Callan () is a town and civil parish in County Kilkenny in Ireland. Situated 16 km (10 mi) south of Kilkenny on the N76 road to Clonmel, it is near the border with County Tipperary. It is the second largest town in the county, and had a population of 2,475 at the 2016 census.
In 1650, Oliver Cromwell and his New Model Army laid siege to Callan. Although Sir Richard Talbot, the commander of the main defence had secretly organised to surrender, some of the other defenders refused to do so, leading to a battle for the town. All of the defenders and many of the townspeople who sought safety in the stone castle and parish church were killed. In the late 19th century, a large number of human bones and cannonballs were discovered during excavations of the ruins of the old parish church.
On 15 February 1885, the first game of Gaelic football played under unofficial rules, drawn up by the newly formed Gaelic Athletic Association, was played at the Fair Green in Callan. A local team from Callan played a Kilkenny Commercials team who travelled from Kilkenny City. 21 men lined up aside & the game finished with no score a piece.
The Fair Green was home to John Locke's GAA Club for nearly 100 years until the new facilities were developed alongside.