Westquarter

107 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Westquarter, from 19 m² to 1,346,878 m² (134.69 ha, 332.82 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 9 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 Westquarter 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.

• 29 Jul 2025Conditional

  for (1) renovations and extension of existing dwelling house, (2) on-site wastewater treatment system and all ancillary works

  Permission · Galway County Council, 2561040

• 1 May 2025Conditional

  to construct an extension to an existing utility shed to create a new home office/ study and filing storage. Gross floor space of proposed works: 37.20 sqm

  Permission · Galway County Council, 2560524

• 22 Feb 2018Unconditional

  to demolish existing cottage and replace same with new dwelling and wastewater treatment system (gross floor space demolition 46sqm proposed 142sqm). Previous Planning Ref. No. 13/541.

  Extension of duration · Galway County Council, 18208

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: Inishbofin and Inishshark SAC 000278
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Inishbofin And Inishshark 000278

Recorded monuments

• GA009D024 Promontory fort - coastal
  Description

  On a prominent headland, flanked by sheer cliffs, at SW end of Inishbofin. Dún Mór, as it is known locally, is a roughly rectangular area (110m by 60m) rising towards W. Defined on landward (E) side by a curving drystone wall (Wth 3-4m, H 0.95m) which peters out towards N. Evidently much collapsed/destroyed since Westropp's time; he described it as being well built and double-faced, 0.9m to 1.5m in height and 3.05m to 3.95m in width. Some 9.75m from S end of the wall was a well-defined gate (Wth 1.9m), of which no trace now survives. Outside and downslope from the wall is a natural, though fosse-like, feature running across the neck of the promontory. Apart from 'an oblong patch of stones', still visible c. 20m inside the wall, the interior is featureless. (Westropp 1911, 60-2; 1914, 331-2) 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

• GA009D025001 Children's burial ground
  Description

  Within an early ecclesiastical enclosure (GA009D025002-). Numerous small set stones are visible in the interior of the enclosure, with a particular concentration at the E end on the site of a reputed oratory (GA009D025003-). 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). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revised upload: 24 June 2016

• GA009D025002 Ecclesiastical enclosure
  Description

  On a natural rise overlooking Loch Bó Finne to NE and sea to N. Poorly preserved subrectangular enclosure (L 20m, Wth 18m) defined by a bank of earth and stone. A field wall cuts across S part of the enclosure. At E end of the interior is a roughly square raised area (L/Wth 5m, H 1m) held by local tradition to be the site of St Scáithin's oratory (GA009D025003-). A CBG (GA009D025001-) also occupies the interior and there is a holy well (GA009D034----) c. 150m to SW. 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

• GA009D025003 Leacht
  Description

  Within the E sector of an ecclesiastical enclosure (GA009D025002-) and surrounded by a children's burial ground (GA009D025001-). Locally this structure is regarded as the site of St Scaithín's oratory but it may be the remains of a leacht. It is defined by a raised rectangular area (6.95m N-S; 2.4m E-W; H 0.24m). A clear edge, indicated by a line of boulders, is visible on the E side and intermittently so on the S, W and N sides. The interior is strewn with boulders and some rough pieces of quartz. Water-rolled stones, some of which are also of quartz, are also evident. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 31March 2023

• GA009D026 Field system
  Description

  On the N-facing slope of Crocmore hill at the W end of Inishbofin in an area completely denuded of its bog and scraw cover. An extensive series of small roughly rectangular fields extend over an area c. 650m NW-SE by c. 250m NNE-SSW, with one larger subrectangular field at the SE end of the system. Only the foundations of the walls survive but they appear to have been built of angular boulders and stones. The walls may be part of a pre-bog field system or may be associated with the promontory fort ‘Dunmore’ (GA009D024----) c. 380m to the SW. Likewise, they could be associated with the Napoleonic wars when marginal land was brought under cultivation or they may be of more recent date. A possible house site (see GA009D026003-) noted at the W end of the field system may be one of the five house sites (see also GA009D026001-, GA009D026002-, GA009D026004- and GA009D026005-) recorded by Westropp (1911, Part 2, 62-3 (a) to (e)) in the area to the E of ‘Dunmore’ promontory fort (GA009D024----). (Gosling 1993, 109) Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 14 November 2022

• GA009D026001 House - indeterminate date
  Description

  In rough pasture on the N slopes of Crocmore hill, to the SW of a field system (GA009D026----). This roughly subcircular house site (int. dims. 9m E-W; 6m N-S), overgrown with heather and moss, is best preserved from NW to E where it is defined by a double-faced stone wall (Wth c. 3m; int. H 0.25m; ext. H 0.35m). From E to SW it is defined by a broad earthen bank (int. and ext. H 0.2m) with some stone visible at its base. Apart from some loose stone, no trace survives between SW and NW. The entrance gap appears to have been at E, where slight traces of stone-facing mark its N side. The interior is flat but the S end had been cut away. The house site appears to be one of five (see also GA009D026002- to GA009D026005-) recorded by Westropp (1911, Part 2, 62 (b)) in this area. One (GA009D026002-) lies c. 50m to the SE. (Gosling 1993, 65) Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 14 November 2022

• GA009D026002 House - indeterminate date
  Description

  In rough pasture on the N slopes of Crocmore hill, to the SW of a field system (GA009D026----). Only the N half of this circular house site (int. diam. 4.3m) survives. It is defined by a double-faced stone wall that is covered with a mound of earth and stone (Wth 2.5m; int. H 0.4m). A stone-lined gap (Wth 0.86m) at E marks the entrance. This house site appears to be one of five (see also GA009D026001-, GA009D026003-, GA009D026004- and GA009D026005-) recorded by Westropp (1911, Part 2, 62-3 (e)) in this area. One of those houses (GA009D026001-) lies 50m to the NW. (Gosling 1993, 65) Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 14 November 2022

• GA009D026003 House - indeterminate date
  Description

  Located at the W end of a field system (GA009D026----), this circular house site (diam. 10m) appears to be one of five (see also GA009D026001-, GA009D026002-, GA009D026004- and GA009D026005-) recorded by Westropp (1911, Part 2, 62 (d)) in this area. Only the foundations stones (H 0.1-0.2m) survive. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 14 November 2022

• GA009D027 Promontory fort - coastal
  Description

  On the S side of Inishbofin, close to the harbour. This small much-eroded island (46m by 18m) is accessible only at low tide. Westropp (1911, 63) noted the 'slight remains of a stone revetment' with 'little more than the lower five or six courses remaining anywhere', this was possibly along the NW side of the island. Only faint traces now survive. There are also three groups of house sites (see GA009D027001- to GA009D027006-). Both Westropp (ibid.) and Hardiman (1846, 116) note that 'Grania Uaile' reputedly built a castle on the island. (Westropp 1914, 332) 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). Updated by: Olive Alcock Date of revised upload: 28 October 2022

• GA009D027001 House - indeterminate date
  Description

  Within a coastal promontory fort (GA009D027----). Westropp (1911, 63) refers to three groups of huts: (a) two conjoined huts (D c. 5.5m and c. 3.6m int.) (GA009D027001- and GA009D027002-) and a 'circular annex' (D c. 4.57m) (GA009D027003-) towards S end; (b) two conjoined huts (D c. 4.57m and c. 5.48m) (GA009D027004- and GA009D027005-) further to N and (c) a single circular hut (D c. 4.57m) (GA009D027006-) at N end. Only faint traces of these features survive today. (Westropp 1914, 332) 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

• GA009D027002 House - indeterminate date
  Description

  Within the interior of a promontory fort (GA009D027----). This is the second of 'three conjoined cells' (see also (GA009D027001- and GA009D027003-) noted by Westropp (1911, 63); it was built with 'walls of earth and stone ... 3 feet [0.9m] to 4 feet [1.2m] thick' and was '12 feet [3.6m] inside' and 'adjoined the fort wall'; it was 'a foot [0.3m] high' . Only fragmentary traces now survive. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 28 October 2022

• GA009D027003 House - indeterminate date
  Description

  Located within the interior of a promontory fort (GA009D027----). This is the third of 'three conjoined cells' (see also GA009D027001- and GA009D027002-) recorded by Westropp (1911, 63-4). They were built of 'walls 3 feet [0.9m] to 4 feet [1.2m] thick' and this one is described as 'a circular annexe, 15 feet [4.5m] inside'; it was 'a foot [0.3m] high'. Only fragmentary traces survive. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 28 October 2022

• GA009D027004 House - indeterminate date
  Description

  Located within the interior of a promontory fort (GA009D027----). This is the 'eastern hut' of a second group of conjoined 'cells' (see also GA009D027005-) noted by Westropp (1911, 64) on the NE side of the fort. It was built with 'walls of earth and stones' and was '18 feet [5.4m] inside', and was 'a foot [0.3m] high'. Only fragmentary traces survive. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 28 October 2022

• GA009D027005 House - indeterminate date
  Description

  Located within the interior of a promontory fort (GA009D027----). This is the 'western' house of a second group of conjoined 'cells' (see also GA009D027004-) noted by Westropp (1911, 63-4) on the NE side of the fort. It was built with 'walls of earth and stones' and was '15 feet [4.5m] across along the cliff'; it was 'a foot [0.3m] high'. Only fragmentary traces survive. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 28 October 2022

• GA009D027006 House - indeterminate date
  Description

  Located in the interior of a promontory fort (GA009D027----). Westropp (1911, 63-4) recorded this 'single circular hut 15 feet [4.5m] wide' at the N end of the fort, at the highest point. Like the other house sites (GA009D027001- to GA009D027005-) he recorded, it was built 'with walls of earth and stones' and only survived 'a foot [0.3m] high'. Fragmentary traces now survive. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 28 October 2022

• GA009D028 Earthwork
  Description

  On a steep N-facing slope overlooking the mouth of Ballynakill Harbour. A poorly preserved subrectangular structure (L 7.4m, Wth 1.3-1.6m), aligned WNW-ESE, and defined by set boulders (H 0.45m max.). The remains are insufficient to permit classification. 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

• GA009D034 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  On N side of track to W of a house cluster and c. 150m SW of an early ecclesiastical enclosure (GA009D025002-). Known locally as Scáithín, probably from the saint's name, it consists of a small natural spring, now dry and stopped with turf, in a small smooth-sided recess in a rock outcrop by the track (info. T. Robinson). When visited in June 2016 there was no visible surface trace of the well. It may have been obscured by vegetation. 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). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of revised upload: 24 June 2016

Architectural heritage

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

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 Westquarter, 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 Westquarter.

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

Name

Westquarter · An Cheathrú Iarthach

Area

2,114,842 m² (211.48 ha, 522.59 acres)

Civil parish

Inishbofin, and its townlands

Barony

Ballynahinch

Electoral division

Inishbofin, the unit of the census

Census 2022

184 people lived in 80 households in the Inishbofin electoral division. 69% of households owned their home. 33% of homes were built since 2001. 15% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 31% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Fawnmore

Placenames

Westquarter 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.