Urlingford on the River Goul

Urlingford can be understood through the River Goul and its historic buildings. The river reaches the town from the south, flows beneath Main Street, then follows the northern edge of the town and passes beneath the bridge by the Castle. Urlingford is on the N8, the National Primary Route between Dublin and Cork.

Historic buildings by the river

Das Castle, a four-storey Norman tower house, stands on the south bank of the River Goul. The old pre-Reformation parish church is on the north bank, with a cemetery adjoining it. The buildings are thus each associated with a named bank of the river.

A single-arch road bridge over the River Goul dates from around 1800 and is considered an important part of Urlingford’s late Georgian or early Victorian engineering heritage. The single arch describes its form; its architectural classification provides a historical context.

Castle Mill adds an industrial dimension to the town’s architectural history. It was established as a flour mill and later operated as a dairy in the early 20th century. These two uses belong to different phases of its history.

River landscape and habitat

Near the Castle, the River Goul flows over an apparently natural rocky riverbed. Dense moss covers the rock ridges, forming small cascades between longer, deeper sections. The wooded surroundings of the River Goul provide a habitat for bats. Thus, alongside its buildings, the town’s landscape includes a varied riverbed and a wooded habitat.

Other examples in County Kilkenny

In the wider destination of County Kilkenny, you’ll find distinctive examples of architecture, monastic history and geology. In the city of Kilkenny, Rothe House was built in 1594 as a business premises and family home for John Rothe Fitzpiers. The house offers expert-led tours as well as self-guided visits to the house, courtyards and garden during opening hours.

Jerpoint Abbey, located in Thomastown in County Kilkenny, was founded in the 12th century and is one of the finest examples of a medieval Cistercian abbey in Ireland. It is also known for its stone sculptures dating from the 13th to the 16th century. A treasure hunt for children is available at the nearby visitor centre.

Dunmore Cave, not far from the city of Kilkenny, consists of limestone chambers formed over millions of years and contains remarkable calcite formations. At Kells Priory, the surviving medieval fortifications inspired the local name “Seven Castles of Kells”.

Highbank Orchards offers owner-led orchard tours and product tastings; booking details may change. The self-guided Red Gate Tour takes in 12 traditional red gates and gateposts. The operation of this route may also change.

Discover more destinations: Piltown, Callan, Inistioge, Bennettsbridge, Mooncoin, Castlecomer, Jenkinstown, Thomastown

For the wider travel overview: County Kilkenny.