Ballyvaghan

120 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Ballyvaghan, from 2 m² to 124,251 m² (12.43 ha, 30.7 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 27 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland as DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings, or as GeoJSON or KML.

• C5Tourism (Tourism and related)
  Ballyvaughan Settlement Plan, Clare · 39 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R2Existing Residential (Existing residential)
  Ballyvaughan Settlement Plan, Clare · 32 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• M2Mixed Use (City/Town/village Centre, central area)
  Ballyvaughan Settlement Plan, Clare · 16 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G1Open Space (Open space, park)
  Ballyvaughan Settlement Plan, Clare · 5 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G3Buffer Space (Conservation, amenity or buffer space, corridor/belt, landscape)
  Ballyvaughan Settlement Plan, Clare · 2 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• P1Agriculture
  Ballyvaughan Settlement Plan, Clare · 2 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• N1.4Maritime / Harbour (Seaport/Harbour)
  Ballyvaughan Settlement Plan, Clare · 2 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• S3Community (Community facilities)
  Ballyvaughan Settlement Plan, Clare · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• C1.1Commercial (Commercial, retail)
  Ballyvaughan Settlement Plan, Clare · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• M1Mixed Use (Mixed Use, general development, opportunity/proposal site)
  Ballyvaughan Settlement Plan, Clare · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G5Recreation (Mixed/general 'green'/recreation/conservation, other)
  Ballyvaughan Settlement Plan, Clare · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• S1Community (Education)
  Ballyvaughan Settlement Plan, Clare · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

• 28 Jul 2026N/a

  of the following; 1. works carried out for the change of use of Wellness Centre to 10 Apartments, 2. of Hotel and proposed Apartments within revised site boundaries and 3. PERMISSION to complete the works for the 10 Apartments with associated site development works

  Retention · Clare County Council, 2660483

• 1 May 2026N/a

  to retain works carried out for the change of use of Hostel area to 10 apartments and Permission to complete these works

  Retention · Clare County Council, 2660285

• 10 Apr 2026Conditional

  to replace thatch roof covering to the existing cottage with a new corrugated metal finish (and slate finish to the roof of the sunroom), along with a new first floor rear bay window (extend existing bathroom), new rooflights to front roof and all other associated site works and services

  Permission · Clare County Council, 2660240

• 11 Apr 2024Refused

  to Extend the Appropriate Period of Planning Permission for P18/696 to extend the existing hotel, creating 8 additional guest bedrooms and all associated site and ancillary works

  Extension of duration · Clare County Council, 24118

• 16 Feb 2024Conditional

  for development which will consist of the construction of a single storey house with a sewage treatment plant and percolation area, new stone boundary walls and a connecting driveway with a new road entrance and associated hard and soft landscaping

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 2460058

• 12 Feb 2024Conditional

  to replace the existing thatch roof covering existing cottage with a new slate finish along with all other associated site works and services

  Permission · Clare County Council, 2441

• 4 Sept 2023Conditional

  to erect four number 8m high floodlight poles, associated fittings, including ancillary site works

  Permission · Clare County Council, 23477

• 21 Apr 2023Refused

  to Extend the Appropriate Period of Planning Permission for P17-808 for development which will consist of the construction of a new part two-storey, part single-storey house, with a sewage treatment plant and percolation area, new stone boundary walls and a connection driveway, with a new road entrance and associated hard and soft landscaping

  Extension of duration · Clare County Council, 23236

• 8 Mar 2023Conditional

  for the construction of a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), with associated site fencing, netting, artificial surface, floodlighting and all associated ancillary site development works

  Permission · Clare County Council, 23139

• 15 Jul 2022Conditional

  to (a) construct new single storey Clubhouse and Community recreation facility, (b) construct new vehicular and pedestrian site entrance and access road, (c) install new wastewater treatment system (d) minor modifications of public road and ancillary site works. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and accompanies this application

  Permission · Clare County Council, 22647

• 26 Feb 2021Conditional

  to erect public LED lighting along with walking/exercise track surrounding the pitch, including all ancillary site works

  Permission · Clare County Council, 21171

• 23 Nov 2020Conditional

  the development will consist of the construction of a single storey extension to the rear of the building (c 9.73 sq.m), change of use of existing convenience shop to include part off-licence use (gross floor area for off-licence use 22 sq.m) and associated works

  Permission · Clare County Council, 20879

• 27 Oct 2020Conditional

  RETAIN the following: 1. Alterations and extension to dwelling house. 2. Car Port. 3. Stand Alone Office. 4. Workshop/Garage. 5. Fuel Shed.

  Retention · Clare County Council, 20785

• 1 Sept 2020Unconditional

  to extend the appropriate period planning ref: P16/289 to restore existing house and construct new addition with proprietary waste treatment system and all associated site works

  Extension of duration, 1 home · Clare County Council, 20605

• 25 Nov 2019Conditional

  to demolish an existing substandard dwelling house and to construct a new dwelling house with living space extension and associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 19921

• 14 Sept 2018Conditional

  to construct a new house, proprietary waste treatment system and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 18734

• 3 Sept 2018Conditional

  to extend the existing hotel, creating 8 additional guest bedrooms and all associated site and ancillary works

  Permission · Clare County Council, 18696

• 19 Oct 2017Conditional

  for development which will consist of the construction of a new part two-storey, part single-storey house, with a sewage treatment plant and percolation area, new stone boundary walls and a connection driveway, with a new road entrance and associated hard and soft landscaping

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 17808

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

• Special Area of Conservation: Galway Bay Complex SAC 000268
• Special Area of Conservation: Ballyvaughan Turlough SAC 000996
• Special Protection Area: Inner Galway Bay SPA 004031
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Galway Bay Complex 000268
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Ballyvaughan Turlough 000996

Recorded monuments

• CL002-045 Enclosure
  Description

  On a low knoll in reclaimed pasture and meadowland. Hachured as a complete circular enclosure (diam. c. 60m) on the 1842 ed. of the OS 6-inch map; hachured from SE–SSE (L 10m), indicated as a solid line from SSE–N and left open from N–SE on the 1915 ed. There are no visible remains at ground level. A circular enclosure (CL002-044----) lies c. 180m ENE and the site of another enclosure (diam. c. 30m) lies c. 120m SSE. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 9 December 2020

• CL002-046 Enclosure
  Description

  On very gentle W-facing slope just off the crest of a rise in improved pasture and meadowland that has been extensively cleared. Hachured (diam. c. 30m) on the 1842 ed. of the OS 6-inch map, but only hachured from W–SSE on the 1915 map. There is no visible surface trace. The site of a larger enclosure (CL002-045----) lies c. 120m NNW and the site of a cist (CL002-048----) is 60m to the SE. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 9 December 2020

• CL002-048 Cist
  Description

  Unobtrusively situated in a narrow, shallow valley from which ground rises gently to E and W in reclaimed and extensively cleared pastureland. Indicated with a circle and named ‘Cromlech’ on the 1842 ed. of the OS 6-inch map and named ‘Cromlech (Site of)’ on the 1915 ed. Listed as ‘Cist (possible)’ in the SMR (1992) and the RMP (1996) on the basis of Westropp (1901, 280) who recorded that ‘it is said to have been a small cist of four slabs and a cover; it has been removed since 1839’. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 9 December 2020

• CL002-050 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  On a very gentle SW-facing slope of meadowland, c. 70m SSE of the tidal inlet at Ballyvaghan. Hachured with trees on the interior and named, along with a neighbouring rath (CL002-052---) and enclosure (CL002-054----), as ‘Ballyvaghan forts’ on the 1842 ed. of the OS 6-inch map and hachured with trees to the S on the 1915 ed. Listed as ‘Enclosure’ in the SMR (1992) and the RMP (1996). A largely levelled oval rath (int. dims. 31m crest to crest N–S; 28m E–W crest of bank at E to top of scarp at W), visible as a very low, wide bank (H 0.1–0.2m; Wth 4–6m) curving from NNW–SW and by a very faint scarp (falling 0.3m over 4m) from SW–NNW. A modern field boundary runs from SW–NE across the site. The field that includes the NW side of the fort was the subject of a magnetic gradiometer survey in 2007 (Leigh 2007). The arc of the bank was visible in the survey as a negative response suggesting a ‘stone construction, or perhaps a stone filled ditch’ (Leigh 2007, 6 and Fig. 3); this and the lack of any response consistent with a ditch suggest this was a cashel. The other two ‘Ballyvaghan forts’, the rath (CL002-052----) and enclosure (CL002-054----), are located c. 70m NNE and c. 80m E, respectively. Westropp (1901, 279–80) also included an exceptionally large cashel (CL002-053----) located c. 250m NNE in this group. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 9 December 2020

• CL002-051 Castle - unclassified
  Description

  On a low small, level promontory projecting W into the S neck of Ballyvaghan Bay. Indicated on the 1842 ed. of the OS 6-inch map and named ‘Ballyvaghan Castle (site of)’ on both it and the 1915 ed. Listed as ‘Castle’ in the SMR (1992) and the RMP (1996). The castle is listed in the O’Brien rental of 1380 and was initially an O’Loughlin possession (Ua Croinin and Breen 1996), but it passed to the O’Brien’s after a dispute over cattle in 1540. It was reduced by the Queen’s Deputy, Sir Henry Sidney, in 1569 and after that, passed between the O’Loughlins, O’Connors, O’Briens and Nugents (ibid.). It was still in existence at least as late as 1646, when it was granted to Christopher O’Brien, but by 1837 only remained as ‘some old vestiges’ (ibid.). There are no visible remains of the castle. Several large quay stones (total L 5m) 6m W of the promontory may be the remains of a pier or may be part of seaward fortifications associated with the castle. Westropp (1901, 278) described the site of a ‘peel tower’ which once adjoined a great ‘caher’. There are remains of a large cashel (CL002-053----) which fits his description, but these lie c. 150m NNE. It was in any case already ‘entirely perished’ (ibid.) by his time. The following has been uploaded: CL002-051----_01.jpg Details from Risteárd Ua Cróinín and Martin Breen, The Castles and Tower-houses of Co. Clare (unpublished report). Uploaded courtesy of R. Ua Cróinín and M. Breen. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 9 December 2020

• CL002-052 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  On a level crest at the N end of a low rise, with meadowland falling gently away to S and more steeply to W, c. 60m E of the tidal inlet at Ballyvaghan. Hachured as a circular enclosure and named, along with a neighbouring cashel (CL002-050----) and enclosure (CL002-054----) as ‘Ballyvaghan Forts’ on the 1842 ed. of the 6-inch OS map and hachured as a subrectangular enclosure on the 1915 ed. Listed as ‘Enclosure’ in the SMR (1992) and the RMP (1996). A poorly preserved and overgrown rectangular cashel (35m NE–SW; 29m NW–SE, crest to crest) defined by a wide, denuded, flat-topped bank (Wth at base 3.9–5.4m; Wth on top 1–2m; H 0.3–1.1m) of mixed earth and stone with inner facing-stones visible along the NW side. The field surrounding this fort was the subject of a magnetic gradiometer survey in 2007 (Leigh 2007), however, it did not include this fort. Subsequent, archaeological testing within this field, a minimum of 40m distant from the monument, produced no related material (Hull 2008). The other two ‘Ballyvaghan forts’, the cashel (CL002-050----) and enclosure (CL002-054----), are located c. 70m SSW and c. 80m SE, respectively. Westropp (1901, 279–80) also included an exceptionally large cashel (CL002-053----) located c. 180m north in this group. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 9 December 2020

• CL002-053 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  Situated on a NW-facing slope overlooking Ballyvaughan Bay with good views all around although some tree cover obscures the view to the SW. Hachured on the 1842 and 1915 OS 6-inch maps and named ‘Ballyvaghan Caher’. Listed as 'Enclosure' in the SMR (1992) and the RMP (1996). Westropp (1901, 278-9) described ‘the remains of a … large fort of earth and stones, called a caher, lied near the pier of this little village. The “caher” is a half-moon bank of earth and large blocks, with a few bushes growing upon it, resting on the drift without foundations; much was cut away by the sea before the present road and quay wall were made. The peel tower of Ballyvaughan adjoined it, but has entirely perished. The mounds extend for about 620 feet, and enclose a space about 430 feet long and 280 feet deep; they are 12 feet thick and 5 feet or 6 feet high. The sea at this point has evidently made considerable inroads on the shore…’. This is a subrectangular area (c. 130m NE-SW; 80m NW-SE) defined at NE by a broad low scarp topped at W by a later field boundary, at SE by a bank of earth and stone (int. H 1.36m; Wth 5.9m; ext. H 1.32m) and at SW by a very low broad rise (Wth c. 10m). A modern road defines the NW side and the road construction may have cut across this portion of the monument. The bank is best preserved along the SE where an old laneway runs parallel. Some large boulders survive (c. 0.4m x 0.4m) but there is no discernible stone facing. A modern entrance towards the E end of the SE side may be on the site of an original entrance. The monument has been somewhat disturbed in this area and there is some cement visible on top of the bank. Large trees grow along the SE bank. The very low rise at SW is enhanced by differentiated growth in well-maintained short grass. The landowner pointed out a slight hollow in the E sector of the interior however no diagnostic defining features were evident. The interior is in long grass and weeds and is uneven due to livestock trampling the soft ground. The following images have been uploaded: CL002-053----_01.jpg View to NW from monument. CL002-053----_02.jpg Existing bank profile at SE. CL002-053----_03.jpg Very low remains of bank at SW. This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 3/1973). Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 11 November 2019

• CL002-054 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  On the level crest of a low rise from which meadowland falls gently away to E, S and W. Hachured as a circular enclosure and named, along with a neighbouring rath (CL002-050----) and enclosure (CL002-054----) as ‘Ballyvaghan forts’ on the 1842 and 1915 eds. of the 6-inch OS map. A poorly preserved enclosure (int. diam. 28m) traceable only as a curving bank (Wth 3–4m; H 0.1–0.2m) from SSW–NNE. Modern stone walls cross the E and SE of the site, E of which there is no trace at ground level. The other two ‘Ballyvaghan forts’, CL002-050---- and CL002-052----, are located c. 80m W and c. 80m NW, respectively. Westropp (1901, 279–80) also included an exceptionally large cashel (CL002-053----) located c. 250m N in this group. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 9 December 2020

• CL005-043 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  On slightly elevated land that would have a wide view including over the turlough to the E, but it is now surrounded by modern buildings. Hachured on the 1840 and 1916 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. Listed as ‘Enclosure’ in the RMP (1996). An overgrown subcircular rath (int. dims. 30m N-S; 23m E-W) defined by a bank (Wth 2-6m; int. H 0.7-1.7m) with an external fosse (Wth 1.5-1.8m; D 1.1-1.5m) from ESE to WNW. The interior is flat and appears featureless. A modern wall runs on the line of the bank at N. There is another rath (CL005-042----) c. 130m to the S. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 16 February 2022

Architectural heritage

• Ballyvaghan Fountain, fountain, 1870–1880 · Regional interest
  Description

  Freestanding public fountain, erected 1875, comprising carved limestone plinth and capped pedestal with inset plaques and cast-iron lion head spouts having troughs below. Plaques record the names of those involved in providing Ballyvaghan with one of the earliest reliable public water supplies in the country. The fountain was erected by two Connemara stonemasons, the Coyne brothers, who were marooned in Ballyvaghan when their craft sank at Gleninagh pier.

• Catholic Church of Saint John the Baptist, church/chapel, 1855–1870 · Regional interest
  Description

  Freestanding double-height Gothic Revival Roman Catholic church, built 1858-66, with eight-bay side elevations, gable-fronted three-bay chancel, two-bay single-storey sacristy and two-stage entrance tower and spire. Pitched concrete tile roof with gable copings, finials and cast-iron downpipes. Cut-limestone spire with lucarnes. Snecked limestone walls with stepped buttresses, string course, eaves dentils and some hood mouldings. Pointed arch openings with cut-limestone dressings and cast-iron quarry clear and coloured glazing. Retaining interior features. Graveyard to site with various cut-stone grave markers. Cut-stone piers to front with cast-iron gates and railings.

• J.M. Mooney and Sons, house, 1840–1860 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached four-bay two-storey house, built c. 1850, with render shopfront inserted, c. 1900. No longer in commercial use to ground floor. Pitched slate roof with rendered chimneystacks. Rendered walls with moulded render architraves. Shopfront comprising panelled end pilasters with fluted consoles, fascia, lettering and moulded cornice. Replacement fittings to openings.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

At the centre of the townland of Ballyvaghan, about 1 in 5 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as moderately low, low, partly inferred.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Ballyvaghan.

Flooding

The Office of Public Works publishes its flood maps on floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, and Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland, both under CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

No address of the register names Ballyvaghan with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Clare.

Name

Ballyvaghan · Baile Uí Bheacháin

Area

666,085 m² (66.61 ha, 164.59 acres)

Civil parish

Drumcreehy, and its townlands

Barony

Burren

Electoral division

Drumcreehy, the unit of the census

Census 2022

667 people lived in 183 households in the Drumcreehy electoral division. 69% of households owned their home. 24% of homes were built since 2001. 10% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 30% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Knocknagroagh, Lisnanard, Newtown

Placenames

Ballyvaghan on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics by electoral division, Central Statistics Office, CC BY 4.0. A townland is the smallest land division of Ireland, and the unit of a rural address. Old registers such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses file it under its civil parish and barony.