Friarstown

23 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Friarstown, from 1,557 m² to 160,541 m² (16.05 ha, 39.67 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 31 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 Friarstown 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.

• 19 Jul 2022Refused

  construction of an entrance, dwelling house, septic tank & percolation area together with all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 22792

• 19 May 2021Conditional

  the construction of a single storey extension to the rear of existing dwelling house and a single storey attached shed to the side of existing house, together with all associated site works

  Retention · Limerick County Council, 21672

• 18 Mar 2020N/a

  1) demolition of a later edition 2 storey extension to the western gable including the boiler house to the south, and its replacement with a single storey entrance foyer and bootroom. 2) Re-organisation of the bedroom accommodation at first floor level. 3) Re-opening up of the formal internal stairs link to the lower ground floor level. 4) Re-opening up of the lower level light-well that was formerly closed over. 5) Moving the kitchen to the east side of the house. 6) The replacement of one former window with a glazed door to allow access to the south. 7) Repairs only as necessary to the internal joinery, electrical and plumbing layouts. 8) Removal of later edition tarmac finish to the front driveway all at Friarstown House (A registered Protected Structure B13(31)) as well as all associated site works on and under land

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 20232

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 Friarstown.

Recorded monuments

• LI013-087 Boundary stone
  Description

  A boundary stone, annotated 'Liberty Stone' on the 1840 OS six-inch map where it is depicted standing on the Parliamentary Boundary of Limerick City. The stone is not depicted on the 1924 OS six-inch map, and is no longer evident at this location. Its position marked the crossing point on the road of the parliamentary boundary between Limerick City and the county of Limerick. Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 11 June 2020

• LI013-089 Ceremonial enclosure
  Description

  Situated on a hilltop with parts of the S and W quadrants located in woodland. Sub circular area (112m N-S; 110m NE-SW) defined by a scarped edge (H 1m; Wth 3m - 4.6m) and an outer earthen bank with an intervening fosse. The fosse (Wth 2.2 - 3.1m) is flat-bottomed. The bank (ext. H 0.3 - 1m; Wth 2.2 - 3.1m; int. H 0.2 - 0.4 m) is better defined to SE and SW in the wooded area, where it is of dry-stone construction, suggesting that it has this construction but has been denuded elsewhere. The monument has been truncated to the SE by a cashel (LI013-093----). The interior slopes upwards on all sides towards the summit of the hill. According to Kelly and Condit (1998) this monument is one of two 'best interpreted as henges'; the other is LI013-094002-. Outline of monument visible on oblique aerial photographs (CUCAP AVT001/002/003) taken 20/07/1968. This monument was recently described in the Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland as following; 'Contour fort positioned on the low-domed summit of an isolated hill, 7.5km S of Limerick City. The hillfort has a total site footprint of 1.5ha. There are panoramic views from the summit. Immediately to the NE is a second hillfort, positioned on a low-domed shoulder of the hill (Atlas No.0683). The enclosing elements comprise a pair of closely set banks with an intervening ditch. The outer bank is likely to be a counterscarp feature. There are no obvious entrance features recorded. No evidence for any internal features on the surface. Extensive plough damage has denuded the enclosing elements. The S and W section of the enclosing features are under forestry. Kelly and Condit (1998, 19) have suggested that this is a large henge monument. However, the commanding position of the monument and the layout of its enclosing elements suggest that it is more likely to be a hillfort. First identified by the Cambridge University Committee for aerial photography. Site visit by Kelly and Condit (1998) who partly recorded the enclosing elements.' (http://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/IR0682.html) Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 30 January 2020

• LI013-090 Enclosure
  Description

  Situated on an E-facing slope, in gently rolling pasture. The monument, depicted on the 1840 OS 6-inch map as a circular wooded enclosure named 'Rahennagreana' has been levelled and was not evident on the ground when inspected. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 April 2013

• LI013-091 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated atop a low hill, in gently rolling pasture, with good views to E, S and W, with mature beech trees grow on the perimeter and in the centre. The monument consists of an oval area (31m E-W; 25m N-S) defined by a scarped edge (Wth 2.8m; H 0.8m). A dip in the scarp at S (Wth 5m) might be the result of quarrying. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 April 2013

• LI013-092 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated on a gentle NE-facing slope in rolling pasture, with good views to E and W. The monument consiste of an oval area (36m E-W; 32m N-S) enclosed by two concentric earth-and-stone banks with an intervening fosse. The internal bank (ext. H 0.7m; Wth 2.4m; int. H 0.3m) is evident all round, and has been incorporated into the local field boundary from NW to NE. The fosse (Wth 2m) is evident from ENE to WSW. The external bank (int. H 0.25m; Wth 2m; ext. H 0.1m) is less well defined than the internal bank, and is most evident from ENE to WNW. The interior surface is gently undulating and poached by cattle. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 April 2013

• LI013-094001 Enclosure
  Description

  Situated immediately E of henge (LI013-094002-), on the E slope of a steep hill in rolling pasture with good views from NE to SE. This enclosure was identified from an aerial photography (Bruff 4; 4/3749) as a possible enclosure. The site is now obscured by dense scrub vegetation but a short section of a scarped edge (Wth 5.6m; H 1.1m) is evident at E. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 27 May 2013

• LI013-094002 Ceremonial enclosure
  Description

  Situated surrounding the summit of Friarstown or Tara Hill (Condit and Kelly 1998) in rolling pasture with good views in all directions. Sub-oval area (c. 165m E-W; 157m N-S) defined by a scarped edge (Wth 6m; H 1.1m) and enclosed by a fosse (Wth 1.5m) and an external bank (int. H 0.1m; Wth 2.5m; ext. H 0.3m). The hill slopes down evenly from the centre towards the scarp apart from in the E where the slope is slightly sheerer. A bank of piled-up rubble lies just outside the external bank in the SSE near to an oval depression which appears to have been quarried, possibly in antiquity. There is a limekiln set into the scarp in the NW and a ramp of stones lies across the fosse immediately to the NE of the limekiln. According to Kelly and Condit (1998) this monument is one of two 'best interpreted as henges'; the other is LI013-089----. Outline of monument visible on oblique aerial photographs (CUCAP AVT001/002/003) taken 20/07/1968. This monument was recently described in the Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland as following; 'Contour fort situated on the low-domed hill shoulder of an isolated hill, 7.5km S of Limerick City. The hillfort has a total site footprint of 2.1ha. There are extensive views to the N, E and S. Views to the W are blocked by the summit of Friarstown Hill. Immediately to the SW is a second hillfort on the low-domed summit of Friarstown Hill (Atlas No.0682). The enclosing elements comprise a pair of closely set banks with an intervening ditch. The outer bank is probably a counterscarp feature. There are no recorded entrance features. No evidence for any internal features on the surface. Extensive plough damage had denuded the enclosing elements, which survive best to the SE and SW. Kelly and Condit (1998, 19) has suggested that this is a large henge monument. However, the commanding position of the monument and the layout of its enclosing elements suggest that it is more likely a hillfort type monument. First identified by the Cambridge University Committee for aerial photography. Site visit by Kelly and Condit (1998) who partly recorded the enclosing elements.' (http://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/IR0683.html) Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 30 January 2020

• LI013-097 Religious house - Franciscan Third Order Regular
  Description

  The friary of St. Francis de Ballynebrahrair (Friarstown) in the parish of Caheravelly was founded some time after 1450 and was dissolved in 1544 (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 267). The friaries of Ballynebraher (with 3 acres, rent 12d.) and Ballyniwillin [Rochestown] were granted to Robert Browne on the 4th of February, 1544 (ibid., 270). The Franciscan friary of the Third Order Regular in the townland of Friarstown (Baile na mBráthar\town of the friars) was described in 1840 as follows; ‘In the Townland of Friarstown are the remains of a religious edifice which the people call “the Abbey”. The walls are perfect. This Abbey is eighty one and a half feet [24.7m] long by nineteen feet [5.8m] in breadth. On the east gable there is a window, the upper part of which is a flat arch on the inside where it (the window) is about eight feet [2.4m] high by five and a half feet [1.67m]. On the inside it is divided into two parts by a mullion each part being round above. On this side it is about eight feet [2.4m] from the ground, four feet ten inches [1.47m] high by two feet [0.6m], each division being in width eight and a half inches [0.2m]. This window is formed of well cut lime stone. On the south side wall, five and a half feet [1.67m] from the east gable, there is another window, the upper part being a flat arch of thin stones on the inside where it is six feet [1.8m] high by five feet four inches [1.62m]. On the outside it is round arched, three feet ten inches [1.16m] high by ten inches [0.25m]and formed of well cut stones. On the same wall, fourteen and a half feet [4.4m] from this, there is another window which was divided into two parts but the mullion is now removed. On the inside it is six feet [1.8m] high by six and a half feet [2m], the upper part consisting of a flat arch of thin stones. Outside it is four feet [1.2m] high by three feet [0.9m], each part being one foot three inches [0.38m] in width and consists of the same cut stones as the preceding. On the west gable there is a window in two parts, each being round at the top. It is about ten feet [3m] from the ground (outside) and about four feet [1.2m] high, each division being about one foot [0.3m] wide. Under this window is the doorway, which on the inside is seven and a half feet [2.3m] high by four and a half feet[1.2m] having above a flat arch of thin stones. The outside is six and a half feet [2m] high by three feet eight inches [1.1m] and is formed of well cut stones, being in the pointed style approaching the round-arched. There is another doorway on the north wall at the distance of twelve feet [3.65m] from the east gable. This doorway is six feet [1.8m] high by two feet two and a half inches [0.76m] and has a round arch consisting (formed) of a single stone on the inside; on the outside it is seven feet [2.1m] high by two feet six and a half inches [0.8m]; it has a flat arch and is formed of hammered stones. The inside is formed of cut stone and, as will be seen by the measurements given here, narrower than the outside. The walls are about thirteen feet [4m] high and are three feet two inches [0.97m] in thickness. Attached to the southern wall of this edifice, near the middle, is a lateral building, the entrance to which from the main building is by a square doorway. This building measures twenty nine feet [8.8m] by seventeen feet four inches [5.3m]. It appears to have been a dwelling house as it contains two fire places and two chimnneys. One of the chimneys is raised on the wall of the Abbey; the other is built in the middle of the gable on the south. On the eastern side of this lateral house, three and a half feet [0.9m] from the Abbey wall, is a window which is arched like those of the building inside and round above on the on outside where it is three feet five inches high [1m] by nine and half inches [0.24m] and formed of cut stone. On the same wall, three feet [0.9m] from the south gable there is another window similarly formed inside, on the outside square and three feet two inches high [0.97m] by nine inches [0.22m]. The walls of this building are about twelve feet [3.65m] high and three feet [0.9m] in thickness. It does not look as old as the Abbey. This Abbey was built in a valley. There are no marks of graves about or near it’ (O’Flanagan 1929 Vol. 2, 147-50). Westropp (1904-5, 48) recorded the following details about Friarstown; 'Ballynabrair, 1410; Gerot Baluff, f. Philip, a rebel, held the house of "S. ffrancisci de Ballynabrair, in Twoh-oreyn, in Paroch de Cahoryvahelly" (1586-1590, undatedInquis. Exchr. Cal., p. 95, No. 54, p. 118); Cnockballenevraher (Perambulation), 1609; Ballynambratharmore (O'Donovan). Fabric - The church is in fair preservation, 81½ feet [24.8m] long, 19 feet [5.8m] wide. The east window has two round-headed lights and a flat splay. In the south wall are a similar one-light window, and a two-light window with the mullion gone. In the west end is a window with two bluntly pointed lights and a door underneath. The north door has a round head of one stone. To the south is a projecting wing, 29 feet [8.8m] by 17 feet 4 inches [5.3m], with two fireplaces and chimneys, and two east windows, one round-headed, one rectangular (O.S.L., 8, p. 147). Mr. Hunt, of Friarstown, early in the last century, removed a slab in this church, and found a large empty earthen crock in a hollow beneath it. The "Abbey" was called Clochnamanah'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 24 November 2021

• LI013-099 Standing stone
  Description

  Situated in flat pasture, c. 100m E of the foot of Friarstown Hill. A slab of limestone (Wth 2.3m; H 0.87m; th. 0.45m) lying on its side on a denuded mound of earth and stones (c. 4m E-W; 3m N-S; H 0.3m). Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 27 May 2013

• LI013-160 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated c. 40m S of the Ahanload River in low-lying, poorly drained pasture. Good views of surrounding hills in all directions. Oval area (39m NE-SW; 25m WNW-ESE) defined by a scarp (Wth. 8.5m; H 0.5m) and enclosed by a wide, flat-bottomed fosse (Wth. 13.6m; D 0.3m). The interior is uneven and dips irregularly down to the centre in a manner which suggests that it may have been quarried.

• LI013-161 Enclosure
  Description

  Situated in flat, poorly drained pasture. Identified as a possible enclosure from aerial photos. The monument is not visible at ground level.

• LI013-202 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated in low-lying, poorly drained pasture, c. 40m W of a the Ahanload River. Oval area (28m N-S; 24m E-W) defined by a scarp (Wth. 3.4m; H 0.5m). The interior is level. An electricity pylon is located in the SW quadrant of the monument.

• LI013-204 Road - road/trackway
  Description

  Situated at the base of an E-facing slope, immediately E of a field boundary, in gently rolling pasture. Flat-topped bank (Wth. 3.5m; H to W 0.2m) which runs N-S alongside the field boundary immediately W of a drain. The bank is obscured in places by scrub vegetation. In some exposed sections tightly packed-field stones are visible as part of the construction.

• LI013-240 Enclosure
  Description

  In lowlying pasture immediately E of a field boundary and 140m W of the Ahanload River, that marks the townland boundary with Raheen. Ringfort (LI013-160----) 50m to NE, second ringfort (LI013-202----) 60m to SE. Not depicted on the 1840 OS 6-inch map or the 1897 OS 25-inch map. Identified from aerial photograph labelled Bruff 9 (AP 4/3749). No surface remains visible on Digital Globe aerial photographs taken 2011-2013. See attached photocopy of Bruff Aerial Survey with Site 9 identified. Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 3 July 2020

Architectural heritage

• Friarstown House, country house, 1820–1830 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached five-bay two-storey country house, built in 1827, with four-bay two-storey addition to rear (south). Hipped slate roof with overhanging eaves. Hipped roof to rear addition. Rendered chimneystack. Roughcast rendered walls. Square-headed window openings with tooled limestone surrounds and six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed window openings to rear addition with timber framed windows. Elliptical-headed door opening with timber doorcase having pilasters flanking door and sidelights and supporting cast-iron ornate fanlight. Timber panelled door, approached by three diminishing tooled limestone steps. Square-headed door opening with timber battened door to rear addition.

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

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_977 (ZIP).

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 Friarstown with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Limerick.

Name

Friarstown · Baile na mBráthar

Area

1,680,840 m² (168.08 ha, 415.34 acres)

Civil parish

Caheravally, and its townlands

Barony

Clanwilliam

Electoral division

Roxborough, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Roxborough electoral division: 1,580 people in 542 households; 93% of households own their home; 19% of homes were built since 2001; 7% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Cahervally, Friarstown North, Greenhills, Lissanalta, Parkroe, Raheen

Placenames

Friarstown 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.