Earlspark

178 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Earlspark, from 6 m² to 447,036 m² (44.7 ha, 110.46 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 30 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings; GeoJSON or KML.

• P1Agriculture
  Loughrea Local Area Plan 2024-2030, Galway · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• N6Public Utility (Other networks and basic infrastructure/utilities uses)
  Loughrea Local Area Plan 2024-2030, Galway · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R2Residential Existing (Existing residential)
  Loughrea Local Area Plan 2024-2030, Galway · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• N1.5Transport Infrastructure (Mixed/general transport uses)
  Loughrea Local Area Plan 2024-2030, Galway · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

• 23 Jul 2026Conditional

  for the conversion of the attached garage to habitable space and change of roof pitch, installation of a domestic shed/garage. Planning permission is also sought the construction of a treatment unit and percolation area and the decommissioning of the existing septic tank and all associated site services

  Retention, 1 home · Galway County Council, 2661258

• 31 Aug 2025Conditional

  for the constructed (a) dwelling house, (b) attached garage and (c) all associated site services

  Retention, 1 home · Galway County Council, 2561223

• 21 Aug 2025Conditional

  for the construction of a new dwelling house, domestic garage, sewage treatment system, and all associated site development works

  Permission, 1 home · Galway County Council, 2561160

• 9 Mar 2022Conditional

  for the construction of a new dwelling house, domestic garage, sewage treatment plant and percolation area, along with all associated works. Gross floor space of proposed works: 212.7 sqm (house) & 45 sqm (garage)

  Permission, 1 home · Galway County Council, 22315

• 20 Sept 2019N/a

  for the demolition of existing sub-standard dwelling house and the construction of a new dwelling house, domestic garage, treatment unit, percolation area, site access, landscaping and all associated site services. A Natura Impact Statement has been prepared as part of this planning application. Gross floor space of proposed works: Dwelling House - 685.9 sqm, Garage - 135.8 sqm

  Permission, 1 home · Galway County Council, 191465

• 26 Jul 2018Conditional

  a) retention of domestic garage with utility and loft for secure storage of music equipment, and b). a ground and first floor extension to front and side of existing dwelling previously granted under planning ref no. 00/4606 and all associated site development works. Gross floor space of proposed works 243.5sqm, Gross floor space of work to be retained 152.9sqm.

  Permission, 1 home · Galway County Council, 181056

• 28 Jun 2018Conditional

  of extension/alterations to residential development granted under Planning Ref. No. 00/1749. Gross floor area 317m2

  Retention, 1 home · Galway County Council, 18889

• 8 Sept 2017Conditional

  for 1) Changes to elevations including door & window styles, material finishes, widening of existing openings, and changes to doors & windows previously granted under Pl. Ref. No's 00/1211 & 08/834. 2) Changes to the internal layout, 3) Demolition of the existing chimney stack and internal wall on the ground floor and demolition of existing internal wall at first floor level, 4) Construction of a new chimney stack, 5) Construction of 2 x no. window seat extensions to the front and all associated services. Gross floor space of proposed works 4.12sqm.

  Permission, 1 home · Galway County Council, 171343

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: Lough Rea SAC 000304
• Special Protection Area: Lough Rea SPA 004134
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Lough Rea 000304

Recorded monuments

• GA105-080 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  On a rise in undulating pastureland. This circular rath (diam. 49.6m), in fair condition, is defined by an inner bank (base Wth 1.9m; Wth across the top 1.25m; int. H 0.95m; ext. H 2.18m), intervening fosse (base Wth 1.9m) and an outer bank (base Wth 4.25m; Wth across the top 0.8m; int. H 1.58m; ext. 0.4m). Traces of internal stone-facing are visible on both banks. There is a causewayed entrance gap at E. A geophysical survey of the site revealed an inner fosse and what may be some buildings in the interior (Beglane 2014, 313-14). Beglane (ibid.) suggests that the rath may have been modified and reused when the high medieval deer park (GA105-236----) was established. Another rath (GA105-081----) lies c. 325m to the SW; there is an enclosure (GA105-208----) c. 95m to the S, a hillfort (GA105-205----) c. 75m to the W and a standing stone (GA105-237----) c. 460m to the SSW. (ASGAP 193:36A) Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 15 October 2020

• GA105-081 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  On a low esker ridge in undulating pastureland. This subcircular rath (20m N-S; 18.7m E-W) is defined by a bank (base Wth 4.15m; Wth across top 1.2m; int. H 0.1m; ext. H 0.98m) best preserved from S through W to N. There is a possible entrance gap at SSW. The interior is slightly raised. A section of the relict roadway from Loughrea to Dalystown, running NW-SE, skirts around the S limits of the site (Beglane 2014, 311). Another rath (GA105-080----) lies c. 325m to the NE and there is a hillfort (GA105-205----) c. 270m to the NNW and a standing stone (GA105-237----) c. 133m to the SSE. (ASGAP 193:37a) Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 15 October 2020

• GA105-082 Well
  Description

  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.

• GA105-083 Children's burial ground
  Description

  In undulating grassland adjacent to a spring well. This children's burial ground is defined by an unenclosed rectangular area (L 10.3m; Wth 9.7m) within which numerous haphazardly set stones mark graves. Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Date of upload: 30 August 2019

• GA105-084 Well
  Description

  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.

• GA105-086 Hillfort
  Description

  On the summit of a prominent hill (OD 520 ft), overlooking Lough Rea c. 1.3km to the NW. Aerial reconnaissance in February 1986 (ASGAP 267:8) revealed this poorly preserved roughly oval hillfort (c. 200m E-W; c. 150m N-S) which is defined by a bank (Wth across the top c. 1.5m; int. H c. 0.6m) from N to E and by a scarp from E to SE and from W to N; otherwise no visible surface trace of the enclosing element survives. Several modern field boundaries cut across the monument. A field system (GA105-087----) abuts it at NE. Beglan (2014, 313-14) suggests that the hillfort may have been reused as a 'secondary lodge' when the high medieval deer park (GA105-236----) was established. Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Updated by: Olive Alcock Date of revised upload: 15 October 2020

• GA105-087 Field system
  Description

  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.

• GA105-087001 Enclosure
  Description

  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.

• GA105-205 Hilltop enclosure
  Description

  On a hill summit in undulating pastureland, overlooking Lough Rea c. 1km to the W. Aerial reconnaissance in October 1984 (ASGAP 193:37a, 38a) revealed a poorly preserved subcircular enclosure (115m N-S; 100m E-W) defined by a low bank from NE through E to SSE and elsewhere by the natural scarp of the hill. A number of field boundaries running NNE-SSW, cut across the monument and another extends from its centre and runs in a WNW direction. The foundations of a circular hut site (GA105-205001-) occupy the centre of the monument, while the remains of a possible house (GA105-205002-) are visible in the S sector. A rath (GA105-080----) lies c. 70m to the E. Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Date of upload: 27 August 2019

• GA105-205001 Hut site
  Description

  A circular hut site is visible in the centre of the interior of the hillfort enclosure (GA105-205----) and a possible house site (GA105-205002-), rectangular in plan, is visible in the S sector. Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Date of upload: 27 August 2019

• GA105-205002 House - indeterminate date
  Description

  A circular hut site is visible in the centre of the interior of the hillfort enclosure (GA105-205----) and a possible house site (GA105-205002-), rectangular in plan, is visible in the S sector. Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Date of upload: 27 August 2019

• GA105-208 Enclosure
  Description

  In rough pastureland, almost in a hollow c. 80m to the S of a rath (GA105-080----). There is a pond c. 40m to the SSE. Aerial reconnaissance in November 1987 (ASGAP 375:74) revealed this small oval enclosure (21m N-S; 16.5m E-W) which is defined by a low earthen bank (Wth 3.5m; int. H 0.8m; ext. H 0.9m) best preserved from NE through S to W. The interior slopes gently to the S and a circular stone-filled hollow (diam. 5m) is visible towards its centre. Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Date of upload: 5 March 2019

• GA105-236 Deer park
  Description

  This high medieval deerpark is located on the SE shore of Lough Rea, c. 2km to the SE of Loughrea town (GA105-150----) and it occupies the townland of Earlspark. A detailed survey of it undertaken by Beglane (2014, 307-17) found that it dates to the 13th century and was established by the de Burghs, an Anglo-Norman family. Its boundary wall is coterminous with the townland boundary over its entire length. The enclosing wall is 7.4km long and, while much of it is of similar height to the surrounding field boundaries (1-1.6m), some sections of it survive to a height of 2.6m. In general, its base width is between 0.9m and 1m. In some places only one or two courses of the original wall remain, supplemented by more recent rebuilding. Of 193 surveyed locations, there were only 36 points at which no trace of the original walling survived. The wall, of double-face construction, is built of roughly coarsed mortared angular blocks of limestone with a mortared rubble core. Charcoal from a mortar sample provided a radiocarbon date of 1251-97 (cal AD UBA-18087), tying it in with the founding of the town in 1236 and the existence of the park noted in documentary sources dating to 1333 (ibid., 308-10). Access to the park was gained via gateways at NW and NE. No trace of the former example survives but Beglan (ibid., 313) notes that it was most likely located where a relict trackway from Loughrea enters the townland and splits into two branches, one branch being the former line of the Loughrea-Dalystown road. The second branch, also a relict feature, heads E through the park and leads to the gateway at NE. At the junction of these trackways a large recumbent slab, known locally as ‘The Resting Stone’, served as a bench when they were in use. The gateway (Wth 3.04m) at NE, which was presumably secured by a wooden gate, was wide enough to accommodate the access of carts. Geophysical survey of disturbed stony ground immediately outside it suggests that a cobbled yard and track may once have existed here. It is likely that the gatehouse controlling access to the park during the high medieval period was located here. Beglane (ibid.) also speculates that there may have been another entrance to the park at E, where the relict trackway heading towards Dalystown exited the park. An unusual feature, a short distance to the S of this point, is a small subrectangular aperture (L 0.2m; Wth 0.2m), which is part of the original construction of the wall. It is located at a height of 0.8m above ground level. It may have functioned in a similar way to a modern letter box, allowing small items to be passed into and out of the park. The wall was built so that the ground level of the enclosed area was lower than that outside it. This would have proved useful in maximising the effectiveness of the boundary as deer would have been able to enter it relatively easily, but it would have been more difficult for them to jump out as they would be jumping uphill (ibid., 314). Earlspark is the most impressive and complete surviving high medieval deerpark in Ireland, and it is also the largest extending to over 369 hectares. A number of archaeological monuments are visible within it, including a two hillforts (GA105-205---- and GA105-086----), two enclosures (GA105-208---- and GA105-087001-), a ringfort (GA105-081----), a field system (GA105-087----), a children’s burial ground (GA105-083----), a standing stone (GA105-237----) and a souterrain (GA105-238----). Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 14 October 2020

• GA105-237 Standing stone
  Description

  Located on a prominent hillock on a NE-SW running ridge, this standing stone (H 0.8m; c 0.55m x 0.24m) is aligned N-S and is embedded in a stony base. It is known locally as the ‘Lady Stone’ or the ‘Earl’s Chair’ and it is believed that Nora Novar, who reputedly built the townland boundary wall, is buried here. The standing stone was identified by Dr F. Beglane (pers. comm. November 2014). Ringforts (GA105-081---- and GA105-080----) are visible c. 135m to the NNW and c. 455m to the NNE respectively, and all the monuments lie within the N half of a medieval deerpark (GA105-236----). (Beglane 2014, 315) Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 14 December 2020

• GA105-238 Souterrain
  Description

  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.

Architectural heritage

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

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

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; parts are water.

Terrain model

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_1015 (ZIP).

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.

• Earlspark, Loughrea6 sales

Name

Earlspark · Páirc an Iarla

Area

3,697,305 m² (369.73 ha, 913.62 acres)

Civil parish

Killeenadeema, and its townlands

Barony

Loughrea

Electoral division

Loughrea Rural, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Loughrea Rural electoral division: 898 people in 307 households; 92% of households own their home; 31% of homes were built since 2001; 6% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 1% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Acre Beg, Acre More, Grange, Killeenadeema East, Knockanima, Moanmore, Moanmore East, Moanmore West, Mountpleasant, Tinageeragh

Placenames

Earlspark 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.