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Welcome to Kirkgunzeon
Dumfries & Galloway, South West Scotland
Kirkgunzeon is a pretty village and parish in the Stewartry area of Dumfries and Galloway, about four miles North East of Dalbeattie. It is located on a loop of minor road off the A711 from Dumfries to Dalbeattie. On this website you will find information on Kirkgunzeon and Maxwell Memorial Hall along with the history of Kirkgunzeon Parish including the Church and Churchyard, the War Memorial, the natural environment and links to local services. The earliest written records of Kirkgunzeon date back to the 12th century when it was referred to as ‘Kircwinnyn’ although there is archaeological evidence of hunter gatherers in the area dating back as far as 6000BC. The Parish has existed from the thirteenth century. It is primarily an agricultural area with evidence of farming dating back to the Bronze Age settlements. In the 19th century the village was described as self sufficient with a mill, school, shop, smithy and railway station. Many of these village facilities have now closed although both Maxwell Memorial Hall and the Primary School remain open.
Origins of the name 'Kirkgunzeon'
One of the things many people ask about is the name Kirkgunzeon, which is pronounced ‘Kirkgunnion’. Whilst ‘Kirk’ is common in place names, signifying the village was named after an early church, there is more debate about ‘gunzeon’. Some believe the early names of Kirkwinong or Kircwinnyn indicate it was named for St Winning, others suggest it comes from Guinneain a Gaelic variant of the name ‘Finnian’ or ‘Finian’ thought to be St Finian of Moville in Ireland. The explanation of the letter ‘z’ in the name is almost certainly that given for the occurrence of the letter in other Scottish names like Menzies. At one time the alphabet used in Scotland included a letter ‘yoch’ which was written like a flat headed ‘g’. When this letter fell out of use it was mistaken for a ‘z’ and written as such. This is a new site set up by the Maxwell Memorial Hall Charity and we welcome your feedback and suggestions to help develop it.
We welcome all enquiries
Kirkgunzeon.org, an initiative of the Maxwell Memorial Hall Kirkgunzeon, welcomes all enquiries. You can contact us using the form below and we will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible. If you are enquiring about booking the Maxwell Memorial Hall, add the dates and times you require the hall. Please note, this does not constitute a firm booking. We will contact you to confirm if the hall is available.
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LATEST NEWS:
Join us at the Hall for our Summer Gala on Saturday, 14th August 10am – 4pm. BBQ, Tea & Cakes, Craft stalls, Tombola, Bouncy Castle, Dog Show & Canine Activities, Duck Race and more!