Inishkeel
Townland in the civil parish of Inishkeel, barony of Boylagh, Co. Donegal; in Irish Inis Caoil
- Area
- 32.8 ha
- 81 acres
- Land parcels
- 4
- registered freehold, median 43,503 m² (4.35 ha, 10.75 acres)
- Zoning
- —
- not in a zoned settlement
- Planning
- 0
- applications since 2010
Land parcels
Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann
4 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Inishkeel, from 2,400 m² (0.24 ha, 0.59 acres) to 235,900 m² (23.59 ha, 58.29 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 0 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
No zone of a development plan covers Inishkeel 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.
Planning applications
Sites that touch the townland, newest first
No planning application touches the townland of Inishkeel 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.
Nature and heritage
Designated sites and recorded monuments
Designated sites
- Special Area of Conservation: West of Ardara/Maas Road SAC 000197
- Special Protection Area: Inishkeel SPA 004116
- Proposed Natural Heritage Area: West Of Ardara/Maas Road 000197
Recorded monuments
- DG064-003001 Graveyard
Description
A modern subrectangular stone-walled graveyard encloses two medieval churches, St Mary’s (DG064-003002-) and St. Connell’s (DG064-003006-), a fragment of a high cross (DG064-003008-), four cross slabs (DG064-003004-; DG064-003005-; DG064-0030009-; DG064-003010-) and a graveslab (DG064-003007-). Another cross-slab (DG064-003003-) is now missing. This complex of monuments, a National Monument in state ownership (No. 658), is located on the E side of Inishkeel Island in good pasture land. This small island which lies in a sheltered spot c. 500m offshore is accessible on foot at low tide. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008
- DG064-003002 Church
Description
Located within a graveyard (DG064-003001-) which encloses two medieval churches, St Mary’s (DG064-003002-) and St. Connell’s (DG064-003006-), a fragment of a high cross (DG064-003008-), four cross slabs (DG064-003004-; DG064-003005-; DG064-0030009-; DG064-003010-) and a graveslab (DG064-003007-). Another cross-slab (DG064-003003-) is now missing. This complex of monuments, a National Monument in state ownership (No. 658), is located on the E side of Inishkeel Island in good pasture land. This small island which lies in a sheltered spot c. 500m offshore is accessible on foot at low tide. ST. MARY'S CHURCH (DG064-003002-): The church consisting of nave and chancel is built of rubble with grit-stone dressings. The fabric testifies to two distinct building periods, the nave being a medieval later rebuilding onto an earlier 13th century chancel. The latter is 3.9m wide by 6.6m in maximum length internally. The S wall with E return and W half of the N wall survive almost to full height. Only the quoins of the SE corner, with its three-quarter round shaft rising to a corbel stone, remains; the NE corner has fallen away. The E window has likewise fallen but the surviving fragments of moulded architrave which completely framed the window interior, indicate a splaying opening with plunging sill. Numerous other moulded dressings including two capitals, undoubtedly coeval in date, have been reused in the walling of the medieval nave, mostly in the upper courses of the S wall. Many can be readily identified as forming part of responds and an arch, and their profiles indicate an early 13th century date for the chancel (for profiles and discussion, see Waterman 1964, 134-5). The S wall of the chancel has a narrow window with semicircular head, wide splays and partly collapsed semi-circular rear-arch. The width of the window was reduced by the addition of a skin of masonry against the E ingoing, the interior section of which has been rebuilt in modern times. A partly collapsed buttress supports the S wall. Only the S wall of the rebuilt nave, 9.1m by 5.1m internally stands almost at full height; the W and N walls being represented by the lower courses. The S door has a pointed head, draw-bar socket and segmental rear-arch. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008
- DG064-003004 Cross-slab
Description
Located within a graveyard (DG064-003001-) which encloses two medieval churches, St Mary’s (DG064-003002-) and St. Connell’s (DG064-003006-), a fragment of a high cross (DG064-003008-), four cross slabs (DG064-003004-; DG064-003005-; DG064-0030009-; DG064-003010-) and a graveslab (DG064-003007-). Another cross-slab (DG064-003003-) is now missing. This complex of monuments, a National Monument in state ownership (No. 658), is located on the E side of Inishkeel Island in good pasture land. This small island which lies in a sheltered spot c. 500m offshore is accessible on foot at low tide. This cross-slab (DG064-003004-) is located in the interior of St. Mary's Church (DG064-003002-). The top left corner is broken off and missing. The remainder is in two conjoining parts. The slab is .96m × 0.85m × 0.03m. A Maltese' cross with a central circle decorates the slab. There is a narrow groove along each side of the slab and a zig-zag inset from a groove along the top. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008
- DG064-003005 Cross-slab
Description
Located within a graveyard (DG064-003001-) which encloses two medieval churches, St Mary’s (DG064-003002-) and St. Connell’s (DG064-003006-), a fragment of a high cross (DG064-003008-), four cross slabs (DG064-003004-; DG064-003005-; DG064-0030009-; DG064-003010-) and a graveslab (DG064-003007-). Another cross-slab (DG064-003003-) is now missing. This complex of monuments, a National Monument in state ownership (No. 658), is located on the E side of Inishkeel Island in good pasture land. This small island which lies in a sheltered spot c. 500m offshore is accessible on foot at low tide. This cross-slab (DG064-003005-) is located immediately S of St. Mary's Church. It is 1.8m × 0.27m to .56m × 0.06m. It is decorated by a simple Latin cross, with bar terminals to three arms, quartering four incomplete concentric circles. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008
- DG064-003006 Church
Description
Located within a graveyard (DG064-003001-) which encloses two medieval churches, St Mary’s (DG064-003002-) and St. Connell’s (DG064-003006-), a fragment of a high cross (DG064-003008-), four cross slabs (DG064-003004-; DG064-003005-; DG064-0030009-; DG064-003010-) and a graveslab (DG064-003007-). Another cross-slab (DG064-003003-) is now missing. This complex of monuments, a National Monument in state ownership (No. 658), is located on the E side of Inishkeel Island in good pasture land. This small island which lies in a sheltered spot c. 500m offshore is accessible on foot at low tide. ST. CONNELL'S CHURCH (DG064-003006-): The ruins of this church, 15m by 5.15m internally, are built of rubble with ashlar quoins and grit-stone dressings and testify to a number of different building periods. The E gable, almost at full height and with distinctive base-batter, is lit by a narrow rectangular lintelled window, 1.6m high by .15m splaying to 1.25m on the interior. Though the moulded jambs, sill and scontions are of grit-stone, the lintel is a simple flag; the whole may have been rebuilt. The S wall c. 2m high has a battered buttress-like addition of equal height on the exterior E half of the wall; a break in the masonry at the E end may indicate the position of an initial angle buttress, the western section subsequently added to support the S wall. The interior face shows many signs of rebuilding. The three single-light windows have similar moulded jambs; the W has a simple lancet head, the central window a trefoil head and the original head of the E window has been replaced by a reused double-chamfered voussoir. The windows are of 14th century character; no rear-arches survive. The chamfered jambs of the pointed door at the W end of the S wall are weathered, and the splayed ingoings are without rear-arch. The W gable is featureless and only the E and W returns of the N wall survive. Some moulded fragments from the east church, St. Mary's, and the sill of a single-light window form part of the low, rectangular altar-like platform reconstructed at the E end of this church for the laying of St. Connell's memorial plaque in 1967. The large flag with central hole is known to have been regarded as a healing stone. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September
- DG064-003007 Graveslab
Description
Located within a graveyard (DG064-003001-) which encloses two medieval churches, St Mary’s (DG064-003002-) and St. Connell’s (DG064-003006-), a fragment of a high cross (DG064-003008-), four cross slabs (DG064-003004-; DG064-003005-; DG064-0030009-; DG064-003010-) and a graveslab (DG064-003007-). Another cross-slab (DG064-003003-) is now missing. This complex of monuments, a National Monument in state ownership (No. 658), is located on the E side of Inishkeel Island in good pasture land. This small island which lies in a sheltered spot c. 500m offshore is accessible on foot at low tide. This grave slab (dg064-003007-) is located immediately S of St. Connell's Church. It is broken transversely and part of it does not survive. The original dimensions were c. 1.83m × c. O.75mx .095m. The decoration depicts a crucifixion scene, Christ with outstretched arms clad in a long robe. His feet are out-turned and possibly shoe-clad. A six legged animal and two swans are located above the left arm while a similar animal and one swan appear above the right arm. An angel and a human figure holding a spear-like object appear under each arm but the left side is partially missing. A band which surrounds Christ is formed into a combined spiral and triquetra design under the feet of the two adjoining figures. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008
- DG064-003008 Cross - High cross
Description
Located within a graveyard (DG064-003001-) which encloses two medieval churches, St Mary’s (DG064-003002-) and St. Connell’s (DG064-003006-), a fragment of a high cross (DG064-003008-), four cross slabs (DG064-003004-; DG064-003005-; DG064-0030009-; DG064-003010-) and a graveslab (DG064-003007-). Another cross-slab (DG064-003003-) is now missing. This complex of monuments, a National Monument in state ownership (No. 658), is located on the E side of Inishkeel Island in good pasture land. This small island which lies in a sheltered spot c. 500m offshore is accessible on foot at low tide. This fragment (1.21m × .46m × .095m) of a cross was recorded by Harbison (2002, 99) as follows: 'Among the interesting remains on the island of Inishkeel, off Portnoo, there is one fragment of a cross. It is 1.25m high, 47cm wide and 9cm deep. On its east face it bears a panel of broad interlace, framed by raised moulding at the edges. The stump of a segment of the ring can be seen at the top of the south side. The back is undecorated, but it has a vertical reveal 6cm wide and between 2 and 3cm deep at each side.' Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 6 March 2019
- DG064-003009 Cross-slab
Description
Located within a graveyard (DG064-003001-) which encloses two medieval churches, St Mary’s (DG064-003002-) and St. Connell’s (DG064-003006-), a fragment of a high cross (DG064-003008-), four cross slabs (DG064-003004-; DG064-003005-; DG064-0030009-; DG064-003010-) and a graveslab (DG064-003007-). Another cross-slab (DG064-003003-) is now missing. This complex of monuments, a National Monument in state ownership (No. 658), is located on the E side of Inishkeel Island in good pasture land. This small island which lies in a sheltered spot c. 500m offshore is accessible on foot at low tide. A portable cross-slab (DG064-003009-) .85m × 0.59m × 0.065m is erected on an altar constructed against the E interior wall of St. Connell's church. This altar was rebuilt in 1967 but its main feature, a perforated slab, is shown in the same position on the Robert Welch photo-graphs in the Ulster Museum (W04/01/9 and 10). The cross-slab is not evident in these photographs taken in the early part of this century. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008
- DG064-003010 Cross-slab
Description
Located within a graveyard (DG064-003001-) which encloses two medieval churches, St Mary’s (DG064-003002-) and St. Connell’s (DG064-003006-), a fragment of a high cross (DG064-003008-), four cross slabs (DG064-003004-; DG064-003005-; DG064-0030009-; DG064-003010-) and a graveslab (DG064-003007-). Another cross-slab (DG064-003003-) is now missing. This complex of monuments, a National Monument in state ownership (No. 658), is located on the E side of Inishkeel Island in good pasture land. This small island which lies in a sheltered spot c. 500m offshore is accessible on foot at low tide. This slab (DG064-003010-) (1.2m × 0.47m × 0.09m) is finely decorated on both sides. A continuous band outlines a cross with expanding limbs on the E face. It is filled-in with single band interlace design. Two figure resembling those on the Drumhallagh Cross (DG028-018001-) flank either side of the bottom of the cross. Beneath the cross, two monk-like figures with extended arms bow their heads over an 'altar'. On the W face there is a similar cross. Flanking either side of the top of the cross is a swan and a figure similar to those on the E face. Beneath the cross a horse is depicted drawing a wheeled vehicle. Vague forms, possibly human, can be seen on top of the wheel. The scene is similar to that on the E face of the pedestal of the Cross of the Scriptures at Clonmacnoise. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008
- DG064-003011 Cross-slab
Description
Located within a graveyard (DG064-003001-) which encloses two medieval churches, St Mary’s (DG064-003002-) and St. Connell’s (DG064-003006-), a fragment of a high cross (DG064-003008-), four cross slabs (DG064-003004-; DG064-003005-; DG064-0030009-; DG064-003010-) and a graveslab (DG064-003007-). Another cross-slab (DG064-003003-) is now missing. This complex of monuments, a National Monument in state ownership (No. 658), is located on the E side of Inishkeel Island in good pasture land. This small island which lies in a sheltered spot c. 500m offshore is accessible on foot at low tide. This record refers to a cross-slab known to have been on Inishkeel in 1932, when it was photographed by Henry Wheeler. Its current whereabouts are unknown. It consisted of a broken slab, roughly square in shape (c. 0.3m by c. 0.3m; T c. 0.07m) with an incised cross with decorative expanded terminals on one face, and on the opposing face, a possible cross consisting of an interlace design expanding from three parallel grooves (Lacy et al. 1983, 271, plates 45 & 46). Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 6 March 2019
- DG064-025 Mine
Description
'Mine Well' marked at the S edge of Inishkeel Island on the OS 1907 ed. of the OS 6-inch map.
Architectural heritage
No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Inishkeel.
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 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 Inishkeel.
- 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 Inishkeel with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Donegal.
The townland
- Name
- Inishkeel · Inis Caoil
- Area
- 328,029 m² (32.8 ha, 81.06 acres)
- Civil parish
- Inishkeel, and its townlands
- Barony
- Boylagh
- Electoral division
- Maas, the unit of the census
- Census 2022
- Maas electoral division: 272 people in 104 households; 86% of households own their home; 28% of homes were built since 2001; 10% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 39% were holiday homes.
- Placenames
- Inishkeel 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.