60 Host Towns Fáilte go dtí Gort Inse Guaire, or Welcome to Gort! Gort is a market town in South County Galway and got its name from the original Irish name of Gort Inse Guaire, translated as “Field of Guaire’s Island”, in honour of 6th century King of Connacht and patron of St. Colman, Guaire Aidne Mac Colmain, or King Guaire for short! Gort is a gateway town to the Burren, an area of outstanding beauty, where miles of limestone is home to rare plants and various types of indigenous wildlife, with stunning views that are truly breathtaking. But Gort and the surrounding area is home to many other beautiful and historic attractions to entice and beguile visitors and locals alike. No visit to Gort would be complete without a visit to Kilmacduagh monastery and round tower, South Galway’s very own leaning tower! It is believed it was founded in the 7th century and is also the burial place of our patron saint, Saint Colman. The market square in Gort is a great starting point for your tour of the area. The Weigh House was built in the middle to late 18th Century under the auspices of Lord Gort who oversaw the development of the town to a major market town and staging post. Across the road from the Weigh House is the Allied Irish Bank, which was once the home of Patrick (Paddy) MacMahon Glynn, arguably, Australia’s most famous Irishman. Paddy left his beloved Irish shores in 1878 to go to London to continue his legal studies and in 1880, left for Melbourne. In Australia he was, amongst other things, a fine Shakespearian scholar, a barrister, a newspaper editor, an MP, Attorney General and Government minister. His crowning achievement and he had many, was to take part in the formalising of the Australian constitution. To the left of the square, in a building where there is now an opticians, a man named Ned Treston was born, the man credited with initial standardisation of the sliotar. Ned, a saddler by trade, was selected to play in a match between South Galway and North Tipperary in February 1886 in Dublin. Prior to the game, there was much debate between the teams as regards the size of the sliotar. Treston made a sliotar at a nearby saddler, which was used in the game and went on to be a prototype for the standard sliotar used thereafter. The foundress of the convent in Gort was one Mother Aloysius Doyle, who nursed with Florence Nightingale in the Crimean War. Two of Ireland’s most revered literary leading lights spent much of their lives in Gort, Lady Augusta Gregory and her good friend, poet and playwright WB Yeats. Coole Park was once home to Lady Gregory and her family and it proved to be a very significant place for WB Yeats, who wrote some of his most arresting and beautiful works here, inspired by what he witnessed while taking walks through the surroundings. It is a hugely popular attraction and a must see for any visitor. When in Coole, the Autograph Tree is one of the many jewels in its crown. Not only is it a wonderful example of a Copper Beech, on its bark are etched initials of many famous Irish writers, poets and playwrights. See how many you can find! The Park is also home to a wonderful museum, devoted to Yeats, the Gregory family and the wonderful flora and fauna that make up this stunning nature reserve. WB Yeats bought the nearby tower in Thoor Ballylee and resided there for a number of years, where again it proved to be a hive of inspiration. On the way to the tower, you will see the Kiltartan Gregory Museum, this used to be an old national school. The museum is at Kiltartan Cross, a place mentioned in Yeats’ “An Irish Airman Foresees His Death”. This is just a flavour of what Gort and South Galway has to offer, with castles and other buildings dotting the landscape and other reminders of times past. We are thrilled to welcome you to our area and we look forward to looking after you during your stay. Cead Mile Fáilte Roimh Gach Duine! Gort – The Jewel in South Galway’s Crown
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