Windgap, County Kilkenny facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Windgap
Bearna na Gaoithe
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Village
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Welcome sign (Fáilte go Bearna na Gaoithe)
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 Windgap
Location in Ireland
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| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | County Kilkenny |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
Windgap is a small village in County Kilkenny, Ireland. Its name comes from the Irish words Bearna na Gaoithe, which means "the wind gap". This name fits well because the village is located in a pass through some hills.
Windgap is in the southwestern part of County Kilkenny. It sits right on the border with Tipperary. The village is a bit south of Callan. You can find Windgap on the R689 regional road. The main highway nearby is the N76, which connects Kilkenny to Clonmel.
The area around Windgap has many steep hills and large forests. Long ago, people used to quarry slate here. Today, farming is the main activity in Windgap. Farmers mostly produce dairy products, like milk and cheese. People from Windgap are sometimes called 'Gappers'.
Contents
History and Culture in Windgap
Windgap has a rich history. A book called The Mayor of Windgap was written in 1834 by Michael Banim. This story takes place in Windgap in the year 1779. The village is also mentioned in a 1907 book called The Placenames of the Decies.
Some important old buildings in Windgap include its 19th-century graveyard. There is also The Old League House. This building used to be a home for poor tenant farmers. These farmers were part of the Irish National Land League. You can also see an early 20th-century grotto in the village.
Sports in Windgap
Sports are a big part of life in Windgap. The Windgap GAA club was started in 1954. GAA stands for Gaelic Athletic Association. Gaelic games have been played in this area since the 1890s.
Gaelic Football and Hurling
In the early days, the area was known more for Gaelic football. However, hurling also became popular. Hurling teams from Slatequarries played in 1929. Later, St. Joseph's in Tullahought had a hurling team in the 1940s.
Handball and Camogie
Handball first appeared in the Slatequarries area in the early 1900s. From there, it spread to Windgap. Camogie, a sport similar to hurling but played by women, began in Lamogue in the 1920s. Many teams from the parish, including Windgap and Tullahought, played camogie over the years.
Modern Sports Clubs
The Windgap Camogie Club was founded in 1994. The Windgap Handball Club started in 1984. In 2005, the teams from Galmoy and Windgap joined together.
Notable People from Windgap
- John Banim (1798–1842) was a famous writer.
- Fearghus Ó Fearghail is known as a priest and a scholar.
Images for kids
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The Old (Land) League House (1881–1979)
