Caherfadda

9 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Caherfadda, from 735 m² to 468,124 m² (46.81 ha, 115.68 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 17 neighbouring parcels touch it.

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

No zone of a development plan covers Caherfadda 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.

No planning application touches the townland of Caherfadda in the national file, which goes back to 2010.

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: East Burren Complex SAC 001926
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: East Burren Complex 001926

Recorded monuments

• CL009-166001 Field system
  Description

  A number of irregular meandering field walls visible on Digital Globe (2011-2013) and on OSi Aerial Premium (2012-2018). The walls are likely to have medieval and prehistoric elements as there are cashels (CL010-088--- and CL009-206001-), enclosures (CL009-196001-, CL009-196003- and CL009-252----) as well as cairns (CL009-134----, CL009-196002-) and a megalithic tomb (CL010-089----) in the area. This is within the field system (CL017-180----) encompassing Parknabinnia to the S. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 8 September 2021

• CL009-166002 Hut site
  Description

  On an E-W ridge with wide views E-N, in rough pasture within a field system (CL009-166001--) which is itself within a larger multiperiod field system (CL017-180----). Identified by Paul Walsh (SMR file). This circular hut site (int. dims. 5.5m E-W; 5.2m N-S; ext. dims. 9.9m N-S; 9.4m E-W) is defined by grass-covered wall collapse (H c. 0.3m; Wth c. 2m). Contemporary field walls abut the hut site at N and SSW. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 5 July 2022

• CL009-196001 Enclosure
  Description

  On a wide E-W ridge which slopes and broadens to the W, in rough pasture within a multiperiod field system (CL009-166001-). This small circular enclosure (int. dims. 7.8m N-S; 7.6m E-W, ext. diam. 13.7m) is defined by a bank of stone collapse (Wth 2-3.8m; max. H 0.5m). Other enclosures (CL009-196003-; CL009-252----) lie c. 40m and 81m to the SSW respectively. There is a cairn (CL009-196002-) c. 66m to the SSW. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 12 July 2022

• CL009-196002 Cairn - unclassified
  Description

  On the broad W-facing slope of an E-W ridge, in rough pasture within a multiperiod field system (CL009-166001-). This is a low, grass-covered and flat-topped cairn (H 0.3-0.8m; base 7.8m N-S; 7m E-W; top 4.5m E-W; 3.4m N-S). There are enclosures (CL009-196003-; CL009-252----; CL009-196001-) c. 30m to the ESE, c. 48m to the SSE and c. 66m to the ENE respectively. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 12 July 2022

• CL009-196003 Enclosure
  Description

  In a fold on a W-facing slope, in rough pasture within a multiperiod field system (CL009-166001-). This small subcircular enclosure (int. dims. 11m NW-SE; 9m NE-SW) is defined by a grass-covered collapsed stone wall (Wth 1-1.5m; H 0.2-0.4m). Some stones in the wall appear to be placed with their long axis pointing toward the centre of the enclosure. Other enclosures (CL009-196001- and CL009-252----) lie c. 27m to the S and c. 40m to the NNE respectively. There is a cairn (CL009-196002-) c. 30m to the WNW. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 12 July 2022

• CL009-206001 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  On a gentle S-facing slope in rough pasture and hazel, with a steep slope into a hollow immediately to the NE. On the floor of a broad NE-SW valley, within a large multiperiod field system (CL009-059001-). Indicated on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. An irregular T-shaped cashel (max. int. dims. 63m NW-SE; 42m NE-SW) possibly leading to the townland name ‘Caherfadda’ or long fort. It is defined by a low wall which is best preserved at the NE (Wth 1; H 0.8m), displaying an outer face of horizontally laid stones at the top of a steep slope (H c. 10m) down to the NE. The wall is partly hidden by stone tumble (Wth outside wall 0.2m; total Wth of wall and tumble 3m) and hazel. The other sides of the cashel are almost entirely obscured by stone tumble (Wth c. 2m; H 0.5m). The wall is partly rebuilt, with a later drystone wall constructed over its outer face. The probable entrance (Wth 2m) in the SE wall is blocked up, its SW side partly rebuilt and later used for access. In the E centre there is a souterrain (CL009-206002-), while in the NW corner there is a small hut site (CL009-206003-). There is also a corral (int. dims. 7.5m NW-SE; 5m NE-SW) in the SE corner, defined by a tumbled curving wall (Wth 1m; H 0.7m) with an entrance gap (Wth 1m) at the S end. The following image has been uploaded: CL009-206001-_01.jpg Aerial view of cashel from N (Archaeological Survey photo, SMR file) Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 13 July 2022

• CL009-206002 Souterrain
  Description

  Situated in the E centre of a cashel (CL009-206001-). A souterrain (L 2.6m; Wth 0.9-1.08m; present H 0.9m), oriented NNE-SSW with an entrance at the N end. From here an unroofed section of the passage (L c. 2m) extends to the S, followed by a covered section with six roof lintel stones in place, over which smaller stones are heaped. The S end of the passage is blocked by rubble. The walls are made from small stones with no corbelling and the base of the wall on the E side is bedrock. The following image has been uploaded: CL009-206002-_01.jpg Souterrain entrance from N Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 13 July 2022

• CL009-206003 Hut site
  Description

  Situated in the NW corner of a cashel (CL009-206001-). A small subcircular hut site (int. diam. 2m) defined by a stone wall (Wth 0.8m). It is built against the inner face of the W wall. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 13 July 2022

• CL009-207001 Megalithic structure
  Description

  On grass-covered limestone pavement which slopes gently to the S, within a large multiperiod field system (CL017-180----). Identified by Carleton Jones. This wedge tomb (2.15m E-W; int. Wth 1.2m at W, narrowing to 0.95m at E; max. H 0.75m) is built of limestone slabs, set upright on their long edges. The N sidestone (L 2.15m) is split into two fragments. The S sidestone (L 1.75m) is unbroken. A 'blocking stone' (L 0.8m; H 0.6m) is set at the W end of the chamber, between the sidestones, and leans to the W. The capstone has fallen into the chamber interior and is broken into three fragments, one of which rests against the S sidestone. The SW annexe of an enclosure (CL009-207002-) lies c. 15m to the E. The following image has been uploaded: CL009-207001-_01.jpg View of tomb from W Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 13 July 2022

• CL009-207002 Enclosure
  Description

  On hazel-covered limestone pavement which slopes gently to the S, within a large multiperiod field system (CL017-180----). Partly outlined on the 1897 OS 25-inch plan and 1920 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. This subcircular enclosure (int. dims. 48m N-S; 39m E-W) is defined by a wall of large, loose and irregular limestone blocks (max. L c. 1m; Wth c. 1m) laid flat and up to two or three courses high. At the NE there is a large slab (L 2.6m; H 1.3-1.6m) set on edge, which gives the wall a corner here. In this corner there is a corral (c. 12m E-W; 11m N-S) defined by straight walls of upright slabs. In the SE of the enclosure there is a rectangular sunken area (2.2m WNW-ESE; 1.6m NNE-SSW; max. D 1.1m) – a probable quarry. Abutting the W side of the enclosure is an annexe (c. 60m N-S; c. 30m E-W) defined by a wall which is very similar wall to that around the enclosure. The annexe is overgrown with hazel but a longer rectangular quarry is visible within it. There is a wedge tomb (CL009-207001-) c. 15m to the W of the annexe. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 16 August 2022

• CL009-252 Enclosure
  Description

  On a SW-facing slope in pasture in an area with some open karst and some hazel scrub and within a large multiperiod field system (CL017-180----). A subcircular enclosure (c. 37m E-W; c. 30m N-S) defined by a low bank or grassed over wall from E to NW and visible on Digital Globe (2011-2013) and on OSi orthophotography (MapGenie 2013-2018). From NW to E the perimeter is formed by a later field wall. Contemporary low field walls abut the perimeter at SE and SW. An enclosure (CL009-196003-) lies c. 25m to the NNE and a cairn (CL009-196002-) is c. 45m to the NNW. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 16 May 2023

• CL010-295 Cairn - unclassified
  Description

  At the top of an E-W ridge in rough pasture and within an extensive field system (CL017-180----). A small oval cairn (c. 8m E-W; c. 7m N-S) is visible on OSi MapGenie 2012-2018 and was included as a cairn on a map by Jones, Carey and Hennigar (2011, 38). An unclassified megalithic tomb (CL010-089----) lies c. 75m to the NNE. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 15 May 2023

• CL016-041 Well
  Description

  In a hollow with exposed limestone pavement which slopes to S and SE with cliffs overlooking the site (H c. 2-5m) to the E and N. Named ‘Toberadub’ on the 1840 and 1916 OS 6-inch maps. According to the OS letter (1839) ‘Tobbar Duibh in the Townland of Cahirfodda’ was known as ‘the Well of the Black’ for the dark sediment found at the base which was used for dyeing wool and for the treatment of swellings of the eyes and limbs (Comber 1997, 16). O’Donovan also questions whether the well has any ‘claim to the name of Holy’ (ibid.). Named ‘Tobar an Duibh’ on Robinson’s (1977) map. On inspection in 1997 it was concluded that the well had most likely been a natural spring where two groups of bushes grow close to the cliff to the N. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 10 May 2022

• CL016-042 Cairn - unclassified
  Description

  On a SE facing slope with a wide basin to the SE and slightly higher ground c. 50m to the W. Listed as ‘cairns’ in the RMP (1996). A grass-covered cairn of stone (16.3m E-W; 15.4m N-S; H 1.3-2m) with a visible polygonal cist (1.6m NE-SW) in the centre. The cist is overgrown with moss and comprises four stones which are not contiguous and may have been disturbed by the quarrying of a depression (L 2m; Wth 0.6m) visible at the SW extent. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack

• CL016-044 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  Towards the bottom of an E facing slope. Hachured on the 1840 and 1916 OS 6-inch maps. Listed as ‘enclosure’ in the RMP (1996). An oval enclosure (c. 32m NE-SW; c. 19m NW-SE) defined by a stone spread (Wth 3-4m; H 0.4-0.8m). The wall is best preserved at the NE (Wth 1.2m; H 0.8-1m). A gap at SE (Wth 5.7m) may be an original entrance and it is defined by an upright stone at N. Just S of the entrance there is a drystone structure against the cashel perimeter (ext. dims. 2.6m NE-SW; 0.6-1.8m NW-SE; H c. 1m). An area (9m E-W; 8m N-S) defined by a stone spread (Wth 1m) abuts the N end of the interior. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 10 May 2022

• CL016-045 Gateway
  Description

  On the road to Leamaneh, where the deerpark wall extends from the road to the NNE. Named ‘Pillars’ on the 1840 OS 6-inch map. Named ‘Gate Piers’ on the 1916 ed and on the 1897 OS 25-inch map which also depicts an avenue extending to the NNE. Listed as ‘Gate pier’ in the RMP (1996). Described by Westropp (1900, 406-7) along with ‘Gate piers’ (CL016-050----) c. 550m to the SE as ‘the long walled avenue, with the piers of two other gateways’ ‘seen as we drive towards Corofin’. On inspection in 1998 double-faced walls (H c. 1m) were noted on both sides of the road but no gate piers were visible at this location. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 10 May 2022

• CL016-046 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  On low-lying ground in rough pasture with Parknabinnia hill to the NE and Leamaneh hill to the NW. Hachured on the 1840 and 1916 OS 6-inch maps. Listed as ‘enclosure’ in the RMP (1996). A raised, roughly circular platform (33.5m N-S; 32m E-W) is defined by a scarp (est. dims. 44.4m N-S; 36.3m E-W) which is highest in the S (H 0.4-1m). The platform is poorly defined from S to NNW. At the base of the scarp from NNW to NE, large facing stones laid on their long axis (L c. 1m) are visible. A section of facing stones is also visible at SE (L 4m). A drystone structure abuts the outer perimeter of the cashel at NE (L c. 15m; Wth c. 8m; H c. 1m). A hut site (CL016-047003-) is located c. 98m to the SSW. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 10 May 2022

• CL016-047003 Hut site
  Description

  On a gentle SW-facing slope of unreclaimed pasture, with high ground 1km to the E, Leamaneh hill to the NNW and a ridge c. 3km to the S with restricted views. An oval grass-covered area (int. dims. 8.8m NW-SE; 5.75m NE-SW) defined by a wall (Wth c. 1m) with a double facing of stone visible from NE to SW and partially visible all along the perimeter except at NNW where a gap may be an entrance (Wth 2.2m). There is collapse at the perimeter at S and some long structural stones are visible (L 1.4-1.8m; H 0.4-0.8m). The exact function of this feature is unclear. A cashel (CL016-046----) is located c. 98m to the N. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 11 May 2022

• CL016-049 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  On a gentle WNW-facing slope with wide views from S to N and limited views in the direction of Leamaneh hill to the WSW; within an extensive field system (CL017-180----). Hachured on the 1916 OS 6-inch map with house structures (CL016-049002- and CL016-049003-) depicted in the centre. Described by Westropp (1913, 254) as ‘a ring-wall of poor coarse crag slabs nearly levelled when some houses were built in it’. A circular cashel (ext. diam. 47m N-S) defined by a stone spread on which a drystone wall was built from W to N (H 1.3m in the N). The original cashel wall width (Wth 1.45m) can be made out at S. A field wall aligned WSW-ENE crosses the cashel to the N of the centre. Two later house structures (CL016-049002- and CL016-049003-) S of the field wall occupy a D-shaped platform (L c. 20m; Wth c. 10m) defined along the periphery by a dip. Another cashel (CL016-166----) is located c. 34m to the NE. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 11 May 2022

• CL016-049002 House - indeterminate date
  Description

  Situated just W of centre within a cashel (CL016-049001-). Indicated on the 1840 and 1916 OS 6-inch maps. The cashel and houses are described by Westropp (1913, 254) as ‘a ring-wall of poor coarse crag slabs nearly levelled when some houses were built in it’. A rectangular structure (int. dims. 6.3m E-W; 2.2m N-S) defined by a double-faced drystone wall (Wth c. 1m; H c. 0.5m) with some loose rubble. The remains of a second house (CL016-049003-) lie c. 7.5m to the E. Both houses are on a D-shaped platform (L c. 20m; Wth c. 10m) defined along the periphery by a dip. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 11 May 2022

• CL016-049003 House - indeterminate date
  Description

  In the centre of a cashel (CL016-049001-). One of two houses indicated on the 1840 and 1916 OS 6-inch maps. The cashel and houses are described by Westropp (1913, 254) as ‘a ring-wall of poor coarse crag slabs nearly levelled when some houses were built in it’. All that remains of this house is an overgrown cairn (c. 4m E-W; c. 2.5m N-S; H 1m) which, along with a second house (CL016-049002-) c. 7.5m to the W, occupies a D-shaped platform (L c. 20m; Wth c. 10m) defined along the periphery by a dip. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 11 May 2022

• CL016-130 Megalithic tomb - wedge tomb
  Description

  On a gentle NW-facing slope of Roughan Hill and within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL017-180----). It is recorded by Jones and Walsh (1996, 88) as Site A and the following details are taken from there. A damaged wedge tomb with a ruined WNW-ESE-aligned chamber (L 2.5m; Wth 1.5m at E) comprising a single side stone on the N side and the E portion of a sidestone at the S. The top of the N sidestone slopes to the E and there are three packing-stones at its base on the N side. The S sidestone has collapsed into the chamber area and lies beneath the broken roofstone. A large slab in the W end of the chamber may be an endstone and multiple displaced and broken slabs in the vicinity may be the remains of the roofstone and broken S sidestone. Traces of a mound are visible along the S side of the monument. This tomb is part of the Roughan hill group, in Parknabinnia, Leana, Caherfadda and Commons North townlands, acknowledged as the densest concentration of wedge tombs in Ireland (Jones et al. 2015). Excavations have been carried out at three wedge tombs in the area: CL017-180002- (Ó Maoldúin 2015), CL017-009---- (Ó Maoldúin 2017) and CL016-061002- (Ó Maoldúin 2022) and have confirmed their date of construction as Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (Ó Maoldúin pers. comm.). The following image has been uploaded: CL016-130----_01.jpg View of wedge tomb from SW Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 19 July 2022

• CL016-164 Megalithic tomb - wedge tomb
  Description

  On flat low-lying karst on the W side of NE-SW aligned field wall at the junction where it meets a WNW-ESE aligned field wall and with dense growth to the E. Within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL017-180----). The wedge tomb consists of two upright stones. The N stone (L 0.8m; Wth 0.3m; max. H 1.2m) is aligned NE-SW and the S stone (L 0.95m; Wth 0.1m; H 1m) located 2m to the S is almost prone and aligned NW-SE. Three stones lying nearby may have been part of the wedge tomb but none of them appears to have been upright. The two smaller stones (L 1m; H 0.1-0.15m) may have been a side-wall which fell to the SE and the larger stone (2m x 1.2m) may have been part of a lintel. The following images have been uploaded: CL016-164----_01.jpg View of wedge tomb from N CL016-164----_02.jpg View of wedge tomb from NW Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 26 July 2022

• CL016-166 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  On a gentle W-facing slope on limestone pavement within an extensive field system (CL017-180----). A circular area (int. dims. 17m NNE-SSW; 14.6m WNW-ESE; ext. dim. 19.5m) defined by the base of a stone wall (Wth 1-1.4m). The wall-base is comprised of large stones (c. 0.7m x c. 0.5m) with internal and external facing intermittently visible. At E the wall has been robbed to its base and an old wall extends E-W across the interior. The overgrown field wall at W may impinge on the perimeter. Another cashel (CL016-049----) with house structures of indeterminate date (CL016-049002- and CL016-049003-) is located c. 34m to the SW. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 26 July 2022

• CL016-176 Enclosure
  Description

  Situated on Roughan Hill on the E edge of the Burren. Survey and excavation in this area (Jones et al. 2011, 33-58) have revealed a prehistoric landscape comprising farms, cairns and megalithic tombs lying within a contemporary field system (c. 2.5km N-S, c. 1.5km E-W) comprising many sections of prehistoric mound wall (CL016-172----). Four such farms are clustered on Roughan Hill within 200m of each other (see CL016-167003-, CL016-173----, CL017-173001-, CL016-174----, CL016-175----, CL016-177----). This record is for one of two enclosures designated ‘Farm 7’. The second enclosure (CL016-175----) lies c. 60m to the NE. Only the W half of this enclosure remains (c. 28m NE-SW). Lithic artifacts similar to those found on the other prehistoric farms on the hill, along with the morphology of the walls and the fact that it is embedded in the same mound wall system imply that this is also contemporary (ibid., 39). (Jones 2008, 42-53) Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 4 May 2016

Architectural heritage

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

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

About 1 in 5 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

Susceptibility moderately high, moderately low, low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map.

Terrain model

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

Flooding

The flood maps of the Office of Public Works: floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency; Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland; both 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 Caherfadda with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Clare.

Name

Caherfadda

Area

1,754,726 m² (175.47 ha, 433.6 acres)

Civil parish

Killinaboy, and its townlands

Barony

Inchiquin

Electoral division

Killinaboy, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Killinaboy electoral division: 347 people in 132 households; 91% of households own their home; 27% of homes were built since 2001; 8% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 4% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballycasheen, Ballyline, Commons North, Deerpark, Leamaneh North, Moygowna, Parknabinnia

Placenames

Caherfadda 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.