Knockpatrick

23 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Knockpatrick, from 391 m² to 479,073 m² (47.91 ha, 118.38 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 17 neighbouring parcels touch it.

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

No zone of a development plan covers Knockpatrick 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 Feb 2024Conditional

  (1) an Extension to rear of dwelling, (2) a Porch to front of dwelling, (3) alterations to elevations for the replacement/provision of windows, (4) the replacement of roof covering and (5) associated site works, all within revised boundaries

  Retention · Limerick County Council, 2460137

• 5 Oct 2021N/a

  a dwelling house, garage, entrance, boundary walls, an onsite waste water treatment and disposal system and all associated works

  Permission, 2 homes · Limerick County Council, 211382

• 28 Apr 2021Conditional

  construction of a cubicle house, slatted tanks, roofed feed areas, group calving pen, slurry channels and concrete aprons

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 21555

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 Knockpatrick.

Recorded monuments

• LI010-055 Enclosure
  Description

  On W-facing slope. Site is depicted as embanked circular enclosure (diam. c. 30m) on 1841 OS 6-inch map, but shown as oval quarry (c. 50m E-W; c. 30m N-S) on 1923 OS 6-inch map. Area now occupied by shale quarry with recent farm buildings along its northern edge. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• LI010-056 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  On the W slope of Knockpatrick Hill, overlooked by church and graveyard (LI010-058001-/002-) on summit of hill. Roughly oval-shaped well (diam. c. 1m) enclosed by uncoursed limestone with a flagged base (water c. 0.4m deep). This is surrounded by a concrete shrine, with an opening facing S, topped by a large statue of St Patrick. Area in front of well/shrine is paved, and encircling it is path for those making rounds. All this is enclosed by a low wall: bonded stonework to S but elsewhere concrete. According to Ó Danachair (1955, 215) 'formerly large crowds came on 17th March'. The following folklore was recorded from Foynes National School about St. Patrick's Well; 'There are two Holy Wells in this parish, Barrigone well and Knockpatrick well. Every St. Patrick's day there is a procession to the well on the top of Knockpatrick hill. At the well at Knockpatrick offerings of money are made. There is no fish in the well. There is a bush near it' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0483, Pages 150-1; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4921944/4912175). A second story about this well was recorded from Foynes National School which recorded the following; 'There is a tree around the well in Knockpatrick. It is a Blackthorn tree. There is a story told about the well in Knockpatrick. Hundreds of years ago, it is said that Saint Patrick visited Knockpatrick. It is said that he lost his prayer book, and it is said that a Raven found it. There is another story told about Knockpatrick. Long ago it is said that some man put up a mony box at the well at Knockpatrick one end was for silver and the other end for pennies. He made a lot of mony. The box was painted green and yellow. Someone told the Priest that there was a mony box up at the well, and he sent someone up for it, but when he got up, it was gone. The mans name was never found out' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0483, Pages 134-5; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4921944/4912159). The following folklore about Knockpatrick Well was collected from Shanagolden National School; 'Knockpatrick is a hill about a mile and a half to the west of Shanagolden. During his missionary tours through Ireland, St. Patrick stopped for some time at the top of this hill, and founded a Church there. The ruins of this Church are still to be seen there, and beside them is a Holy well, the waters of which (according to a local tradition) were blessed by St. Patrick. According to this tradition also, the well sprung up in a miraculous way. It says that after having built the Church he was searching the summit of the hill for a spring, so that he might found a holy well. Failing to find one, he was very disappointed, and knelt down to pray to God for guidance. After spending some time praying, he stood up, and water sprung up from the spot on which he knelt. St. Patrick's day is 'rounds' day at this well. A great crowd gathers there to perform the 'rounds'. Each person takes up seven small stones. The 'rounds' are done by walking round the well seven times. During such rounds the pilgrim says a Pater, Ave, and Gloria, and when he comes in front of the well at the end of each circuit, he throws one of the pebbles on the ground. Therefore the reason for using the pebbles is to ensure the correct number of circuits is made. Prayers are also said in the ruins of the old church. Generally a decade of the Rosary. At one time people also visited Knockpatrick on the eve of St. Patrick's day, and performed the rounds there, but the custom has gone out of use for a long time. Many of the old people in the locality consider that the most efficacious form of devotion at this well. was to make the rounds, both on the eve of St. Patrick's day. and on the feast day itself. Pilgrims also leave tokens near the well, such as medals, ribbons, bandages, articles of clothing, crutches, etc. For the past few years the priests of the parish have organised a pilgrimage of parishoners to Knockpatrick on St. Patrick's day. The crowd gathers in the afternoon at a spot about 300 yards from the summit of the hill. They march in a procession to the ruined church, and then in a circle round it, singing hymns all the time. They then gather round the well and a priest recites the Rosary' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0483, Pages 165-7; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4921945/4912191). See attached photos taken in 1954 by Caoimhín Ó Danachair, courtesy of and © National Folklore Collection, UCD. The Photographic Collection, F025.21.00402 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/24512 and F025.21.00401 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/17064. Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 1 October 2020

• LI010-057 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In pasture, on NW-facing slope. Circular area (24.8m N-S) enclosed by earthen bank (int. H 1m; ext. H 1.7m), with external fosse (D 0.4m; Wth 2.25m) NW->N and NE->SE; fosse truncated on W side by recently constructed pathway. Enclosing element is covered NE->SE by dense overgrowth of bushes; bank has suffered extensive root damage. Interior level and under grass in W half but E half densely overgrown with bushes. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• LI010-058001 Church
  Description

  On the summit of Knock Patrick (Cnoc Pádraig) also known in medieval times as 'Knocklaboskor’ (Westropp 1904-6, 384; Murphy 2013, 82), with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. River Shannon and County Clare visible from W-N-NE with views of Foynes and Aughinish Island to N. St. Patrick's Seat (LI010-059----) 100m to E and St. Patrick's Well (LI010-056----) 400m to SW. Church depicted standing on the summit of Knockpatrick on Jobson's 1589 Map of Munster (TCD, MS 1209/36). Medieval church ruins described by John O’Donovan as follows; ‘On the summit of Knockpatrick Hill, and in the Townland of the same name, are the ruins of Saint Patrick’s Church, of which both the gables have disappeared; forty one feet [12.5m] of the south wall and forty six [14m] of the north wall remain. On this north wall there are two doorways, the one nine feet [2.75m] from where the wall is broken on the west end, the arches (inside and outside) being pointed and formed of thin flags. This doorway is filled with old masonry. The other is nine feet [2.75m] from the east end; its arches are broken. No cut stone appears in either side of these doorways. There was another doorway on the south side wall opposite the western one on the north; no cut stone appears in this doorway, of which only one side remains. The walls of the Church are about twelve feet [3.65m] high by three feet [0.9m] in thickness and built of regular sized quarry stones regularly laid with lime and sand mortar. It has not the appearance of great age. On the top of these walls inside runs a cornice of cut stones. There is a very large graveyard much in use attached to this Church’ (OSL Robertstown Parish, 5-6). In 1336 in the Black Book of Limerick the church was listed as ‘Desert Alysbokan’ (Westropp 1904-6, 384). In 1419 the site was described in church taxation records as ‘ecclesia St. Patricii de montan’ [church of St Patrick of the mountain] (ibid.). According to Begley (1915, 245) the coarbship of Knockpatrick was vested in the O'Nea family, now anglicised Neville. In 1587, Queen Elizabeth granted William Trencherd [Trenchard] lands in Limerick which included 'the church and lands of Knockpatrick' which he was to hold 'by the name of Mount Trenchard, for ever, in fee-farm, by fealty, in common socage. Rent £150 English from 1594 (half this rent for the preceding 3 years); also W[illiam]. yearly for each acre of bog or waste enclosed or tilled. If found on measurement to contain more than the estimated number of acres, grantee shall pay 3d. rent for each English acre in excess. Grantee to erect houses for 95 families, of which one for himself, 6 for freeholders, 6 for farmers, 42 for copyholders. Other conditions usual in grants to undertakers in Munster' (Nicholls 1994, 34-5). Sate papers recorded that in 1588 ‘Shane Onia [O’Nea/Neville] of Knockpatrick, in the parish of Robertstown and county of Limerick, claims the lands of Knockpatrick, in the possession whereof he has been disturbed by an Inquisition taken at Kilmallock 26th Oct., 26th Eliz. He allegeth by his Bill no title in Her Majesty’ (Cal. S.P. Ire. Vol. 4, 21). Present remains consist of a medieval church ruins in centre of graveyard (LI010-058002-). Only lengths of N (L 16.7m; Wth 0.95m) and S (L 6.8m) walls now stand; described in 1827 as 'in good preservation' with a west door, by 1840 had been reduced to present state (OSL vol. 2, 13). Surviving walls have recently been crudely re-pointed and repaired. South wall is featureless apart from plain corbel with socket hole directly above. There are two door openings in N wall: near W end is narrow opening covered by pointed arch of undecorated voussoirs, and floored by two concrete steps; and near E end is round-arched opening which appears to have recently been rebuilt. Midway along N wall, on its outside, is short projection which appears to be of same build as N wall but has now been incorporated into a recently-built wall forming a triangular abutment against the N wall. Extending S from E end of N wall is low abutment (largely concealed by concrete) incorporated into tomb; this might be section of E wall. The top of both walls have been rebuilt using dressed limestone blocks, including a number of corbels with inverted-pyramid profiles, and a projecting 'cornice' course; Westropp (1904-5, 396) considered these 'evidence of a 15th century rebuilding. Westropp (ibid.) mistakenly suggested that the place called 'Ardpatrick' which was burnt in 1114 (AFM, 999) was the same site as Knockpatrick. However, O'Donovan identified this Ardpatrick as the 'small village at which are the remains of an ancient Irish cloigtheach, or round tower (LI056-002003- ), in the barony of Coshlea' (AFM, 998). Westropp recorded the following details about Knockpatrick; '1410. Gerald f.[itz] Philip, rebel, held "dom., relig. voc. Taremon de Cnock Patrick in p'och de Robertstown," 1584 (Inq.). It is probably the height to the west of Donaghpatrick and Finnine, whence St. Patrick blessed Thomond, for the "islands and territories" of the latter, and Iniscatha, "the green island in the mouth of the sea," were visible, which is true of it, and not of the alleged eastern sites (see Trip. Life, vol. i., p. 207). Fabric - The gables had fallen before 1840; the sides, 41 feet [12.5m] to south, and 46 feet [14m] to north, remained. In the latter were two doors, the west pointed and closed, the other broken and nearly demolished. The walls were 12 feet [3.65m] by 3 feet [0.9m]; the upper part rebuilt with corbels and cornice in fifteenth century; the south door has since fallen; part of a south window, the shaft of another, and parts of the pointed door remain. The Gothic west door stood in 1827 (Fitzgerald vol. 1, 366). The monuments of the Burkes and Griffins, 1777 and 1798, stand to the west. This stands on a high hill overlooking the Shannon from Cratloe to the sea, and the plains of Clare and Limerick. Down the slope is "Suidheachan Phatruic" or "Patrick's seat," [LI010-059----] the remains of a small cist of six stones, evidently prehistoric, though this is denied (O.S.L., 8, p. 13). A relic "Mias Phadruig" was pledged to Roche of Limerick by "Mary (Neville) of the dish," its hereditary keeper, long before 1840' (Westropp 1904-5, 395-6). Oblique aerial photograph (CUCAP AVQ071) taken 17/07/1968 of Knockpatrick shows church and graveyard standing on top of prominent hill with extensive views of the surrounding countryside with ringfort (LI010-003----) visible to N of church and graveyard. Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 20 January 2021

• LI010-058002 Graveyard
  Description

  On summit of Knockpatrick Hill; approached from SW via farm trackway. Roughly square (57m E-W; 58m N-S) graveyard enclosed by stone wall. At centre fragmentary remains of St Patrick's Church (LI010-058001-). Interior filled with grave plots, except to N of church; most headstones 19th century, with a few 20th century; some late 18th and early 19th century burial vaults to E and W of church ruin. An altar has recently been constructed against inside face of enclosing wall on N side. Oblique aerial photograph (CUCAP AVQ071) taken 17/07/1968 of Knockpatrick shows church and graveyard standing on top of prominent hill with extensive views of the surrounding countryside with ringfort (LI010-003----) visible to N of graveryard. Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 21 January 2021

• LI010-059 Ritual site - holy/saint's stone
  Description

  This monument now takes the form of a rectangular area (3.5m N-S; 3.3m E-W) enclosed by a concrete wall. The floor of this enclosed area is covered by concrete save for the tops of five stones which protrude through it. It is not possible to say how large these stones are or of what form they take. Standing within the enclosure is a large wooden cross of recent erection. According to tradition 'the traditional religious practice at Knockpatrick involved reciting three Rosaries: one around the wall of the burial grounds, one while moving clockwise around St Patrick's Well (LI010-056----) and the third at Suíochán Pádraig' (this description is posted on the web at the following internet address (accessed 3 August 2012): http://www.limerickdioceseheritage.org. Between November 1937 and December 1938, Michael Mulvihill a pupil of Shanagolden School collected a story called 'The stone from which St Patrick blessed Clare', from his grandfather John Mulvihill of Shanagolden Demesne then aged 70 years old; 'It is said locally that while staying at Knockpatrick St Patrick blessed Co. Clare. He knelt down at the highest point of the hill, gazed northward across the Shannon at the County, stretched out his hands and said "My blessing over to you." He did this because he intended going to the north of Ireland as soon as possible and therefore would not have an opportunity of visiting Clare. There was a flat stone to be seen at the summit of Knockpatrick until about twenty years ago. On it were two hollows which bore a rough resemblance to an impression which would be made by human knees. A local tradition connects this stone with St Patricks blessing of Co. Clare - that when giving his blessing he knelt on it, and as a sign that God had heard his prayer the imprint of his knees remained on the stone. Twenty years ago at the time of the Anglo Irish war, a party of Black and Tans were carrying out a round, up in this district. In the course of their search, a party of them went up to Knockpatrick. They noticed the isolated flat stone, and growing suspicious that it might be hiding an arms dump, took it up out of its place. In doing this they broke the stone, and a portion of it was never seen since' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0483, Pages 168-9; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4921944/4912175). Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 16 May 2021

• LI010-060 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In level pasture. Monument, depicted as embanked circular enclosure (diam. c. 20m) on 1923 OS 6-inch map, has been levelled but is still evident as low bank (H c. 0.2m; Wth 5m) with external fosse (D c. 0.1m; Wth 2m) SE->N, enclosing roughly circular area (diam. 28.3m N-S). Enclosure truncated on E side by N-S field boundary. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• LI010-062 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In level pasture. Roughly circular area (27m N-S; 24m E-W) defined by scarped edge (H 0.9m; Wth 3m), with external fosse (D 0.4m; Wth 2.05m) SW->NW. Outer edge of fosse is truncated by N-S field boundary WSW->WNW. A counterscarp bank (H 0.3m) survives in tow short sections SW->WSW and WNW->NW. Scarp is covered by overgrowth of trees and bushes but gap in vegetation at E gives access to interior which is under grass and slopes down gently to N. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Knockpatrick.

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

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

Landslides

The Geological Survey did not answer.

Terrain model

The Geological Survey did not answer.

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.

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

Name

Knockpatrick · Cnoc Pádraig

Area

981,990 m² (98.2 ha, 242.66 acres)

Civil parish

Robertstown, and its townlands

Barony

Shanid

Electoral division

Shanagolden, the unit of the census

Census 2022

922 people lived in 370 households in the Shanagolden electoral division. 79% of households owned their home. 18% of homes were built since 2001. 10% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 3% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballinree, Ballynacragga South, Ballynash (Bishop), Corgrig, Croaghane, Doonskerdeen, Mountdavid, Shanagolden Demesne

Placenames

Knockpatrick 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.