St Govan

Saint Govan (Welsh: Gofan) (died 586) was a hermit who lived in a fissure on the side of coastal cliff near Bosherston, in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales.St. Govan's Chapel was built in the fissure in the 14th century on what is now known as St. Govan's Head.

Legends

One story says Govan was an Irish monk who travelled to Wales late in life to seek the friends and family of the abbot who had trained him, variously identified as Saint David or Saint Ailbe of Emly. Another story identifies Govan with Gawain, one of King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table; another that he was originally a thief.

Govan was set upon by pirates, from Ireland or the nearby Lundy Island. The cliff opened up and left a fissure just big enough for him to hide in until the pirates left. In gratitude, he decided to stay on along the cliff, probably to help warn the locals of the impending pirate attack if they were to return.

St Govan lived within a small cave in the fissure of the cliff. This is now reached by a long flight of stone steps, the number of which is said to vary depending on whether one is ascending or descending.

Govan

Coordinates: 55°51′41″N 4°18′30″W / 55.8615°N 4.3083°W / 55.8615; -4.3083

Govan (/ˈɡʌvən/ GUV-ən; Scottish Gaelic: Baile a' Ghobhainn) is a district, parish, and former burgh now part of southwest City of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated 2.5 miles (4.0 km) west of Glasgow city centre, on the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite the mouth of the River Kelvin and the district of Partick. Historically it was part of the County of Lanark.

According to medieval legend, Constantine, a 7th-century King of Strathclyde, founded a monastery under the rule of Columbanus in Govan. During the Middle Ages, Govan was the site of a ferry which linked the area with Partick for seasonal cattle drovers. In the 18th and 19th centuries, textile mills and coal mining were important; in the early 19th century shipbuilding emerged as Govan's principal industry. In 1864, Govan gained burgh status, and was Scotland's fifth largest burgh. It was incorporated into the city of Glasgow in 1912.

History

Early history

Govan (disambiguation)

Govan is a district in Glasgow, Scotland. "Govan" may also refer to:

See also

Govan (ward)

Govan is one of the 21 wards of Glasgow City Council. It represents Govan. There are 4 members for this area.

The areas within the former Govan Burgh; Drumoyne, Ibrox, Linthouse and Plantation are all included within the Ward with the addition of Shieldhall, Craigton, Bellahouston, Kinning Park, Kingston and Tradeston.

A by-election took place in this ward on 10 October 2013 following the death of SNP's councillor, Allison Hunter, and resulted in a Labour gain. The population of Govan in 2011 was 30,089, here is the ethnic makeup of Govan.

78.5% White British

10.5% Asian

3.3% Black

2013 by-election result