Ballaghmore Lower

83 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Ballaghmore Lower, from 65 m² to 674,059 m² (67.41 ha, 166.56 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 38 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 Ballaghmore Lower 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.

• 1 Dec 2025Conditional

  construct a new dwelling house, new domestic garage, new septic tank and percolation area, new site entrance and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Laois County Council, 2560799

• 24 Nov 2025Conditional

  make alterations to the front of our existing dwelling to include changes to existing windows and the removal of an existing porch canopy and the permission to construct a new porch to the front of the dwelling. To demolish the existing utility room at the rear of the dwelling and to include new windows and doors to the side and rear of the existing dwelling and all associated siteworks

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2560784

• 19 Aug 2025Refused

  construct a new dwelling house, new domestic garage, new septic tank and percolation area, new site entrance and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Laois County Council, 2560504

• 19 Mar 2024N/a

  to extend and renovate existing cottage with new septic tank and percolation area system, upgraded entrance, and all associated site works

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2460144

• 19 Mar 2024N/a

  construct new single storey 4 bedroomed dwelling with new septic tank and percolation area system, new entrance, garage and all associated site works

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2460145

• 19 Mar 2024Conditional

  to extend and renovate existing cottage with new septic tank and percolation area system, upgraded entrance, and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Laois County Council, 2460146

• 19 Mar 2024Conditional

  construct new single storey 4 bedroomed dwelling with new septic tank and percolation area system, new entrance, garage, and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Laois County Council, 2460147

• 15 Mar 2024N/a

  extend and renovate existing cottage with new septic tank and percolation area system, upgraded entrance, and all associated site works

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2460137

• 15 Mar 2024N/a

  CONSTRUCT NEW SINGLE STOREY 4 BEDROOMED DWELLING WITH NEW SEPTIC TANK AND PERCOLATION AREA SYSTEM, NEW ENTRANCE, GARAGE, AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2460138

• 25 Feb 2024N/a

  Extend and renovate existing cottage with new septic tank and percolation area system and upgraded entrance; and permission for new single storey 4 bedroomed dwelling with new septic tank and percolation area system, new entrance and garage; and all associated site works

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2460086

• 29 Jan 2024Conditional

  retain extension to original dwelling house and retain changes to window and door fenestration from that granted under the original planning permission

  Retention, 1 home · Laois County Council, 2460037

• 10 Jul 2023Conditional

  retain the following: 1/ Material widening of an agricultural entrance and intensification of the use of the entrance for an agricultural business. 2/ 1No. Container for use as agricultural office and toilet and 2No. containers ancillary to the use of the previously approved Section 5 Mushroom Tunnel. 3/ Mobile septic tank and pump house and all ancillary works

  Retention, 1 home · Laois County Council, 2360260

• 30 Jun 2023N/a

  retain 1/ Material widening of an agricultural entrance and intensification of the use of the entrance for an agricultural business. 2/ 1No. Container for use as agricultural office and toilet and 2No. containers ancillary to the use of the previously approved Section 5 Mushroom Tunnel. 3/ Mobile septic tank and pump house and all ancillary works

  Retention · Laois County Council, 2360248

• 12 Jun 2023Conditional

  1. Change use of the Old Ballaghmore National School to a Childcare Service 2. Install a modular childcare building on the site 3. Construct a single storey extension to connect the modular building to the existing building 4. Erect child safe fencing on the site and all associated ancillary site works

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2360214

• 8 Jun 2023N/a

  1. change use of the Old Ballaghmore National School to a Childcare Service 2. install a modular childcare building on the site. 3. construct a single storey extension to connect the modular building to the existing building. 4. Erection of child safe fencing on the site and all associated ancillary site works

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2360208

• 14 Mar 2023Conditional

  To 1/ Revision of site boundaries. 2/ Remove 3.No. existing pre-fabricated classrooms and outbuildings from site. 3/ Refurbish & relocate 2No. existing prefabricated classrooms. 4/ Construct 4No. additional prefabricated classrooms, 1No. activities hall, 2No. staff offices, 1No.staff canteen, toilets, circulation corridors, outdoor play areas, sensory playground and all ancillary facilities. 5/ Upgrade existing sewage treatment system and provision of underground fire water storage tank. 6/ Provision of additional car parking facilities and pedestrian access footpaths and all associated site works

  Permission · Laois County Council, 2360090

• 6 Dec 2022Conditional

  amendment to the design of the previously approved development (Planning Reference: Tipperary County Council 21261), which comprises consent for a 10 year period to construct and a 40 year period to operate a 142.7 hectare Solar PV Energy Development to include (1) slight increase in the height of the Solar PV panels, (2) slight increase in the bottom height of the Solar PV panels off the ground, (3) slight reduction in the spacing of Solar PV rows (strings), (4) slight decrease in size of solar panels, (5) slight increase in the area of transformers/inverters as a result of slight change in dimensions and (6) an increase in the number of solar panels (A Natura Impact Statement will also be submitted)

  Permission · Tipperary County Council, 22662

• 23 Jun 2020Conditional

  construct a traditional two storey dormer style house, domestic garage, treatment tank, percolation area and entrance

  Permission, 2 homes · Laois County Council, 20309

• 26 Jul 2018Conditional

  construct a new dwelling, garage and stables, along with a new well for portable water, a new wastewater treatment system & percolation area, enhanced site landscaping, vehicular access via an existing entrance and all ancillary infrastructure and associated site development works above and below ground level at a site of approximately 10.06ha,

  Permission, 1 home · Laois County Council, 18453

• 24 Jul 2018Conditional

  retain 3 no. existing prefabricated classroom building, detached boiler huse, storage shed and to further extend the period of permission of 1 no. prefabricated classroom building granted permission under plan. ref. 15/133 with all assoicated site works, the application is located within the curtilage of a protected structure Ref. No. RPS - 370

  Retention · Laois County Council, 18445

• 1 Feb 2018Conditional

  erect 1 no. new stand alsone portacabin classroom including connection to all ancillary site services. The application is located within the curtilage of a protected structure - reg. no. RPS-370

  Permission · Laois County Council, 1841

• 22 Jan 2018N/a

  erect 1 no new stand alone portacabin classroom including connection to all ancillary site services. The application is located within the curtilage of a protected structure - Ref RPS 370

  Permission · Laois County Council, 1819

• 18 Dec 2017N/a

  erect 1 no. new standalone portacabin classroom including connection to all ancillary site services

  Permission · Laois County Council, 17689

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

Designated sites

• Natural Heritage Area: Monaincha Bog/Ballaghmore Bog NHA 000652

Recorded monuments

• LA015-017001 Castle - tower house
  Description

  In undulating countryside. Ballaghmore Castle may have been built in the late fifteenth century as a residence of the Fitzpatricks of Ossory near a fork in the ancient road known as the Slighe Dala (LA025-018) (Feehan and Cunningham 1978, 117). The castle was taken by Cromwellian forces and partially dismantled in 1647 (Gleeson 1982, 632). Well preserved tower house that was restored in the 19th century and recently revamped. A rectangular-shaped tower house (dims. c. 14.1m SW-NW, 11.85m SE-NE) five storeys high, built of rubble limestone with a slight base-batter. It had a court or bawn (LA015-017003-) immediately surrounding it with circular angle towers. Modern entrance in NE wall. Original entrance with murder hole in NW wall. To N of doorway a mural passage leads to a mural stairs which accesses a spiral stairs in N angle. Access to first floor via a two-centered limestone pointed arch doorway. Mural passage in SW wall at first-floor level, and in SE wall at third-floor level which leads to a garderobe in E angle. Wicker-centred mural chamber in W angle. Spiral stairs in N angle leads to fourth-floor chamber, and stairs in SW angle leads to roof level. Windows are mainly narrow slit opes, but there is an ogee-headed window at NE and some cross-loops in SE wall. Remains of a curtain wall (wall T c. 0.95m), set close to the tower house wall (i.e. only c. 1m out from it), survive. It has a mural tower with a corbelled roof at S angle, and remains of another at W angle. Half of the W angle tower survives (max. H 1.5m), and all of the S angle tower (ext. diam. 3.7m; int. diam. 1.63m; wall T 0.7m) survives intact and has a corbelled roof 2.6m high and has three gun loops only one of which survives completely intact facing S. On the external face of the SW wall of the tower house between the second and third floor levels there is a sheela-na-gig (LA015-017002-) carved in bold relief. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

• LA015-017002 Sheela-na-gig
  Description

  The sheela-na-gig is carved in relief on the SW external face of the W angle of the tower house (LA015-017001-) between the second and third floor. It is carved in relief on an L-shaped sandstone quoin stone approx. 10m above ground level (Feehan and Cunningham 1978, 117). The figures feet are turned outward and pointed, the legs are short and stumpy, the knees are bent outwards. The right hand appears to rest on the hip while the left arm lies on the thigh, with bent elbows. The head is pear-shaped with pointed chin and the face bears a menacing expression with v-shaped mouth and slanted eyes. The ears are prominent while the vulva is represented by a deep depression (Feehan and Cunningham 1978, 117-18). See attached screenshots of 3D model of Sheela-na-gig created by Digital Heritage Age. 3D model can be accessed on the Sketchfab website at: https://skfb.ly/6tCuV The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

• LA015-017003 Bawn
  Description

  Situated on a slight knoll at the base of a slope down from the N. Well preserved tower house (LA015-017001-) that was restored in the 19th century and recently revamped. Five storey high tower house (ext. dims. 13.65m NE-SW x 11.6m NW-SE) with a slight base batter. It had a court or bawn immediately surrounding it with circular angle towers. Half of the W angle tower survives (Max. H 1.5m), and all of the S angle tower (ext. diam. 3.7m; int. diam. 1.63m; wall T 0.7m) survives intact and has a corbelled roof 2.6m high and has three gun loops only one of which survives completely intact facing S. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 December 2007

• LA015-018 Road - road/trackway
  Description

  Marked on the 1909 edition of the OS 6-inch map. Known as 'the great road of the plain of meeting', it extended southwards from the Hill of Tara through Ballaghmore (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 461-162, 65). No visible surface remains. Ballaghmore Castle (LA015-017001-) may have been built in the late fifteenth century as a residence of the Fitzpatricks of Ossory near a fork in the ancient road known as the Slighe Dala (LA025-018) (Feehan and Cunningham 1978, 117). At this junction one road ran in the W into the territory of Ormond in Munster and the other ran E into Ossory going towards Aghaboe (Feehan and Cunningham 1978, 117). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

• LA015-035 House - 16th/17th century
  Description

  Situated on the brow of a low hill. Shown as a small rectangular building with outbuildings, approached by a narrow tree-lined avenue on 1841 edition of the OS 6-inch map. Site comprises the remains of a plain, rectangular, two-storey, four-bay early eighteenth-century house (ext. dims 10.5m N-S x 6.75m E-W ; wall T 0.68m) with attic, the E wall of which incorporates seventeenth century features. The house is constructed from roughly coursed limestone rubble, formerly rendered with plaster and lined internally with brick at S end. Presently in use as a hayshed. A single storey extension (ext. dims. 10m N-S x 6.75m E-W), of which only the wall footings of the E and W walls are now discernible, adjoins the main body of the house on its N side. Rudimentary remains of wall footings to W of house suggests the former presence of accompanying outbuildings. Walls of house stand to full height with steep pitched N and S gable ends. The E wall is dominated by a broad chimney projection (Wth 2.73m; D 0.55m) positioned at its S end and surmounted by a stout chimney stack trimmed with brick string course. A moulded cornice skirts the top of the E and W sidewalls. At the N end, the house is divided internally by a wall running E-W, the smaller area to the N functioning as a vestibule accomodating what was likely a wooden staircase. There is no clear evidence of the position of the former entrance, but may have been located at the N end of the W wall. Notable lack of windows in the N gable and E wall. The windows in the W wall have brick reveals. A small round headed niche, partially lined with brick, occurs at first floor level at N end of W wall. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

• LA021-001 Enclosure
  Description

  Marked on the 1841 edition of the OS 6-inch map. A circular area (diam. c. 21.5m) defined by a bank (Wth c. 4.7m, int. H c. 0.8m, ext. H c. 0.8m). Possible original entrance (Wth c. 3.5m) at W. No evidence of fosse. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

• LA021-002 Standing stone
  Description

  Marked 'stone' on the 1841 edition of the OS 6-inch map. Reference to standing stone here (Feehan 1983, 236-7). No visible surface remains. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

• LA021-003 Enclosure
  Description

  Situated in a low lying area. It appears to be the end of a natural ridge. Nothing of archaeological importance. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Architectural heritage

• Kyle Church and School, church/chapel, 1800–1830 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached two-bay Church of Ireland church, c. 1820, with gabled projecting bay. Extended to rear comprising single-storey return. Two-storey former school attached to rear. Former schoolhouse may have last been used as a Sexton's House.

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 low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map; parts are water.

Terrain model

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

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 Ballaghmore Lower with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Laois.

Name

Ballaghmore Lower · An Bealach Mór Íochtarach

Area

4,328,334 m² (432.83 ha, 1,069.55 acres)

Civil parish

Kyle, and its townlands

Barony

Clandonagh

Electoral division

Kyle, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Kyle electoral division: 224 people in 93 households; 92% of households own their home; 22% of homes were built since 2001; 8% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 3% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballaghmore Upper, Ballinla, Cloncourse, Cooleeshill (Co. Offaly), Cooleeshill (Co. Tipperary), Kilmartin, Monaincha (Co. Tipperary), Raheen or Charleville

Placenames

Ballaghmore Lower 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.