Letterfrack

128 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Letterfrack, from 1 m² to 3,141,151 m² (314.12 ha, 776.2 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 10 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 Letterfrack 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.

• 28 Jul 2026Refused

  for the construction of two new two storey four bedroom dwelling houses each with a floor area of 171.7 square metres, height from ground level to roof ridge 8 metres and two single storey double garages/domestic stores, each with a floor area of 57 square metres, height to ridge 5 metres. The development would be connected to the existing public water supply and waste water system with a soakpit for surface water disposal

  Permission, 2 homes · Galway County Council, 2661300

• 24 Jun 2026N/a

  for the development of a toilet extension and all associated works to the existing Information Centre

  Permission · Galway County Council, 2661049

• 25 Sept 2025Refused

  for the construction of a new shed & all associated works. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been submitted with this application

  Permission · Galway County Council, 2561384

• 21 Aug 2025N/a

  for the construction of a new shed & all associated works

  Permission · Galway County Council, 2561156

• 16 May 2025Conditional

  for ground floor extension to existing dwelling house and ground floor extensions to existing mews cottage, replacement of exiting septic tank with new septic tank/treatment plant with percolation area and all associated site works. Gross floor space of proposed works: 68 sqm(extension)

  Permission, 1 home · Galway County Council, 2560611

• 20 Sept 2024Conditional

  for the construction of a standalone multipurpose room with WC adjacent to existing visitor centre and connection to public services. Gross floor space of proposed work: 56.30 sqm

  Permission · Galway County Council, 2461249

• 21 Aug 2024Conditional

  for an extension to the rear of the Diamond Hill Community Centre, including all site works and site services. Gross floor space of proposed works: 83.60 sqm

  Permission · Galway County Council, 2461091

• 19 Jul 2024Conditional

  for alterations and new a mezzanine floor to existing Building A and a change of use from a theatre as granted by An Bord Pleanála, Ref. PL07.236398 to an art studio. Planning permission for Building B which will consist of a new two-storey building with a single bedroom studio, plant room and store. For completion of an existing structure, Building C, as granted by An Bord Pleanála, Ref. PL07.236398. Revised proposal to Building C to consist of a two bedroom studio apartment at ground floor level and a one bedroom artist studio, living & work space at first floor level & all associated site works at Letterfrack. The site is located within the curtilage of a RPS. Gross floor space of proposed works: 386.70 sqm

  Permission · Galway County Council, 2460896

• 17 Jun 2024Refused

  for the 1) construction of a maintenance shed measuring 576sqm. Gross floor area (GFA). The proposed shed will have a maximum overall height of 7.35m, width of 20m and length of 28.8m and include a 4m concrete hardstanding apron around the shed 2) The provision of drainage equipment on the subject site. 3) The installation of a drainage pond and associated works. 4) Access road linking shed to existing minor road. 5)Alterations to access road from the N29, including: a. The widening of the existing access junction, b. Section of existing stone wall to be removed and rebuilt 1m back from existing position to allow for site visibility. 6)All other associated and ancillary works. Gross floor space of proposed works: 576 sqm. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and accompanies the planning application.

  Permission · Galway County Council, 2460734

• 3 Apr 2024Conditional

  for a new biomass boiler and woodchip silo along with all ancillary site works and site services, adjacent to the existing furniture college building and furniture conservation building. Gross floor space of proposed works: 42 sqm

  Permission, 1 home · Galway County Council, 2460364

• 31 Jan 2024Conditional

  for a covered seating area located in the courtyard to the rear of the Connemara West building, including all site works and site services. Gross floor space of proposed works: 64 sqm.

  Permission · Galway County Council, 2460100

• 15 May 2023Conditional

  For development consisting of refurbishment and upgrading works [including (where necessary) replacement of existing poles along the existing overhead electricity line, minor ground works e.g. replacement or installation of stays, and maintenance or improvement works]; and all associated ancillary works including the provision of temporary accessways. Replacement poles will be constructed at, or immediately adjacent to, the existing structures that they will replace. Replacement poles will have a maximum height of 12m above ground; and be similar in appearance to existing poles. Planning permission is sought for a 10 year period. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application

  Permission, 1 home · Galway County Council, 2360510

• 5 Apr 2023Refused

  for the development consisting of: - construction of a maintenance shed measuring 576 sqm gross floor area (GFA). The proposed shed will have a maximum overall height of 7.35m, width of 20m and length of 28.8m and include a 4m concrete hardstanding apron around the shed, - the provision of drainage equipment on the subject site, - the installation of a drainage pond and associated works, - access road linking shed to existing minor road, all other ancillary works. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and accompanies the planning application

  Permission · Galway County Council, 23135

• 19 Dec 2022Conditional

  for the replacement of an existing 15 metres telecommunications stayed support structure with attached equipment with a proposed new 18 metre monopole support structure (overall height of 19 metres) carrying equipment transferred from the existing structure and the addition of new telecommunications antennas, dishes and associated equipment, together with new ground equipment cabinets and all associated site works.

  Permission, 1 home · Galway County Council, 2261271

• 12 Jan 2022Refused

  for new carpet manufacturing facility with associated offices, showroom, canteen, toilets and all associated site works, car parking and site services (gross floor space 1030sqm)

  Extension of duration · Galway County Council, 2215

• 15 Dec 2021Refused

  to construct nine dwelling houses, new connection to public sewage system as well as all associated site works and site services. Gross floor space of proposed works: 114.89 SQM x 9 houses = 1034.1 sqm.

  Permission, 9 homes · Galway County Council, 212375

• 2 Jun 2020Conditional

  for the construction of new walking trails and a carpark within the Connemara National Park, Letterfrack. Will consist of; the provision of new accessable trails and walking trails (approx. 2 kms total length) and associated siteworks. The provision of new walking trails (approx. 6.1kms total length) within Mweelin section of the Connemara National Park. The provision of a 144-space carpark (including 7 accessible spaces and bus parking), toilet block and all associated siteworks to facilitate the Mweeelin trails. The application is to be accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) Gross floor space of proposed works, 34.3sqm

  Permission · Galway County Council, 20676

• 21 May 2020Conditional

  to construct three terraced houses as well as all associated site works and site services. Gross floor space of proposed works: 342.00 sqm (3 Houses)

  Permission, 3 homes · Galway County Council, 20615

• 30 Jan 2020Refused

  to construct eight student accommodation units as well as all associated site works and site services. Gross floor space of proposed works: 1183.90 sqm (2 blocks)

  Permission, 8 homes · Galway County Council, 20103

• 5 Dec 2019Conditional

  for development consisting of change of use of ground floor of 2 storey residence to retail shop and cafe and community space with new signage to front. The site is located within the curtilage of a protected structure RPS 544. Gross floor space of proposed works: 59 sqm

  Permission · Galway County Council, 191875

• 30 Jul 2019N/a

  for development consisting of change of use of ground floor of 2 storey residence and rear shed to shop and café with new signage to front. Gross floor space of proposed works: 89 sqm. Gross floor space of work to be retained: 164 sqm

  Permission, 1 home · Galway County Council, 191181

• 25 Feb 2019Conditional

  for a) to install new and replace old boardwalks, b) to install new casting stand and repair existing ones at Lough Maladrolaun, c) to cut vegetation to facilitate angling. Works located along the southern bank of the Dawros River between Kylemore Abbey and Dawros Bridge. This planning application is accompanied by an NIS as required by Article 239 of the Planning & Development Regulation 2001 (as amended).

  Permission · Galway County Council, 19247

• 6 Nov 2018Conditional

  for development comprising the construction of (i) a new treated water storage tank (ii) a weather-proof enclosure to house network pumps and local control panel (iii) a weather-proof enclosure to house an emergency power generator, fuel storage and integral bund, (iv) ancillary development works and (v) associated temporary development works, including a temporary compound area for the construction period. Gross floor space of proposed works: 134.96sqm. Gross floor space of work to be retained: (WTP) 98.67sqm

  Permission · Galway County Council, 181579

• 7 Sept 2018Unconditional

  for the construction of two semi-detached dwelling houses (Gross floor space 156.9sqm). Previous Planning Ref. No. 13/882.

  Extension of duration · Galway County Council, 181272

• 31 Jul 2018Conditional

  for a housing development consisting of 11 no. dwellings (6 no. 3 bedroom 2 storey semi-detached, 4 no. 2 bedroom single storey semi-detached and 1 no. 2 bedroom single storey detached dwelling), with connection to existing services and all associated site development works.

  Permission, 1 home · Galway County Council, 181079

The 25 most recent of 27 applications.

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: The Twelve Bens/Garraun Complex SAC 002031
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: The Twelve Bens/Garraun Complex 002031
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Letterfrack Hostel 002080

Recorded monuments

• GA023-016 Cairn - wayside cairn
  Description

  Located on a N-facing slope on outcropping craggy rock, immediately to the S of a bend in the N59 Clifden-Westport road. Indicated and named ‘Carn’ on the 1838 edition of the OS 6-inch map; on the 1898 resurvey the words ‘Site of’ are appended. On inspection in May 1982 the cairn was overgrown with vegetation. Traces of a possible arc of it (L 4m; Wth 2m; H 0.5m) were visible on the W side but it was unclear whether this was natural or not. The cairn had been robbed considerably, probably when the house to its E was built. It was probably also disturbed when the road was laid down. On a re-inspection in November 1983 no visible surface traces of it were visible. Another cairn (GA023-054----) lies c. 65m to the SW. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 3 January 2019

• GA023-018 Burial ground
  Description

  The following description is from the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=GA&regno=30329008# last accessed 6 February 2019): Letterfrack Industrial School graveyard, opened c.1890, containing marked burials of seventy-eight children, of whom sixty-one died in the Christian Brothers' industrial school nearby. Burials marked by heart-shaped stones on stone slab. Monument in north-west half comprises white concrete cross mounted in base and having inscribed limestone plaques to each face with prayer and names of those who died in the industrial school. Low rubble stone boundary wall encloses graveyard, having rendered gate piers with wrought-iron gates. Pebbled pathway leads downhill to road where there is a second rubble stone boundary wall with rendered gate piers having wrought-iron gates. This sombre graveyard contains the interred remains of seventy-eight young boys, sixty-one of whom died in the adjacent industrial school run by the Christian Brothers. The graveyard was recently restored to honour the memory of the children, many of whose short lives were blighted by appalling mistreatment. The following images have been uploaded: GA023-018----_01.jpg E half GA023-018----_02.jpg W half Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 6 February 2018

• GA023-020 Megalithic tomb - court tomb
  Description

  At W foot of Diamond Hill and within Connemara National Park. This tomb is very ruined and lacks a court. The remains consist of a gallery (L c. 5.5m) aligned N-S, divided into two chambers by a pair of transversely set jambs. There has been some interference with the structure at S end of the monument, and the stones here seem to represent the last vestiges of an old field wall. (Gibbons and Higgins 1988d, 65) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). Date of upload: 05 August 2010

• GA023-021 Chapel
  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.

• GA023-053 Hut site
  Description

  Located within the Connemara National Park on the N bank of a small tributary stream that flows into the Owengarve River to the SW. The area is one of cutaway bogland. This possible hut site (c. 4.1m N-S; c. 2.4m E-W), subrectangular in plan, is defined by a bank best preserved on the S side (Wth 0.7m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 0.8m). The interior is raised above the surrounding ground level. This monument was brought to the attention of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland by Helen Riekstiņš. Compiled by: Olive Alcock with information supplied by Helen Riekstiņš Updated by: Olive Alcock Date of revised upload: 14 June 2019

• GA023-054 Cairn - unclassified
  Description

  When initially visited in May 2018 this cairn, situated in woodland, was obscured by trees. On a revisit in December 2018 it was clearly visible as a number of the trees had subsequently been removed. It is located rock outcrop overlooking Barnaderg Bay to the NW, Tully Mountain to the WNW and Diamond Hill to the ESE. The N59 is c. 30m to the N. The cairn (L 3.3m; Wth 2.5m; H 0.8m), low and rectangular in plan, is composed of angular moss-covered boulders. Two rowan tress are adjacent to it to the E. Another cairn (GA023-016----) was located c. 65m to the NE. This monument was brought to the attention of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland by Helen Riekstiņš. Compiled by: Olive Alcock with information supplied by Helen Riekstiņš Date of upload: 3 January 2019

• GA023-055 Standing stone
  Description

  Located in Letterfrack National Park in an area of bogland on the SW slope of Diamond Hill and on the N bank of the Sruffaunnanoon river, close to its source; a small lake bed is visible to the W. There are clear views of the ocean further to the W and Bunowen Hill to the SW. This possible standing stone (H 1m; Wth 0.41m; T 0.3m), of local stone with quartz veins, is rectangular in plan. Moss and lichen are visible on it and its lower section is obscured by heather. This monument was brought to the attention of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland by Helen Riekstiņš. Compiled by: Olive Alcock with information supplied by Helen Riekstiņš Date of upload: 12 June 2019

Architectural heritage

• House, 1840–1880 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached four-bay single-storey house with attic, built c. 1860, now in use as restaurant. Second pile single-storey extension to rere and lean-to extension to west are later additions. Pitched thatched roof with decorative lozengework scolloping to ridge, and recent rendered chimneystack. Exposed rubble limestone walls. Square-headed window openings with rubble limestone lintels, replacement stone sills and replacement timber casement windows. Square-headed door opening having rubble stone lintel and replacement timber battened door. Rubble limestone boundary wall to garden to front.

• College, 1885–1890 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached L-plan two-storey industrial school, with basement, built 1887, with eleven-bay façade having slightly projecting gable-fronted two-bay ends, and projecting porch, and having eleven-bay elevation to south block. Recent flat-roof addition to east end of south elevation and monopitch to addition to rear of front block. Pitched slate roofs with decorative clay ridge-tiles, yellow brick chimneystacks, tooled stone copings and finials to gables and porch, and cast-iron rainwater goods. Sheet-metal covering to single-pitched roofs to additions. Painted lined and ruled rendered walls, painted tooled limestone quoins and rendered plinth. Square-headed window openings having tooled stone sills, rendered surrounds with recessed shamrock motif above openings, two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows, and decorative cast-iron vent grills. Carved stone plaques to upper front gable elevations, bearing 'AD' in one gable and '1887' in other. Three-centred arch entrance to side of porch, having rendered chamfered surround with recessed shamrock motif to top, timber battened door with paned overlight. Triangular-headed entrances to south and north-east elevations having hood-mouldings with decorative foliate stops, chamfered architraves, and glazed timber panelled door, sidelights and overdoor, with limestone plinths. Outbuildings to perimeter of site.

• House, 1840–1860 · Regional interest
  Description

  Terrace of five three-bay single-storey former workers' houses, built c.1850, having slightly lower paired pitched-roof returns to rear. Now in use as commercial space and private residences. Pitched slate, replacement slate and artificial slate roofs to houses, with recent rooflights, with concrete coping to south gable end, rendered chimneystacks, cast-iron and replacement uPVC rainwater goods. Painted rendered walls with painted plinths. Square-headed window openings having painted concrete sills, eight-over-eight pane timber sliding sash windows to front elevation, and two-over-two pane, one-over-one pane and replacement uPVC casement windows to rear elevations. Square-headed doorways to front having concrete steps, timber battened doors and eight-pane overlights, and mainly glazed battened timber doors to rear. Outbuilding (turf shed) to north-east with lean-to corrugated-iron roof having square-headed entrances to road side with timber battened doors. Additional outbuildings located to east. Wrought-iron gate to west elevation of northmost house. Rubble stone boundary wall having concrete coping, square rubble stone piers with wrought-iron gates.Terrace of four two-bay two-storey houses, built c.1880, having single-bay single-storey flat roofed porches (south-east). Roof and gutters concealed behind parapet with moulded rendered architrave and cornice decoration, having rendered chimneystacks and cast-iron down pipes. Painted rendered walls with rendered plinth and sill-band to first floor with raised render quoins. Square-headed openings having painted stone sills, raised rendered surrounds and two-over-two timber sliding sash windows to house number two and north-east elevation of house number one, uPVC windows elsewhere. Rubble stone enclosing wall to north-west, having cut block quoin stones and concrete coping, with two-storey rubble stone outbuilding to west, square-headed entrances with replacement timber battened doors corresponding to each house.

• Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, church/chapel, 1920–1930 · Regional interest
  Description

  Freestanding four-bay gable-fronted church, built 1925, facing north, having bellcote to gable over projecting Romanesque-style order entrance entrance, projecting side chapels to east and west elevations, vestry and toilets to west elevation and porch to east elevation. Sprocketed pitched artificial slate roof to nave, rendered gabled roof to entrance, flat roofs to long wall projections, concrete cross finials to main gables, rendered fascia and end detail to gables, and cast-iron rainwater goods. Painted pebbledashed walls and plinth. Concrete pediment with statue at entrance gable. Square-headed window openings with chamfered concrete sills, slightly tapered sides, double-light coloured-glass lattice windows to long walls, group of three lights including coloured-glass lattice windows to northern end of long walls, square-headed openings with slightly tapered sides, chamfered sills, coloured-glass lattice windows to north and west elevations of western projection. Round-headed window to entrance gable, with recessed surround, chamfered concrete sill and coloured-glass lattice window. Round-headed entrance doorway having triangular pediment detail resting on impost course, and with double-leaf timber battened door with decorative strap hinges. Statues to either side holding stoups. Square-headed door openings elsewhere with slightly tapering sides, concrete steps and timber battened doors. Timber collared truss roof to interior, with sculpted angels to pendant posts. Metal sculpture near altar to tragic memory of children of adjacent industrial school. Small grotto to north-east. Rendered rubble stone and concrete block boundary walls to road frontage with concrete steps to church. Graveyard with one burial to west.

• Graveyard/cemetery, 1880–1920 · Regional interest
  Description

  Letterfrack Industrial School graveyard, opened c.1890, containing marked burials of seventy-eight children, of whom sixty-one died in the Christian Brothers' industrial school nearby. Burials marked by heart-shaped stones on stone slab. Monument in north-west half comprises white concrete cross mounted in base and having inscribed limestone plaques to each face with prayer and names of those who died in the industrial school. Low rubble stone boundary wall encloses graveyard, having rendered gate piers with wrought-iron gates. Pebbled pathway leads downhill to road where there is a second rubble stone boundary wall with rendered gate piers having wrought-iron gates.

• The Monastery, monastery, 1845–1850 · Regional interest
  Description

  Freestanding U-plan house, built c.1849, having seven-bay east and west elevations, former being front and single-storey with gable-fronted two-bay projecting ends and latter being two-storey with slightly advanced gable-fronted two-bay ends. Recent additional porch and balcony to east elevation over sunken courtyard. Now used as hostel. Pitched slate roof with rendered chimneystacks, rendered copings, cast-iron rainwater goods. Lean-to corrugated-iron roof to east side supported on fluted cast-iron columns. Snecked coursed dressed limestone walls, with tooled quoins, plat band above between storeys, lined and ruled rendered walls to lower storey to rear and side elevations. Square-headed window openings with tooled stone surrounds and sills to front and replacement concrete sills elsewhere, all having timber sliding sash windows. Four-over-four pane windows to lower storey of rear and side elevations and six-over-six pane to front and upper storey elsewhere. Middle bay windows to rear are tripartite, upper being timber and lower having stone mullions. One-over-one pane windows to north and south elevations of courtyard, and some blocked openings to north elevation. Square-headed entrances having timber battened and glazed timber doors. Timber battened door with overlight and steps to south side of courtyard, with tooled stone steps with stone coping to cobbled paved courtyard area.

• The Old Courthouse, meeting house, 1845–1855 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay single-storey meeting house, built 1850, on a rectangular plan originally three-bay two-storey. Replacement pitched artificial slate roof with uPVC rainwater goods. Coursed rubble limestone walls on cut-limestone plinth. Square-headed window openings in bipartite arrangement with tooled cut-limestone sills and lintels framing one-over-one timber sash windows.

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 Letterfrack, 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. Parts of the land are water.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Letterfrack.

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 Letterfrack with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Galway.

Name

Letterfrack · Leitir Fraic

Area

5,019,018 m² (501.9 ha, 1,240.23 acres)

Civil parish

Ballynakill (Clifden Ra), and its townlands

Barony

Ballynahinch

Electoral division

Ballynakill, the unit of the census

Census 2022

516 people lived in 204 households in the Ballynakill electoral division. 66% of households owned their home. 33% of homes were built since 2001. 10% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 15% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Addergoole, Currywongaun, Dawros More, Keelkyle

Placenames

Letterfrack 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.