Knockaulin

37 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Knockaulin, from 72 m² to 505,648 m² (50.56 ha, 124.95 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 25 neighbouring parcels touch it.

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

No zone of a development plan covers Knockaulin 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.

• 7 May 2021Refused

  The development will consist of: (1) An application area of c. 39.5 hectares. (2) Continued use on lands measuring c. 28.1 hectares of the existing permitted developments under plan refs. 17/1344 (ABP PL09.302526); 06/651 (and 17/188) consisting of: Processing of sand and gravel that includes crushing, washing (with associated silt disposal lagoons) and screening and all related ancillary works and structures; Site facilities consisting of prefabricated offices, WC and waste water treatment and percolation area, canteen and cloakroom, ESB substation and switch house, concrete laboratory, bunded fuel tanks and water recycling bays, weighbridge and wheelwash granted under plan ref. 06/651. (3) Continued use of the existing readymix concrete batching plant originally granted under plan refs. 94/1109 and 90/52; and sand and gravel workings, with associated plant and facilities originally granted under plan refs. 94/1109 and 89/150. (4) The proposed development will also consist of an extension (c. 11.4 hectares) to the existing permitted site with extraction of sand and gravel over an area of c. 10.8 hectares and processing taking place at the existing processing plant within the existing permitted development areas of plan refs. 17/1344 and 06/651 with provision of a screening berm surrounding the proposed extension area. (5) Restoration of the entire site to a combination of agricultural and nature conservation areas. (6) The proposed operational period is for 8 years plus 2 years to complete restoration (total duration sought 10 years). An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared in respect of this planning application at this site

  Permission · Kildare County Council, 21618

• 29 Nov 2017Conditional

  development within an overall application area of 35.8 hectares. Continued use on lands measuring c. 29.7 hectares of the existing permitted development under Planning Reg. Ref. 06/651 consisting of: Extraction of sand and gravel with processing that includes crushing, washing (with associated silt disposal lagoons) and screening and all ancillary works and structures, and to include a proposed new holding pond; Continued use of the existing readymix concrete batching plant granted under Planning Reg. Ref. 94/1109 and 90/52, and sand and gravel workings, with associated plant and facilities granted under Planning Reg. Ref. 94/1109 and 89/150; Site facilities consisting of prefabricated offices, WC and waste water treatment and percolation area, canteen and cloakroom, ESB substation and switch house, concrete laboratory, bunded fuel tanks and water recycling bays, weighbridge and wheelwash granted under Planning Reg. Ref. 06/651. The proposed development will also consist of an extension (c. 6.1 hectares) to the existing permitted sand and gravel pit for extraction over an area of c. 4.3 hectares and processing taking place at the existing plant within the existing permitted development area of Planning Ref. 06/651. The remaining c. 1.8 hectares will consist of an overburden storage area, screening berms and buffer zones to existing archaeological features to be preserved in-situ. Restoration of the entire site (Planning Reg. Refs. 94/1109, 89/150 and 06/651) to a combination of agricultural and nature conservation areas. The proposed operational period is for 10 years plus 2 years to complete restoration (total duration sought 12 years). This planning application will be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR). Revised by Significant Further Information

  Permission · Kildare County Council, 171344

• 6 Nov 2017N/a

  development within an overall application area of 35.8 hectares; continued use of the existing permitted development under P. Reg. Ref. 06/651 consisting of; extraction of sand and gravel with processing that includes crushing, washing (with associated silt disposal lagoons) and screening and all ancillary works and structures; continued use of the existing readymix concrete batching plant granted under P. Reg. Ref. 94/1109 & 90/52, and sand and gravel workings, with associated plant and facilities granted under P. Reg. Ref. 94/1109 & 89/150; site facilities consisting of prefabricated offices, WC, canteen and cloakroom, ESB substation and switch house, bunded fuel tanks and water recycling bays, weighbridge and wheelwash granted under P. Reg. Ref. 06/651. The proposed development will also consist of an extension to the existing permitted sand and gravel pit with associated extraction and processing over an area of c4.3 hectares. Restoration of the entire site (P. Reg. Refs. 94/1109, 89/150 & 06/651) to a combination of agricultural and nature conservation areas. The proposed operational period is for 10 years plus 2 years to complete restoration (total duration sought 12 years). This planning application will be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR)

  Permission · Kildare County Council, 171243

• 29 Sept 2017Conditional

  (a) Planning permission sought for single storey extension to rear elevation (south-west) and side elevation (north west) of existing dwelling; (b) Minor internal alterations to existing dwelling house to form a family flat; (c) Alterations to front elevation (north-east) consisting of the removal of existing window and replaced with new bay window and the reinsertion of front door and new gable window to side elevation (north west); (d) The installation of an Oakstown BAF wastewater treatment plant with soil polishing filter percolation area and all associated site works

  Permission, 2 homes · Kildare County Council, 171086

• 23 Feb 2017Conditional

  Extension of Duration Ref. 06/651 for extraction of sand and gravel with processing that includes crushing, washing (with associated silt disposal lagoons) and screening and all ancillary works and structures on a total site measuring 37.0 hectares

  Extension of duration · Kildare County Council, 17188

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 Knockaulin.

Recorded monuments

• KD028-035 Barrow - stepped barrow
  Description

  On a short E-facing pasture slope at the N foot of Knockaillinne and overlooked by Dun Aillinne (KD028-038----) c. 630m to the S. A low, partially dug-out, circular area (diam. 18m; H above external ground level 0.6-1.6m) is girdled by a broad berm (Wth 2.9-3.1m) SW-N-SE, which is heavily poached at W, and by a wide outer fosse (Wth at base 1.5m at S-2.4m at N; Wth at ground surface 7.8m at E-8.6m at S; overall diam. of monument 44.4m). Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 18 February 2013

• KD028-036 Enclosure
  Description

  Visible on a 1967 aerial photograph (CUCAP ASU 90) as the cropmark of a fosse enclosing a small circular area (est. diam. c. 15m), possibly a ringditch. On a narrow, level terrace on the NE slope of Dun Aillinne, in mixed pasture and tillage. No visible surface trace survives. A second, larger, cropmark site (KD028-037----) lies c. 85m to the SE. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 15 February 2013

• KD028-037 Enclosure
  Description

  Visible on a 1967 aerial photograph (CUCAP ASU 90) as the cropmark of a fosse enclosing a circular area (est. diam. c. 30m) with a possible entrance gap at W. On a narrow, level terrace on the NE slope of Knockaillinne, in mixed pasture and tillage. No visible surface trace survives. A second, smaller, cropmark site (KD028-036----) lies c. 85m to the NW. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 15 February 2013

• KD028-038001 Ceremonial enclosure
  Description

  On Knockaulin, a moderately steep-sided, round-topped hill (OD c. 183m), in improved pasture overlooking the Curragh to the NW, and traditionally, the ‘Dún Ailinne’ of early Irish literature - seat of the kings of Leinster. O’Donovan, jointly compiling the OSL for Co. Kildare in 1837, noted that the name ‘Ailinne’ was said to derive from an ‘ail’ or stone on the site (KD028-038004-). He also noted that in the literature, Dún Ailinne is referred to as, ‘a place of assemblies, a Rath with royal roads, … a Grianan [palace] and a Royal Dún’ (Herity 2002, 102-3 [46-7]). A substantial earth and stone bank (H 5m) and deep internal fosse encloses a very large oval area (c. 470m N-S; c. 385m E-W; c. 13 hectares) The enclosing elements hug the 150m contour SW-W-NW, and serve as a townland boundary SE-S-W-NW. A causewayed entrance (unexcavated bedrock) at E is approached externally by a revetted/kerbed roadway (L c. 40m; Wth c. 8m) which continues internally (L c. 70m) towards the summit of the monument. In the interior, O’Donovan (op. cit.) recorded a ‘Rath on the apex of the hill’ (KD028-038006-) and it is indicated on the 1st ed. (1838) of the OS 6-inch map which also records ‘St John’s Well’ (KD028-038002-) in the NW sector. From 1968 to 1975, seasonal archaeological excavation and geophysical prospection was undertaken at the monument (Wailes 1970 (a), 79-90; 1970 (b), 507-17; 1971, 5-11; 1973, 234-41; 1974 (a), 13-14; 1974 (b), 345-58; 1976, 319-38; 1982, 1-29; 1990, 10-21; Johnson 1990, 26-31; Jackson and Wailes 2007). The earliest activity uncovered on the hilltop was a small Neolithic enclosure (KD028-038007-), a possible Neolithic burial (KD028-038005-) and possible Neolithic and Bronze Age habitation evidence (KD028-038003-). Later, and far more extensive Iron Age activity comprised three major successive phases of construction, each partly cutting through the previous and all defined by circular trenches, representing large post and palisade structures, and called by the excavator, the ‘White Phase’, the ‘Rose Phase’ and the ‘Mauve Phase’. The first, ‘White Phase’, comprised a circular trench (diam. c. 22m) which was dug to take the close-set timber uprights of a possible palisade or fence. It was subsequently dismantled and replaced by a far more complex structure – the ‘Rose Phase’. Three concentric trenches, c. 1m apart, enclosed an inner circular area (diam. 28.5m). The posts in the trenches were graded by size; the inner trench supporting the smallest and the outer, the largest. An entrance at NE was flanked by substantial, diverging fences which contained an avenue flanked by parallel posts, which itself contained two short trenches. A smaller, conjoined enclosure at S (diam. c. 25m), formed by two concentric timber circles, had its own entrance at NE but communicated with the main enclosure via a narrow (Wth 1m), but defined gap at N. The complex ‘Rose Phase’ structure was almost entirely dismantled and a slightly larger but different structure built - the ‘Mauve Phase’. This comprised two concentric timber circles (ext. diam. c. 42m) with an entrance at ENE. A smaller circle (diam. c. 25m) of large free-standing posts (diam. c. 0.5m), was erected at the centre, and contained a smaller circular trench (diam. c. 6m) with well-defined post holes, but no obvious entrance. The ‘Mauve Phase’ structure was in turn dismantled. and later material deliberately deposited on the site included redeposited glacial till, followed by thin lenses of humus containing animal bone (cattle 54%, pig 36%), burnt stone, charcoal and ash – evidence, perhaps, of periodic feasting? Radiocarbon dates and finds, including an iron sword, an iron spear-head, iron needles, fragments of bronze fibulae and glass beads, indicate a late-prehistoric date (c. 390 BC – c. 320 AD ?) for the ritual activity at Dún Ailinne. Segment of the rock-cut ditch of O’Donovan’s ‘Rath’ (KD028-038006-) cut through all the later prehistoric levels on the hilltop. Of the substantial bank and fosse enclosing the hilltop, one radiocarbon date obtained from the humus beneath the rampart gives a terminal date for its construction of probably sometime after 700 BC (Waddell 1998, 344). Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload; 12 July 2013 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 200/1954).

• KD028-038002 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  On a N-facing pasture slope in the NW sector of Dun Ailinne, a ceremonial enclosure (KD028-038001-). In 1837, O'Conor, jointly compiling the OS Letters for Co. Kildare, recorded that the well, ‘ … was formerly frequented as a holy well, but is now dry’ (Herity 2002, 67 [197]). The holy well tradition persisted: Omurethi (1902, 362) recorded a local recalling ‘… this well to be resorted to for cures, and that he has seen rags tied to the briers overhanging it, and sticks and crutches lying about, and left there by people who had been cured of rheumatism, etc, after performing stations at the well. Unfortunately, as this is the only water supply on the hill, and the well is unprotected, cattle resort to it, and have turned it into a muddy lough.’ Survives as a small dry hollow. (Jackson 1979-80, 151) Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 12 July 2013 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 200/1954).

• KD028-038003 Habitation site
  Description

  Sherds of Western Neolithic pottery, a scatter of arrow and javelin heads and several polished stone axes - indicative of possible settlement debris - were found during the archaeological excavations of Dun Ailinne, a ceremonial enclosure (KD028-038001-). A pit burial (KD028-038005-) was also excavated. (Johnson 1990, 26-31; Waddell 1998, 343-7) Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of revised upload: 12 December 2017 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 200/1954).

• KD028-038005 Pit-burial
  Description

  Discovered during archaeological excavations at Dún Ailinne (KD028-038001-). A pit contained sherds of a decorated Neolithic pot and a slate disc or pendant. The vessel is similar to pottery from Neolithic Linkardstown type burials, and is possibly associated with a fragment of skull bone. Possible prehistoric settlement evidence (KD028-038003-) was found nearby. (Wailes 1990, 12; Waddell 1998, 344) Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 15 July 2013 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 200/1954).

• KD028-038006 Enclosure
  Description

  O’Donovan, who along with O’Conor and O’Keeffe compiled the OS Letters for Co. Kildare, visited Dún Ailinne (KD028-038001-) in 1837, and recorded a ‘Rath on the apex of the hill’ on his sketch plan of the monument. He described it as, ‘… now much effaced, but from the segment of its circle remaining I calculate it to have been about 100 feet [c. 30m] in diameter. Within this fort there is another which is somewhat of a square form but of very small dimensions, and in its west mound are two rough mountain stones of considerable size. One of these might be the Ail … [a possible standing stone (KD028-038004-) from which Dún Ailinne derived its name]’ (Herity 2002, 130 [120-21]). Writing some 60 years later, OMURETHI (1902-3, 362) recorded, ‘On the very top [of the hill] there are traces of a rath-like enclosure, and inside this again is a square excavation containing what looks like a very large grave; whether these are ancient remains, or were made in 1798 when “the Croppies” had a camp on the summit, is now impossible to say. An old resident in the locality said the Boys who were out in ’98 used this place as a kitchen.’ A circular enclosure (est. diam c. 40m) is recorded on the 1st ed. (1839) of the OS 6-inch map, which also shows a Trigonometrical Station (OD 600 feet) on the WNW limits of the enclosure. An earthwork is recorded at the location on the OS 25-inch map as a C-shaped, but almost right-angled, arc of substantial bank running from SSE-NNW (est. L c. 48m) which angles sharply to run ENE (est. L c. 33m). A circular hollow or depression (est. diam c. 10m) is shown, partially enclosed just to the E. The area was archaeologically excavated by Wailes (1990, 19: Footnote 1). He concluded that the arc of bank noted by O’Donovan never part of a complete circle and described the associated internal ‘fosse’ as, ‘more a series of connected pits than a true ditch’. He found no real trace of the ‘somewhat square’ fort noted by O’Donovan. The area had been disturbed and modern finds, including a rifle cartridge and military badge, attested to British Army activity on the hill. Though it yielded no dating evidence, the earthwork did post-date the Iron Age levels in Dún Ailinne. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 15 July 2013 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 200/1954).

• KD028-038007 Enclosure
  Description

  Discovered through archaeological excavation (Wailes 1990 19; Johnson 1990, 26-31) and possibly the earliest evidence of activity on Knockaulin Hill – predating the extensive Iron Age activity and the enclosing of the hilltop to form Dún Ailinne (KD028-038001-). A small Neolithic enclosure comprised a roughly circular ditch (diam. c. 20m) in which was found a hollow scraper and a fragment of a leaf-shaped flint arrowhead. (Waddell 1998, 344) Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 15 July 2013 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 200/1954).

Architectural heritage

• Sunnyhill Cottage, house, 1900–1905 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached five-bay two-storey red brick house, dated 1903. Renovated, c.1930. Refenestrated, c.1995, with single-bay single-storey gabled projecting open lattice porch added to front. Hipped roof with slate. Red clay crested ridge tiles. Red brick chimney stacks. Overhanging timber eaves on corbels. Replacement uPVC rainwater goods, c.1995. Red brick Flemish bond walls. Red brick stringcourse. Cut-stone date stone/plaque. Square-headed window openings. Stone sills. Replacement timber casement windows. Timber panelled shutters, c.1930. Square-headed door opening. Replacement timber panelled door, c.1995. Sidelights and overlight, c.1930. Gabled open lattice porch, c.1995, with segmental-headed opening. Set back from road in own grounds.Gateway, c.1905, to south-west comprising pair of red brick piers with ball finials having cast-iron gates. Hedge boundary to remainder of site.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

About 1 in 10 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

Susceptibility moderately high, moderately low, low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map.

Terrain model

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

Flooding

The flood maps of the Office of Public Works: floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency; Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland; both CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

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

Name

Knockaulin · Cnoc Ailinne

Area

1,211,961 m² (121.2 ha, 299.48 acres)

Civil parish

Kilcullen, and its townlands

Barony

Kilcullen

Electoral division

Kilcullen, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Kilcullen electoral division: 3,695 people in 1,256 households; 75% of households own their home; 53% of homes were built since 2001; 4% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballysaxhills, Curragh, Glebe North, Knockbounce, Oldkilcullen, Sunnyhill

Placenames

Knockaulin 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.