Ballinskelligs

313 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Ballinskelligs, from 29 m² to 201,918 m² (20.19 ha, 49.9 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 42 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.

• R2Existing Residential (Existing residential)
  Kenmare Municipal District Local Area Plan 2024-2030, Kerry · 53 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• M1Mixed Use, General Development, Opportunity/Proposal Site (Mixed Use, general development, opportunity/proposal site)
  Kenmare Municipal District Local Area Plan 2024-2030, Kerry · 9 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• M4Built Up Area (Built up area)
  Kenmare Municipal District Local Area Plan 2024-2030, Kerry · 2 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G1Open Space (Open space, park)
  Kenmare Municipal District Local Area Plan 2024-2030, Kerry · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• M2Village Centre (City/Town/village Centre, central area)
  Kenmare Municipal District Local Area Plan 2024-2030, Kerry · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G3Conservation, Amenity or Buffer Space, Landscape Protection (Conservation, amenity or buffer space, corridor/belt, landscape)
  Kenmare Municipal District Local Area Plan 2024-2030, Kerry · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• C5Tourism & Related (Tourism and related)
  Kenmare Municipal District Local Area Plan 2024-2030, Kerry · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

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

• 18 Mar 2026Refused

  Proposed Refurbishment and Minor Alterations to Existing 2 Storey Dwelling including, (a) Replacement of existing roof roof slates, external joinery, external render, (b) Reconstruction of existing semi ruined building for use as a store, (c) Installation of waste water treatment system and polishing filter and (d) Construction of new entrance walls and piers

  Permission · Kerry County Council, 2650

• 21 Oct 2025Conditional

  Planning permission to construct a new Slatted Livestock House. Proposed Slatted House to incorporate easy feed, crush, straw bedded area & underground slurry storage tank with external agitation & ancillary concrete. The above to be carried out with all associated ancillary site works.

  Permission · Kerry County Council, 2560955

• 15 Apr 2025Conditional

  Permission to Construct a Dwellinghouse Served by a Septic Tank and Percolation Area at Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry

  Permission · Kerry County Council, 2560292

• 4 Apr 2025Conditional

  1. To construct a single storey side extension to existing dwelling & 2. Retention permission to retain existing shed and store with all associated site works

  Permission · Kerry County Council, 2560257

• 16 Aug 2024Conditional

  Retention permission to retain extensions to house and permission to construct a new entrance and close existing entrance and permission to extend existing store at Kinard West, Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry

  Retention, 1 home · Kerry County Council, 2460576

• 12 Apr 2024Refused

  Permission to construct a dwelling house served by a septic tank and percolation area at Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry

  Permission, 1 home · Kerry County Council, 2460214

• 14 Mar 2024Conditional

  CONSTRUCT AN EXTENSION TO HIS HOUSE

  Permission, 1 home · Kerry County Council, 24111

• 3 Jul 2023Conditional

  THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DWELLING HOUSE, DOMESTIC GARAGE, THE INSTALLATION OF A SEWERAGE TREATMENT UNIT AND PERCOLATION AREA ALONG WITH CONNECTIONS TO ALL SITE SERVICES AND ALL OTHER ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

  Permission, 1 home · Kerry County Council, 23754

• 28 Jun 2023Refused

  (A) DEMOLISH ALL EXISTING STRUCTURE (B) IN ITS PLACE CONSTRUCT A TWO STOREY FLAT ROOF BUILDING COMPRISING OF THE FOLLOWING (A) RESTAURANT (B) RETAIL SHOP (C) OFFICES (D) 3 NO. OUTLET SHOPS (E) 6 APARTMENTS (F) BICYCLE AND REFUGE STORAGE (G) CAR PARK (H) NEW EXTERNAL SIGNAGE, ALL ASSOCIATED SITE SERVICES

  Permission · Kerry County Council, 23734

• 29 May 2023N/a

  THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DWELLING HOUSE, DOMESTIC GARAGE, THE INSTALLATION OF A SEWERAGE TREATMENT UNIT AND PERCOLATIONA AREA ALONG WITH CONNECTIONS TO ALL SITE SERVICES AND ALL OTHER ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

  Permission · Kerry County Council, 23618

• 22 Mar 2023N/a

  DEVELOP A GLAMPING AREA CONTAINING A RECEPTION BUILDING AND SIX PODS WITH ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS

  Permission · Kerry County Council, 23307

• 23 Jan 2023Conditional

  (A) CONSTRUCT A SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION TO THE WEST GABLE, (B) RENOVATION WORKS AND ELEVATIONAL CHANGES AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

  Permission, 1 home · Kerry County Council, 2353

• 25 Oct 2022Conditional

  THE CHANGE OF USE FROM A GUEST HOUSE TO CURRENT USE AS A DOMESTIC DWELLING WHICH IS BEING RETAINED AS BUILT ON REVISED SITE LAYOUT WITHIN REVISED SITE BOUNDARIES

  Retention, 1 home · Kerry County Council, 221107

• 7 Sept 2022Refused

  CONSTRUCT A PRIVATE DWELLING HOUSE SERVICED WITH A MECHANICAL TREATMENT SYSTEM AND RAISED SOIL POLISHING FILTER ALOND WITH ASSOCIATED EXTERNAL WORKS ON SITE

  Outline permission, 1 home · Kerry County Council, 22941

• 14 Sept 2021Conditional

  CHANGE USE OF HOLIDAY HOSTEL TO SIX SELF CATERING HOLIDAY UNITS

  Permission, 1 home · Kerry County Council, 211049

• 23 Aug 2021Conditional

  CONSTRUCT A DWELLING HOUSE

  Permission, 1 home · Kerry County Council, 21968

• 5 Jul 2021Conditional

  CONSTRUCT AN EXTENSION TO THE SIDE GABLE OF EXISTING DWELLING AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

  Permission, 1 home · Kerry County Council, 21749

• 16 Mar 2021Conditional

  ERECTION OF A SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION TO THE NORTH EASTERN END OF THE EXISTING DWELINGHOUSE PLUS THE RETENTION OF A LOWER GROUND FLOOR LEVEL. THIS EXTENSION WILL COMPRISE OF A BEDROOM, BATHROOM AND CONSERVATORY AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

  Permission, 2 homes · Kerry County Council, 21266

• 2 Feb 2021N/a

  ERECT A SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION TO THE NORT EASTERN END OF THE EXISTING DWELLING HOUSE. THIS EXTENSION WILL COMPRISE OF A BEDROOM, BATHROOM AND CONSERVATORY AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS.

  Permission · Kerry County Council, 2171

• 18 Dec 2020Conditional

  EXTEND LOUNGE AREA OF DWELLING HOUSE AND TO RETAIN EXISTING STEEL SHED TO REAR OF DWELLING

  Permission, 1 home · Kerry County Council, 201229

• 1 Nov 2019Conditional

  CONSTRUCT A DWELLING HOUSE SERVED BY AN EFFLUENT TREATMENT TANK AND POLISHING FILTER

  Permission, 1 home · Kerry County Council, 191121

• 6 Mar 2019N/a

  INSTALL A FLOATING PONTOON ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING FISHING PIER. THE PONTOON IS 20 METERS LONG BY 2.4 METERS WIDE

  Permission · Kerry County Council, 19211

• 14 Feb 2019Conditional

  CONSTRUCT A COMMUNITY PLAYGOURND AREA INCLUDING ASSOCIATED ANCILLARY SITE WORKS ADJACENT TO THE NEW PUBLIC CAR PARK

  Permission · Kerry County Council, 19129

• 17 Jan 2019N/a

  CONSTRUCT A COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND AREA INCLUDING ASSOCIATED ANCILLARY SITE WORKS ADJACENT TO THE NEW PUBLIC CAR PARK

  Permission · Kerry County Council, 1923

• 24 Aug 2018N/a

  CONSTRUCT A COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND AREA INCLUDING ASSOCIATED ANCILLARY SITE WORKS ADJACENT TO THE NEW PUBLIC CAR PARK

  Permission · Kerry County Council, 18834

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: Ballinskelligs Bay and Inny Estuary SAC 000335
• Special Protection Area: Iveragh Peninsula SPA 004154
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Ballinskelligs Bay And Inny Estuary 000335

Recorded monuments

• KE097-030 Hut site
  Description

  On poorly drained, rough pasture on the N bank of a tributary of the Ballinskelligs river. A roughly circular setting of upright slabs which measures 3.75m x 3.25m internally. The slabs range in height from .35m to 1.2m and in width from .45m to 1.1m. The majority are positioned end-to-end with some examples overlapping. The two tallest slabs, located at NE, may represent the entrance. Some upright slabs occur externally to NE and SW. Both Lynch and Henry refer to the hut as Clochán Liath (1902b, 340; 1957, 109). The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1120. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE097-033 Hut site
  Description

  Henry records a ruined hut, twelve feet (3.66m) in diameter, located in pasture on the N side of the Ballinskelligs-Bolus road (1957, 109). Overgrowth and scattered boulders now mark the location of the site. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1423. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 1 August 2013

• KE097-034 Castle - tower house
  Description

  Ballinskelligs Castle / Caisleán an Sceilg: Very little historical information is recorded about this small tower house. It is located on the W shore of Ballinskelligs Bay, at the N end of a storm beach a short distance from Ballinskelligs Priory (KE097-036----). Reputed to be a MacCarthy castle, it is possibly to be identified as the manor which the Sigerson family occupied in Ballinskelligs in the early seventeenth century (Lynch 1902, 352). The history of the tower house appears to be closely linked to that of the nearby priory during the later sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Several references concerning the leasing and garrisoning of the latter are on record (Cal Car MSS 1569, 389; Fiants Eliz No's. 3339, 4992, 5982). At present ground level, this three storey rectangular tower house measures 10.35m NE-SW x 8.25m NW-SE externally. It rises from a battered base, returned to a maximum height of 7.65m at its S angle. Its walls are built of split stone laid in a strong, pebbly mortar with marine shell inclusions. The quoins, many of which are missing, are of dressed sandstone and are alternately face-bedded; the slightly undermined angles have recently been repaired. The majority of the window opes feature uncut surrounds, but the entrance retains most of its sandstone dressings. At each floor level the plan of the building consists of a main chamber with an adjoining mural passageway. The first and second floors are reached by a stair in the S angle of the building, which commences at ground floor level. The well-preserved entrance is at ground floor level and is located slightly off-centre in the SE wall. The doorway, of punch-dressed sandstone blocks, has a pointed head and is rebated internally for a door and externally for a hinged grille; the grille was secured from the mural chamber in the E angle of the building by a chain that passed through a narrow ope in the doorway's NE jamb. The door's upper and lower pivot-stones survive, and it was secured from within by a drawbar, the socket and channel for which are preserved. The entrance gives access to a small lobby that features a murder-hole, served from the bed of the first floor window embrasure. A small mural chamber, known as Seomra an Bhoduig (OSL), opens off the lobby at NE. Access is gained through a lintelled, trabeate doorway, and the chamber is ceiled by flags that rest on inwardly corbelled side-walls. The lobby communicates with the main ground floor chamber through a 'Caernavon type' doorway (Leask 1973, 24), the lintel of which is supported on two inwardly projecting corbels; the door was secured by a drawbar, for which both the socket and channel survive. The ground floor chamber measures 6.2m x 3.85m. It was lit by loops, centrally placed in the NE and NW walls, set in lintelled, rectangular embrasures with widely splayed ingoings. Wall-cupboards occur in the N, S and W corners. Access to the upper floors of the structure is gained by means of a mural stair, approached from the entrance lobby through a doorway which could be secured from within. The stair runs as a fairly straight flight to the building's S angle where it was lit by an ope, now a ragged gap externally, in the SE wall. From this level the stair ascends in a full turn to second floor level, where it was lit by a small, lintelled ope with splayed ingoings in the SE wall. At first floor level a passageway in the SW wall opens off the stair. Its side-walls are slightly corbelled and it was ceiled with lintels, only a few of which survive. It was lit by a small, lintelled ope which is fitted with a small slop-stone. The first floor chamber was entered through an internally rebated doorway at the NW end of the mural passageway. The door was secured from within by a drawbar, the socket and channel for which survive. The timber floor was laid on wall beams which were supported on tough corbels projecting from the NW and SE walls. The chamber was lit by windows in the NE, NW and SE walls. Two of these are set in wide, rectangular embrasures with angled ingoings. Their flat soffits retain traces of plank centring, and a centring hole is preserved in the SW jamb of the NW embrasure. The beds of the embrasures are slightly raised above floor level, and that at SE is fitted with window seats. It appears that this latter feature, and the large rectangular window opes, are secondary; the disposition of the plank-centring and the presence of a portion of a narrow ingoing in the SE embrasure suggest that the NW and SE opes were enlarged and rebuilt. They may have originally resembled the ope preserved in the NE wall which is narrow, has splayed ingoings, and is step lintelled; the soffit of the embrasure has collapsed, but traces of its plank-centring survive. A wall-cupboard is preserved in the E angle of this floor, and the walls at this level retain clear evidence of plastering. The walls of the building are greatly reduced in thickness at second floor level, where they rarely exceed .7m. Access is either by means of the stair which opens onto the S angle, or via an inserted flight of steps in the SE wall which ascends towards NE from a lower level of the stair. The floor of the chamber was probably laid on crossbeams supported on the offsets created by the reduction in wall thickness at this level. It was lit by loops with splayed ingoings in the NE, NW and SE walls, only the lower portions of which survive. The possible presence of a fourth loop is suggested by a ragged gap midway along the SW wall. A garderobe occurs in the NW wall, near the W angle, the chute of which delivered through a discharge ope directly below. There is no evidence for the form of the roof of the second floor of the building, and no section of the building above this level is preserved. The stair in the S angle does not continue upwards, indicating that access to roof level may have been by means of wooden steps from the second floor level. A series of beam sockets along the external face of the NW wall indicate the former existence of a structure here. That this was an addition is suggested by the fact that it would have blocked the ground floor window ope. The sockets may be support niches for press beams used in seventeenth-century pilchard curing stations. Sir William Petty is recorded as having established a fishery at Ballinskelligs during this time. Two early twentieth-century photographs of the castle (Crawford 1923, 199) show that a building formerly stood against its NE wall. This appears to have been of relatively modern date, as it is not noted in OSL and does not feature in the Lawrence Collection photographs of the site. Excavations were undertaken at the castle in 1988 and 1991, following the erosion of a large area of land at its S and E sides. The original ground floor, formed of large paving slabs, was revealed beneath a considerable build-up of storm material. Traces of two external lean-to structures with pitched-cobble floors, both of which post-dated the primary period of occupation of the castle, were discovered on its SE side. Most of the finds from the site were of post-Medieval date (Sheehan 1989, 20-1; 1992, 23). To see a 3D model of this monument visit: https://skfb.ly/6u8qC The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1100. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE097-034001 Fish palace
  Description

  Ballinskelligs Castle / Caisleán an Sceilg: Very little historical information is recorded about this small tower house. It is located on the W shore of Ballinskelligs Bay, at the N end of a storm beach a short distance from Ballinskelligs Priory (KE097-036----). Reputed to be a MacCarthy castle, it is possibly to be identified as the manor which the Sigerson family occupied in Ballinskelligs in the early seventeenth century (Lynch 1902b, 352). The history of the tower house appears to be closely linked to that of the nearby priory during the later sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Several references concerning the leasing and garrisoning of the latter are on record (Cal Car MSS 1569, 389; Fiants Eliz No's. 3339, 4992, 5982). A series of beam sockets along the external face of the NW wall of the castle indicate the former existence of a structure here. That this was an addition is suggested by the fact that it would have blocked the ground floor window ope. The sockets may be support niches for press beams used in seventeenth-century pilchard curing stations. Sir William Petty is recorded as having established a fishery at Ballinskelligs during this time. Two early twentieth-century photographs of the castle (Crawford 1923, 199) show that a building formerly stood against its NE wall. This appears to have been of relatively modern date, as it is not noted in OSL and does not feature in the Lawrence Collection photographs of the site. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1100. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE097-035 Settlement cluster
  Description

  Ancient Hamlet: Located in a field of poor pasture about 120m NW of Ballinskelligs Abbey (KE097-036----) is a complex of grass-grown stony banks. Up to eleven possible structures can be identified, ranging in internal dimensions from 2m to 7.6m. The banks average .5m high and 1m wide, and in one instance a section of coursed drystone walling is exposed. Most are rectangular in outline, but three circular examples are present. Scattered throughout the site are a number of amorphous sod-covered mounds. A pilchard fishery was established at Ballinskelligs by Sir William Petty in the late seventeenth century (De Coursey Ireland 1981, 35), and this nucleated settlement may have been associated with it. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1121. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE097-036 Religious house - Augustinian canons
  Description

  National Monument No. 168. Ballinskelligs Abbey: The priory of the Arroasian Canons of the Order of St Augustine is located on the W shore of Ballinskelligs Bay. It was founded in 1210, or shortly afterwards, originating from Rattoo in north Kerry. It is recorded that the early monastery of Skellig Michael (KE104A-001----) was transferred, due to the hazardous conditions on the rock, to this location prior to the mid-eleventh century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 192; Smith 1756, 103). The priory retained possession of the Great Skellig and of the alias 'de Rupe Michaelis'. Ballinskelligs is recorded in the Papal Taxation Lists for the diocese of Ardfert in 1300 as 'Redditus Priors de Rupe Beati Michis' (Hickson 1891, 310-12). The priory was still Arroasian and occupied by canons in 1555 (Walsh and O'Sullivan 1949, 59), and may still have been in use by 1569 (Cal Car MSS I, 389). It was disbanded by 1578, when a fiant granted the lease of 'the site of the late monastery of Canons of Ballinskilligge’, to Gyles Clinsher for twenty-one years (Hickson 1891, 312). It was leased to John Blake in 1585 (Gwynn and Hadcock, ibid.), and later came into the possession of Richard Harding (Smith 1756, 103). It passed to the Sigerson family in 1615 (Lynch 1902b, 352). With the exception of the building known as the Prior's House, the priory is poorly preserved. It is located close to the shoreline, the erosion of which since at least the eighteenth century has resulted in the destruction of several buildings and much of the SE side of the monastery and graveyard (Smith 1756, 103; OSL; Lynch 1902b, 344). A substantial sea-wall, revetted by groynes, now protects the site. The priory comprises a number of buildings which exhibit architectural details relating to various periods between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. The church is of nave and chancel type with a now destroyed sacristy. Connected to the N angle of the nave is a rectangular building known as the 'Prior's House', the longer axis of which is aligned somewhat askew to that of the church. To SW of the church is the refectory, with the ruined cloister occupying the area in between. The foundations of a structure abut the W angle of the refectory; these survive as two lengths of wall, one extending N-S for a distance of 12.4m, and the second, positioned at right angles to the first, measuring 4.5m in length. The 'Castle (in ruins)' noted on the OS maps is located 13m SW of the refectory. Its foundations were intact when described in 1841 (OSL), but by the turn of the century only its NW wall remained (Lynch 1902b, 347). Lynch also recorded the remnants of a structure which was destroyed shortly before 1902. This consisted of the 'angle of a building', with the 'tide washing all around it', located 70 feet (21.3m) NE of the church and 25 feet (7.6m) SE of the sacristy (1902b, 350). At the N end of the priory complex are two poorly preserved, drystone rectangular structures. All of the buildings, except the latter, have been repaired and repointed by the OPW. Church: The present remains consist of the rectangular nave, a portion of the chancel and a segment of walling NE of the chancel. The side-walls of the nave have been repointed and restored to almost full height. The building is constructed of roughly coursed rubble set in a lime and gravel mortar with sandstone dressings. Remnants of a plaster coat survive in places on its inner wall-face. The nave measures 16.6m NW-SE x 4.9m NE-SW internally. There is no apparent trace of the cross-wall which stood 11 feet 4 inches (3.45m) from the NW gable. It measured 2 feet 4 inches (.66m) thick and stood 6 feet (1.8m) high in the 1840s (OSL). Lynch noted a breach in it, which may have marked a doorway, and recorded the shaft and base of a limestone font on its E side (1902b, 350). The shaft was octagonal in section and was secured in a square base which featured a beaded moulding on all sides. The font, which is recorded in a Lawrence collection photograph (3068 WL), was reported in 1938 as having been 'knocked half sideways' (OPW). All that remains today is a rough, rectangular block, .7m x .2m, which features a perforation. Numerous graves occupy the interior of the nave, many of them marked by architectural fragments. The NE side-wall of the nave features three windows and a doorway. The first window is located close to the NW gable and is a narrow rectangular ope, .85m high; its SE jamb is modern. The ope inclines slightly in elevation and is set in a lintelled embrasure with splayed ingoings. A similar window, with a gently plunging sill, is located at the SE end of the wall and measures .5m high. Adjacent at NW is a pointed chamfered light, the sill of which is grooved for a frame. It is set in an embrasure with a rounded rear arch, splayed ingoings and a gently plunging sill. A corbel projects from the wall-face both sides of the embrasure, midway along its height. The partially restored doorway is located 4.15m from the N angle. A number of its roll-moulded jambstones and two moulded voussoirs of its semicircular arch survive in situ. Internally, it is set in an embrasure with splayed ingoings and a segmental rear arch. There are three doorways and a window in the SW side-wall of the nave. The pointed window is similar in form to that on the NW wall opposite; a corbel projects from the SE side of its embrasure and a small slab with a rectangular depression opn its upper surface projects from the wall-face beneath. The three doorways gave access to the cloister area. That at SE retains only its lower SE jamb, which features a sinking for a bolt; internally it is set in an embrasure with splayed ingoings and a segmental rear arch. The defaced and blocked central doorway features a segmental arch of pitched slabs; the head of an ogee window features among its blocking stones. At the NW end of the wall is a narrow doorway with a steeply pitched, pointed arch formed of thin irregular slabs; this may be a modern repair. The head of the original rear arch of its embrasure has collapsed. A ragged ope is all that remains of the tall window in the NW gable; the segmental arch and the base of the splayed ingoings of its embrasure are preserved. Only the NW end of the chancel is extant. It is .7m wider internally than the nave, and originally was c. 10m in length (OSL). The dividing wall or gable features the chancel arch and survives to full height; it is topped by a bellcote. The pointed chancel arch is 3.12m high and 1.7m wide. It consists of coursed, broadly chamfered jambs of rectangular section, .85m deep, surmounted by chamfered abaci. The plain, cut stone arch is pointed and is fitted on both sides with a projecting hood. Its soffit is constructed of carefully coursed rubble and was raised on wooden centring supported in four nib-holes. The bellcote forms a vertical projection which caps the apex of this wall. It is pierced by a broad, pointed ope. The side-walls of the chancel are preserved for a length of only 2.7m. The chamfered jambs, splayed ingoing and sill of a window survive in the NE wall. The greater portion of the chancel was extant in 1841, though by then its SE gable had already collapsed (OSL). The side-walls survived to the same height as those of the nave, though most of the SW wall was collapsed. There was a second window in the NE wall, square in outline and built of cut stone externally. Towards the S end of this wall was a pointed doorway of cut stone set in a lintelled rear arch. Stokes recorded the destruction of the SE gable, and described its window as 'very massive . . . of a very singular pattern' (1871, 23). The pointed doorway in the chancel gave access to an adjoining building at NE, which was termed a sacristy by Lynch (1902b, 350). It was a rectangular structure, measuring 16 feet 6 inches (5m) x 11 feet 4 inches (3.45m). Its NW wall had a poorly preserved window of 'rude stone', the gable featured a pointed cut stone window w

• KE097-036003 Castle - tower house
  Description

  Ballinskelligs Abbey (KE097-036----) was the priory of the Arroasian Canons of the Order of St Augustine, located on the W shore of Ballinskelligs Bay. It was founded in 1210, or shortly afterwards, originating from Rattoo in north Kerry. It is recorded that the early monastery of Skellig Michael (KE104A-001----) was transferred, due to the hazardous conditions on the rock, to this location prior to the mid-eleventh century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 192; Smith 1756, 103). The priory retained possession of the Great Skellig and of the alias 'de Rupe Michaelis'. The priory comprises a number of buildings which exhibit architectural details relating to various periods between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. The 'Castle (in ruins)' noted on the OS maps is located 13m SW of the refectory. Its foundations were intact when described in 1841 (OSL), but by the turn of the century only its NW wall remained (Lynch 1902, 347). Castle (KE097-003-): The present remains of the this structure, known as the Caisleán Beag, comprise its NW wall and a portion of its SW wall. Both walls average 1.2m thick and measure 3.7m long internally. That at NW features a rectangular ope at ground floor level. This is set in a square, lintelled embrasure which extends almost to ground level. Only the lower levels of the first floor, which is set back from the ground floor, survive. The remaining portion of the SW wall measures .92m internally and has been incorporated into the graveyard boundary. This wall extends c. 2m beyond the NW wall. A great deal more of the building was extant in 1841, when it was described in the OSL. The SW wall measured 4.3m in length and projected 2.7m beyond the SE wall, while the NE wall measured 5.13m in length. Both walls featured a 'battered archway', and a window, similar in form to the surviving one on the NW wall, though taller and narrower, was located in the SE wall. This portion of the building had been destroyed by the turn of the century. See attached plan of graveyard courtesy of Laurence Dunne The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1085. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Laurence Dunne Date of revised upload: 13 May 2022

• KE097-036004 Building
  Description

  Ballinskelligs Abbey (KE097-036----) was the priory of the Arroasian Canons of the Order of St Augustine, located on the W shore of Ballinskelligs Bay. It was founded in 1210, or shortly afterwards, originating from Rattoo in north Kerry. It is recorded that the early monastery of Skellig Michael (KE104A001----) was transferred, due to the hazardous conditions on the rock, to this location prior to the mid-eleventh century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 192; Smith 1756, 103). The priory retained possession of the Great Skellig and of the alias 'de Rupe Michaelis'. The priory comprises a number of buildings which exhibit architectural details relating to various periods between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. At the N end of the priory complex are two poorly preserved, drystone rectangular structures (KE097-036004- & KE097-036006-). All of the buildings, except the latter, have been repaired and repointed by the OPW. Rectangular Buildings: (1) (KE097-036004-) Located close to the N wall of the graveyard are the remains of a drystone structure. Its SE wall is not apparent, but the building measures at least 8.4m NW-SE x 5.2m NE-SW internally. Its roughly coursed walls of rubble construction range from 1.4m to 2m in thickness. Midway along the S wall is a possible entrance gap, 1.4m wide. Tombs and graves largely obscure its interior. A short stretch of walling extending from the NE wall may indicate an internal division. See attached photograph of building and plan of graveyard courtesy of Laurence Dunne The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1085. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Laurence Dunne Date of revised upload: 13 May 2022

• KE097-036005 Graveyard
  Description

  Ballinskelligs Abbey (KE097-036----) was the priory of the Arroasian Canons of the Order of St Augustine, located on the W shore of Ballinskelligs Bay. It was founded in 1210, or shortly afterwards, originating from Rattoo in north Kerry. It is recorded that the early monastery of Skellig Michael (KE104A-001----) was transferred, due to the hazardous conditions on the rock, to this location prior to the mid-eleventh century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 192; Smith 1756, 103). The priory retained possession of the Great Skellig and of the alias 'de Rupe Michaelis'. The priory is located close to the shoreline, the erosion of which since at least the eighteenth century has resulted in the destruction of several buildings and much of the SE side of the monastery and graveyard (Smith 1756, 103; OSL; Lynch 1902, 344). A substantial sea-wall, revetted by groynes, now protects the site. The priory comprises a number of buildings which exhibit architectural details relating to various periods between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. Numerous graves occupy the interior of the nave of KE097-036----, many of them marked by architectural fragments. The two rectangular buildings (KE097-036004- & KE097-036006-) located close to the graveyard are obscured by tombs and burials. Ballinskelligs graveyard was surveyed in 2012 and described as follows (Dunne 2012); 'Ballinskelligs Abbey and graveyard is situated near the SW tip of the Iveragh Peninsula. It lies on the W side of the Ballinskelligs Bay across from the town of Waterville. A holed-stone (KE097-036001) was recorded by Crawford in 1915 as lying on the beach outside the abbey. Its whereabouts are now unknown. The remains of a font were also recorded in the abbey church (O’Sullivan & Sheehan 1996, 350). None of these previously recorded artefacts were located in the course of this survey. A substantial amount of the E limits of the medieval Augustinian abbey complex has been eroded by the sea in the past. The medieval abbey is now protected by a robust sea-wall that forms the entirety of the E boundary. The abbey complex of buildings, that are now undergoing conservation by the OPW, dominate the graveyard and effectively divides the burial ground into two areas. The N-NE area slopes to seaward and is bumpy and irregular underfoot. The entrance comprises a pair of locally forged wrought-iron gates, 1.6m wide, set between two square rubblestone piers built to courses. The N gate is not opening and the S gate only partially. The S gate pier is entirely overgrown with ivy. The W & N boundary walls are built of local split sandstone with ‘soldier’ capping and are very overgrown and encroaching on the graves. While there is a boundary breach mid way along the N wall. The S boundary is of similar construction but is devoid of ivy and in general good condition. The E or seaward boundary is very robust and constructed of mass-concrete from locally derived gravel. This E boundary also acts as a sea-wall as over the centuries much of the E limits of the medieval complex have been eroded by the sea. Coherent sections of previous destroyed sea-wall lie on the rocky shore. A pedestrian stepped-stile is situated in the ENE limits of boundary wall to accommodate walkers along the beach-front from Ballinskelligs and Ballinskelligs castle [KE097-036003-]. There are ten tombs in Ballinskelligs graveyard disposed around and within the medieval abbey buildings but preferentially the cloister area and one in the refectory. The tombs in Ballinskelligs are of the house-shaped or tiered strong-box shaped variety while a lean-to type abuts the S elevation of the cloister. There are two hundred and thirty (230) recorded named headstones in Ballinskelligs graveyard and abbey, of which one hundred and seventeen (117) have associated formal grave plots. There are three graveslabs recorded in Ballinskelligs graveyard, two of which have names while the third is unknown. There are one hundred and eighty two (182) unhewn, unnamed gravemarkers in Ballinskelligs graveyard. There were four notched gravemarkers recorded in Ballinskelligs grave yard. These unhewn notched gravemarkers form a particular type of medieval grave marker and are relatively unknown and little studied aspect of medieval funerary practice. Fourteen (14) architectural fragments (AFs) were recorded in Ballinskelligs abbey and graveyard in the course of this survey. The majority of which were stored in the Prior’s House while a font fragment was situated in the abbey church. Two cross-slabs or cross inscribed headstones were recorded in Ballinskelligs graveyard during the course of this survey. Both cross slabs are simple, cross-inscribed slabs. The cross motifs inscribed on both slabs are of the simple Latin type. One of the cross-slabs is post medieval and has the letters ‘J C’ inscribed around the shaft of the cross. A fragment of a sandstone rotary quern-stone was recorded'. See attached photographs and plan of graveyard courtesy of Laurence Dunne The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1085. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Laurence Dunne Date of revised upload: 13 May 2022

• KE097-036006 Building
  Description

  Ballinskelligs Abbey (KE097-036----) was the priory of the Arroasian Canons of the Order of St Augustine, located on the W shore of Ballinskelligs Bay. It was founded in 1210, or shortly afterwards, originating from Rattoo in north Kerry. It is recorded that the early monastery of Skellig Michael (KE104A-001----) was transferred, due to the hazardous conditions on the rock, to this location prior to the mid-eleventh century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 192; Smith 1756, 103). The priory retained possession of the Great Skellig and of the alias 'de Rupe Michaelis'. The priory comprises a number of buildings which exhibit architectural details relating to various periods between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. At the N end of the priory complex are two poorly preserved, drystone rectangular structures (KE097-036004/006-). All of the buildings, except the latter, have been repaired and repointed by the OPW. Rectangular Buildings: (2) (KE097-036006-) A similarly constructed building (KE097-036004-) is located c. 10m to NE. Burials have considerably disturbed its walls and interior. It measures 8.6m E-W x c. 4.5m N-S internally, and its walls average 1m in thickness. See attached plan of graveyard courtesy of Laurence Dunne The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1085. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Laurence Dunne Date of revised upload: 13 May 2022

• KE097-036007 Earthwork
  Description

  Ballinskelligs Abbey (KE097-036----) was the priory of the Arroasian Canons of the Order of St Augustine, located on the W shore of Ballinskelligs Bay. It was founded in 1210, or shortly afterwards, originating from Rattoo in north Kerry. It is recorded that the early monastery of Skellig Michael (KE104A-001----) was transferred, due to the hazardous conditions on the rock, to this location prior to the mid-eleventh century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 192; Smith 1756, 103). The priory retained possession of the Great Skellig and of the alias 'de Rupe Michaelis'. Faint traces of earthworks, including some possible house sites, are visible in the field immediately W of the graveyard. Sherds of post-Medieval pottery from here are in the NMI (1989:27a-d). The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1085. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE097-036008 Architectural fragment
  Description

  Ballinskelligs Abbey (KE097-036----) was the priory of the Arroasian Canons of the Order of St Augustine, located on the W shore of Ballinskelligs Bay. It was founded in 1210, or shortly afterwards, originating from Rattoo in north Kerry. It is recorded that the early monastery of Skellig Michael (KE104A-001----) was transferred, due to the hazardous conditions on the rock, to this location prior to the mid-eleventh century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 192; Smith 1756, 103). The priory retained possession of the Great Skellig and of the alias 'de Rupe Michaelis'. A number of architectural fragments from the priory are located for safe-keeping in the Prior's House. These include the head of an ogee window (KE097-036008-), several large drainage slabs and a number of arched sections of a doorway. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1085. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE097-036009 Architectural fragment
  Description

  Ballinskelligs Abbey (KE097-036----) was the priory of the Arroasian Canons of the Order of St Augustine, located on the W shore of Ballinskelligs Bay. It was founded in 1210, or shortly afterwards, originating from Rattoo in north Kerry. It is recorded that the early monastery of Skellig Michael (KE104A-001----) was transferred, due to the hazardous conditions on the rock, to this location prior to the mid-eleventh century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 192; Smith 1756, 103). The priory retained possession of the Great Skellig and of the alias 'de Rupe Michaelis'. A number of architectural fragments from the priory are located for safe-keeping in the Prior's House. These include the head of an ogee window (KE097-036008-), several large drainage slabs (KE097-036009-), and a number of arched sections of a doorway (KE097-036010-). The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1085. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE097-036010 Architectural fragment
  Description

  Ballinskelligs Abbey (KE097-036----) was the priory of the Arroasian Canons of the Order of St Augustine, located on the W shore of Ballinskelligs Bay. It was founded in 1210, or shortly afterwards, originating from Rattoo in north Kerry. It is recorded that the early monastery of Skellig Michael (KE104A-001----) was transferred, due to the hazardous conditions on the rock, to this location prior to the mid-eleventh century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 192; Smith 1756, 103). The priory retained possession of the Great Skellig and of the alias 'de Rupe Michaelis'. A number of architectural fragments from the priory are located for safe-keeping in the Prior's House. These include the head of an ogee window (KE097-036008-), several large drainage slabs (KE097-036009-), and a number of arched sections of a doorway (KE097-036010-). The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1085. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE097-036011 Font
  Description

  Ballinskelligs Abbey (KE097-036----) was the priory of the Arroasian Canons of the Order of St Augustine, located on the W shore of Ballinskelligs Bay. It was founded in 1210, or shortly afterwards, originating from Rattoo in north Kerry. It is recorded that the early monastery of Skellig Michael (KE104A-001----) was transferred, due to the hazardous conditions on the rock, to this location prior to the mid-eleventh century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 192; Smith 1756, 103). The priory retained possession of the Great Skellig and of the alias 'de Rupe Michaelis'. Lynch noted a limestone font (KE097-036011-) on its E side of the Church (KE097-036----) (1902, 350). The shaft was octagonal in section and was secured in a square base which featured a beaded moulding on all sides. The font, which is recorded in a Lawrence collection photograph (3068 WL), was reported in 1938 as having been 'knocked half sideways' (OPW). All that remains today is a rough, rectangular block, .7m x .2m, which features a perforation. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1085. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

Architectural heritage

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

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 Ballinskelligs, 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.

Terrain model

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

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 Ballinskelligs with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Kerry.

Name

Ballinskelligs · Baile an Sceilg

Area

2,923,433 m² (292.34 ha, 722.4 acres)

Civil parish

Prior, and its townlands

Barony

Iveragh

Electoral division

Ballinskelligs, the unit of the census

Census 2022

419 people lived in 172 households in the Ballinskelligs electoral division. 79% of households owned their home. 24% of homes were built since 2001. 5% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 55% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Boolakeel, Canuig, Coom, Dungeagan, Kinard East, Kinard West, Leabaleaha

Gaeltacht

In an Irish-speaking area

Placenames

Ballinskelligs 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.