Kells

43 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Kells, from 20 m² to 422,834 m² (42.28 ha, 104.48 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 20 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 Kells 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.

• 10 Nov 2025N/a

  to construct a new dwelling house, proprietary wastewater treatment system with percolation area and all associated site works and services. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) accompanies the application

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 2560689

• 1 Nov 2023Conditional

  to make minor alterations to the dwelling house granted under planning permission P22-801 along with all associated works

  Permission · Clare County Council, 2360458

• 23 Feb 2023Conditional

  to construct a new dwelling house, private garage, proprietary wastewater treatment system and all associated ancillary site works

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 23105

• 24 Oct 2022Conditional

  for development, the development will consist of a material change of use from a school, currently not in use to part of new dwelling house, the construction of a new dwelling house onto existing school building with new waste water treatment system with percolation area and associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 22958

• 19 Sept 2022N/a

  for development, the development will consist of a material change of use from a school, currently not in use to part of new dwelling house, the construction of a new dwelling house onto existing school building with new waste water treatment system with percolation area and associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 22838

• 7 Sept 2022Conditional

  to demolish a derelict structure and construct a new dwelling house, private garage, access road, entrance, and install a new wastewater treatment system along with all associated works

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 22801

• 27 Jul 2022N/a

  to construct a new dwelling house, access road, entrance, and convert a derelict structure into a domestic garage and install a new wastewater treatment system along with all associated works

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 22682

• 14 Jul 2022N/a

  to construct a new dwelling house, private garage, proprietary wastewater treatment system and all associated ancillary site works

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 22637

• 6 Apr 2022N/a

  for development, the development will consist of a material change of use from a school, currently not in use to part of new dwelling house, the construction of a new dwelling house onto existing school building with new waste water treatment system with percolation area and associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 22310

• 10 Nov 2020Refused

  to renovate and extend an existing cottage, construct a private garage, new entrance and driveway and install a new wastewater treatment system along with all associated works

  Permission · Clare County Council, 20842

• 28 Feb 2018Conditional

  to install a new wastewater treatment system and associated site works

  Permission · Clare County Council, 18147

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
• Special Protection Area: Corofin Wetlands SPA 004220
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: East Burren Complex 001926

Recorded monuments

• CL017-085 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  On a low E-W ridge in pasture. Hachured on both the first (1842) and Cassini (1920) editions of the OS 6-inch map. Listed as ‘Enclosure’ in the RMP (1996). This subcircular cashel (int. diams. 26.1m E-W; 22.3m N-S; ext. diams. 30.3m E-W; 27.7m N-S) is defined by grass-covered collapse (Wth 3-4m; H c. 0.2-0.5m) from a stone wall (est. Wth 2-2.6m), the inner facing stones of which (H 0.3m) are visible for a short stretch at W. The collapse is clearest from S-W but the external collapse seems to have been removed at N and E. A later drystone wall (Wth 0.5m; H 0.5m) overlies the cashel’s probable outer wall-face and the perimeter is overgrown by alder trees SW-W-NW, with some bushes also growing outside from NE-SE-SW.   Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Conn Herriott    Date of upload: 29-10-2025

• CL017-087 Enclosure
  Description

  In reclaimed pasture on a S-facing slope overlooking marshy ground to the S. Hachured on both the first (1842) and Cassini (1916) editions of the OS 6-inch maps. A subcircular enclosure (est. diams. c. 32m E-W; c. 30 N-S) depicted on the OS 6-inch maps within a matrix of small fields orientated N-S has since been levelled. While no visible surface traces exist, subsurface archaeological deposits may well survive intact.    Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Eve Campbell   Date of upload: 20-10-2025

• CL017-088001 Ritual site - holy tree/bush
  Description

  Named ‘Skaghavanoo’ on the OS 25-inch plan (1897) - which appears to show its location at the junction of two later field boundaries c. 9m to the NW of a rath (CL017-088002-) - and similarly recorded on the Cassini edition (1916) of the OS 6-inch map. A holy bush noted by Westropp (1900-2, 139; No. 44) who recorded that, ‘ … the head of a bossed Celtic cross (CL017-088003-) and the holy bush which gives the place its name, remain near a large rath [CL017-088002-], with a souterrain [CL017-088004-] …’ MacNamara (1900, 31-2) suggested that the fort’s name, ‘Skaghavanoo’ could be translated as ‘Sceach an bheannuighte’, or The Whitethorn of the Blessing’. It is unclear if the tree described by Westropp still survives, but Houlihan (2016, 43) noted ‘a number of aged whitethorns’ at the site, one of which he suggested may be the “sceach”.    Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Eve Campbell    Date of upload: 21-10-2025

• CL017-088002 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In pasture on the SW-facing slope of a broad hill, almost equidistant (c. 200m) from Toole’s Lough to the S, Knockaunadoo Lough to the W and the larger Lough Cullaun to the N, with clear views from SE to W. Hachured and labelled ‘Skaghavanoo’ the first edition (1842) of the OS 6-inch map and hachured and labelled ‘Skaghavanoo fort’ on the later, Cassini edition (1916). Classified as an enclosure in the RMP (1996). Described by MacNamara (1900, 31) as ‘a very fine earthen fort, 67 yards [c. 61m] in diameter, having a deep fosse’, and by Westropp (1900-2, 139; No. 44) who recorded that, ‘ … the head of a bossed Celtic cross (CL017-088003-) and the holy bush [CL017-088001-] which gives the place its name, remain near a large rath (CL017-088002-), with a souterrain (CL017-088004-) …’   A large circular bivallate rath (int. diams. 54.3m NNW-SSE, 53m ENE-WSW; ext. diams. 72.5m NNW-SSE, 71m ENE-WSW) is defined by an inner earthen bank, a fosse and a second, outer bank, all of which are well-preserved in the NE quadrant, but have been much reduced elsewhere. The inner bank (Wth 8.5m; int. H 0.8m; ext. H 1.6m) is best preserved at N. The fosse (Wth at base 1.5m; Wth at top 6m; D 0.9-1.1m) is traceable from WNW-N-E but is reduced to a berm from E-S. The outer bank (Wth 2.5-4m; ext. H 0.3m) can be traced from WNW-N-ENE. There is a possible entrance (Wth 4m) defined by a slight causeway and a gap in the outer bank at NNW. The interior slopes down to the S and contains a souterrain 9CL017-088004-) in the E sector.     Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Eve Campbell    Date of upload: 21-10-2025

• CL017-088003 Cross - High cross
  Description

  Named ‘Cross’ on the OS 25-inch plan (1897) - which appears to show its location c. 8m to the NW of a rath (CL017-088002-) - and similarly recorded on the Cassini edition (1916) of the OS 6-inch map. Noted by Westropp (1900-2, 139; No. 44) who recorded that, ‘ … the head of a bossed Celtic cross [CL017-088003-] and the holy bush [CL017-088001-] which gives the place its name, remain near a large rath [CL017-088002-], with a souterrain [CL017-088004-] …’ An eroded limestone wheeled-cross head (L c. 0.71m; Wth c. 0.68m; T c. 0.1m) described by MacNamara (1900, 32) as ‘rudely cut and apparently not quite finished … the back is uncut, but the front is ornamented with five circular bosses marked with concentric circles and formed into a Celtic cross by means of incised lines of no great depth’.   Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Eve Campbell   Date of upload: 21-10-2025

• CL017-088004 Souterrain
  Description

  In the E sector of a rath (CL017-088002-). Mentioned by Westropp (1900-2, 139; No. 44) who noted that, ‘ … the head of a bossed Celtic cross [CL017-088003-] and the holy bush [CL017-088001-] which gives the place its name, remain near a large rath [CL017-088002-], with a souterrain [CL017-088004-] …’ Described by MacNamara (1900, 31-32) as ‘a large souterrain … the entrance of which has been closed up, in order to prevent cattle from straying into it’. While not visible at ground level when inspected in 1999, subsurface remains are likely to survive.  Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Eve Campbell   Date of upload: 21-10-12025

• CL017-090 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In pasture on the crest of low ENE-WSW ridge overlooking Lough Cullaun c. 140m to the N. Hachured on both the first (1842) and Cassini (1916) editions of the OS 6-inch map. Classified as an enclosure in the RMP (1996). An oval-shaped rath (diams. 42m N-S; 34.5m E-W) is defined by a wide earthen bank (Wth 6-8m; H 0.4-0.7m), that has been reduced to a scarp from W to NNW (H 0.8m). The bank is partially concealed by spoil from field clearance along the N, S, and W. No entrance is obvious. The interior is slightly lower than external ground level and covered in long grass and trees. A later drystone field wall runs on the bank along the E, and there is a stone water trough embedded in the bank at NW.    Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Eve Campbell    Date of upload: 20-10-2025

• CL017-091001 Church
  Description

  In low-lying level ground adjacent to the now-derelict ‘Kells Cottage’, immediately E of a working farmyard, on a local road between Corofin and Tubber. Not marked on the first (1842) or Cassini (1916) editions of the OS 6-inch map. A ‘churchyard’ in this townland is alluded to by Aenghus O’Daly c.1617 (Westropp 1906-7, 139). O’Donovan noted that ‘there was formerly a Church’ at the site, ‘but its site is now scarcely traceable. It is probably the Ceandinis which Colgan places in Dalcassia’ (Comber 1997, 42). MacNamara (1900, 31) reported the presence of a church and graveyard (CL017-091002-) in the kitchen garden of ‘Kells Cottage’: ‘the owner, Mr. Conor O’Bryen, tells me that adult human bones have often been dug up, and many headstones, rough and without inscription, have been found there under the surface of the soil. He also states that he was told by a very old resident … that there was a church in this particular ground, and that it was called “St. Catherine’s”’. No visible surface trace of the church survives. A distinct curve in the road (E-S-SW) and in the field boundary to NW of the site may indicate the line of a possible early ecclesiastical enclosure.    Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Eve Campbell    Date of upload: 21-10-2025

• CL017-091002 Graveyard
  Description

  In low-lying level ground adjacent to the now-derelict ‘Kells Cottage’, immediately E of a working farmyard, on a local road between Corofin and Tubber. Not marked on the first (1842) or Cassini (1916) editions of the OS 6-inch map. A ‘churchyard’ in this townland is alluded to by Aenghus O’Daly c.1617 (Westropp 1906-7, 139). O’Donovan noted that ‘there was formerly a Church’ at the site, ‘but its site is now scarcely traceable. It is probably the Ceandinis which Colgan places in Dalcassia’ (Comber 1997, 42). MacNamara (1900, 31) reported the presence of a church (CL017-091001-) and graveyard (CL017-091002-) in the kitchen garden of ‘Kells Cottage’: ‘the owner, Mr. Conor O’Bryen, tells me that adult human bones have often been dug up, and many headstones, rough and without inscription, have been found there under the surface of the soil. He also states that he was told by a very old resident … that there was a church in this particular ground, and that it was called “St. Catherine’s”’. No visible surface trace of the church survives. A distinct curve in the road (E-S-SW) and in the field boundary to NW of the site may indicate the line of a possible early ecclesiastical enclosure.    Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Eve Campbell    Date of upload: 21-10-2025

• CL017-092 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In pasture on the S-facing slope of an ENE-WSW ridge, overlooking a shallow valley to E. Hachured on both the first (1842) and Cassini (1916) editions of the OS 6-inch maps. Classified as an enclosure in the RMP (1996). A circular bivallate rath (diams. 42.9m N-S; 40.7m E-W) is defined by an inner earthen bank, a fosse and a second, outer earthen bank. The inner bank (Wth 4-5m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 1m) has been reduced to a scarp (max. H 1.5m) from E-SE-SW. The fosse is round-bottomed (Wth at top 6.6-7.4m; D 0.6m) and can be traced from E-S-NW. The outer bank (Wth c. 2.5m; ext. H 0.2m) is extant from E-SE-SW. There is an entrance (Wth 2.4m) at E. The banks are covered in scrub and the outer bank is overlain by a later drystone wall from SW-W-WNW.   Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Eve Campbell   Date of upload: 20-10-202

• CL017-093 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In pasture on the gentle S-facing slope of an ENE-WSW ridge, c. 270m S of Lough Cullaun, and bordered by a later field boundary to the S. Hachured on both the first (1842) and Cassini (1916) editions OS 6-inch maps. Classified as an enclosure in the RMP (1996). A subcircular rath (diams. 25.8m E-W; 22.4m N-S) is defined by a low earthen bank (Wth 2.4-2.7m; int. H 0.3-0.4m; ext. H 0.1-0.4) which has been reduced to a scarp from N-NE-ENE. There is no obvious trace of a fosse. There are gaps in the bank at E (Wth 2.4m) and SE (Wth 2.4m) either of which may be an original entrance. The bank is overlain by spoil to the NE and has two whitethorn trees growing on it at E and S.  Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Eve Campbell   Date of upload: 21-10-2025

• CL017-099001 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  On the summit of a rocky outcrop in S-facing reclaimed pasture overlooking Lough George c. 150m o the E. Hachured on both the first (1842) and Cassini (1916) editions of the OS 6-inch maps. Classified as an enclosure in the RMP (1996). A scrub-covered circular cashel (int. diam. 20.2m NE-SW; ext. diam. 22.7m NW-SW) is defined by a double-faced drystone stone-wall (H 1m) that appears to have been largely rebuilt. There is no clearly identifiable entrance. An enclosure (CL017-099002-) lies c. 50m to the SE.  Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Eve Campbell   Date of upload: 21-10-2025

• CL017-099002 Enclosure
  Description

  In reclaimed pasture on a S-facing slope overlooking Lough George c. 80m to the E. Hachured on both the first (1842) and Cassini (1916) editions of the OS 6-inch map, the latter recording a raised oval-shaped area topped by an enclosing wall. The enclosing element has since been levelled but the monument survives as an oval-shaped platform (diams. 32m NE-SW, 15m NW-SE) with three mature trees on the perimeter, and subsurface archaeological deposits are likely to survive intact. A cashel (CL017-099001-) is located c. 50m to the NW.  Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Eve Campbell    Date of upload: 21-10-2025

Architectural heritage

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

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 low, low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map; parts are water.

Terrain model

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

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.

• Kells, Corofin5 sales

Name

Kells · Na Cealla

Area

3,014,983 m² (301.5 ha, 745.02 acres)

Civil parish

Kilkeedy, and its townlands

Barony

Inchiquin

Electoral division

Corrofin, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Corrofin electoral division: 1,362 people in 535 households; 72% of households own their home; 41% of homes were built since 2001; 10% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 4% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballyportry South, Caherbullaun, Caherlough, Garryncallaha, Islandmore, Lisduff, Ranaghan, Rinneen, Rinroe, Teernea, Teernea Commons, Turkenagh

Placenames

Kells 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.