Gowran Abbey Nursing Home

06/03/2026

Mags, Anne, and the Residents enjoyed reliving Hurling memories as they admired the Kilkenny All Ireland and other medals!

Browsing through the photos I was wondering why there was so many Carlow ‘Scallion Eaters’ admiring Kilkenny medals- and then had to smile when I saw ‘Follow me up to Carlow’ playing in the background! 🤣🤣

Ah well, we’re neighbours after all, Kilkenny has their medals, and we Carlovians have our scallions and red onion 🧅 sandwiches!!🥪 🤪🤪🤗🤗🤣

28/02/2026

We were truly saddened to receive the news that Chrissie Travers (nee Hynes) a member of staff for many years in Gowran Abbey began her final journey from her home in Goresbridge. All of us in the Nursing Home extend our sincere condolences to her husband Willie, her children, grandchildren, and her extended family whom she loved and spoke about so much.

In the days ahead, we pray that may they all find comfort in the many special memories they have of Chrissie, a wonderful person, much loved by so many who knew her and who experienced her friendship and special personality.

Chrissie was ‘some woman for one woman’ - a bundle of joy, care, fun, and laughter. She made every day a happy day during the many years she worked with us in Gowran Abbey Nursing Home. No matter where she walked, Chrissie lit up a room with her laughter and presence and was a wonderful ray of sunshine for all of us. It was never difficult to find Chrissie wherever she was, all you had to do was follow the sound of laughter and there you knew you would find her right in the centre of it, and more often than not, she was the person who started the laughter!

Chrissie, truly a special person with time for everyone and for sharing the laughter and craic with all! Her participation in Christmas activities will always bring us a smile as we remember her special renditions of ‘Grandma got run over by a rainbow’ and ‘I want a hippopotamus for Christmas!’ Such laughter, such fun, much enjoyed, shared, and never to be forgotten!

A special woman with a big heart for all, and especially for her family of whom she was so proud. Her face lit up so many times as she was leaving on sunny days to go swimming with them in the afternoons and she always spoke of them with love and pride.

Chrissie, may the road rise to meet you, may Angels guide you on the road to paradise, and when you reach the River Jordan, may you enjoy that special swim across the river in the cool waters towards the Promised Land.

Thank You for the love, friendship, care, and laughter you shared with us in Gowran Abbey and with all who were blessed in having known you in the wider community.

Forever remembered - may you find a soft bed in Heaven Chrissie - R.I.P. 🌺

08/02/2026

The week that was in Gowarn Abbey! 😊

Lingo with words then Music 🎶 and Dance!
A few games of Cards, to win - take a chance!

Drawing, and Quizzing, Baking, and Flowers;
Laughing and Chatting, There’s not enough hours!

Then there was Reiki, and Beauty Pampering too;
One thing is certain- there’s plenty to do!

Not forgetting the games and even the Bingo!
T’was a busy week for us all - and we enjoyed it by Jingo! 🤗 🤗

(Can’t wait to see what next week will bring!) 🙃🙃🙃

Enjoy your week everyone! 🤩

25/01/2026

As many people drove through the village on their way to the Gowran Racecourse, our Residents relaxed, grabbed the newspapers, and took time with Margaret to carefully ‘study the form’ before placing their bets with the GowranAbbey ‘Bookie!’ 🏇👀🏇👀🏇

There was great craic and excitement as bets were placed and the chosen ‘favourites’ raced around the track! 🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇

There were some winners, others ‘pipped at the post’ - but Residents enjoyed backing winners and counting their ‘Gabby Bank Notes’ gleefully thinking ahead towards spending big at our next Gowran Abbey Auction! 🤗🤗🤗

25/01/2026

During The Past Few Months Our Residents Have Absolutely Loved Their Peaceful ‘Reiki Sessions’ Taking Time Out To Relax, Enjoy & Share Positive Energy.

Many Thanks To Jenny From For Facilitating Our Regular Group Sessions.
A Lovely Addition To The Many Other Activities Enjoyed In Gowran Abbey. 🤗

31/12/2025

Wishing All Our Residents, Families, Friends, And Loved Ones A Blessed, Healthy, Happy, And Peaceful New Year.

26/12/2025

Hmmm . . . . I Found 4 Mysterious Elves At The End Of This Clip! 🤣🤣🤣

26/12/2025

Peace & Love To All!

26/12/2025

Another Christmas Day Has Passed In Gowran Abbey, Preceded By A Wonderful Week Of Christmas Festivities Enjoyed By All Of Us!

I Extend Thanks To All Families And Friends For Their Good Wishes, Support, And For The Many Gifts Received This Christmas Time Which Were Appreciated And Shared Among All Staff.

Christmas Is A Special Time, And I Am Very Proud And Appreciative Of Manu (Our Director Of Nursing) And Of ALL Staff Who Worked To Make It Extra Special For Our Gowran Abbey Family! Your Kindness And Care For Residents Is Appreciated More Than You May Ever Realise! THANK YOU!

Thanks Also To ‘The Two Quiet Men’ Who Worked Hard To Light Up Our Christmas Season! They Spent So Many Days Brightening Up Gowran Abbey Inside And Outside, Knowing That Those Long Days Of Decorating And Hanging Lights Would, All Too Soon, Result In Packing Everything Away Again Until Next Christmas! Their Efforts Were Appreciated By Residents, Visitors And Staff; And As Our Video Shows - They Certainly Made Sure That Dark Evenings Were Brighter In Gowran Abbey Throughout December!

Thanks To Our Regular Gowran Abbey ‘Santa’ Who Joined Our Christmas Party And Delivered Gifts To Residents. It Always Amazes Us That He Knows Each One Of Them By Name!! A Man Of Many Talents He Then Took Time To Prepare And Check Menus And To Make Sure All Ingredients Were In Stock -(As Always)- And To Ensure A Supply Of Food Was Available Especially For The Sumptuous Christmas Day Dinner.

Thanks Also To The ‘Three Ladies’ Who Worked Behind The Scenes Filling Santa’s Sleigh And Wrapping More Than 100 Christmas Gifts For Residents!

Santa Was Very Generous With His Gifts, But We Were Astounded And Very Appreciative Of The Many Individual ‘Care Packages’ And Christmas Cards Sent To Residents From Individuals, Schools, And Communities Throughout The Country. It Was Obvious Gifts Were Chosen With Care, And Our Residents Really Appreciated The Thoughtfulness! Thank You To All Those People Who Were So Kind And Generous And Ensured That Residents Had An Extra ‘Surprise Gift’ On Christmas Afternoon!

Thanks To Fr. Pat Dalton For Celebrating Our Christmas Mass, And To All Participated In Our Candlelight Carol Service Prior To The Arrival Of Baby Jesus In The Crib On Christmas Eve.

Early On Christmas Morning The ‘Gowran Abbey Elves’ Worked Very Hard Preparing The Dining Room And They Certainly Turned It Into A Festive ‘Banqueting Hall’ Worthy Of The Occasion! Thanks To All!

Residents And Staff Shared Friendship, Love, Music, And Laughter On Christmas Day, And I Express Heartfelt Thanks To Our Residents For The Smiles They Bring To Our Lives Not Just On Christmas Day, But EVERY Day!

Many Of Our Staff Are Hundreds Of Miles Away From Home This Christmas, Some For The First Time. I Know They Will Have Been Thinking Of ‘Home And Their Families’ In Kerela (India) This Christmas.
I Want To Acknowledge Them And Extend Appreciation And Thanks To Them For Sharing Their Christmas Music And Traditions With Us And For Being Part Of Our ‘Gowran Abbey Family’. > ഗൗറൻ ആബിയിലെ നിങ്ങളുടെ ജീവിതം ഞങ്ങളുമായി പങ്കിട്ടതിന് നന്ദി! (Thank You For Sharing Your Lives With Us In Gowran Abbey).

As We prepare To Begin A New Year, We Will Continue To Enjoy Life In Gowran Abbey. We Will Live, Love, Cry And Laugh Together Because That’s What Families Do! Most Importantly We Will ‘Care’ Because That Is ‘Our Gowran Abbey Ethos.’

My Christmas Message To Staff This Year Will Carry Into The Coming Year And Beyond > ‘No One Cares How Much You Know; Until They Know How Much You Care!!’

I Am Confident That ‘WE CARE’ For Our Much-Loved Residents, And We Are Privileged That They Have Chosen To Become Part Of ‘Our Gowran Abbey Family!’

May Peace, Health, And Love Be Shared By All Of Us This Coming Year!
Renewed Thanks And Good Wishes To All!

Mairéad M. Byrne
General Manager

25/12/2025

From Our Gowran Abbey Family - We Wish All Our Loved Ones, And Our Extended Family And Friends A Blessed And Peaceful Christmas. 🎄✨🎄

Wherever We Find Ourselves This Christmas, May It Be A Time Of Love, Friendship, Treasured And Precious Memories For All Of Us.💞✨ ✨💞

Life Has Changed For Many Since This Time Last Year, As Some Of Us Lay A Special Place At Our Christmas Table For An Unseen Loved One Who Is No Longer With Us. 💞

We Remember Them This Christmas, And All Those Who Mourn The Loss Of Special Loved Ones In Their Lives. 🕯️✨

Memories And Love Remain Deep Within! ✨💞✨💞

May Your Hearts Be Filled With Peace And Love This Christmas, And May Memories Past And Present Remain Comforting And Treasured During The Coming New Year. ✨💞✨

25/10/2025

24/10/2025

Residents and Staff are looking forward to sharing time with our families and raising funds for a worthy cause! 😊