Connaberry

Area

135,742 m² (13.57 ha, 33.54 acres)

Buildings

13 buildings touch it, 3,454 m² on the ground

Zoning

G3 Green Infrastructure (Cork County Development Plan 2022) The objective

Townland

Connaberry

Planning applications on this parcel

• 22 Jul 2024Conditional

  Permission to construct a single storey extension to the rear of existing community hall and all associated site works and services.

  Permission · Cork County Council, 24/5387

• 4 Jun 2024Incompleted application

  Permission to construct a single storey extension to the rear of existing community hall and all associated site works and services.

  Permission · Cork County Council, 24/5017

• 30 Nov 2022Incompleted application

  Permission for the construction of 1.5 storey dormer style house.

  Permission · Cork County Council, 22/6664

• 20 Jul 2022Conditional

  Permission to decommission existing septic tank and soak pit serving existing dwelling and to replace same with new secondary wastewater treatment unit and tertiary filter to serve existing dwelling and all associated site works and services

  Permission · Cork County Council, 22/5712

• 13 Sept 2021Conditional

  Permission for retention of the following: (1) Single storey extension to the rear of existing dwelling, (2) Domestic garage serving existing dwelling (3) Site entrance, revised boundaries and all associated site works.

  Retention · Cork County Council, 21/6502

• 26 Jun 2013Conditional

  Construction of a single storey extension to the rear and modify existing porch with pitched roof and stone cladding to the front of existing Community Hall

  Permission · Cork County Council, 13/5216

• 20 Jun 2013Incompleted application

  Construction of a single storey extension to the rear & to modify the existing porch with pitched roof & stone cladding to the front of the existing community Hall

  Permission · Cork County Council, 13/5168

• 25 Nov 2011Refused

  Completion of construction of sewage treatment works to include control building, aeration tank, sludge holding tank and ancillary works as permitted under Planning Reg. No. 06/4547

  Extension of duration · Cork County Council, 11/6481

• 3 Feb 2006Conditional

  Construction of sewage treatment works to include control building, aeration tank, sludge holding tank and ancillary works

  Permission · Cork County Council, 06/4547

• 12 Jan 2006Incompleted application

  Construction of sewage treatment works

  Permission · Cork County Council, 06/4092

• 17 Jun 2005Withdrawn

  3 no. dwellinghouses

  Permission · Cork County Council, 05/4240

• 29 Nov 2004Conditional

  Alterations and two storey extension to rear of dwellinghouse

  Permission · Cork County Council, 04/8757

• 14 Aug 2003Refused

  Retention of entrance gate and flanking walls

  Permission · Cork County Council, 03/4087

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: Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) SAC 002170
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Awbeg Valley (Castletownroche) 001561

Recorded monuments around it

This parcel is in the zone of notification of 10 recorded monuments.

• CO026-085 Designed landscape - belvedere
  Description

  This belvedere is referred to in the 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork - vol. 4 North Cork' (2000, 530-31) under the entry (no. 14353) for a Country house (CO026-089001-). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

• CO026-086001 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  In pasture, on N side of Awbeg River c. 250m W of tower house (14353). Recently cleared of overgrowth; depression, filled with water, now visible. Grove White (1905-25, vol. 2, 145) noted 'well dedicated to St Patrick, on whose anniversary a patron [sic] is held here; the water is remarkably pure and is much esteemed by the peasantry for its supposed virtues'. Sheela-na-gig (14627) found nearby. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Images provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/

• CO026-086002 Sheela-na-gig
  Description

  Originally noted by Ordnance Survey (Guest 1936, 116), as lying beside holy well (13958); recovered from bed of Awbeg River in 1934 where it had lain for a number of years, and placed near tower of Castle (14353) (ibid.). Figure has oval head with obliterated facial features; unusual head-dress of two divided triangular pieces falling as far as the shoulders. Neck is small and not clearly indicated, torso is lean with no evidence of breasts or ribs. Legs are widely splayed, knees bent. Right hand points to genital area, left hand rests on left thigh. (Cherry 1993, 109) Access to castle denied by landowner. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Images provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/

• CO026-087 Mill - unclassified
  Description

  On W bank of Awbeg River, at S side of Castletownroche. Overgrown ruin of rectangular mill (int.: 22m E-W; 16m N-S). Pair of wheel-pits in river; headrace fed by weir built across river. Wheel-pit at N end contained a 12ft x 8ft undershot waterwheel; smaller wheel-pit to S contained 5ft x 12ft undershot waterwheel (FFIAS, 8). Iron axles and flaunches survive in wheel-pits, with remains of eight slim iron arms on both. Mill yard to N defined by scarp to W, river to E and wall to N with entrance gate and piers; low remains of building in yard. Long rectangular mid-19th-century addition (int. c. 30m N-S; 6m E-W) at W side of S end of mill, making overall plan L-shaped; 5-bay, 5-storey (with attic), gable-ended structure; stone-arched window opes. Mill also extends to W with structures built against a steep scarp; 2-storey gable-ended residential house attached at NW corner atop scarp. Mid-19th-century 8-bay, 3-storey store house atop high ground to NNW; curved corrugated iron roof; random rubble construction with brick-dressed opes. Mills erected in 1750; enlarged by Maurice Hickey in late 19th century; remained idle between 1890-1903 and then converted into woollen mills by T.W. Priestly (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 2, 143). Indicated on 1842 OS 6-inch map as 'Flour Mill' and as 'Woollen Mill' on 1905 OS 6-inch map. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

• CO026-089001 Castle - tower house
  Description

  The tower is part of a complex of buildings (CO026-089002-, CO026-089003-, CO026-089004-, CO026-085----) located on a steep-sided promontory overlooking the Awbeg River. The rectangular tower (7.7m northwest-southeast; 7.4m northeast-southwest) stands to full height with crenellations and cap house. Though largely intact it shows signs of modifications and repairs in both the 19th and 20th centuries. The tower has five main floors, a single chamber at each level also with a number of mural chambers. The tower is entered at ground floor level through a door near the southeast end of its northeast wall. The door has a two-centred pointed arch set in a rectangular rebate. Closing the opening is a recent wooden door hinged on the east side by metal brackets sunk into the door jamb. Inside the door is a short lobby (1.3m x 1.25m) which is entirely open overhead to the murder-hole shaft. The lobby gives entry straight through to the ground-floor chamber. The door surround has a two-centred pointed arch. All the jamb stones on either side of the surround are replacements but in the style of the originals. There is a brick jamb outside the surround on the lobby side matching that on the entrance door side. The door is closed by an openwork metal gate hung from two metal brackets sunk into the outside of the eastern jamb. To house the catch for this a metal bracket is strapped to the western jamb. There must have been a door here at some stage to match that on the entrance door as there is the same arrangement of metal brackets on the inside of the eastern jamb. The lobby opens on its northwest side to the base of a rising mural stairs. The original door surround is now and in its place is a recent wooden frame for a missing door. The ground floor chamber (4.68m x 3.64m) now has a concrete floor and there are extensive recent repairs to the southwest wall. There is a blocked-up window embrasure (0.92m wide) in centre of northwest wall; the embrasure is covered by a lintel with a relieving arch overhead. The central ope in the southwest wall (1.32m wide) is entirely rebuilt in concrete blocks, creating a two-storey embrasure framing the first-floor window and the blocked ground-floor ope. The embrasure has an opening in its east side giving access to a passageway. The passageway is much altered and repaired and has been extended to the southeast to meet a wooden door (now blocked) giving entry to the castellated house. A recess (1m wide x 1.7m deep) in the east wall of the main chamber has no original features but may be the remains of a mined-out doorway. The stairs from the ground floor lobby rises in the northeast wall (width 1m) to the northern corner of the tower from which it rises as a spiral stairs the full height of the tower. The steps of the spiral stairs are each formed of a single shaped stone brought to a point at the centre. The under-surfaces of the steps are formed to a smooth curved surface. There is an awkward transfer between these of four steps. The topmost of these gives access to a short linteled recess which gave access to the now blocked-up door to the first-floor chamber. The first floor chamber (4.68m x 3.64m) was entered by the blocked doorway (0.95m wide) at the north end of the northwest wall from the stairs. The opening for the doorway is partially cut into the slope of the overhead vault. The door is completely blocked with masonry but it has a linteled head and straight-edge jamb on its south side. The room was lit by a central window in the southwest and northeast walls. The south window is completely gone and replaced by recent rebuilding. The north window has also been heavily repaired with a concrete head but shallow-splayed sides probably original. The room is covered by a bluntly pointed vault (axis northeast-southwest). At first floor level is a mural chamber (6m x 1.3m) in the northeast wall of the tower entered directly from the stairs via a door with a two-centred pointed arch. The chamber is covered by a pointed wicker-centred vault, the central portion of which is now gone (in the space of the window embrasure overhead). Towards the eastern end of the chamber is the murder hole opening, now blocked by a wooden board. The chamber is lit by a window in centre of northeast wall. This has a light with a shouldered arch to its head. At the southeast end of the chamber is a large opening that now opens into a mural chamber at mezzanine level in the southeast wall of the tower (see below). This is not an original opening but is broken through. The second floor chamber (4.8m x 5.07m) is entered from the spiral stairs by a door with a two-centred pointed arch. The doorway is in the north corner of the room and there is a rather awkward arrangement of lintels overhead to accommodate this. This chamber has a window in the centre of northeast, southwest and northwest walls and a fireplace in the southeast wall. The northwest window embrasure (1.7m wide) is covered by a segmental-arched head (plank-centred) and is square-set. The light is square-headed and set in a smaller linteled and splayed embrasure. The southwest window embrasure, though damaged, is similar to the latter with an inserted light. A similar thing has happened to the window in the northeast wall In this case the base of the embrasure (embrasure 1.94m wide) is missing where the vault of the mural chamber underneath is gone. The inserted fireplace (0.77m wide, 0.6m deep) in the southeast wall has a rectangular opening that is much rebuilt. At the north end of the southeast wall is a curved passageway leading to a steeply descending spiral stairs giving access to the mural chamber at mezzanine level in the east wall (see below). In the south corner is a curving passageway whose base is now below floor level. The end of the passageway is closed by a wooden door that gives access to the house beyond. The passageway shows evidence of rebuilding/modification that may be consequent of differing floor levels between the building the tower was originally attached to and the subsequent rebuilt house. The mural chamber (5.3m x 1.4m) in the southeast wall at mezzanine (see above) is covered by a bluntly pointed wicker-centred vault (axis northwest-southeast). The chamber is lit by two slit windows, the southern one now blocked-up. A linteled wall press is located near south end of the inside wall with most of wall plaster intact. The present roof of the southern end of this chamber is concrete (below the level of the vault). The third floor chamber (4.8m x 5.07m) is covered by a bluntly pointed vault. The side walls are formed by sloping sides of vault and is featureless. In centre of northeast and southwast walls is a recess, rectangular in profile. The northern one has an upward-sloping bed and square-set sides. The roof appears to be sloping edge-to-edge stones like the head of a mural stairs. The recess in the S wall is more square-set, like a fireplace opening, but with an upward sloping hole (as if feeding a smoke hole). At this level is a door with two-centred pointed arch, gives access from the spiral stairs to mural garderobe chamber (5.8m x 0.86m) in the northwest wall. What may be original iron brackets to hang door set into wall inside on east side; also draw-bar sockets. The chamber is roofed by lintels and lit by a window mid-way along in its outside wall. The window embrasure is linteled and has a single flat-headed light. At south end the chamber widens to accommodate the garderobe itself. The upper surround for the seat does not survive and the shaft is now a rectangular opening in the floor. Here is a wall press in the inside wall and a slit window in the outside wall. The fourth floor chamber (5.16m x 5.94m) is entered by a door with a two-centred pointed arch, from the spiral stairs. The chamber is lit by a central window in each wall, it has an inserted fireplace in the southeast wall and has five wall presses. The four windows all appear to h

• CO026-089002 Country house
  Description

  A complex of buildings stretching south-east of and attached to the tower house (CO ). (see: https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/20805026/blackwater-castle-castlewidenham-county-cork). The core of the house is 17th/18th century but was extensively remodelled c. 1825, however this appears to incorporate walling dating from the medieval period. There are also modern additions and refurbishments making the entire complex a multi-period ensemble. A painting of 1790 (Laffan 2006, 41) shows the house before the 19th century rebuilding. This shows a group of four gable-ended buildings standing inside the curtain wall of the castle, the largest one attached to the tower house; the scar of this building is still evident on the south-east face of the tower and on the side of the main entrance block. This shows that the present main block of the house is narrower than the house shown in the painting. The northwest wall (thickness 1.7m) and part of its southwest wall (thickness 1.4m) of the 19th century main block probably incorporate the core of that early building. The north-west corner of the projecting entrance block has a graceful base batter to an exceptionally thick (1.7m) wall of later medieval appearance, indicating that the current tower house was probably part of a complex of buildings of that period. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 23 December 2019

• CO026-089003 Designed landscape - belvedere
  Description

  This belvedere is referred to in the 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork - vol. 4 North Cork' (2000, 530-31) under the entry (no. 14353) for a tower house (CO026-089001-). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

• CO026-089004 Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle
  Description

  Located at the point of a high triangular limestone promontory formed by sharp bend in Awbeg River which borders the promontory from NE clockwise to SW. The promontory is the site of an inland promontory fort (CO026-199----).The castle is much reduced from its original form and what survives is incorporated into the complex of later buildings that range in date from the later medieval period through to the 20thcentury. At SE end of main building range of country house (CO026-089002-) is a circular tower, c. 6m high with low (1.3m high) steep base batter. Tower mostly encased by later masonry of uncertain date, and abutted to W and NW by modern extensions to house; some masonry of the tower is visible within the extension. South face of tower has a tall narrow slit ope, now blocked, that has appearance of a 13th century arrow loop. On east side of tower core of wall visible where facing stones are gone. Here the voussoirs of an arch survive, probably over an original window or arrow loop. Close to this feature the wall is pierced high-up by modern window with a wooden frame. Tower now topped by stone masonry battlemented platform of 19th century appearance with concrete floor, which sits squarely on the circular tower. Stone masonry building (Width 3.7m), also probably 19th century, extends c. 9m to SE. Flat concrete roof to this forms a viewing platform. Both platforms accessed from north by series of stone steps. Original external diameter of circular tower estimated at c. 5-6m. Interior inaccessible but owner recalls from memory that interior diameter is c. 2-2.5m. At 4.5m NE of the tower a section of wall (1.27m thick) begins which runs northwards for 9.7m. This probably remains of a curtain wall, contemporary with the circular tower, but its relationship with the tower is obscured by the later buildings mentioned above. At its southern end the wall stand close to its original height of c. 4m. Here a corbelled-out machicolation projects overhead. Further north the wall is reduced in height with mock battlements added, and then peters out. Some 20m further north along the cliff edge, is a similar wall on roughly the same line (length c. 26m). Due to terracing in the 19th century this wall now acts as a retaining wall (internal height 0.5m; external height 5.2m) but originally formed the east wall of a rectangular masonry structure. This is likely part of the basement or under-croft of a two-storey building, probably the castle hall. At its southern end is a garderobe tower with an open central shaft (1.2m x 1.2m). At 14.5m and again at 18.2m north of the garderobe shaft the internal arches of two window embrasures can be seen just above ground level. Corresponding with these, on the outer face, are two inserted flat-headed window lights, later medieval in character. Beyond this the wall turns westwards for 9.3m, then northwards again for a further 37m. Again here the wall, which appears to be heavily rebuilt in places, acts as a retaining wall for a terrace above and below. Originally along this run of wall from the circular tower it probably stood above a steep precipice but remodelling of the ground in the 19th century has changed the contour of the ground. At the end of this run the wall turns sharply to the southwest and runs for a further 28m to a 19th century courtyard gateway. The external angle, where the wall turns to the southwest, is protected by an added semi-circular tower of late medieval appearance with musket loops in its upper level. This is accessed by a flight of steps from with the enclosure. This southwest run of wall (height 4.5m; thickness 1.8m) stands on level ground though completely obscured by later buildings on its northwest face. The wall on the far side of the gateway is of 19th century appearance though it may incorporate elements of the 13th century curtain wall. Though fragmentary what survives indicates this is the remains of an early 13th century castle, similar to nearby castles of roughly the same date at Glanworth (Manning 2010) and Buttevant (Cotter 2013). All three have a similar siting standing above a steep cliff-face overlooking an important crossing point on a tributary of the Blackwater River. This castle, known as Duncroth, was probably built by the fitz Hugh brothers who came into possession of this portion of the cantred of Fermoy in the late 12th century and had their caput or chief castle here (McCotter 1997). The brothers left no direct male heir and the lands eventually passed through marriage to the Roches who ruled from here into the 17th century. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 23 December 2019

• CO026-106 Cave
  Description

  On E side of Awbeg River limestone gorge, S of Castletownroche. One of three caves (9808, 9809) investigated in 1938 and 1940 (Gwynn et al. 1942); listed by Dowd (1997, 31) as 'Cave lll'. Small cave near top of scarp (see plan: ibid., 34, fig. 3.10). Low chamber (L c. 4m-4.5m; Wth c. 1m-1.5m; H c. 1m) with entrance facing NNE; hole in roof at E end through which earth and rocks had fallen; two tunnels (A and B) ran into S side of cliff from chamber. West end of chamber and tunnel A were opened. Excavation produced recent fauna, human bones and teeth, probably from three individuals, burnt bone, charcoal and a silver demi-franc of 1597. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

• CO026-199 Promontory fort - inland
  Description

  A triangular promontory located on the west side of a bend in the river Awbeg. The promontory is defined by a steep-sided wooded cliff, rising above the flood plain of the river from north clockwise to south-west, the point of the triangle pointing south-east. The outline of a ditch (width c. 5.4m; depth c. 0.4m) appears to cut-off the promontory, running north from the southern cliff-face for c. 90m before turning at a shallow angle to the north-north-east for c. 125m to the northern cliff face; this latter section is barely evident on the ground as a scarped edge. The area enclosed measures c. 300m north-west to south-east and has a maximum width south-west to north-east of c. 200m. The line of the outer later medieval bawn of the castle (CO026-089001-; CO026-089004- & CO026-085----) appears to follow the line of the fort’s defenses. According to Power (1932, 111) the pre-Norman name for this site was Dún Cruadha. Ō Murchadha (1988, 206) identifies this as a stronghold of the Uí Laoghaire, who controlled this area before the arrival of the Normans. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 23 December 2019

Architectural heritage

• Blackwater Castle, country house, 1450–1830 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached former country house comprising medieval tower house altered and extended in eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, now in use as hotel. Four-storey tower house, built c.1475, with two-storey over basement country house proper gradually added to south-east. Garden elevation comprises eight-bay block and slightly lower three-bay block, all provided with castellated parapets. Entrance front reveals more of history of building. Comprises three-bay block next to tower house having half-octagonal single-storey porch, all built c.1790, with castellations and corner turrets. Next is slightly advanced six-bay block, south-east half being slightly lower and corresponding to lower three bays of garden elevation. Multiple-bay single-storey outbuilding to south-east. Later blocks are c. 1825. Stepped battlements to tower house. Tooled limestone castellations to garden elevation having panel details and supported on moulded corbelling, with more elaborate pointed arch corbel table to eight-bay part and to three bays of entrance front next to tower house. Corner turrets to garden elevation. Painted rendered castellations to entrance elevation. Rendered walls to garden elevation and entrance elevation of block next to tower house. Coursed limestone rubble walls elsewhere, battered to north-west gable end of garden elevation and visible north-west gable end of middle block of entrance elevation. Tower house has square-headed mullioned two-light windows and loop windows, and pointed arch doorway with replacement timber door, set into chamfered limestone doorway set into square-headed chamfered limestone recess, approached by flight of limestone steps. Square-headed window openings to country house proper, having moulded render label-mouldings and replacement timber casement windows, with limestone sills. Lancet windows with replacement timber frames flank doorway to porch. Tudor arch doorway to porch having moulded render surround and double-leaf timber panelled door. Round-headed doorway to garden elevation middle block, with chamfered limestone surround, hood-moulding and replacement glazed timber doors, with limestone step. Square-headed door opening to garden elevation having render label-moulding and replacement glazed timber door, with flight of limestone steps. Some cast-iron boundary fencing. Courtyard of outbuildings to north.

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

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.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of this parcel.

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.

Download this parcel: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its neighbours and buildings, for a drawing program; GeoJSON, in WGS 84, for a map; KML, for Google Earth.

Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. A parcel is the land of a title, not an address. The owner's name is in the Land Registry of Tailte Éireann: a copy of the folio can be ordered on landdirect.ie, for a fee.