Killorath

Area

732,107 m² (73.21 ha, 180.91 acres)

Buildings

5 buildings touch it. Their footprint covers 820 m².

Zoning

No zone of a development plan covers it in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply.

Townland

Killorath

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 9 recorded monuments.

• LI031-068001 Concentric enclosure
  Description

  In reclaimed pasture, immediately W of enclosures (LI031-068002/003-). Depicted on the OSi 25-inch map as a raised circular-shaped area (diam. c. 29m) defined by a scarp with wide fosse and external bank from SE-S-SW. Monument described by O’Kelly (1943, 232) as a Type C earthwork consisting of ‘a large flat-topped platform surrounded by a fosse. Outside this is a narrow, low bank, surrounded by a second fosse. Lastly a large, wide, high bank surrounds the whole. The banks have been completely levelled on the N and NW sides. A small, low circular mound occupies the NE quadrant of the platform. In the centre of the SE quadrant of the outer bank is a narrow break and inside it a causeway leads across the fosse to the top of the inner bank, but does not continue across the inner fosse. The maximum height of the platform over the fosse-bottom is 15’ [4.5m] and the overall diameter of the structure is 250’ [76m]. Outline of much degraded monument consisting of a circular-shaped area defined by a tree-lined scarp with fosse, and remains of an outer bank from SE-S-W, faint traces of an external fosse visible on OSi orthophoto taken between 2005-12 and Digital Globe orthoimage taken 20/09/2020. Trace of possible causeway at SE visible on the Google Earth orthoimage taken 03/03/2013. The monument is located within a large rectangular-shaped field, visible on the OSi orthophoto taken 2005-12 and Digital Globe orthoimage taken 20/09/2020. A field boundary running NW-SE to the W of the monument, is depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map and not depicted on the 1907 ed. OSi 25-inch map which suggests that it was levelled between these dates. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of Upload: 15 March 2021 See attached ASI aerial photographs ASIAP – 307/8, 9, 13 and 14 taken 13/09/2002. See attached ASI two aerial photographs ASIAP _12, _13 taken on 04/03/2006.

• LI031-068002 Enclosure
  Description

  In reclaimed pasture, immediately NE of concentric enclosure (LI031-068001-) and S of enclosure (LI031-068002-). Not depicted on the OSi historic maps. Monument described by O’Kelly (1943, 232) as; ‘On the NE side just outside the broken end of the bank, is a sub-rectangular enclosure which is now only just barely perceptible. It consists of a slight bank surrounding an open space. Its greatest overall dimension is 175’ [53m].’ Monument is visible as a sub-rectangular shaped cropmark on the Archaeological Survey of Ireland aerial photograph (ASIAP (307) 12, 14) taken 13/09/2002. Trace of monument visible as a sub- rectangular shaped cropmark intersected at NE by a linear cropmark running NW-SE on OSi orthophoto taken between 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages dated 03/03/2013 and 20/09/2020. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of Upload: 16 March 2021

• LI031-068003 Enclosure
  Description

  In reclaimed pasture, E of concentric enclosure (LI031-068001-) and immediately E of rectangular-shaped enclosure (LI031-068002-). Not depicted on OSi historic maps. Monument described by O’Kelly (1943, 232) as a rectangular-shaped enclosure (dims. 18m x 22m) ‘only just perceptible’ located to the E of a rectangular enclosure (LI031-068002-) which consisted of a ‘very slight bank, with traces of a fosse outside, enclosing an open space. It measures 60’ [18m] by 72’ [22m]. The monument has beside it on the south side of enclosure No. 2, a water hole fed from an underground spring' (ibid). Monument visible as a rectangular shaped cropmark on the Archaeological Survey of Ireland aerial photograph (ASIAP (307) 12, 14) taken 13/09/2002. Faint trace of monument visible as a sub-rectangular shaped cropmark intersected at NE by a linear cropmark running NW-SE on OSi orthophoto taken between 2005-12 and on Digital Globe orthoimages dated 03/03/2013 and 20/09/2020. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of Upload: 16 March 2021 See attached ASI aerial photographs ASIAP – taken on 04/03/2006, _12 to _15.

• LI031-069 Road - road/trackway
  Description

  In reclaimed pasture, with enclosure (LI031-070001-) annotated ‘Entrenchment’ 105m to W, second enclosure (LI031-068001-) 35m to N. Outline of roadway (L. 1km; Wth 5.2-6.5m) running N-S clearly visible on OSi orthophoto taken 2005-12. On this aerial image the outline of the road is clearly visible as a linear feature flanked on either side by a fosse. This trackway appears to run onto an existing laneway at S end of road as depicted on OSi 25-inch map. At N end of roadway it runs onto a stream or ditch and from there runs N parallel to the stream towards the public road close to Meanus Cross Roads, and may have provided access to the early Christian enclosure at Killorath (LI031-040001-). The townland name Boherygeela or Bóthar Ó gCadhla (the road of Uí Chadhla) may be named after this trackway. According to Gowen (1987, 142) this trackway was ‘one of a network of roads in the area around Caherguillamore and Meanus (Eoin Grogan, pers. comm.) and leads to the site of the medieval church of Meanus [Killorath LI031-040001-?] which lies roughly half a mile east of the present church building [Meanus R.C. Church] and is known locally as a Mass Path’. Gowen (ibid.) described this trackway as consisting of a ‘a slightly raised surface with a low bank and ditch on either side’. A short section of the trackway (Site PC/2/32) was excavated by Margaret Gowen in 1986, prior to the construction of the Bord Gáis Éireann Gas Pipeline (Gowen 1988, 142-5). The results of this excavation were summarised as follows; ‘This long, straight stretch of road, not recorded on any edition of the OS, was revealed in aerial photography. It is also clearly visible on the ground. The pipeline crossed the road at a point where it is disturbed. The remains elsewhere display a profile not unlike that of the 'Cladh na Leac' [LI031-010001-] at Lough Gur with a low bank and ditch on either side. Two cuttings were opened’ (Gowen 1987, 24). Excavation revealed the trackway to consist, ‘of a roughly, and thinly, metalled surface of angular limestone pebbles and stones up to 10-15cm in size. It had a maximum width of 5.2m in cutting 2 but is likely to be up to 6.5m in width elsewhere. The surface was not particularly level, especially in cutting 1 where a pothole-type depression existed and part of the track surface had been truncated. Two small depressions on the road surface in cutting 2 may possibly be interpreted as ruts. The two ditches bounding both sides of the track are likely to be contemporary with the construction of the road, though upcast from the ditches had collapsed over the edges of the metalled surface of the roadway’ (Gowen 1988, 143). Gowen concluded that ‘as no datable finds were recovered from sealed contexts it is impossible to date this structure. Its similarity, in sectional profile, to the Cladh na Leac at Lough Gur makes comparison tempting: the latter is considered to be of possible prehistoric date. It is likely to have been in existence in medieval times as it appears to lead to the site of the medieval church at Meanus and can possibly be associated with the trackways at Caherguillamore. Although these too are undated, they appear to be associated with the medieval field-systems in the area’ (ibid., 144). Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 15 March 2021 See attached ASI aerial photographs ASIAP – 307/8 taken 13/09/2002.

• LI031-070001 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In wet pasture, 40m N of townland boundary with Crean, with annexe or conjoined ringfort (LI031-070002----) to E. Enclosure (LI031-071----) lies 70m to NE, road (LI031-069----) 105m to W, ringfort (LI031-106----) annotated ‘Lisduffnacrean’ lies 345m to SW. Monument annotated ‘Entrenchment’ on 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map. Depicted on this map as raised roughly D-shaped platform (dims. c. 50m NW-SE x 50m NE-SW) with straight sides at E and S defined by a bank visible at W only elsewhere reduced to a scarp with fosse visible from NW-N-E, and conjoined enclosure to E. Westropp (1919, 16) suggested that this monument may have been one of the assembly places in Co. Limerick. Described by Westropp (1920, 374) as follows; ‘on the road from Rathmore to Caherguillamore, and, despite its apparently low site, has pleasant, distant views of Knockfirina, Tory Hill and the Galtees. Its plan consists of an irregular, rather shield-shaped platform to the east, surrounded by a fosse. The western part is cut into a slight “rise” on the northern face, the rest terraced, like its neighbour, 4 to 5 feet [1.2-1.5m] over the low field, and a few feet lower than the rise. The western mound measures 190 feet [58m] across north and south, and 230 feet [70m] east and west. It had a parapet, now quite levelled, on which grow several large hawthorns. It is 110 feet [33.5m] long at its junction with the other wing. I saw no stone facing. The eastern wing [LI031-070002-] is still more irregular, about 180 feet [55m] east and west, and 165 feet [50m] to 200 feet [61m] north and south, with a few bushes on its eastern parapet, and a wet fosse. Outside the north ditch was a bold outer mound, 9 to 12 feet [2.7m – 3.6m] thick and 5 to 7 feet [1.5m – 2.1m] over the fosse. The north cusp is 7 feet [2.1m] high, and well preserved, running into the usual angle between the platforms, and crowded with hawthorns.’ Earthwork described by O’Kelly (1944, 51) as consisting of, ‘two conjoined sub-rectangular enclosures which are bounded only by fosses, which vary between 15’ [4.5m] and 30’ [9m] in width and are about 5’ [1.5m] deep. A common fosse separates the two portions, and if at any time there were banks, no trace of them has survived. The long axis runs N.E-S.W. and measures 475’ [145m] overall. Both portions of the monument are 270’ [82m] wide. The entrance is not recognisable. It is situated in poor low-land.’ The conjoined earthwork is visible as D-shaped area enclosed by a fosse with trace of partially tree-lined bank from NW-NE on OSi orthophotograph taken between 2005-12. Trace of inner fosse from NW-NE and possible causeway gap at NW. Outline of monument visible on Google Earth orthoimage dated 20/09/2020. Traces of post-1700 field boundary intersects the site at SE and possible field drains intersect at N, NE and SW are visible on both the OSi orthophotograph and Google Earth orthoimages. See attached drawing of conjoined enclosure from Westropp 1919 and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 31 March 2020 See attached ASI aerial photographs ASIAP – 307/10 and 11 taken 13/09/2002.

• LI031-070002 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In wet pasture, 40m N of townland boundary with Crean, with conjoined ringfort (LI031-070001----) to W. Enclosure (LI031-071----) lies 70m to NE, road (LI031-069----) 105m to W, ringfort (LI031-106----) annotated ‘Lisduffnacrean’ lies 345m to SW. Monument annotated ‘Entrenchment’ on 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map. Depicted on this map as raised roughly D-shaped platform (LI031-070001-) with straight sides at E and S with conjoined D-shaped area (dims. c. 50m N-S x 48m E-W) defined by a scarp with fosse and traces of outer bank to E. Described by Westropp (1920, 374) as follows; ‘on the road from Rathmore to Caherguillamore, and, despite its apparently low site, has pleasant, distant views of Knockfirina, Tory Hill and the Galtees. Its plan consists of an irregular, rather shield-shaped platform to the east, surrounded by a fosse. The western part [LI031-070001-] is cut into a slight “rise” on the northern face, the rest terraced, like its neighbour, 4 to 5 feet [1.2-1.5m] over the low field, and a few feet lower than the rise. The western mound measures 190 feet [58m] across north and south, and 230 feet [70m] east and west. It had a parapet, now quite levelled, on which grow several large hawthorns. It is 110 feet [33.5m] long at its junction with the other wing. I saw no stone facing. The eastern wing is still more irregular, about 180 feet [55m] east and west, and 165 feet [50m] to 200 feet [61m] north and south, with a few bushes on its eastern parapet, and a wet fosse. Outside the north ditch was a bold outer mound, 9 to 12 feet [2.7m – 3.6m] thick and 5 to 7 feet [1.5m – 2.1m] over the fosse. The north cusp is 7 feet [2.1m] high, and well preserved, running into the usual angle between the platforms, and crowded with hawthorns.’ Earthwork described by O’Kelly (1944, 51) as consisting of, ‘two conjoined sub-rectangular enclosures which are bounded only by fosses, which vary between 15’ [4.5m] and 30’ [9m] in width and are about 5’ [1.5m] deep. A common fosse separates the two portions, and if at any time there were banks, no trace of them has survived. The long axis runs N.E-S.W. and measures 475’ [145m] overall. Both portions of the monument are 270’ [82m] wide. The entrance is not recognisable. It is situated in poor low-land.’ The conjoined ringfort is visible as a poorly preserved roughly D-shaped area enclosed by a fosse with linear drain feeding into fosse at NE on OSi orthophotograph taken between 2005-12. and on Google Earth orthoimages. See attached drawing of conjoined enclosure from Westropp 1919 and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 31 March 2020 See attached ASI aerial photographs ASIAP – 307/10 and 11 taken 13/09/2002.

• LI031-071 Enclosure
  Description

  In wet pasture 100m N townland boundary with Crean. Conjoined enclosures annotated ‘Entrenchment’ (LI031-070001-/002-) c. 70m to SW and possible medieval road (LI031-069----) 330m to W. Possible monument not indicated on OSi historic maps. Earthwork (Site No. 031184) identified on Bórd Gáis Éireann Curraleigh West-Limerick gas pipeline 1:5000 aerial photograph (BGE 1:5,0000, 2504) taken 03/11/1984. Faint trace of monument visible as a sub-rectangular cropmark intersected from N-SE by field drain on OSi orthophotos taken between 2005-2010. Not visible on Google Earth orthoimage 20/09/2020. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 16 March 2021

• LI031-104 Enclosure
  Description

  In pasture, on a gentle N-facing slope, road (LI031-069----) lies 80m to W. Possible site (Site No. 031185) identified during examination of aerial photographs (BGE 1/50000 2506) taken 03/11/1984 on the Bórd Gáis Éireann Curraghleigh West-Limerick gas pipeline. No surface remains visible on OSi orthophoto taken between 2005-12 and on Google Earth orthoimages. Site surveyed in 2007 and described as no surface remains visible. See attached aerial photograph from Bórd Gáis Éireann Curraleigh-Limerick gas pipeline (BDE 1/50000 2506) and Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 26 March 2021

• LI031-147 Enclosure
  Description

  In reclaimed pasture 55m NW of watercourse that marks the townland boundary with Crean. Field system immediately to N and NE, road (LI031-069----) 70m to E and 'Entrenchment' (LI031-070001-002-) 300m to NNE. Not depicted on historic OSi maps. Identified from examination of aerial photograph (BGE 1:5000 No. 46) of the region taken 03/11/1984 associated with Bórd Gáis Éireann Curraghleigh West-Limerick gas pipeline. No surface remains visible on OSi orthophoto taken between 2005-12 or on Google Earth orthoimage dated 20/09/2020. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 25 March 2021

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands on this parcel.

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).

Ground and risks

Radon

At the centre of this parcel, about 1 in 5 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as low, partly inferred.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of this parcel.

Flooding

The Office of Public Works publishes its flood maps on floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, and Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland, both under 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.

Download this parcel as DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its neighbours and buildings, for a drawing program. GeoJSON, in WGS 84, suits a map, and KML opens in Google Earth.

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.