Elm Park, Croom

Area

254 m²

Buildings

2 buildings touch it, 125 m² on the ground

Zoning

M2 Town Centre (Croom Local Area Plan 2020-2026) The objective
R2 Existing Residential (Croom Local Area Plan 2020-2026) The objective

Townland

Skagh

Planning applications on this parcel

No planning application touches this parcel in the national file, which goes back to 2010.

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 this parcel.

Recorded monuments around it

This parcel is in the zone of notification of 8 recorded monuments.

• LI030-025001 Historic town
  Description

  The historic town of Croom was described in the Urban Survey of Limerick as following; 'Croom is located on the Maigue river to the south west of Limerick on the Limerick to Cork road. It was clearly a settlement site before the coming of the Normans because there is a reference to the burning of Cromadh in 1144 by Toirdealbach Ua Conchobair (AFM). The nature of this early settlement is unknown, however. In 1215 it was granted to Maurice FitzGerald (Sweetman 1875-86, i) and it became one of the principal manors of the FitzGeralds, lending its name to their warcry "Crom-a-Boo". It remained in the hands of the FitzGerald earls of Kildare until it was confiscated in the aftermath of Silken Thomas' rebellion. In 1547, however, it was granted to the earl of Desmond (Westropp 1905-6, 166). The foundation date of the borough is unknown but it is likely, following Empey's analysis of the process of Anglo-Norman sub-infeudation, that it was established at an early date, probably at much the same time as the manor was granted to the Fitzgeralds. The earliest reference to the presence to burgesses occurs in the justiciary rolls for 1295 (Westropp 1905-6, 166), while the murage grant of 1310 suggests that it was not an inconsequential settlement (Ir Rec Comm 1829, 42). The rent paid by the burgesses in 1331 "for the two parts of their borough" was 11s. 9. 5d. (Red Bk Kildare, 111), but whether this is a total rent or a partial rent is unclear. The subsequent history of the borough is unknown. The medieval borough may have been located on the east bank of the Maigue river centred on the present village whose street plan appears to be of relatively recent origin. Alternatively, because of "the location of the castle and church on the west side of the river, it may well be that the medieval borough was situated on the west bank. In the absence of clear information, however, it is impossible to be certain' (Bradley et. al. 1989, 117-8). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 28 January 2019

• LI030-025002 Bridge
  Description

  Croom Bridge crossing the River Maigue was described in The Urban Survey of County Limerick' as following; 'A broken bridge is mentioned in 1657' (Westropp 1906-7, 166) (Bradley et. al. 1989, 118). Croom Bridge described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as a, 'Six-arch road bridge over the River Maigue, built c. 1790, with round-headed arches. Bridge may incorporate substantial earlier fabric. Roughly dressed limestone walls with concrete parapet walls having metal railings. Cut limestone voussoirs to arches. Ashlar limestone V-cutwaters to south elevation and concert U-cutwaters to north elevation' (www.buildingsofireland.ie; Reg. No. 21828008).

• LI030-025003 Mill - unclassified
  Description

  Croom Mill was described in the Urban Survey of Limerick as following; 'A mill is recorded in the 17th century (Westropp 1906-7, 166) and it is likely that the late medieval mill stood on the site of the mill which is still in use today on the west bank of the Maigue' (Bradley et. al. 1989, 119). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 28 January 2019

• LI030-025005 Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle
  Description

  Local tradition asserts that Croom Castle or a fortification at Croom was first built by the O’Donovan’s before passing into the hands of the Fitzgerald family in the 13th century. However John O’Donovan was doubtful about this O’Donovan claim and in the appendix of the Annals of the Four Masters, O’Donovan recorded his doubts when he stated that the O’Donovan’s of Castle Donovan and Bawnlahan were descended from Crom O’Donovan who resided at Croom Castle until he ‘was driven thence by Maurice Fitzgerald, second Baron of Offaly who was Lord Justice of Ireland in the year 1299; but this has not been proved’ (O’Donovan 1856 vi, 2437). A branch of the family descended from Crom O’Donovan who was killed in 1254, claim that this family were originally ‘in possession of the great Castle of Crom or Croom, on the River Maigue, in the present county of Limerick, and this was the tradition in the country in 1686, when the manuscript called Carbriae Notitia was written’ (O’Donovan 1856 vol. 6, 2437). It is possible that there was a pre-Norman fortification at Croom which was the residence of the O’Donovan clan. In 1151 the Annals of the Four Masters recorded that a ‘great predatory excursion was made by Ruaidhri, son of Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair, into Thomond; and he carried away many cows, and burned Cromadh [Croom]’ (O’Donovan 1856, 1101). Whatever about the origins of the castle we can be certain that during the late 12th or early 13th century this castle was in the possession of the FitzGerald family who became the Earls of Kildare and remained in their hands until the early 18th century. Croom Castle appears to have been built by Gerald FitzMaurice in the late 12th or early 13th century, his death is recorded in the year 1203 (Cal. doc. Ire., 30) suggesting that this castle may have been built before this date. The first reference to Croom Castle dates from 1215 when ‘Maurice FitzGerald made a fine with the King of 60 marks, to have the lands of Gerald his father in Ireland with the castles of Crumech [Croom] and Dungarvan in Oglassin, which belong to Maurice by right of inheritance. Mandate to the justiciary of Ireland, that having received security for the 60 marks he cause seisin to be given to Maurice’ (Cal. doc. Ire., 91, 94). The lands of Croom came into the possession of the FitzGerald family as early as 1197 when the Anglo-Normans acquired lands in County Limerick. Around this time Thomas FitzGerald son of Maurice FitzGerald, founder of the House of Desmond was granted the cantred of Shanid which resulted in the construction of Shanid Castle (LI019-081001-) (Orpen 1911-20, ii, 165). The type of castle constructed at Shanid was a shell keep which was built encircling the summit of an earlier motte castle. According to Orpen it was probably around this time that the lands of Croom were granted to Gerald brother of Thomas Fitzgerald who had been granted the cantred of Shanid (ibid., 165). Between the years c. 1200 – 1220 Anglo-Norman castles were constructed in Limerick City, Kilmallock, Caherconlish, Ardpatrick and elsewhere (Westropp 1907, 31). Croom Castle was probably constructed during this period by the FitzGerald’s in order to secure their newly acquired lands. The shell keep castle may have been built on the site of a pre-Norman fortification which was associated with the O’Donovan family. This pre-Norman fortification may have been built beside the fording point on the River Maigue. According to Westropp (1906-07, 65) the castle at Croom had been built at the ‘old fort of Cromadh or Croom, on the river Maigue by about 1216, and was given to Maurice FitzGerald’. By the late 13th century the manor of Croom was in the possession of Juliana de Cogan [nee FitzGerald] (Mac Niocaill 1964, 31-2) who was the granddaughter of Maurice FitzGerald 2nd Lord of Offaly, and great granddaughter of Gerald FitzMaurice, 1st Lord of Offaly and founder of the FitzGerald dynasty and later the Earls of Kildare. Juliana FitzGerald was the daughter of Gerald who was married to a daughter of Hamo de Valognes of nearby Askeaton Castle (Orpen 1911-20, 165). In 1329 the lands of Kildare, Maynooth, Croom, Adare, and Estgrene were granted by Edward III to Sir John Darcy, Lord Justiciar and stepfather to Maurice FitzGerald during his minority (Wyndham-Quin & Wyndham-Quin 1865, 139). In 1357 Maurice FitzGerald 4th Earl of Kildare was appointed Lord Justiciar of Ireland and was ordered to strengthen his castles on pain of forfeiture. During the middle of the 16th century the Earl of Desmond took possession of this castle for a short period of time. In 1534 Silken Thomas FitzGerald rebelled against Henry VIII and during this rebellion, Sir John the 13th Earl of Desmond took possession of Croom and placed a garrison in the castle (McCormack 1997, 510). In 1541, his son James, 14th Earl of Desmond wrote a submission to King Henry VIII requesting ‘the preferment to have the leasse of Crom [Croom] and Adar [Adare], and other the late Erle of Kyldares landes, in the countie of Lymerike’ (Anon. 1834, 286). This land grant was confirmed in 1546 when Henry VIII granted ‘James earl of Desmond of the manors and dominions of Crome [Croom] and Adare, co. Limerick, for life, by fealty at 4d. rent’ (Gairdner & Brodie 1910, 476). By the late 16th century the castle was back in the possession of the Earls of Kildare. In 1600 there is a reference to the strategic location of the castle and to the presence of thatched houses standing inside the bawn of Croom Castle. In this year Sir George Carew wrote to the Privy Council that when he came to ‘the castle of Cromme [Croom], which was held by Piers Lacy, being now part of the Countess of Kildare's jointure, upon sight of the enemy, the ward, which Lacy had left in it, quitted the place, where some spoil fell unto the soldiers, and by mischance the house was burnt; but the loss not great, being old thatched houses, and the walls thereof standing good and firm, as they did before. This place gave great annoyance unto the subject being seated at the entry into Connello, which is the chief receptacle for all the rebels’ (Cal. S.P. Ire., 316-17). The castle is described in the 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick (Simington 1938, 135) as’ consisting of a ‘Castle a Bawne, an orchard & a Mill out of repaire and two Eele weares. There is a broaken bridge uppon ye river of Maige neer the Castle’. The owner of the castle in 1640 is listed as George Earle of Kildare’ (ibid., 135). In 1683 Thady Quin of Adare purchased a long lease of Croom Castle and its lands from the Earl of Kildare (Wyndham-Quin & Wyndham-Quin 1865, 180). In 1707 John Fitzgerald the 18th Earl of Kildare died and his lands including Croom passed into the hands of the Duke of Richmond who was the principal creditor to the Earl of Kildare. In 1711 the Duke of Richmond sold the lands of Croom to the Croker family of Ballyneguard / Ballynagarde (Lewis 1837, 436). In 1837 Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary of Ireland recorded that the castle was abandoned and left in a ruinous condition after 1691 and ‘remained unoccupied till recently rebuilt by John Croker Esq., its present proprietor’ (ibid., 436). In 1837 the castle appears to have been incorrectly described by Lewis in his Topographical Dictionary of Ireland as he records that ‘the castle originally consisted of a central keep flanked by four circular towers’ (ibid., 436). This description of four circular towers does not match up with the depiction of the castle on the 1840 edition of the Ordnance Survey six-inch map, and does not match the upstanding remains of the castle on the ground today. Croom Castle is situated on the west bank of the River Maigue on high ground over-looking the village of Croom. This castle is a multi-period monument the extent of which encompasses the footprint of the 19th century Croom Castle House and its courtyard walls which are depicted on the Ordnance Survey 25-i

• LI030-025006 Church
  Description

  Croom Church described in the Urban Survey of Limerick as following; 'The present church is a nineteenth century structure but the south door appears to be a re-used 16th/17th century door. The lower parts of the jambs are decorated with vertebrate tulip stems' (Bradley et. al. 1989, 121). Westropp (1904-5, 383) recorded the following details about Croom; 'A parish in Coshmagh and Pubblebrian. Cromadh, chief seat of the "Ui Cairbre Aobhdha, burned by Torlough O'Conor, 1151 (A.F.M.) ; Crumech Castle and lands, held by Maurice Fitzgerald, 1215 (Pat. R. England, xvii John) ; Cromuch, and Cromych Church, 1291 ; Crometh, 1302. The lands were the portion of Basilia Thursteyn, 1323 (Plea R. 147 of xvii Ed. II, m. 4). John Route was parson of Cromut, 1376 (Mem. R.); Thomas Hunter was rector, 1408 (Pat. R.); Thady O'Muleran (Mulrian), 1550; Irwen (or William) Hurley, 1551 (Lib. M. H. ii., pp. 97, 9, 8); Donald Kean, or Rean (Mulrian), rector of Cromye, vacant by death of Thady Kean, or Rean, and late usurped by William O'Hurnley, 1552 (Fiant 1159); Cromothe, 1581. Site - The I. C. church is on the old site. Map. D.S. (B.), p. 24, 1657'. Late 18th century Church of Ireland structure described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as a; 'Freestanding Board of First Fruits Church of Ireland church, built c. 1780, having three-bay nave, slightly recessed single-bay chancel dating to 1868, single-bay vestry to north-east and three-stage square-plan tower to west. Now disused. Samuel Johnson in 1837 wrote that 'The church stands on the western bank of the river Maigue, and is a small neat edifice, in the early English style of architecture, with a square tower: it appears to have been erected on the site of a larger building, and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £151. 2. 1. for its repair' (www.buildingsofireland.ie; Reg. No. 21828003). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 28 January 2019

• LI030-025007 Graveyard
  Description

  Post-medieval C of I church possibly standing on site of medieval church (LI030-025006-) in the centre of a roughly rectangular-shaped graveyard (dims. 67m N-S; 64m E-W) enclosed by a stone wall of post-medieval date. Croom Castle (LI030-025005-) 140m to S, Croom Bridge 85m to E. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 10 July 2014

• LI030-025008 Font (present location)
  Description

  The medieval font belonging to the parish church of Croom was described in the Urban Survey of Limerick as following; 'A rectangular deeply chamfered sandstone font of medieval date is placed in the rockery at the rear of the modern St Mary's R.C. church. It is damaged on three sides where iron bars have been affixed and because it is filled with clay it is unknown whether a drainage hole is present. The rim is also damaged and the pedestal is modern. It is decorated with two rows of moulding one of which is beaded. Dims: H. 45cm W. 65cm' (Bradley et. al. 1989, 121-2).

• LI030-025009 Town defences
  Description

  A murage grant is recorded as having been awarded to Croom in 1310 (Ir. Rec. Comm. 1829, 42). It is not known if any defences were constructed and there are no known surviving traces of such. (Bradley et.al. 1989, 119) Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 20 July 2015

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. 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).

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Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. A parcel is the land of a title, not an address. The owner's name is in the Land Registry of Tailte Éireann: a copy of the folio can be ordered on landdirect.ie, for a fee.