Gorey - Meaning Of Placename

GOREY 

The original name of Gorey was Guaire. There are various interpretations of the meaning of Guaire. Joyce took it to mean a place of goats. Some of the early anglicised forms such as Gowrie seem to support this. We are inclined to accept that Guaire in the context of Gorey means a sandy place. There are sand and gravel pits in the area. The present site of the Saint Joseph’s Primary School on Wexford Street was a gravel pit.

In 1617, Dr. Thomas Ram, Bishop of Ferns, was granted a charter for the town by James The First. His attempt under the charter to change the name Gorey to Newborough never caught on.  Today, a residential estate in the town is named Newborough.

As Gaeilge, tá an baile ainmnithe Guaire.

GOREY TOWN CREST

The Cross stands for Religion;

The Swan with an eel in its mouth signifies Industry;

The Lion shows Fortitude;

The Rose implies Unanimity amongst the Inhabitants.

Permission from Gorey Town Council is required to use the Town Crest