Oughtmama

41 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Oughtmama, from 229 m² to 2,007,751 m² (200.78 ha, 496.13 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 22 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 Oughtmama 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.

• 21 Dec 2021Conditional

  to construct the following: a dwelling house, a standalone building for use as a gym ancillary to house and new entrance and all associated works

  Permission, 2 homes · Clare County Council, 211365

• 1 Mar 2021Conditional

  to construct a dwelling house and garage, with effluent treatment system, accessed by an existing shared entrance and driveway from public road, all with associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 21180

• 2 Sept 2020Conditional

  to construct a dwelling house, waste water treatment system and new entrance

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 20608

• 5 Mar 2020Conditional

  for RETENTION and completion of a dwelling house, private wastewater treatment system with all associated works

  Retention, 1 home · Clare County Council, 20157

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

• CL003-032002 Church
  Description

  At the SE end of a large fertile valley at the N foot of Turlough Hill within an enclosure (CL003-032001-) and a larger outer enclosure (CL003-032007-) and named ‘Oughtmama church (in ruins)’ on the 1840 and 1915 OS 6-inch maps. This is the largest and most westerly of three churches at Oughtmama (see CL003-032003- and CL003-032004-) forming part of an early monastic settlement. Three saints Colman are noted as being associated (Hogan 1910, 660). The church comprises a nave (int. dims. 14.25m E-W; 6.6m N-S) and chancel (int. dims. 6.3m E-W; 5.3m N-S) built of large rectangular blocks laid in gently undulating courses. The church is entered through a trabeate doorway (Wth at base 1m; Wth at top 0.8m; H 1.93m) in the W wall. This wall also has undecorated projecting antae. The N wall is featureless while the S wall is lit by two narrow round-headed windows with splayed ingoings, one at either end. A Romanesque chancel arch (H c. 4m; Wth 3.1m) separates the nave from the chancel. According to O’Keeffe (2003, 51-2) the arch is ‘not easily dated since its ‘simplicity’ could be taken to indicate an early or a late date and that problem is not helped by the fact that the wall in which it originally belonged was substantially rebuilt.’ He recommends a later 12th-century date. The E wall of the chancel (surviving H 2m) had a narrow rectangular window, the top of which lies nearby. The S wall survives to a similar height and has the base of a rectangular window at its E end. A stoup, portraying two animals with intertwined necks is set into the wall in the internal corner where the S wall meets the W gable. Beneath it is a rectangular stone font (CL003-032014-). A second church (CL003-032001-) lies 9.5m to the E. All of the churches at Oughtmama are national monuments in State Care, no. 12. (Swan 1991, 106-8; Swinfen 1992, 102-5) The following images have been uploaded: CL003-032002-_01.jpg Aerial view of the churches at Oughtmama from NW. CL003-032002-_02.jpg Aerial view of the three churches at Oughtmama from NE. CL003-032002-_03.jpg The largest church from NW with CL003-032003- in the background. CL003-032002-_04.jpg The largest church at Oughtmama from NE. CL003-032002-_05.jpg The animal carving on the stoup within the church. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 13 February 2018

• CL003-032003 Church
  Description

  At the SE end of a large fertile valley at the N foot of Turlough Hill within an enclosure (CL003-032001-) and a larger outer enclosure (CL003-032007-) and 9.5m E of a nave and chancel church (CL003-032002-). A small rectangular church (int. dims. 7.2m E-W; 4.2m N-S) built of undressed, randomly coursed blocks. The walls stand to their original height (2.7m) and there is a round-headed doorway (Wth 0.75m; H 0.95m) in the W gable. The doorway is built of dressed blocks the full thickness of the walls (Swinfen 1992, 102). The church is lit by a narrow round-headed window in the E gable and a smaller one in the S wall. There are two adjacent aumbries in the E wall S of the window. The N wall is featureless. This church and all of the churches at Oughtmama are national monuments in State Care, no. 12. The following images have been uploaded: CL003-032003-_01.jpg View of the church from NE with Turlough Hill rising in the background. CL003-032003-_02.jpg View of church from NW showing round-headed W doorway. CL003-032003-_03.jpg View of church from SE with the larger nave and chancel church (CL003-003002-) in the background. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 13 February 2018.

• CL003-032004 Church
  Description

  At the SE end of a large fertile valley at the N foot of Turlough Hill and some 55m NE of two adjacent churches (CL003-032002- and CL003-032003-) within an ecclesiastical enclosure (CL003-032007-). A poorly preserved rectangular church (int. dims. 6.7m ENE-WSW; 3.6m NNW-SSE) of roughly coursed limestone blocks standing on a narrow plinth. The E gable survives to close to its original height of 3.5m. The church was lit by a narrow, round-headed, widely splayed window in the E gable beneath which is a small rectangular aumbry. The other walls only survive to c. 1.4m and are featureless. There is a gap (Wth 1.2m) at the W end of the S wall where the doorway would have been. This church and all of the churches at Oughtmama are national monuments in State Care, no. 12. The following image has been uploaded: CL003-032004-_01.jpg View of church from W. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 13 February 2018

• CL003-032005 Settlement deserted - medieval
  Description

  Named ‘Oughtmama Town (site of)’ on the 1840 and 1921 OS 6-inch maps and listed as ‘Settlement deserted’ in the RMP (1996). Indicated on the OS maps within a large ecclesiastical enclosure (CL003-032007-). The only above-ground remains of dwellings are about 45m E of the most easterly of the three churches at Oughtmama where there are the remains of three houses in a row each orientated NE-SW. They are defined by grassed over double-faced walls and platforms. The most northerly is the best preserved (int. dims. 10.4m NE-SW; 4.5m NW-SE; ext. dims. 12.4m NE-SW; 7.25m NW-SE). The N and S walls (av. T 0.8m) rise 0.2-0.4m over the interior and the E and W walls rise 0.7-0.8m. The bottom of a window embrasure (inside Wth 1.4m) is on the E wall, narrowing to the outside. There is no visible entrance. The remains of the second house, 20m to the S, comprise a simple platform (5.4m NW-SE; 13.2m NE-SW) defined by scarps (H 0.3-0.4m) except at N where the platform merges with the ground. 6m S of this is a third platform (4.5m NW-SE; 11.2m NE-SW) also defined by scarps (H 0.2-0.3m) except at E where a double-faced wall (Wth 0.5m) can be seen. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 13 February 2018

• CL003-032006 Cross
  Description

  Situated inside the N portion of the outer ecclesiastical enclosure (CL003-032007-) at Oughtmama. A rectangular cross base (L 1m; Wth 0.9m; T 0.2m) with a square mortice (L 0.23m; Wth 0.23m; D 0.14m). This cross base was previously noted as lying ‘just N’ of the central church (SMR file). Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 19 February 2018

• CL003-032008 Water mill - horizontal-wheeled
  Description

  Named ‘Site of Mill’ on the 1840 OS 6-inch map c. 140m E of the most easterly church (CL003-032004-) and just outside the estimated E extent of the large ecclesiastical enclosure (CL003-032007-) at Oughtmama at the N foot of Turlough Hill. Noted as ‘Horizontal Mill’ on Robinson’s 1977 Burren map, Sheehan (1982, 34) notes that it may explain the presence of a church site in an otherwise sparsely populated mountain terrace. Present remains consist of a grassed-over stony mound (H 0.5-1m) defined at N by a grassed-over wall (Wth 0.7m; H over ext. 1.4m; H over int. 0.5m) and by a later field wall along the E side. A second grassed-over stone wall (L 4m; H 0.4-0.6m; Wth 1.5m) runs parallel to the first 4m to the S. A mill race comprising a wide dry channel (Wth 3.2m) dug out of the S-facing slope and forming a bank to the S (Wth at top 1.9m; Wth at base 9m; int. H 1.4m; ext. H 2.5m) extends 130m ENE. Some stone facing is evident on the N face of the bank. The mill race was listed as ‘Earthwork’ in the SMR (1992) and the RMP (1996) under the number CL003-032009-. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 19 February 2018

• CL003-032013 Cross-slab
  Description

  In the largest church at Oughtmama (CL003-032002-). Swinfen (1992, 103) noted that a number of slabs with carved crosses had been found here by the Board of Works in the late 19th century, and that the present location of these slabs was unknown. Westropp (1900-02, 130) noted that several slabs, with defaced Irish inscriptions lay in the chancel. A full list of references to the slabs is given in Okasha and Forsyth (2001, 107-8). Sheehan (1982, 44) notes that they are the only cross-slabs known in North Clare. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 15 July 2015

• CL003-032014 Font
  Description

  In the SW corner of Oughtmama church (CL003-032002-). A rectangular font on the ground beneath a carved stoup. A drawing of this font by A. Korff (Swan 1991, 108) shows a central drain hole. A photograph in 1992 shows the font partially buried (Swinfen 1992, 103). Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 19 February 2018

• CL003-032015 Burial
  Description

  A complete human jawbone with teeth was uprooted by rabbit burrowing close to the corner of the largest of the three churches at Oughtmama (CL003-032002-) in 1983 and was reburied. (Coffey 1985, 30) Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 19 February 2018

• CL003-035001 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  At the head of the valley with excellent views to the W and over Oughtmama ecclesiastical complex (CL003-032----). Indicated and named ‘Tobercolman’ on the 1842 and 1915 eds of the OS 6-inch maps and named ‘Tobar Cholmáin’ on Robinson’s map (1977). It is ascribed to St Colman Mac Duagh (Swinfen 1992, 103). Colman Mac Duagh was educated at St Enda’s on Inismore and seeking solitude is reputed to have moved to the Burren in 590 (Ó Riain 2011). He is believed to have spent time living in a cave (CL006-023004-) to the SE, on the far side of Slievecarran where a church (CL006-023001-) and another well (CL006-023005-) dedicated to him are to be found, before the legendary King Guaire granted him land in Kilmacduagh Td., Co. Galway (GA128-034----) (Jones 2006. 93). A natural spring well enclosed by a small D-shaped drystone enclosure (L 3.8m E–W; Wth 2.5m; wall Wth 0.7m; wall H 1m) with straight side along the N and a small (Wth 0.35m) entrance gap leading to 3 steps. Numerous small statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary adorn the well. To the NNE (2m dist.) an ash tree and whitethorn bush are enclosed by a tumbled drystone wall. 1.5m to the S a small drystone rectangular cairn (L 1.8m E–W; Wth 1.3m; H 1.1m) has a small double-lintelled ope in its E face, which contains numerous coins and buttons. A stream emerging c. 10m to the S of this well is ‘named’ Sruhaunananeeve on the 1842 and 1915 eds. of the OS map and Sruthán na Naomh’ on Robinson’s map (1977). Some 400m SW it drove a horizontal mill (CL003-032008-) on the edge of Oughtmama ecclesiastical enclosure (CL003-032001-). Oughtmama is also believed to have been associated with a Colman, but to which Colman is uncertain (Swan 1991, 106–7). Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 15 December 2020

• CL003-036001 Hillfort
  Description

  In a commanding location on a high ridge sloping gently to N between Oughtmama and the Gortaclare valley in an area of bare limestone pavement and patchy grazing. The settlement cluster on Turlough Hill lies somewhat higher and c. 600m to SW along the same ridge. A very large and unusual hexagonal enclosure (int. dims. c. 190m N-S; c. 190m E-W) defined by a drystone wall (average Wth 2-2.3m; int. H 0.3m at E to 0.4m at W to 1.1m at N) composed of a mixture of thin flags laid in courses and thin flags set on edge as inner and outer facing with an angular pebble core. The wall is broken by 13 gaps (Wths c. 1.4-1.8m) often defined at the sides by transverse slabs. The gaps occur intermittently and irregularly on all sides. A narrow ravine at E (L 30m; Wth 5m) slopes upwards towards the interior and affords a kind of entranceway into the enclosure. The interior is slightly higher near the centre meaning that as you walk around the perimeter the full site is often not visible. Westropp provided a plan (1905, 226) showing a number of hut sites, mostly along the inner face of the enclosing wall (see CL003-036002- to CL003-036007-). He also noted that the interior was of bare, often loose crag with no traces of foundations (ibid.). Bergh (2015, 32) noted another diminutive circular house foundation close to the inner end of the E depression (CL003-036008-). The enclosure is undated as yet but may be related to either Neolithic causewayed enclosures or Late Bronze Age hillforts (Bergh, Ó Maoldúin and McCarthy 2016, 21). Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 3 March 2020

• CL003-036002 Hut site
  Description

  Abutting the inner S face of the hexagonal enclosure (CL003-036001-) on the E summit of Turlough Hill. Two small conjoined hut sites defined by a low, grass-covered stone spread. Occasional walling is visible and comprises thin flags in courses similar to the construction of the large enclosure. The W hut site measures 5m E-W; 4.4m N-S. The E one is traceable for 8m E-W and is robbed out at E (Wth 2.7m). These huts are built across one of the entrance features of the large enclosure and may be a later feature. A number of other hut sites abut the inner face of the large enclosure at various points around the perimeter. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 3 March 2020

• CL003-036003 Hut site
  Description

  Abutting the inner E face of the hexagonal enclosure (CL003-036001-) on the E summit of Turlough Hill. A small hut site (5.5m N-S; 3.3m E-W; wall Wth 1.1m; int. H 0.6m; ext. H 0.4m) defined by flags laid flat. A number of other hut sites abut the inner face of the large enclosure at various points around the perimeter. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 3 March 2020

• CL003-036004 Hut site
  Description

  Abutting the inner SW face of the hexagonal enclosure (CL003-036001-) on the E summit of Turlough Hill. A small square hut site (4m x 4m; wall Wth 1m; H 0.4m) defined by a grassed over stone spread. A number of other hut sites abut the inner face of the large enclosure at various points around the perimeter. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 3 March 2020

• CL003-036005 Hut site
  Description

  Abutting the inner SW face of the hexagonal enclosure (CL003-036001-) on the E summit of Turlough Hill. A subrectangular hut site (5.2m N-S; 4.1m E-W) defined by a grassed over stone spread. A number of other hut sites abut the inner face of the large enclosure at various points around the perimeter. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 3 March 2020

• CL003-036006 Hut site
  Description

  Abutting the inner NW face of the hexagonal enclosure (CL003-036001-) on the E summit of Turlough Hill. A small hut site is depicted at this location on a plan by Westropp (1905, 226) at a point where the perimeter of the enclosure has an indentation. A number of other hut sites abut the inner face of the large enclosure at various points around the perimeter. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 3 March 2020

• CL003-036007 Hut site
  Description

  In the NW quadrant of the hexagonal enclosure (CL003-036001-) on the E summit of Turlough Hill. Westropp (1905, 226) shows a hut site on a plan some 30m in from the enclosure wall, SE of a hut site abutting the enclosure wall (CL003-036006-). A number of other hut sites abut the inner face of the large enclosure at various points around the perimeter. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 3 March 2020

• CL003-036009 Hut site
  Description

  Abutting the inner NE face of the hexagonal enclosure (CL003-036001-) on the E summit of Turlough Hill. A square hut site (2.6m x 2.6m) defined by tumbled stone. A number of other hut sites abut the inner face of the large enclosure at various points around the perimeter. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 3 March 2020.

• CL003-048 Cairn - unclassified
  Description

  On the first shelf overlooking a col to the S. The E edge of the cairn is just 4.6m from a drystone wall forming the border with Co. Galway. There are good views out to the E and W but hills rise to the N and S. Indicated on Robinson’s revised ed. (1999) of the Burren. A disturbed circular cairn (basal dims. 9.8m E–W; 9.7m N–S; H 1m at E; H 1.4m at S). A low drystone wall built on its N perimeter appears built from robbed material and a quarry is evident on its surface (diam. 1.7m; D 1m). A few upright stones around its base may be a remnant of a kerb. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 15 December 2020

• CL003-050 Fulacht fia
  Description

  In pasture, located adjacent to a spring on a rocky terrace on the S-facing slope of Oughtmama Hill. The N side of the terrace is defined by a low, vertical face of limestone outcropping. The spring rises from the base of these rocks, 7m to NE of the fulacht fia, and flows to SSW past the E side of the fulacht fia. Compact, well-defined kidney-shaped mound (diam. c. 10m; H 05-0.6m at N, c. 0.8m at S) composed of a dense concentration of small and medium-sized limestone fragments in a matrix of black, charcoal-rich soil. A central depression (2m E–W; 1.5m N–S), open to the stream at E, indicating the location of the trough. There are expanses of natural, flat limestone pavement adjacent to the mound at S and NW. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 1 September 2014

• CL003-052 Fulacht fia
  Description

  In pasture, located adjacent to a spring on a rocky terrace on the upper N-facing slope of Turlough Hill. The S side of the terrace is defined by a steep, rising slope of limestone boulders and outcropping, at the base of which the spring rises. Low, horseshoe-shaped mound (c. 5-6m NW–SE; c. 4m NE–SW; H 0.3m) composed of a dense concentration of small, limestone fragments in a matrix of dark brown-black soil. A shallow, central depression (Wth c. 1m), open to SW, indicates the location of the trough. It faces an area of wet ground fed by the spring. This monument most likely equates to that described by McMahon (1991, 48) in The Other Clare as 'located beside a spring on the northern reaches of Turlough Hill literally within a stone's throw of the summit' although the easting cited by McMahon appears to be incorrect (see CL003-047----). Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 1 September 2014

• CL003-060 Fulacht fia
  Description

  On a grassy terrace on the W-facing slopes of Oughtmama hill. A compact, roughly crescent-shaped mound (8.5m E-W; 7.3m N-S; H 0.7-0.8m) formed of limestone fragments in a matrix of dark soil. Noted by Jane O’Shaughnessy. The mound curves slightly on its S side around a circular depression (c. 3.5m E-W; c. 3.5m N-S) which is outlined by a rough, gapped setting of low, upright slabs. The slabs form a double row in places and most tilt inwards towards the centre of the depression. Two springs are adjacent, emerging from the bedrock to the E, one immediately NE and the other 2-3m to the SE, both of which are enclosed by arcs of loose stone.   Compiled by: Mary Tunney   Date of upload: 22 October 2025

Architectural heritage

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

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 Oughtmama, 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 high, 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 Oughtmama.

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

Name

Oughtmama · Ucht Máma

Area

3,328,827 m² (332.88 ha, 822.57 acres)

Civil parish

Oughtmama, and its townlands

Barony

Burren

Electoral division

Oughtmama, the unit of the census

Census 2022

152 people lived in 59 households in the Oughtmama electoral division. 88% of households owned their home. 36% of homes were built since 2001. 16% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 9% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Abbey East, Abbey West, Aghawinnaun, Cartrontrellick (Co. Galway), Funshin More (Co. Galway), Knockycallanan, Leagh South (Co. Galway)

Placenames

Oughtmama 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.