Caherconnell

17 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Caherconnell, from 846 m² to 239,175 m² (23.92 ha, 59.1 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 15 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.

No zone of a development plan covers Caherconnell in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply to each application.

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

• 15 Jun 2022Conditional

  for the construction of an extension to the existing visitor center and tea rooms

  Permission · Clare County Council, 22529

• 30 Apr 2018Conditional

  for the construction of a slatted agricultural shed and to extend and install roof on over ground slurry storage tank

  Permission · Clare County Council, 18344

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: Moneen Mountain SAC 000054
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Moneen Mountain 000054

Recorded monuments

• CL009-030001 Field system
  Description

  An extensive field system (c. 2km SW-NE; c. 500m NW-SE) stretching from Caherconnell at SW to Eantybeg North at NE and visible intermittently on Digital Globe (2011-2013) and on OSi Aerial Premium (2012-2018) in an area of exposed karst with patches of dense scrub cover. The fields are very irregular and are associated with 11 cashels including Caherconnell itself (CL009-030010-) and Caherlissaniska (CL009-045----) and a number of enclosures. Some parts of the field system may have prehistoric elements given the presence of a Bronze Age house (CL009-030018-) close to Caherconnell, a megalithic structure (CL009-045004-) in Eantybeg North and two unclassified cairns, one in Eantybeg North (CL009-147----) and one in Eantybeg South (CL009-170----). Many of the surrounding fields have been reclaimed. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 1 September 2021

• CL009-030005 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  On a shelf at the base of S-facing slope, overlooking a ravine (D c. 10m) immediately S–NW. In rough pasture within a multiperiod field system (CL009-255----). Hachured and labelled ‘Caherlisnanroum’ on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. Labelled ‘Cathair Lios na nDrom’ on Robinson’s map (1977). This subcircular cashel (27m E–W; 25.6m N–S) is defined by a double-faced wall (Wth 2.7–3m; int. H c. 0.6m; ext. H 0.6–1.4m), the outer face of which is visible all around. Westropp (1917, 73) described it as ‘of poor, but large, masonry for most of its circuit’, probably of the 12th to 14th centuries. Rubble and earth are banked against the wall (total Wth 5.6–8.5m). This spread appears to have been heavily disturbed. No entrance is visible, but Westropp (ibid.) recorded one (Wth 0.86m) at E, ‘very well built of naturally smooth, square blocks’ (L c. 0.8m; Wth c. 0.45m; H c. 0.3m) and ‘long, lintel-like slabs’ which had been present in 1895 but were removed before 1917. In NNW interior there is a distinct quarry (L 3m; Wth 3m; D 0.5m) in the material banked against the cashel wall. Westropp recorded two circular huts (wall Wth 1.8m) abutting the wall’s inner face, one at N and the other at S (see attached image). These were not visible on inspection in 1998. Field boundaries abut the cashel exterior at NE and SE. Westropp (ibid., 74) observed a ‘natural parallel-sided hollow’ running down the centre of the plot enclosed by these field boundaries, which he interpreted as an annexe to the cashel. An enclosure (CL009-030006-) lies c. 30m to the NNE. Another cashel (CL009-030004-) lies c. 104m to the N. The following image has been uploaded: CL009-030005-_01.jpg Sketch plan (Westropp 1917, 74) Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 4 January 2022

• CL009-030007 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  Near the base of S-facing slope, with limited views across the valley to S. In blackthorn, hazel and rough pasture within a multiperiod field system (CL009-030001-). Hachured on the 1920 ed. of the OS 6-inch map and listed as ‘Enclosure’ in the RMP (1996). This small subcircular cashel (int. dims. 18.5m NW–SE; 15.4m NE–SW; ext. dims. 22.9m NW–SE; 21m NE–SW) is defined by a double-faced wall (Wth 2.2m; H 0.2–0.6m) which is visible at NW and SE. Elsewhere a bank of rubble (Wth 3–4m; H 0.5–1m) marks the circuit of the collapsed wall. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 5 January 2022

• CL009-030008 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email NMarchive@housing.gov.ie.

• CL009-030009 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email NMarchive@housing.gov.ie.

• CL009-030010 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  A drystone ringfort (ext. diam. 42m, wall Wth up to 3m; H up to 3.6m) situated on karst limestone on the northern slopes of Kilcorney valley immediately W of the R480 road that links Leamaneh and Ballyvaghan. One of four stone enclosures in the townland and within a field system (CL009-030001-). Test excavation in 2007 was followed by the establishment of an international field school (the Caherconnell Archaeological Field School) in 2010 for research excavation purposes. Seasonal excavation continued up to 2019 (Comber 2019, https://excavations.ie/report/2019/Clare/0027630/, Licence no. 10E087). A number of features of multiple periods have been identified in the interior and in the immediate vicinity. Comber outlines the the following phases of activity and there is ongoing follow-up study into the refinement of the chronological history of the site.    PHASE 1: A small mound covering two cists. The cashel wall had been built over the top of it, with half of the mound inside the cashel interior, the other half beneath the cashel wall. Late 6th – early 7th century AD. PHASE 2: A fire-pit quarried into the bedrock, produced a 7th-century AD date. PHASE 3: This phase is marked by the levelling off of the uneven ground surface and the construction of Caherconnell cashel. Late 10th-century date. PHASE 4: Early occupation of the cashel, marked by a habitation layer, post-settings, a curvilinear house, an ironworking area, a probable non-ferrous metalworking structure/workshop, and an extensive domestic midden. 2019 added a cereal-drying kiln. 10th-11th-century date for this phase. PHASE 5: Middle occupation of the cashel. A slab surface was laid down inside the cashel and occupation material accumulated on top of this. A stone setting for a post and two burnt deposits were uncovered as part of this surface. Also relevant are a straight-walled house with hearth and associated deposits, three post-holes and a path leading to the house entrance, a pathway and lengths of wall, an external hearth, and a secondary domestic structure with external fire-pit to its east. No new features of this date were uncovered in 2019. 10th-11th-century date. PHASE 6: Late occupation of the cashel. Phase 6 saw the laying of a new slab surface, and the build-up of occupation material on top of it. Features include a hearth and two paths, the continued use of the straight-walled house from Phase 5 and its entrance path, a possible small structure just inside the west wall of the cashel, complete with hearth and post-settings. The secondary domestic structure built in Phase 5 continued in use in Phase 6. Also relevant are a couple of external hearths, a rock-cut pit, and the gable end of another rectangular structure located at the opposite side of the cashel from that excavated in 2016/2018. 11th-14th century AD. PHASE 7: Final phase of occupation within the cashel. A new entrance was inserted, and a rectangular house built inside the north wall of the cashel. The previous straight-walled house was demolished, with much of its stone probably used to build a wall dividing the cashel interior in two. This wall was probably designed to separate the human and animal occupants of the cashel. The possible remains of a small structure were uncovered in 2018, and 2019’s Cutting K added a small circular or open-sided structure to activity of this date. The phase dates to the 15th-16th century, possibly into the start of the 17th. PHASE 8: The final phase of activity includes post-occupation use of the cashel as an animal pen, collapse of structures and tumble of stone from parts of the cashel wall. This phase dates from the 17th century to the early 20th century.

• CL009-030011 Structure
  Description

  The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email NMarchive@housing.gov.ie.

• CL009-030012 Enclosure
  Description

  Situated in an area of bare pavement on a gentle E-facing shelf with a small turlough to the N. Listed as ‘Enclosure’ in the SMR (1992) and as ‘Stone enclosure’ in the RMP (1996). Described (McMahon 1982, 6) as D-shaped and comprising thin limestone slabs placed side by side with an entrance feature opposite which was a large stone slab, resembling a stone circle. On inspection in 1998 this was found to be an enclosure (dims. 16m N-S; 13.5m E-W) defined by the remnants of a drystone wall of relatively modern construction with most of the stones laid transversely. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 23 February 2016

• CL009-030016 House - medieval
  Description

  Located in the N interior of Caherconnell cashel (CL009-030010-), this subrectangular house (int. dims. c. 10m E–W; c. 5m N–S) is defined by stone walls (max. Wth 1.2m; max. H 0.8m). An excavation trench (5.4m NNE–SSW; 1m ESE–WNW; max. D 0.8m) was dug across this house in 2007 (Hull and Comber 2008; Comber and Hull 2010; Hull 2010), wherein it was recorded as ‘Structure A’. The house was fully excavated in 2015 (Comber 2015). The walls are double-faced, comprising mortared limestone slabs laid in horizontal courses with a rubble and clay core. Along the N-S walls large contiguous limestone revetting slabs were set on edge against the inner and outer wall-faces (Hull and Comber 2008; Comber and Hull 2010). The east gable was replaced during the occupation of the house (Comber 2015). The N wall lies 1m to the S of the cashel wall and has an entrance (Wth 1m) with a yew door/doorframe and raised threshold paved with limestone slabs (Hull and Comber 2008, 30; Comber and Hull 2010, 146). There is evidence for internal divisions in the house, with a central hearth, oven, and lime-mortar floor (Comber 2015). A large number of artefacts were recovered during excavations here (Comber 2015; Hull and Comber 2008; Comber and Hull 2010, 147–9), but their exact provenance and relationship to this house has not been confirmed. However, an iron nail fragment and a corroded iron strip, possibly from a hook or clasp have been securely associated with this house (Hull and Comber 2008, 31; Comber and Hull 2010, 148). The house has been dated to the 15th/16th centuries, possibly continuing into the early 17th century—the final phase of the cashel’s occupation (Comber 2011, 058)—when a family belonging to the lesser nobility may have lived here (Hull and Comber 2008, 32; Comber and Hull 2010, 159). Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 19 January 2022

• CL009-030018 House - Bronze Age
  Description

  The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email NMarchive@housing.gov.ie.

• CL009-030019 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  Situated on karst limestone in the ‘high’ Burren at the crossing point of two adjacent routeways in a sheltered area on a S-facing shelf. A cashel (CL009-030008-) is c. 40m to the N and Caherconnell cashel (CL009-030010-) is c. 120m to the N. A sub-square drystone enclosure (37m x 34m) with straight sides and slightly rounded corners. The walls (Wth c. 3m) were built with large blocks laid horizontally to form faces with slightly smaller stones in between. Some external wall-facing survives and a possible entrance lies mid-way along the S wall. A modern drystone wall runs along the top of the earlier wall. Remains of three structures and a number of subdividing walls were excavated in the interior which is 1-2m lower than external ground level at N and higher than the external ground level at S. Associated deposits were rich in faunal remains and a quantity of artefacts was also recovered. Bronze dress pins and glass beads were imported to the site. Radiocarbon dates indicate that the enclosure was used from the 7th to the 9th centuries AD which may suggest an ancestral link with 6th/7th-century burials found under a mound beneath Caherconnell Cashel. (Comber and Jones 2008; Comber 2016) Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 31 May 2017

• CL009-030021 Platform
  Description

  In rough pasture with outcropping limestone bedrock on a S-facing slope overlooking Kilcorney Valley and c. 15m E of the entrance to Caherconnell cashel (CL009-030010-). A mound of mid-sized and large limestone slabs with occasional upright stones was completely excavated in 2022 by Noel McCarthy (Licence number 22E0226) as part of the Caherconnell Archaeology Field School under the direction of Dr. Michelle Comber and then rebuilt. The platform was not indicated or named on any OS maps and its function was unknown. Excavation revealed a platform (H up to 0.8m) with a rectangular footprint (4m E-W; 3.1m N-S) comprising two layers of quite large flat suboval slabs at its centre, creating a level surface in concert with an underlying bedrock plinth. The upper layer of slabs was contained within a suboval ring of mid-sized slabs. Two large prostrate slabs on the western side of the platform would originally have stood upright, suggesting a façade of upright stones on this side. A number of chert scrapers were found and stone knapping debris, consistent with activity at the Early Bronze Age structure (CL009-030011-) located c.40m to the south, while fragments of a decorated bone comb and a medieval style nail, draw clear parallels with material found within Caherconnell cashel itself. None of the finds could be reliably attributed to the construction or use of the platform. The purpose of the platform remains uncertain. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 27 February 2023 References: McCarthy, N. 2022 Caherconnell, Co. Clare Preliminary archaeological excavation report 2022 – Platform and doline. Licence number 22E0226. Unpublished report submitted to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

• CL009-041 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  In low-lying pasture in Eanty Valley, with a shallow NNE–SSW ravine immediately to the E, within a large multiperiod field system (CL009-030001-). Indicated on Robinson’s map of the Burren (1977). This subcircular cashel (int. dims. 25.2m NE–SW; 18.8m NW–SE; ext. dims. 30.8m NE–SW; 25.2m NW–SE) is defined by the grass-covered remains of a double-faced stone wall (Wth 1.2–1.4m; H 0.2–0.6m). The outer wall-face is most visible at NW. Two grass-covered linear mounds of spoil (L c. 6–10m; Wth 2–4m; H c. 0.5m) extend NW–SE across the interior. There is low ill-defined cairn (c. 12m NW–SE; c. 10m NE–SW) in the SW interior. In the NE interior there is an L-shaped linear mound (int. dims. 8m NW–SE; 5m NE–SW) which appears to be spoil rather than the remains of a house or structure. A cashel (CL009-040003-) and enclosure (CL009-040004-) lie c. 150m to the N. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 19 January 2022

• CL009-041001 Enclosure
  Description

  Immediately E of a cashel (CL009-041----) in pasture. A subrectangular enclosure (c. 26m E-W; c. 20m N-S) defined by a low stone wall. Possibly contemporary with the cashel. Visible on Digital Globe (2011-2013) and noted by Conn Herriott. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 19 January 2022

• CL009-150 Enclosure
  Description

  Situated on a shelf below the summit of Poulawack with views over an E-W valley. Listed as ‘Enclosure’ in the RMP (1996). Indicated in 1994 as ‘Enclosure with outshot’ on an annotated map (pers. comm. T. Coffey, SMR file). On inspection in 1997 this was found to be a rectangular enclosure (c. 15m N-S; c. 8m E-W) defined by drystone walls of modern construction. 2.5m outside its E wall and aligned parallel to it is a covered cleat (ext. dims 3m N-S; 1.8m E-W) with two openings at ground level to the W. This appears to be contemporary. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 21 March 2016

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Caherconnell.

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 Caherconnell, 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 high, moderately low, low, partly inferred.

Terrain model

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

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 Caherconnell with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Clare.

Name

Caherconnell · Cathair Chonaill

Area

1,053,246 m² (105.32 ha, 260.26 acres)

Civil parish

Kilcorney, and its townlands

Barony

Burren

Electoral division

Noughaval, the unit of the census

Neighbouring townlands

Ballydoora, Eantybeg North, Eantybeg South, Faherlaghroe, Magheraweeleen, Moheramoylan, Poulanine, Poulawack, Poulcaragharush, Poulnabrone

Placenames

Caherconnell 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.