Garryowen, Limerick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Garryowen
Garraí Eoin
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Population centre
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 Garryowen
Location in Ireland
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| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Munster |
| County | County Limerick |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
Garryowen (which means "Owen's Garden" in Irish) is a neighbourhood in the city of Limerick, Ireland. It's a historic part of the city with many interesting stories and old buildings.
Contents
A Look Back: Garryowen's History
The name Garryowen comes from the Irish words Garraí Eoin, meaning "the garden of Owen." This name connects to St. John the Baptist and the Knights Templar from the 12th century. The Knights Templar were a famous group of Christian knights. They had a house in Limerick dedicated to St. John.
In the Middle Ages, Garryowen was just outside the main walled city of Limerick. The area had a strong fort called the citadel. This fort was the main defense for the part of the city known as Irishtown.
In 1690, Garryowen was the site of a brave battle. During the Williamite War, a part of the city wall was attacked. Defenders fought hard to protect it. You can still see parts of the old city walls inside the grounds of St. John's Hospital today. The citadel was used as a military base until 1752.
Important Places: Landmarks in Garryowen
Garryowen is home to several important buildings and areas.
St John's Cathedral
St John's Cathedral is a very impressive church in the area. It was built in 1861. The cathedral has the tallest spire in all of Ireland, reaching 94 meters (about 308 feet) into the sky!
St John's Hospital
Right next to the cathedral is St John's Hospital. This hospital has a long history, starting in 1780. It was founded by Lady Hartstonge and other kind people. It helped treat diseases during tough times, like the Great Famine (1845-1847).
St John's Square
Across from the cathedral, you'll find St John's Square. This square was finished in 1751. It was one of the first places in Limerick to show off fancy architecture and open public spaces. For a while, it was considered one of the most stylish places to live in Limerick.
Fun and Sports: Amenities in Garryowen
Garryowen has a strong connection to sports.
Garryowen Football Club
Garryowen Football Club is a well-known Rugby Union club in Ireland. It started in the Garryowen area. However, the club is no longer located in the neighbourhood itself. It moved to the Dooradoyle area of Limerick.
Markets Field
Before moving, Garryowen Football Club played at a place called Markets Field. They used it as their home ground until 1958. After that, Markets Field was used for greyhound racing until 2010. Now, it's the home ground for Limerick's main soccer team!
