Skip to content

Heritage Ireland

St. Mary’s Church Gowran

Records written in stone in the heart of Gowran

08 May - 08 August 2025

See all opening times

St. Mary’s Church Gowran

Records written in stone in the heart of Gowran

08 May - 08 August 2025

See all opening times

Due to reopen 8 May 2025

Note- open the second Thursday of every month from 10:00 -13:00 between 08 May - 08 August 2025.

Please refer to Opening Times in advance of any planned visit.

NB: This entry will be updated with any additional information when necessary

Admission

Free admission

Getting here

Gowran
Co. Kilkenny
R95 CV0Y

Get Directions

Follow us

St. Mary’s Church Gowran

This church was built in the late thirteenth century as a collegiate church and was served by a college - clerics who lived in a community but did not submit to the rule of a monastery.

The church was patronised by the Butler family and many early family members are commemorated here with elaborate medieval tombs. The impressive ruins were decorated by the Gowran Master whose stone carvings are immortalised in the poetry of Nobel Laureate Séamus Heaney.

The once medieval church was later partly reconstructed in the early 19th century and functioned as a Church of Ireland church until the 1970’s when it was gifted to the State as a National Monument. Today the restored part of the church preserves a collection of monuments dating from the 5th to the 20th centuries.

Take a free in-depth tour in the company of one of the church’s famously engaging guides.

Opening Times

8 May -8 August 2025

To open the second Thursday only  of every month between 08 May – 08 August 2025- please refer to monthly opening dates in advance of any planned visit.

 

 

Notice

Restricted access for visitors with disabilities.

Seasonal Opening Times

May

08 May  10:00 – 13:00

22 May 10:00 – 13:00

June

12 June 10:00 – 13:00

26 June 10:00 – 13:00

July

10 July 10:00 – 13:00

24 July 10:00 – 13:00

August

14 August 10:00 – 13:00

28 August 10:00 – 13:00

Site closes on 28 August 2025

Contact

Gowran
Co. Kilkenny
R95 CV0Y

056 772 6894 (During open season) 056 772 4623 (During closed season)

Getting Here

Located in the centre of Gowran town. Follow the R448 from Carlow south towards Thomastown.

Open location in Google Maps

Click the relevant icon below to open Maps directions

Facilities

  • AV presentation
  • Exhibition
  • Guided tours

Restrictions

  • Appropriate footwear
  • Assistance dogs only
  • Limited Access
  • No climbing

Nearby sites to visit

You might also like

Heritage Card

Unlimited access to Ireland’s past

Buy one today

Join our mailing list

Are you happy to receive marketing material via email from Heritage Ireland

Subscribe