Courtown




Courtown (Irish:Baile na Cúirte, meaning "homestead of the court"), is a townland in North Wexford, 4 kilometres east of Gorey town. The townland was home to the seat of Lord Courtown during the 18th and 19th centuries, but Courtown House was demolished in 1962. The remains of his private church and cemetery can still be seen in the townland. Today it is home to Courtown Golf Club and Kiltennel Church. The townland is usually confused with Courtown Harbour, a nearby village which developed after Lord Courtown ordered the construction of a Harbour during the Famine years, 1839-1846. The economic boost of the new harbour led to a small village developing with fishing been the primary economy of the village. Courtown Harbour is situated on the Irish Sea coast and with the recent development during the "Celtic Tiger" years, has merged into the adjoining village of Riverchapel. It lies on the R742 regional road.