP (1996). The cropmark is of a fosse running roughly N-S E of a tower house (KK020-060001-) and c. 20m E of a bawn also visible on this aerial photograph. The feature appears to continue N and disappears into the vegetation on the banks of a stream, c. 130m N of the bawn. It is possible that this is an old stream course. A faint cropmark also runs parallel with the feature, c. 6m to the W, for c. 80m E of the bawn and may indicate a trackway following the course of the stream. See attached aerial photographs: KK020-060003-_01 Google Earth image (imagery date 14 July 2018) KK020-060003-_02 CUCAP AYK080, 9 July 1969 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 1 March 2021

• KK020-061004 Field system
  Description

  On flat level ground within Gowran demesne. A number of linear cropmarks are visible on an aerial photograph (CUCAP AYK080, 9 July 1969) in a field running eastward from a tower house (KK020-060001-) and bawn (KK020-060002-). The cropmarks, running roughly NE-SW, appear to predate the 1st (1839) ed. OS 6-inch map and relate to an earlier field pattern. See attached aerial photographs: KK020-060003-_01 CUCAP AYK080, 9 July 1969 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 1 March 2021

• KK020-121 Water mill - unclassified
  Description

  On a mill race constructed S of and, roughly parallel to, a tributary which flows into the River Barrow c. 5km to the E. A late medieval mill or mills was possibly located at or in the vicinity of the watermill indicated on the 1st (1839) OS 6-inch map as, ‘Gowran Flour Mill’ which lies c. 100m S of Gowran town, accessed from a road running S from the fair green, and c. 500m SW of the medieval castle of Gowran (KK020-060004-). A document in the Calendar of Ormond Deeds, dated 1594, relates to the 'customs and duties that said commons [townsfolk] were bound to do to the Earl's mills of Gawran [Gowran]', which included, 'to bring all the timber and other necessaries for the reparation of said mills, adding that by this time the commons of Gawran gave carriage for bringing of 'cogges and spindels' to said mills' (Curtis 1943, vol. 6, 126-7). Furthermore, 'Dermot O'Morgho of Gawran, miller, deposeth that the commons of Gawran, of the town of Johnmore and of the Haggard street from time to time have brought timber and all other stuff for reparation of the Earl's mills of Gawren, except straw and scolps. He hath been a miller in said mills these 40 years' (ibid. 127). A royal grant, dated 1597, mentions, ‘a garden within the burgage or franchises of Balligawran by the way leading to the New Mill of the Earl of Ormond’ (Carrigan 1905, vol. 3, 401). According to Drennan (1965, 58), ‘Fr. Healy, refers to the “Lords new Myll” as being on the coach road to Waterford and says, “across the river was old brewery [KK020-060020-] of much earlier date”’. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 29 March 2021

• KK021-030 Enclosure
  Description

  Indicated on the 1st (1839) ed. OS 6-inch map as a small circular enclosure (diam. c. 17m) located in a woodland plantation in Gowran demesne, with buildings located immediately to the S-SE and E. It is not indicated on the 1900 revision, however, satellite imagery indicates that while the surrounding woodland has been largely cleared, the area where the enclosure is located is still covered by trees and scrub, which suggests the monument survives above ground and has been deliberately avoided. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 21 April 2021

Architectural heritage

• Gowran Castle, gate lodge, 1867–1885 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached two-bay single-storey part double-pile gate lodge, extant 1900, on an L-shaped plan; two-bay single-storey parallel block with single-bay (single-bay deep) single-storey return (east). Now disused. Pitched slate roof on a T-shaped plan off-centred on pitched (gabled) slate roof; pitched slate roof on an L-shaped plan (east), roll moulded clay ridge tiles, limestone ashlar chimney stack on axis with ridge having cut-granite stringcourse below cut-granite chamfered capping, timber bargeboards to gables on timber purlins, and remains of cast-iron rainwater goods on exposed timber rafters retaining cast-iron downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered coursed or snecked limestone walls on drag edged tooled cut-limestone chamfered plinth with drag edged tooled cut-granite flush quoins to corners. Square-headed central door opening with drag edged tooled cut-limestone step threshold, and cut-granite surround having chamfered reveals framing glazed timber panelled door. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite chamfered flush sills, and cut-granite block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals with fittings now boarded up. Set back from line of street at entrance to grounds of Gowran Castle.

• Gowran Castle, gates/railings/walls, 1867–1885 · Regional interest
  Description

  Gateway, extant 1900, on a symmetrical plan comprising pair of drag edged limestone ashlar octagonal piers on cut-limestone chamfered plinths having polygonal capping supporting arrow head-detailed wrought iron double gates with drag edged limestone ashlar octagonal outer piers on cut-limestone chamfered plinths having polygonal capping supporting arrow head-detailed wrought iron railings. Now disused. Street fronted at entrance to grounds of Gowran Castle.

• Gowran Castle, country house, 1815–1820 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached seven-bay (three-bay deep) two-storey over part raised basement country house, rebuilt 1816-9; dated 1818, on a rectangular plan centred on three-bay full-height pedimented breakfront with (single-storey) prostyle tetrastyle Doric portico to ground floor; five-bay full-height rear (south) elevation centred on three-bay full-height pedimented breakfront. Leased, 1901. Vacant, 1911. Sold, 1955. Resold, 1998. Disused, 2004. Hipped slate roof on a quadrangular plan behind parapet centred on pitched (gabled) slate roofs, clay ridge tiles, paired limestone ashlar central chimney stacks having stringcourses below capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta tapered pots, and concealed rainwater goods. Drag edged rusticated limestone ashlar walls (ground floor) on cut-limestone ogee cushion course on drag edged rusticated limestone ashlar base with drag edged tooled cut-limestone flush quoins to corners supporting cut-limestone stringcourse; rendered surface finish (first floor) with cut-limestone cornice on blind frieze below parapet centred on pediment (breakfront); drag edged rusticated limestone ashlar wall (south) on cut-limestone ogee cushion course on drag edged rusticated limestone ashlar base with drag edged tooled cut-limestone flush quoins to corners supporting cut-limestone stringcourse; rendered surface finish (first floor) with paired Ionic pilasters (breakfront) centred on Ionic pilasters supporting dentilated cornice on blind frieze on entablature. Round-headed central door opening in (single-storey) prostyle tetrastyle Doric portico approached by flight of five lichen-spotted cut-limestone steps with dragged cut-limestone columns on padstones supporting dentilated cornice on rosette-detailed "triglyph" frieze on entablature, and moulded surround centred on keystone framing timber panelled double doors having overlight. Square-headed flanking window openings with cut-limestone sills, and moulded surrounds framing one-over-one timber sash windows. Square-headed door opening into country house with egg-and-dart-detailed cut-limestone framing glazed timber panelled double doors. Square-headed window openings (ground floor) with cut-limestone sills, and rusticated limestone ashlar voussoirs framing six-over-six timber sash windows without horns. Square-headed window openings (first floor) with cut-limestone sills, and concealed dressings framing three-over-six timber sash windows without horns. Pair of square-headed central openings in segmental-headed recesses (south) centred on square-headed niche with concealed dressings framing timber fittings. Square-headed window openings centred on square-headed blind opening (first floor) with cut-limestone sills, and cut-limestone surrounds framing three-over-six timber sash windows without horns. Square-headed window openings in segmental-headed shallow recesses (ground floor) with cut-limestone sills, and concealed dressings framing one-over-one timber sash windows. Square-headed window openings (first floor) with cut-limestone sills, and cut-limestone surrounds with dentilated hood mouldings on blind friezes framing three-over-six timber sash windows without horns. Set in unkempt landscaped grounds.

• Gowran Castle, stables, 1815–1839 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached ten-bay two-storey stable outbuilding with half-attic, extant 1839, on an L-shaped plan originally eight-bay two-storey with single-bay two-storey projecting end bay. Hipped slate roof on an L-shaped plan with clay ridge tiles, limestone ashlar chimney stacks having "Cavetto"-detailed beaded stringcourses below capping, and cast-iron rainwater goods on cut-limestone eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered rendered rubble limestone walls with concealed flush quoins to corners. Square-headed door openings in shallow camber-headed recesses with concealed voussoirs framing timber boarded half-doors having lattice overlights. Square-headed flanking window openings in shallow camber-headed recesses with cut-limestone sills, and concealed voussoirs framing louvered timber fittings. Square-headed window openings (first floor) with cut-limestone shallow sills, and concealed voussoirs framing remains of timber boarded fittings. Set in unkempt grounds shared with Gowran Castle.

• Mill House, miller's house, 1815–1835 · Regional interest
  Description

  Flour mill complex, c.1825, comprising:(i) Detached three-bay two-storey mill owner's house with five-bay two-storey return to south. Extensively renovated. Now in private residential use. Pitched roofs with replacement slate, clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stacks, and iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves. Unpainted replacement rendered walls. Square-headed window openings with stone sills, replacement one-over-one timber sash windows having margins, and replacement timber casement windows to return. Tudor-headed door opening with cut-stone step, carved cut-stone surround having hood moulding over, and glazed timber panelled double doors having overlight. Square-headed door opening to return with cut-granite block-and-start surround, and glazed timber panelled door. Set back from road in own grounds with gravel forecourt.(ii) Attached five-bay single-storey outbuilding to south originally detached. Now derelict. Pitched slate roof with clay ridge tiles, and no rainwater goods. Random rubble stone walls. Square-headed window openings (some slit-style) with dressed stone sills, lintels, and remains of timber fittings. Square-headed door openings with timber lintels, and timber boarded doors.(iii) Detached four-bay double-height barrel-roofed outbuilding, c.1925, to south-east. Barrel-vaulted roof with painted corrugated-iron, and no rainwater goods. Unpainted roughcast walls over random rubble stone construction. Square-headed slit-style window openings with fittings not visible. Square-headed door opening with timber door.(iv) Attached three-bay single-storey outbuilding originally detached. Pitched slate roof with clay ridge tiles, and no rainwater goods. Random rubble stone walls with remains of unpainted roughcast over. Square-headed window opening with no sill, timber lintel, and remains of timber fitting. Square-headed door openings with timber lintels, and timber boarded doors.(v) Detached three-bay two-storey rubble stone mill building to east. In use as Corn Mill and Saw Mill, 1902. Now derelict. Pitched slate roof with clay ridge tiles, rooflight, and remains of iron rainwater goods on rendered squared rubble stone eaves. Random rubble stone walls with cast-iron tie plates, and traces of unpainted roughcast lime render over. Square-headed window openings to ground floor with cut-granite surrounds having chamfered reveals, and remains of one-over-one timber sash windows having wrought iron bars. Shallow camber-headed window opening to first floor with dressed stone sill, red brick block-and-start surround, and timber fitting. Camber-headed door openings (including one to left first floor) with red brick dressings including voussoirs, and timber boarded doors. Interior now derelict with cut-granite mill stones retaining some iron fittings.(vi) Remains of detached two-bay two-storey rubble stone building to east probably originally forming part of larger composition with single-bay two-storey side elevations having square-headed carriageway to ground floor side (east) elevation. Subsequently in use as Corn Mill and Saw Mill, 1902. Now disused. Pitched slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles, and remains of iron rainwater goods on rendered squared rubble stone eaves. Random rubble stone walls with remains of unpainted roughcast lime render over. Camber-headed window openings with dressed stone sills, red brick dressings, and remains of timber fittings. Square-headed carriageway to side (east) elevation with timber boarded sliding door. Square-headed door opening to first floor side (east) elevation with red brick dressings, and timber boarded door.(vii) Freestanding cast-iron waterpump, c.1900, comprising banded cylindrical shaft with moulded necking supporting cylindrical head having spout, curvilinear 'cow tail' handle, and domed capping on moulded course. Now disused.

• Bridge, 1915–1935 · Regional interest
  Description

  Single-span reinforced concrete road bridge over stream, c.1925, possibly incorporating fabric of earlier bridge, c.1825. Unpainted rendered walls with panelled piers flanking panelled parapet having concrete coping, and random rubble stone flanking walls. Single reinforced concrete lintel span. Sited spanning tributary of River Barrow with overgrown banks to stream.

• Gowran Castle, worker's house, 1843–1900 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay single-storey worker's house, extant 1900, on an L-shaped plan centred on single-bay single-storey flat-roofed projecting porch abutting single-bay single-storey gabled projecting end bay. Now disused. Pitched slate roof on an L-shaped plan centred on flat roof (porch), "Fleur-de-Lys"-crested roll moulded clay ridge tiles, yellow brick Running bond off-central chimney stack on yellow brick Running bond base having overgrown capping supporting louvered terracotta or yellow terracotta tapered pots, trefoil-perforated timber bargeboards to gable on timber purlins, and no rainwater goods surviving on exposed timber rafters. Rendered coursed rubble limestone walls with concealed flush quoins to corners. Square-headed central door opening with concealed dressings framing remains of timber fitting having overlight. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed red brick block-and-start surrounds framing one-over-one timber sash windows. Set in unkempt grounds shared with Gowran Castle.

• Gowran Castle, gate lodge, 1850–1860 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay single-storey gate lodge with half-dormer attic, built 1856, on an L-shaped plan centred on single-bay single-storey flat-roofed projecting porch abutting single-bay full-height gabled projecting end bay; single-bay (west) or two-bay (east) full-height side elevations. Extended, ----, producing present composition. Hipped gabled and pitched slate roof on an L-shaped plan with roll moulded clay ridge tiles, paired octagonal chimney stacks on lichen-spotted chamfered base having stringcourses below capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta tapered pots, decorative timber bargeboards to gables on timber purlins, and replacement uPVC rainwater goods on exposed timber rafters. Part creeper- or ivy-covered tuck pointed coursed or snecked limestone walls on battered base with margined cut- or hammered limestone flush quoins to corners. Tudor-headed central door opening with step threshold, and margined cut-limestone block-and-start surround having chamfered reveals with hood moulding framing timber boarded door. Square-headed window openings in bipartite arrangement (ground floor) with cut-limestone cruciform mullions, and cut-limestone surrounds having chamfered reveals with hood mouldings framing timber casement windows. Square-headed window openings in tripartite arrangement (half-dormer attic) with cut-limestone cruciform mullions, and cut-limestone surrounds having chamfered reveals with hood mouldings framing timber casement windows. Set back from line of road at entrance to grounds of Gowran Castle. Additional photography by Don Allen

• Gowran Castle, gates/railings/walls, 1850–1860 · Regional interest
  Description

  Gateway, built 1856, on an asymmetrical plan comprising pair of lichen-spotted limestone ashlar piers on chamfered plinths having dentilated "Cyma Recta"- or "Cyma Reversa"-detailed stringcourses below capping supporting timber boarded double gates with lichen-spotted limestone ashlar pier (north) on chamfered plinth having dentilated "Cyma Recta"- or "Cyma Reversa"-detailed stringcourse below capping supporting timber boarded gate. Road fronted at entrance to grounds of Gowran Castle. Additional photography by Don Allen

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

At the centre of the townland of Gowran Demesne, about 1 in 10 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as moderately low, low, partly inferred. Parts of the land are water.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Gowran Demesne.

Flooding

The Office of Public Works publishes its flood maps on floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, and Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland, both under CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

No address of the register names Gowran Demesne with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Kilkenny.

Name

Gowran Demesne · Baile Sheáin Mhóir

Area

3,819,465 m² (381.95 ha, 943.81 acres)

Civil parish

Gowran, and its townlands

Barony

Gowran

Electoral division

Gowran, the unit of the census

Census 2022

1,556 people lived in 535 households in the Gowran electoral division. 78% of households owned their home. 41% of homes were built since 2001. 6% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 1% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Bodal, Clashmagrath, Gowran, Grange Lower, Grange Upper, Neigham, Redbog, Stangs, Watree

Placenames

Gowran Demesne on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics by electoral division, Central Statistics Office, CC BY 4.0. A townland is the smallest land division of Ireland, and the unit of a rural address. Old registers such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses file it under its civil parish and barony.