Lisdoonvarna
Townland in the civil parish of Kilmoon, barony of Burren, Co. Clare; in Irish Lios Dúin Bhearna
- Area
- 257 ha
- 635 acres
- Land parcels
- 75
- registered freehold, median 2,600 m² (0.26 ha, 0.64 acres)
- Zoning
- S2
- Community
- Planning
- 8
- applications since 2010
Land parcels
Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann
75 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Lisdoonvarna, from 134 m² to 698,145 m² (69.81 ha, 172.52 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 48 neighbouring parcels touch it.
Download the townland: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings; GeoJSON or KML.
Zoning
Development plans, national zoning
- S2Community (Health and related)
Lisdoonvarna Settlement Plan, Clare · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - P1Agriculture
Lisdoonvarna Settlement Plan, Clare · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - G1Open Space (Open space, park)
Lisdoonvarna Settlement Plan, Clare · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - R2Existing Residential (Existing residential)
Lisdoonvarna Settlement Plan, Clare · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - O2Water Bodies (General)
Lisdoonvarna 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.
Planning applications
Sites that touch the townland, newest first
4 Feb 2026N/a
to build a new dwelling house install a wastewater treatment system and all other associated site and ancillary works
Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 2629
14 Oct 2025Conditional
to build a slatted shed & all other associated site and ancillary works
Permission · Clare County Council, 25320
23 Dec 2024Conditional
to extend the existing dwelling, alter the fenestration and elevations to accommodate the changes to the internal layout & all other associated site and ancillary works
Permission · Clare County Council, 24432
26 Oct 2023Refused
to construct a dwelling with on-site wastewater treatment, garage and new site entrance
Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 2360454
5 Jul 2023Conditional
to change use of existing shed from commercial use to agricultural use for the storage of hay/feed and farm machinery together with all ancillary site development works and services
Permission · Clare County Council, 2360237
9 Nov 2022Conditional
to renovate and extend existing dwelling house and all associated site works
Permission · Clare County Council, 221016
22 Dec 2020Conditional
to construct a dwelling house, waste water treatment system, new driveway to be accessed from the existing farm road and all associated site works
Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 20996
2 Nov 2020Conditional
for alterations and additions to existing house and all associated site works
Permission · Clare County Council, 20804
Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.
Nature and heritage
Designated sites and recorded monuments
Designated sites
- Special Area of Conservation: Ballyteige (Clare) SAC 000994
- Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Ballyteige (Clare) 000994
Recorded monuments
- CL008-045012 Enclosure
Description
Situated in a large, partly cleared field of outcropping limestone and coarse rough grazing. A subrectangular area (10m N-S; 11.4m E-W) defined by a wall (H 1.15m; Wth 1.5m at base (including collapsed material), tapering to 0.7m at top). A gap (0.75m) occurs in the N wall. A circular area (Wth 3.4m) in the centre is defined by a collapsed and grassed over stone wall (Wth 0.25m; H 0.1m). Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 9 February 2016
- CL008-045013 Ringfort - cashel
Description
On a S-facing slope in undulating pastureland and outcropping karstic limestone, within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL009-001001-). This possible cashel (int. dims. 16.5m N-S; 16m E-W) is defined by a collapsed and grass-covered stone wall (Wth 2m, including collapse; H 0.8m) from N-WNW; no clear wall-revetting is evident. No visible trace survives at NW where piles of field-clearance rubble and natural limestone outcrop occur. Within the interior at S, a hut site (CL008-045018-) is built against the wall-face. A possible annexe, probably originally circular in plan (diam. c. 9m), abuts the outer wall-face at N; it is defined by a collapsed stone wall, which is not visible at W, again due to the rubble and rock outcrop. There is a cashel (CL008-045014-) c. 35m to the S and an enclosure (CL008-045012-) c. 93m to the SSW. The following image has been uploaded: CL008-045013-_01.jpg View from NE Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 17 October 2022
- CL008-045014 Ringfort - cashel
Description
In flat low-lying reclaimed coarse pastureland and outcropping limestone, with higher ground immediately to the N, within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL009-001001-). This subcircular cashel (int. dims. 61.3m E-W; 56.5m N-S) is defined by a double-faced wall (Wth 1-2.3m; int. H 0.25m; ext. H 0.6m) of uncoursed limestone blocks with a rubble core; it is best preserved from SE-SSW and from NW-NNE. A gap (Wth 6.4m) at NNW may mark the original entrance. There are three house sites (CL008-045019-, CL008-045020- and CL008-045021-) within the interior and two field walls run across it: one from NW-SW, the other extends from ENE westwards until it merges with the former wall at WNW. On a slight but steep-sided rise immediately outside the wall to the S is a rectangular annexe (int. dims. 14m E-W; 10.5m N-S). A small stone cairn is centrally located within it. A field-clearance cairn overlies the wall at N and another lies immediately outside it at NE. There is a possible cashel (CL008-045013-) c. 40m to the NNW and another enclosure (CL008-045012-) c. 45m to the SW. Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 17 October 2022
- CL008-045018 Hut site
Description
Within the S sector of the interior of a possible cashel (CL008-045013-), and built against the wall-face, this subcircular hut site (int. dims. 4m N-S; 3.4m E-W) is defined by a collapsed and grass-covered wall (Wth 0.5m; H 0.5m). Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 18 October 2022
- CL008-045019 House - indeterminate date
Description
Within the NW quadrant of the interior of a cashel (CL008-045014-). This possible house site survives as a D-shaped enclosure (9.1m E-W) with a straight W side (L 7.5m), which is part of a later N-S running field wall cutting across the cashel. It is unclear if it was originally circular in plan and subsequently truncated by the field wall but no trace of it was noted to the W of the field wall. A house site (CL008-045020-) and another possible house site (CL008-045021-) lie c. 12m to the SE and c. 22m to the ESE respectively. Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 18 October 2022
- CL008-045020 House - indeterminate date
Description
Roughly centrally located within the interior of a cashel (CL008-045014-), this circular house site (8.5m E-W; 8.4m N-S) is defined by a collapsed limestone wall (av. Wth 1.5m; int. H 0.25m; ext. H 1m). A later field wall crossing the cashel from W towards NE bisects it at W and ENE. Two other possible house sites (CL008-045019- and CL008-045020-) lie c. 12m to the NW and c. 7m to the ENE respectively. Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 19 October 2022
- CL008-045021 House - indeterminate date
Description
Located in the NE quadrant of the interior of a cashel (CL008-045014-), this possible house site survives as a D-shaped area (6m N-S) with a straight N side (L 10m). The latter side is part of a later field wall that crosses the cashel from W towards ENE. It is unclear whether the strucutre was originally circular in plan and was subsequently truncated by the construction of this wall. From ENE-W it is defined by a collapsed and grassed-over wall. A house site (CL008-045020-) lies c. 7m to the WSW and another possible house site lies c. 22m to the WNW. Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 19 October 2022
- CL008-050001 Castle - tower house
Description
In rough pastureland on the level floor of a valley, with views to E and W and ground rising to N and S. Situated immediately NW of the site of a medieval house (CL008-050002-) and a large bawn (CL008-050003-). Labelled 'Site of Lisdoonvarna Castle' on the 1842 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. Built in 1619 by Denis Cloche (Clohessy?) for owner Fineen Fitzpatrick (as commemorated in a plaque (CL015-143----) which was removed in the 20th century and is currently displayed in a wall on Bogbere Street, Ennistymon) (Ua Cróinín and Breen 1997). After the Irish rebellion of 1641 the castle and other lands were taken from Fitzpatrick and distributed among several parties. By 1665 the castle was occupied and claimed by the O'Briens, but then leased: in 1679 it was occupied by the Creaghs and in 1699 by one Doctor Sarsfield. In 1717 the O'Davorens were living here and appear to have taken ownership. However, the last person to live at the castle was supposedly Donough O'Davoren, who died in c. 1750 (Comber 1997, 70; Ua Cróinín and Breen 1997). At some point before or after this time another residence (CL008-050002-) was built within the castle bawn, immediately to the SE of the castle. Westropp (1915, 48) did not record any elements of the castle. No remains are visible at ground level. The following item has been uploaded: CL008-050001-_01.pdf 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 Conn Herriott Date of upload: 20 December 2022
- CL008-050002 House - medieval
Description
Situated immediately to the NW of a large bawn (CL008-050003-) and just SE of the site of Lisdoonvarna castle (CL008-050001-), in rough pastureland on the level floor of a valley, with views to E and W and ground rising to N and S. Labelled 'Site of O'Davoren's House' on the 1842 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. The construction date is unknown, but it appears to have been occupied by the O'Davoren family since before or after the abandonment of Lisdoonvarna castle in c. 1750, and would continue as the residence of their descendants the Stackpoole’s until at least 1837 (Comber 1997, 70; Lewis 1837, 183; Ua Cróinín and Breen 1997). The Lysaght family also resided here (Westropp 1915, 48). At the time of his visit Westropp (ibid.) did not mention any upstanding structural elements of the house. No remains are visible at ground level. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 20 December 2022
- CL008-050003 Bawn
Description
In rough pastureland on the level floor of a valley, with views to E and W and ground rising to N and S. This rectangular bawn (117m N-S; 57m E-W) is defined at N and W by a band of higher ground (Wth 7.5m; H 2-4m) supported by vertical stone revetments which have collapsed in places. The E and S sides of the bawn are delimited by more common stone walls (Wth 0.5m; H 2-3m). There is a modern entrance at SE, but the original entrance may have been at NW. According to the 1842 ed. of the OS 6-inch map, just outside the NW corner of the bawn is the site of a medieval house (CL008-050002-), and just to the NW of this is the site of Lisdoonvarna castle (CL008-050001-). It has been suggested that this bawn functioned as a garden (Cunningham 1980, 49) or perhaps 'a market, fairground or sports arena' (Ua Cróinín and Breen 1997). The following images have been uploaded: CL008-050003-_01.jpg Aerial view from E (photo: Markus Casey) CL008-050003-_02.jpg W wall from SE Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 20 December 2022
- CL008-050004 Inscribed stone
Description
A plaque recording the erection of the ‘castle’ at Lisdoonvarna in 1619 by Fineen FitzPatrick was formerly built into a building near the site of the castle (CL008-050001-). It was moved in the 20th century to Ennistymon where it has been set into a boundary wall on the W side of Bogbere Street (CL015-143----). The inscription reads: FININFICTE PATRICKE. ME FECIT. 1619 DENIS. CLOCHE which may be translated as Fineen FitzPatrick had me made 1619. Denis Cloche which is almost certainly the ancient form of the surname ‘Clohessy’. The letters are false relief in a script of late gothic character that was used by masons well into the 17th century. Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 2 April 2014
- CL008-051 Ringfort - cashel
Description
On a low rise (H 1-1.8m) in undulating pastureland and outcropping limestone, within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL009-001001-). Hachured on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. This much-disturbed subcircular cashel (30.5m E-W; 22.7m N-S) is defined by a collapsed and grassed-over wall (Wth 1.5m including slip; int. H 0.25m; ext. H 1.4m) at E and elsewhere by a scarp. Up to three courses (H 0.45m) of the outer wall-face survives intermittently at NE and E but no trace of the inner face is evident. A collapsed and grassed-covered L-shaped wall (Wth 0.4m; H 0.15m) runs through the centre of the interior, running NNW-SSE (L 11m) before turning ENE (L 4m). The perimeter of the cashel has been extensively quarried out at SSW where a telegraph pole stands, and also at W and N. The following image has been uploaded: CL008-051----_01 View from SE Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 19 October 2022
- CL008-082 Barrow - unclassified
Description
On a gentle rise in wet pasture. Hachured on both the OS 25-inch plan (1897) and on the later, Cassini edition (1920) of the OS 6-inch map. Listed as 'Enclosure' in the RMP (1996). This subcircular barrow (int. diams. 22.5m N-S; 21.2m E-W) is defined by a shallow fosse (max. D 0.25m; Wth 2.4-4m) and traces of a very low outer bank (H 0.05-0.25m; Wth 2.5-5m) NNE-W. Later field banks obscure the line of the outer bank W-NNE. The reed-covered interior is slightly higher in the centre than at the perimeter. See attachment: CL008-082----_1 Aerial view from south south-east. (Marcus Casey) Summary by: Gearóid Conroy and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 24 November 2022
Architectural heritage
No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Lisdoonvarna.
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).
Ground and risks
Radon, landslides, flooding
- Radon
- About 1 in 10 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 Lisdoonvarna.
- 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.
Homes sold
Property Price Register
No address of the register names Lisdoonvarna with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Clare.
The townland
- Name
- Lisdoonvarna · Lios Dúin Bhearna
- Area
- 2,570,084 m² (257.01 ha, 635.08 acres)
- Civil parish
- Kilmoon, and its townlands
- Barony
- Burren
- Electoral division
- Lisdoonvarna, the unit of the census
- Census 2022
- Lisdoonvarna electoral division: 1,268 people in 302 households; 63% of households own their home; 26% of homes were built since 2001; 18% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 8% were holiday homes.
- Neighbouring townlands
- Aughiska Beg, Ballygastell, Ballyinsheen Beg, Ballyinsheen More, Ballyneillan, Ballyteige, Gowlaun, Kilmoon West, Knockaunvickteera, Laghtmurreda, Slievenagry
- Placenames
- Lisdoonvarna 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.