# Melmore, Co. Donegal: townland, land parcels and planning

Townland in the civil parish of Mevagh, barony of Kilmacrenan, Co. Donegal; in Irish An Meall Mór.

- Area (Tailte Éireann): 1,609,516 m² (160.95 ha, 397.72 acres)
- Land parcels (Tailte Éireann): 18 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in it, median 9,793 m² (0.98 ha, 2.42 acres)
- Zoning (national zoning, MyPlan): not in a zoned settlement
- Planning (National Planning Applications): 4 applications since 2010
- Civil parish: Mevagh, https://everytownland.com/donegal/parish/mevagh.md
- Barony: Kilmacrenan
- Electoral division: Rosguill, the unit of the census
- Census 2022 (Central Statistics Office): 856 people lived in 321 households in the Rosguill electoral division. 77% of households owned their home. 31% of homes were built since 2001. 5% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 58% were holiday homes.
- County: Co. Donegal, https://everytownland.com/donegal.md
- Gaeltacht: in an Irish-speaking area
- Placenames Database of Ireland: https://www.logainm.ie/en/16067
- Townland number at Tailte Éireann: 52037
- Centre: latitude 55.24517, longitude -7.796133 (WGS 84)

## Land parcels (registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann)

18 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Melmore, from 961 m² to 264,383 m² (26.44 ha, 65.33 acres); 6 neighbouring parcels touch its boundary. Largest first:

- Parcel 1406935: 264,383 m² (26.44 ha, 65.33 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1406935.md
- Parcel 1413141: 262,503 m² (26.25 ha, 64.87 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1413141.md
- Parcel 1301912: 206,641 m² (20.66 ha, 51.06 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1301912.md
- Parcel 1424347: 199,990 m² (20 ha, 49.42 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1424347.md
- Parcel 1310197: 173,908 m² (17.39 ha, 42.97 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1310197.md
- Parcel 1422099: 162,754 m² (16.28 ha, 40.22 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1422099.md
- Parcel 1335284: 148,568 m² (14.86 ha, 36.71 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1335284.md
- Parcel 1330781: 130,335 m² (13.03 ha, 32.21 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1330781.md
- Parcel 1332600: 13,968 m² (1.4 ha, 3.45 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1332600.md
- Parcel 1410963: 5,618 m² (0.56 ha, 1.39 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1410963.md
- Parcel 1522562: 5,267 m² (0.53 ha, 1.3 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1522562.md
- Parcel 5824985: 3,472 m² (0.35 ha, 0.86 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/5824985.md
- Parcel 1315623: 1,882 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/1315623.md
- Parcel 1393423: 1,797 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/1393423.md
- Parcel 1327235: 1,159 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/1327235.md
- Parcel 1375260: 1,016 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/1375260.md
- Parcel 1332190: 980 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/1332190.md
- Parcel 3658518: 961 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/3658518.md

## Zoning (national zoning of development plans, MyPlan)

No zone of a development plan covers Melmore in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply to each application.

## Planning applications whose site touches the townland (National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

4 applications, newest first.

- 24 Nov 2025, Donegal County Council 2562050: Conditional. Retention. (1) STEEL FRAMED STORAGE SHED, (2) INSTALLATION OF EXISTING SEPTIC TANK IN NEW LOCATION SERVING EXISTING VACANT DERELICT DWELLING, (3) ACCESS LANEWAY TO UPPER SITE, (4) CONCRETE SURFACING ONTO LOWER SLOPE OF EXISTING LANEWAY, (5) VISITOR’S CAR PARK WITH ASSOCIATED SIGNAGE, VEHICLE BARRIERS AND GATE, (6) 2 NO. PORTALOOS LOCATED IN VISITOR’S CAR PARK AND (7) SITE OFFICE AND PERMISSION FOR (1) INSTALLATION OF A NEW ON-SITE FOUL WASTE SECONDARY TREATMENT TANK WITH PUMP STATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF A TERTIARY REED BED AND DISCHARGE WETLAND AREA, (2) CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ENTRANCE WALLS AND PILLARS WITH A NEW REPLACEMENT GATE TO EXISTING ENTRANCE SERVING EXISTING COTTAGE AND (3) ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/DonegalCC/AppFileRefDetails/2562050/0
- 8 Feb 2022, Donegal County Council 2250184: Conditional. Permission, 1 home. DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DWELLING HOUSE AND CONSTRUCTION OF REPLACEMENT DWELLING WITH ALL ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/DonegalCC/AppFileRefDetails/2250184/0
- 15 Dec 2021, Donegal County Council 2152516: N/a. Permission, 1 home. DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DWELLING AND ERECTION OF A REPLACEMENT DWELLING HOUSE WITH ALL ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/DonegalCC/AppFileRefDetails/2152516/0
- 16 Mar 2020, Donegal County Council 2050367: Unconditional. Extension of duration. DEVELOPMENT AT MELMORE CARAVAN PARK CONSISTING OF (A) INSTALLATION OF AN EFFLUENT HOLDING TANK WITH PUMP STATION (B) CONSTRUCTION OF A REEDBED AND WETLAND AREA AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/DonegalCC/AppFileRefDetails/2050367/0

Applicants are not shown.

## Designated sites (National Parks and Wildlife Service)

- Special Area of Conservation: Tranarossan and Melmore Lough SAC, site code 000194, https://www.npws.ie/protected-sites/sac/000194
- Special Area of Conservation: Mulroy Bay SAC, site code 002159, https://www.npws.ie/protected-sites/sac/002159
- Special Protection Area: Horn Head to Fanad Head SPA, site code 004194, https://www.npws.ie/protected-sites/spa/004194
- Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Tranarossan And Melmore Lough, site code 000194

## Recorded monuments (Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service)

- DG007-004: Promontory fort - coastal, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CDG007-004----. The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email NMarchive@housing.gov.ie.
- DG008-027: Signal tower, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CDG008-027----. Situated on a moderate slope that descends to the N before reaching steep slopes and cliffs to the E (48m OD). The surrounding area consists of open rough pasture with a collapsed stock-control rubble wall running close to the steep slopes and cliffs to the N, E and W. The site has unobstructed views in all directions except to the S, where the rising ground blocks the view. This signal tower was original built to be intervisible from the signal towers at Horn Head (DG023-005----), now partially collapsed, located c. 12.8kms to the WSW; and the site of signal tower at Fanad Head (DG009-012----), now demolished and replaced by a lighthouse, which is located 10.1kms to the ENE. Site lies c. 100m to the S of a promontory fort (DG008-030----), which is located at the tip of Melmore Head. Originally a two-storey square-plan signal tower (ext. dims. 5.8m N-S x 5.8m E-W) constructed of rubble stone masonry. The signal tower is now collapsed and consists mainly of foundations with a small section of intact wall surviving along the W side, and a slightly more intact section of wall surviving to the E side. The outer face of the surviving W section of the wall features a pronounced batter. At the S of the W portions of the foundations, small rubble stone buttresses have been built up against the outer wall face. A narrow pillar of stonework extends upwards from the middle of the E wall, which appears to be the remains of the pillar between two ground floor windows. The rest of the base of the signal tower is concealed by a dense spread of rubble stone. The rubble from the collapsed signal tower is present on all sides of the tower base. It extends furthest to the N suggesting the signal tower collapsed in that direction, falling down the slope. A small section of mortared brick work is visible amongst the collapsed rubble. The signal tower is located in the centre of a rectangular rubble stone enclosure. The enclosure wall is largely collapsed. The low foundations of two small rectangular buildings are located within the enclosure, one against the SE corner, the other against the SW corner. The foundation in the SE corner of the enclosure consists of grassed-over wall footings with frequent visible stonework (int. dims. 7m x 1.45m). This building is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, surveyed 1834-6, suggesting the building may have been occupied at the same time as the signal tower. The building in the SW corner of the enclosure consists of a grassed over earthen bank with frequent protruding stones (int. dims. 3.35m x 1.7m). This building is not shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map suggesting the building was possibly a later addition to the site. The SE and SW corners of the enclosure are connected to the long stock-control wall, which runs off for a considerable distance to the SE and SW. The signal tower was part of a system of over 80 signal stations constructed by the British Board of Ordnance in the first decade of the 19th century to warn of the approach of a French invasion fleet. Signalling between sites was accomplished using a naval signal post. The system formed a continuous chain from Dublin Bay running clockwise all the way around the coast to Malin Head in County Donegal. It was abandoned by the mid-1810s when the threat of a French invasion diminished (Kerrigan 1995, 157-66). Compiled by: Stuart Rathbone Date of upload: 13/08/21 Images: DG008-027----.01.jpg View from N DG008-027----.02.jpg View of the E wall from W DG008-027----.03.jpg View of N elevation from S DG008-027----.04.jpg NE corner from NW DG008-027----.05.jpg SE corner from SW DG008-027----.06.jpg SW corner from SW DG008-027----.07.jpg W elevation DG008-027----.08.jpg Remains of building to SE from N. DG008-027----.09.jpg Remains of building to the SW from N DG008-027----.10.jpg Remains of building to the SW from NE DG008-027----.11.jpg Remains of enclosure wall to S DG008-027----.12.jpg Field wall to site
- DG008-030: Promontory fort - coastal, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CDG008-030----. The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email NMarchive@housing.gov.ie.
- DG008-032: Promontory fort - coastal, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CDG008-032----. The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email NMarchive@housing.gov.ie.

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).

## Architectural heritage (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage)

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

## Ground and risks (Radon Risk Map of Ireland, EPA; Landslide Susceptibility Classification and LiDAR, Geological Survey Ireland)

- Radon: at the centre of the townland of Melmore, about 1 in 5 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home: https://www.epa.ie/environment-and-you/radon/radon-testing/#d.en.82887
- Landslides: The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as high, moderately high, moderately low, low, partly inferred. Parts of the land are water.
- Terrain model: no LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Melmore.
- Flooding: the flood maps of the Office of Public Works, https://www.floodinfo.ie/map/floodmaps/, linked only: their licence does not allow re-use.

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.

## Downloads

- DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings, for a drawing program: https://everytownland.com/donegal/melmore.dxf
- GeoJSON, in WGS 84, for a map: https://everytownland.com/donegal/melmore.geojson
- KML, for Google Earth: https://everytownland.com/donegal/melmore.kml

## Homes sold (Residential Property Price Register)

No address of the register names Melmore with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Donegal: https://everytownland.com/donegal.md

## Neighbouring townlands (National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann)

- Gortnalughoge: https://everytownland.com/donegal/gortnalughoge.md

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.

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Everytownland reads the registered freehold land and the statutory boundaries of Tailte Éireann, the national zoning, planning file and heritage records of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Residential Property Price Register. 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; this site names no owner. A price is the price recorded for a past sale, not a valuation.

Sources: Cadastral Parcels Freehold, Townlands, Civil Parishes, Baronies, Electoral Divisions and Buildings, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0; national zoning of development plans (GZT, MyPlan) and National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0, applicants not shown; designated sites, National Parks and Wildlife Service, CC BY 4.0; Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service, CC BY 4.0; National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, CC BY 4.0; Residential Property Price Register, Property Services Regulatory Authority, re-used with the source acknowledged.

- Page: https://everytownland.com/donegal/melmore
- In JSON: https://everytownland.com/api/townland/donegal/melmore