Castlefarm

6 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Castlefarm, from 1,750 m² to 109,289 m² (10.93 ha, 27.01 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 20 neighbouring parcels touch it.

No zone of a development plan covers Castlefarm 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.

• 21 Mar 2023Conditional

  (I) CONSTRUCT A SLATTED CUBICLE HOUSE ADJACENT TO EXISTING FARM BUILDINGS. PROPOSED SLATTED CUBICLE HOUSE TO INCORPORATE UNDERGROUND SLURRY STORAGE TANK WITH EXTERNAL AGITATION POINTS, EASY FEED, SCRAPER AND ANCILLARY EXTERNAL CONCRETE, (II) CONSTRUCT A WALLED SILAGE SLAB AND CONCRETE APRON

  Permission · Kerry County Council, 23298

• 2 Jul 2018Conditional

  MINOR ALTERATIONS TO AN EXISTING DAIRY INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF AN EXTERNAL BULK MILK STORAGE SILO, ASSOCIATED ALCOVE AND COMPRESSOR AND REPLACEMENT OF A SLIDING DOOR WITH A PEDESTRIAN DOOR

  Permission · Kerry County Council, 18656

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

No designated site (Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Natural Heritage Area or proposed one) touches the townland of Castlefarm.

Recorded monuments

• KE048-001 Enclosure
  Description

  In level pasture. A circular feature, on the N side of an E-W field boundary, is visible in an aerial photograph (GSIAP, Q 203). This possible enclosure is not visible at ground level. (Castleisland District Archaeological Survey) Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011

• KE048-035001 Castle - unclassified
  Description

  On top of an elevated limestone outcrop partially covered by deciduous trees and strewn by loose moss-covered stones. The top edge of the outcrop is defined intermittently along its N (L c. 25m) and W (L c. 40m) sides by a linear bank (Wth c. 1.5m; H 0.5m) (KE048-035002-); the site is depicted by a dotted line enclosing a roughly rectangular area (c. 60m N-S; c. 50m E-W) on the 1840 OS 6-inch map. In the centre of the area defined by the bank is the remains of a rectangular structure (8.8m N-S; 8.4m E-W) defined by the basal courses of a random-rubble wall (T 0.85m; H 0.5m) bonded by a lime mortar. The exact nature of the monument is unclear but the name 'Court' suggests it may be the remains of a late-16th/early 17th-century fortified residence. Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 41/1976).

• KE048-035002 Earthwork
  Description

  On the sides of a large elevated limestone outcrop with views restricted by a copse of deciduous trees. Occasional traces of the remains of a linear bank (Wth c. 1.5m; H 0.5m) with considerable stone inclusions are evident outside the N (L c. 25m) and W (L c. 40m) sides of a possible tower house (KE048-035001-). The earthwork is obscured by large quantities of moss-covered rubble, which is strewn down the slopes. Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 41/1976).

• KE048-036 Graveyard
  Description

  On a rise. A rectangular graveyard (61m E-W; 46m N-S) enclosed by a random rubble limestone wall. According to local information, people wishing to bury their dead had to bring in earth because of the rocky nature of the ground. Molahiffe church (KE048-036001-) is situated in the NE quadrant of the graveyard. (CDAS; O'Hare 2000, 94-6) See attached plan of church and graveyard courtesy of Stephen Hourihane Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011

• KE048-036001 Church
  Description

  In a graveyard (KE048-036----), to the NE of the centre. The remains of the church comprise the E gable (L 6.9m; H 6m; T 1m) and the centre section of the S wall (L 5.2m: H 1.8m) with vaults on either side. The masonry consists of large blocks of limestone bonded with a lime mortar. The central E window consists of a single, round-headed light (H 1.45m; Wth 0.2m) surmounted by a sandstone surround. Some jambs of the original surround remain in situ. Internally the round-arched window embrasure (H c. 2.3m: Wth 1.6m) splays widely. Molahiffe is referred to in the Papal Taxation List of 1302-07 (Sweetman 1886, 296). The remains of the old parish church of Molahiffe is described as being in ruins in 1756 (Smith 1756, 39). By 1841, only the E gable and the mid-portion of the S wall (L 12ft [3.65m]; H 9ft [2.74m]) remained (O'Donovan 1983, 186). Molahiffe Castle (KE048-039----) is c. 100m to the N. (CDAS; O'Hare 2000, 94-6) Church ruins described in 1841 as follows; 'No part of the old church of this parish now remains but the east gable and a fragment of the middle part of the south wall twelve feet long and nine feet high. The walls are three feet two inches in thickness and built of large blocks of limestone cemented with lime and sand mortar. The east window remains in good preservation; it is semi-circular headed on both sides and formed of chiselled brown sandstone excepting the internal arch which is of small hammered stones. It measures on the inside nine feet in height and five feet six inches in width, and on the outside where it is four feet from the level of the ground four feet ten inches in height and seven and a half inches in width. This church is of considerable antiquity, and is, in all probability, the Domhnach Mór Maighe Laithimh of the old writers. It stands in a large grave yard, which is the common cemetery of the neighbourhood' (O'Donovan 1983, 186) See attached plan of church and graveyard courtesy of Stephen Hourihane Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011

• KE048-037 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In a farmyard. The possible rath is not visible at ground level. It is indicated as a circular enclosure (diam. c. 20m) on the 1897 OS 6-inch map. Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011

• KE048-038 Castle - ringwork
  Description

  On a local rise, in an otherwise lowlying level area. A roughly oval platform (c. 40m NW-SE; c. 30m NE-SW; H c. 1.8m), now incorporated into the garden immediately in front of Molahiffe Castle, now known as Castlefarm, a 19th-century country house (Barry 1994, 68). A curving random rubble wall (H c. 1.8m) along the SW arc of the platform may be associated with the country house. The surface of the platform forms a garden lawn. Probably the remains of an earthwork castle built by Thomas Fitzmaurice, who was granted these lands by King John in the late 12th century (ibid., 184). The remains of Molahiffe Castle (KE048-039----), a late-medieval towerhouse, stand in the SW quadrant of the platform. Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011

• KE048-039 Castle - tower house
  Description

  In the SW quadrant of a possible ringwork (KE048-038----). Only the SE corner of the tower now stands, the remainder having been demolished in 1809 during the construction of the adjacent Castlefarm House (OSNB, Molahiffy 1, 44). The corner has dressed limestone quoins, and the wall (thickness c. 2.6m) has a base batter. Most of the structure, which stands to at least second-floor level, is heavily encased by ivy. There appears to be a window in the E wall at second-floor level and the side of a window is evident in the S wall at the same height. Molahiff Castle belonged to the Coshmang branch of the MacCarthy More (Bary 1994, 184). After the Desmond Rebellion it was repaired by Valentine Browne (MacCarthy-Morrogh 1986, 127). In the 1840s it was estimated that the surviving SE corner of the castle stood to a height of at least 55ft. [16.76m] (OSL, 202). Molahiffe graveyard (KE048-036----) and church (KE048-03601-) are c. 100m to the S. Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011

• KE048-108 Country house
  Description

  An occupied three-storey gable-ended house built of random rubble limestone, T-shaped in ground plan. The front elevation (E-facing) is of five bays and has a central doorway with a rectangular overlight. Some of the rectangular window opes retain sash frames with glazing bars. There is a chimney on each gable. The S gable is weather slated. The front elevation is prolonged to the N by a two-storey five bay structure. There is an enclosed yard to the rear with a range of two-storey outhouses on its N side. Bary (1994, 68) states that the house was built in c. 1769 by Michael Mahony. The house is now known as 'Castlefarm'. In the 1840s it was recorded that stones from Molahiffe Castle (KE048-039---) were used in the construction of Castlefarm House in 1809 (OSNB). (Castleisland District Archaeological Survey) Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011

Architectural heritage

• Castlefarm, house, 1720–1780 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached five-bay three-storey mid-Georgian house, built c. 1750, extended to north, c. 1780, comprising five-bay two-storey lower wing on an L-shaped plan with three-bay two-storey return to rear to west, wing now partly ruinous. Pitched slate roof with catslide to rear, clay ridge tiles, rendered gable chimneystack and cast-iron gutter. Roughcast rendered walls to facade with projecting string courses. Rendered south gable with slate-hanging at upper level. Timber six-over-six pane sliding sash windows at ground and first floor, one-over-one pane sliding sash windows at second floor, all with painted stone sills and rendered reveals. Square-headed door opening with overlight and replacement timber panelled door. Retaining interior features. Detached eight-bay two-storey stone-built stable building, built c. 1780, to north with series of square- and segmental-headed integral carriage arches and flight of steps to entrance to first floor. Attached four-bay single-storey corrugated-iron-clad outbuilding, built c. 1940, at right angles to east. Remains of detached single-bay five-storey rubble stone-built medieval tower house to east, built c. 1600, now ruinous. Gateway, built c. 1720, to east comprising pair of cast-iron piers with cast-iron gates and railings.

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).

No address of the register names Castlefarm with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Kerry.

Name

Castlefarm

Area

1,056,849 m² (105.68 ha, 261.15 acres)

Civil parish

Molahiffe, and its townlands

Barony

Magunihy

Electoral division

Molahiffe, the unit of the census

Neighbouring townlands

Ballinvarrig, Bohereens, Bushmount, Cloonlara, Graffeens, Inchinveema, Knockaneacoolteen, Roxborough, Urrohogal

Placenames

Castlefarm on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, 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.