# Oldabbey, Co. Limerick: townland, land parcels and planning Townland in the civil parish of Robertstown, barony of Shanid, Co. Limerick; in Irish Mainistir na gCailleach. - Area (Tailte Éireann): 2,216,298 m² (221.63 ha, 547.66 acres) - Land parcels (Tailte Éireann): 31 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in it, median 5,964 m² (0.6 ha, 1.47 acres) - Zoning (national zoning, MyPlan): not in a zoned settlement - Planning (National Planning Applications): 8 applications since 2010 - Civil parish: Robertstown, https://everytownland.com/limerick/parish/robertstown.md - Barony: Shanid - Electoral division: Shanid, the unit of the census - Census 2022 (Central Statistics Office): 542 people lived in 208 households in the Shanid electoral division. 92% of households owned their home. 31% of homes were built since 2001. 9% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 1% were holiday homes. - County: Co. Limerick, https://everytownland.com/limerick.md - Placenames Database of Ireland: https://www.logainm.ie/en/32328 - Townland number at Tailte Éireann: 121649 - Centre: latitude 52.570891, longitude -9.06974 (WGS 84) ## Land parcels (registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann) 31 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Oldabbey, from 18 m² to 327,394 m² (32.74 ha, 80.9 acres); 17 neighbouring parcels touch its boundary. Largest first: - Parcel 1657828: 327,394 m² (32.74 ha, 80.9 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1657828.md - Parcel 1589477: 250,667 m² (25.07 ha, 61.94 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1589477.md - Parcel 1639841: 238,489 m² (23.85 ha, 58.93 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1639841.md - Parcel 1628506: 208,406 m² (20.84 ha, 51.5 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1628506.md - Parcel 1628505: 193,977 m² (19.4 ha, 47.93 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1628505.md - Parcel 1664340: 159,274 m² (15.93 ha, 39.36 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1664340.md - Parcel 1639840: 135,510 m² (13.55 ha, 33.49 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1639840.md - Parcel 1600900: 126,009 m² (12.6 ha, 31.14 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1600900.md - Parcel 1658574: 120,026 m² (12 ha, 29.66 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1658574.md - Parcel 1664424: 93,527 m² (9.35 ha, 23.11 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1664424.md - Parcel 3384791: 90,903 m² (9.09 ha, 22.46 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/3384791.md - Parcel 1597676: 77,183 m² (7.72 ha, 19.07 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1597676.md - Parcel 1600901: 31,528 m² (3.15 ha, 7.79 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1600901.md - Parcel 1670309: 15,306 m² (1.53 ha, 3.78 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1670309.md - Parcel 1664423: 6,813 m² (0.68 ha, 1.68 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1664423.md - Parcel 1595390: 5,964 m² (0.6 ha, 1.47 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1595390.md - Parcel 1648881: 4,660 m² (0.47 ha, 1.15 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1648881.md - Parcel 1622463: 4,381 m² (0.44 ha, 1.08 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1622463.md - Parcel 5656474: 4,075 m² (0.41 ha, 1.01 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/5656474.md - Parcel 1624953: 3,808 m² (0.38 ha, 0.94 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1624953.md - Parcel 1670499: 2,991 m² (0.3 ha, 0.74 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1670499.md - Parcel 5364365: 2,713 m² (0.27 ha, 0.67 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/5364365.md - Parcel 1592233: 2,594 m² (0.26 ha, 0.64 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1592233.md - Parcel 5325861: 2,306 m² (0.23 ha, 0.57 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/5325861.md - Parcel 1647897: 2,129 m² (0.21 ha, 0.53 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1647897.md - Parcel 3267928: 2,078 m² (0.21 ha, 0.51 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/3267928.md - Parcel 1596686: 1,995 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/1596686.md - Parcel 1641005: 1,882 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/1641005.md - Parcel 1612830: 1,816 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/1612830.md - Parcel 1601974: 784 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/1601974.md - Parcel 3267927: 18 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/3267927.md ## Zoning (national zoning of development plans, MyPlan) No zone of a development plan covers Oldabbey in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply to each application. ## Planning applications whose site touches the townland (National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) 8 applications, newest first. - 13 Nov 2025, Limerick County Council 2561173: Conditional. Permission, 1 home. construction of a single storey dwelling house with attic conversion, entrance, driveway, septic tank, percolation area and all ancillary site works. File: https://eplanning.ie/LimerickCCC/AppFileRefDetails/2561173/0 - 7 Oct 2025, Limerick County Council 2561022: N/a. Permission. construction of a single storey dwelling house with attic conversion, entrance, driveway, septic tank, percolation area and all ancillary site works. File: https://eplanning.ie/LimerickCCC/AppFileRefDetails/2561022/0 - 27 Mar 2025, Limerick County Council 2560253: N/a. Permission. the construction of a new domestic garage, the relocation of the percolation area on site and all ancillary site works. File: https://eplanning.ie/LimerickCCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560253/0 - 29 Nov 2022, Limerick County Council 221258: Conditional. Permission. The development will consist of permission for a solar farm comprising the construction of PV panels mounted on metal frames, new access tracks, underground cabling, perimeter fencing with CCTV cameras and access gates, installation of 9 transformer containers, a temporary construction compound and all ancillary grid infrastructure and associated works on lands 24.7 hectares located at Ellaha and Mullagh, Co. Limerick. A Natura Impact Statement has been prepared in respect of the application for planning permission. File: https://eplanning.ie/LimerickCCC/AppFileRefDetails/221258/0 - 16 Nov 2021, Limerick County Council 211587: Conditional. Permission. construction of a single storey extension to the side of existing dwelling house, detached domestic garage, moving of entrance and all ancillary site works. File: https://eplanning.ie/LimerickCCC/AppFileRefDetails/211587/0 - 13 Apr 2021, Limerick County Council 21475: Conditional. Permission. the construction of a slatted shed, roofed cattle crush, silage slab and concrete aprons. File: https://eplanning.ie/LimerickCCC/AppFileRefDetails/21475/0 - 28 Sept 2020, Limerick County Council 20971: Conditional. Permission, 1 home. construction of a two storey dwelling house with detached domestic garage, front boundary entrance walls, installation of mechanical aeration unit with polishing filter system and all associated site works. File: https://eplanning.ie/LimerickCCC/AppFileRefDetails/20971/0 - 14 Jan 2019, Limerick County Council 1918: Conditional. Permission. a ten year permission for the complete development of a Solar PV Energy development with a total site area of 30.15 hectares, to include, electrical transformer and invertor station modules, Solar PV panels ground mounted on support structures, access roads and internal access roads and internal access tracks, fencing, electrical cabling and ducting, CCTV and other ancillary infrastructure, a temporary site compound area, additional landscaping and habitat enhancement as required and associated site development works located in the townlands of Deelish and Mullagh. The proposed solar farm will be connected to the National Grid via the adjoining Ellaha and Ballinknockane solar farm previously granted planning permission under Limerick city & County Council planning ref 17/1220. File: https://eplanning.ie/LimerickCCC/AppFileRefDetails/1918/0 Applicants are not shown. ## Designated sites (National Parks and Wildlife Service) No designated site (Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Natural Heritage Area or proposed one) touches the townland of Oldabbey. ## Recorded monuments (Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service) - LI019-019: Ringfort - rath, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-019----. In pasture, on gentle S-facing slope. Roughly circular area (29.9m N-S; 26.7m E-W) enclosed by earth-and-stone bank, with external fosse (Wth 2m; D 0.55m) ESE->N. Bank (int. H 0.8m; ext. H 1.7m), best preserved S->NW, lowers at NE (H 0.2m; Wth 5.5m). Field boundary, on rough E-W axis, cuts across fosse along S arc, and incorporates enclosing bank SE->WSW. Remains of a partially removed field boundary crosses fosse at N. Flat interior is covered with nettles and briars. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011 - LI019-020: Ringfort - rath, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-020----. In pasture, on gentle W-facing slope. Monument, depicted on 1923 OS 6-inch map as embanked circular enclosure (diam. c. 25m), is now largely covered by dense overgrowth. However, a small stretch of enclosing element is accessible at NE showing site enclosed by an earthen bank (int. H 0.4m; ext. H 1m) with external fosse (Wth 2m; D 0.8m). Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011 - LI019-024: Moated site, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-024----. In pasture, atop low hill. Roughly rectangular area (47m SE-NW; 29m NE-SW) enclosed by earth and stone bank (int. H 0.35m; ext. H 1.4m) with external fosse (Base Wth. 4m; D 0.2m) ESE->WSW, scarp-edge (ext. H 0.45m) WSW->WNW and field boundary WNW->ESE. Bank is covered with elder and whitethorn trees. Field boundary, meeting in a corner at NNW, is slightly curved NNE->ESE. Interior under pasture with W half sloping down to the NW. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011 - LI019-025: Ringfort - rath, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-025----. In pasture, atop low hill. Circular area (diam. c. 40m) enclosed by two concentric earthen banks with an intervening fosse (Wth 3m). Inner bank (int. H 0.85m; ext. H 1.95m), heavily masked by overgrowth, is best preserved along N arc. Outer bank (ext. H 1.35m), best preserved along N arc, is externally stone-faced where incorporated into field boundary system W->NE. Gap in outer bank (Wth 10.5m) matched with causeway (Wth 10.5m) across fosse. Interior is completely covered by dense overgrowth. Passageway, depicted running tangentially to SE arc on 1923 OS 6-inch map, has been since removed, and a more recent passage now skirts enclosure W->NNW. According to Westropp, despite its name- 'fort of the dead', there is 'no indication of any burials, nor any tradition about its grim name' (Westropp 1916-7, 34) Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011 - LI019-026001: Settlement deserted - medieval, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-026001-. Possible medieval settlement earthworks associated with 13th century Augustinian nunnery (LI019-026009-) which are visible on oblique aerial photographs taken 20/07/1968 (CUCAP AVS097-8). A series of linear earthworks forming a series of terraces indicative of strip lynchets running across the fields are visible to the N and NW of the nunnery on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-13. Possible medieval settlement and cultivation earthworks associated with medieval settlement and farming belonging to the Augustinian Nunnery. See attached aerial photographs taken 1968 showing earthworks in field to the N and NW of the Augustinian nunnery. Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 14 July 2020 - LI019-026002: Enclosure, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-026002-. In pasture 150m SW of the Augustinian nunnery of Monasternagalliaghduff (LI019-026009-) and 40m NW of Gateway (LI019-026003-), in the grounds of the former Old Abbey House which survives 200m to NE, dovecote (LI019-026004-) orchard and fish pond (LI019-026006-) in field to N. Standing stone (LI019-026011-) 80m to E. Not depicted on any O.S. Maps. Site of an 'old enclosure' described as following; 'Two small old foot-bridges lead by a shaded lane-way from the kitchen to two fields, having a cross-branch of the stream to the east of the first, to which a way also leads past the west side of the garden by other bridges. The more southern field alone gives marks of an old enclosure. The southern field has traces of earthen mounds' (Wardell 1904, 63). No surface remains visible of this 'old enclosure' on Digital Globe orthophotos or Google Earth orthoimagery. Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 14 July 2020 - LI019-026003: Gateway, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-026003-. In pasture 170m SW of the Augustinian nunnery of Monasternagalliaghduff (LI019-026009-) and 40m SE of an enclosure (LI019-026002-), in the grounds of the former Old Abbey House which survives 200m to N, dovecote (LI019-026004-) orchard and fish pond (LI019-026006-) in field to N. Standing stone (LI019-026011-) 65m to NE. Not depicted on any OS Maps. The gateway was described by Westropp as ‘An ancient south gate remains built up in the modern wall. It has roughly built gateway 10 feet [3m] wide on the opening, with a very rude pointed arch and strong piers projecting inwards. To it, says tradition, The Earl of Desmond brought his dying wife, wounded in their escape from Shanid castle, which rises proudly to the south-west on the moated summit of the ridge (Wardell 1904, 63). The overgrown boundary wall in which the gateway is located is visible on Google Earth Orthoimage taken 08/04/2015. See attached location map showing Gate taken from Wardell 1904 Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 14 July 2020 - LI019-026004: Dovecote, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-026004-. In pasture, 100m SW of the Augustinian nunnery of Monasternagalliaghduff (LI019-026009-) and 45m W of a megalithic structure (LI019-026011-), with stream immediately to N. On the grounds of the former Old Abbey House which stands 140m to N, orchard and fish ponds (LI019-026006-) in field to N of dovecote. Ringfort (LI019-028----) 145m to S. Annotated ‘Tower’ on both the 1840 OS 6-inch map and the 1897 OS 25-inch map, where it is depicted as a circular structure (approx. diam. 7m). The dovecote was described by Westropp as ‘the convent pigeon-house. It is an interesting little building, like the base of a round tower. It is circular, and 13 feet 6 inches [4.1m] in internal diameter, shelf to shelf, or 17 feet [5.2m] from wall to wall; the walls 2 feet 8 inches [0.8m] thick and 10 feet [3m] high to the spring of the domed roof, which is formed by corbelling, with a large circular ope and two external cornices. There is a low square door to the west, 3 feet 7 inches [1.1m] high and 2 feet 10 inches [0.86m] wide. The outer face destroyed. Inside were eight rows of stone recesses for the doves; they are 13 inches [0.33m] deep, and about twenty-eight [0.7m] to each ring. The greater number are now destroyed, probably by cattle, which can enter the structure through a large break in the east. It is 18 feet [5.5m] high in all' (Wardell 1904, 64). The dovecote is clearly visible on Google Earth Orthoimage taken 08/04/2015. See attached section of building and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 13 July 2020 - LI019-026005: Designed landscape - tea house, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-026005-. In pasture 40m W of the Augustinian nunnery of Monasternagalliaghduff (LI019-026009-) and immediately W of the Fish-pond (LI019-026006-). Post-1700 summer-house built with medieval fabric of the nunnery standing on SW corner of the walled garden of the Old Abbey House which stands 60m to N. Depicted on the 1840 OS 6-inch map as a rectangular-shaped structure located at the S end of the formal garden of Old Abbey House. Identified by T. J. Westropp as the Summer House [B], he describes significant alteration to the building with a tenant having ‘inserted a doorway removed from the western door of the church, and a tall (but now curtailed) window from the refectory. A third window in the north face was brought from some uncertain location, possibly the “readers recess” in the refectory’(1904, 62). Westropp described the window as having ‘a trefoil head and refers to an ogee-headed light from the domicile that also is inserted into the ‘Summer House’ (ibid.). Google Earth Orthoimage taken 08/04/2015 shows a line of mature trees in the area of structure. See attached location map and photo taken by T. J. Westropp Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 13 July 2020 - LI019-026006: Fish-pond, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-026006-. In pasture 40m W of the Augustinian nunnery of Monasternagalliaghduff (LI019-026009-) and immediately E of the 'Summer House' (LI019-026005-). Depicted on the 1840 OS 6-inch map as a rectangular-shaped pond (approx. L 40m; Wth 10m) located at the S end of the formal garden of Old Abbey House. Described by T. J. Westropp as, ‘A most picturesque old fish-pond, shadowed by fine yews and lime trees, extends along the foot of the modern garden from near the “cellars”. It possibly dates from monastic times’ (Wardell 1904, 64). Google Earth Orthoimage taken 08/04/2015 shows the area heavily overgrown. See attached location map showing fish-pond labelled C and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 13 July 2020 - LI019-026007: Burial ground, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-026007-. In pasture 80m NW of the Augustinian nunnery of Monasternagalliaghduff (LI019-026009-) and 15m SE of a cist (LI019-026008-), in the formal grounds of the Old Abbey House. Not Depicted on any OS maps, it was identified as Site G on a plan of the site by T. J. Westropp (Wardell 1904, 52) where he describes the site as following; ‘In 1901 the remains of some fifteen persons were discovered in a plot marked G. They had been buried in clayey and stoney soil at a depth of about two feet [0.6m]. The first skeleton found was buried north and south and in line with the cist (LI019-026008-). It lay on its back, and the size of the bones, which were in their natural order, would seem to indicate that they had belonged to a large man. The skull was in good preservation, but had been cracked by the spade and came to pieces on being much handled. With the exception of a slight decay in the molars, the teeth were perfect, but much ground down. To the south of this skeleton came many bones in no particular order; many of them would seem to have been those of children. It is possible that this portion of the Abbey lands had once been a place of pagan burial’. No surface trace visible on Google Earth Orthoimage taken 08/04/2015. See attached location map showing burial ground labelled G and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 13 July 2020 - LI019-026008: Cist, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-026008-. In pasture 80m NW of the Augustinian nunnery of Monasternagalliaghduff (LI019-026009-) and 15m NE of a burial ground (LI019-026007-), in the formal grounds of the Old Abbey House. Not depicted on any OS maps, it was identified as Site F on a plan drawn by T. J. Westropp (Wardell 1904, 52) where he describes the site as following; ‘in the early “fifties” my uncles uncovered a stone cist containing a clay dish and a skeleton in a crouching position’. No surface trace visible on Google Earth Orthoimage taken 08/04/2015. See attached location map showing cist labelled F and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 13 July 2020 - LI019-026009: Religious house - Augustinian nuns, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-026009-. The 13th century Augustinian nunnery of St. Catherine de O'Conyl or ‘Manisternagalliaghduff’, known locally as Old Abbey, stands in the parish of Robertstown, in the medieval barony of Connelloe [O’Conyll] (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 323). The village of Shanagolden lies 2.4km to the W, Shanid Castle (LI019-081001-) lies 4.1km to the SW. Knockpatrick and its church (LI010-058001-) stands 4km to the NW. Monasternagalliaghduff was mistakenly identified with a nunnery (LI032-043002-) in Lough Gur (Fitzgerald and McGregor 1826, 315, 363, 577). The monastery of the Black Nuns was dedicated to St. Catherine for the Canonesses of St. Augustine (Ware 1705, 103; Croker 1833, 103; Dowd 1896, 79). It was founded in the 13th century on lands belonging to John FitzThomas of Connelloe (O'Konyl) who was killed at Callan in 1261. The abbey buildings stand on the S side of the walled garden of the ruins of Oldabbey House in a hollow overlooking a stream to S, with good views of open countryside to E, and views of undulating countryside to S and W. Earthworks of a possible medieval settlement (LI019-026001-) lie in fields to N and W. Fish-pond (LI019-026006-) 20m to WSW, dovecote (LI019-026004-) and gateway (LI019-026003-) of possible monastic precinct wall 100m and 155m to SW respectively. An Inquisition into the lands of the Manor of Shanid which belonged to Thomas FitzMaurice who died in 1298 recorded that ‘wherefrom are subtracted 8s. paid yearly to the Bishop of Limerick for land which his (Thomas') grandfather granted to the nuns of Okonyl, and 26s. 8d. paid to the same Bishop to acquit land of demesne which Sir Thomas held of him there" (Wardell 1904, 43; Cal. doc. Ire. vol. 4, 259). In 1302-06 the papal taxation of the goods of the religious houses in the diocese of Limerick valued 'St. Catherine in O'Conyl' at 40s. 4d. (Cal. doc. Ire. vol. 5, 271). In 1432 Awly Olongsygh [Lynch] was appointed parish priest of the abbey by Pope Martin V who was informed on behalf of James, Earl of Desmond, patron of St. Catherine's, that the prioress and nuns, or several of them, leading a dissolute life, had wasted in lubricity and converted to unlawful uses the goods of the monastery, whose church was parochial, the priest being appointed or removed by the prioress and nuns; that the only remaining nun had married a layman by whom she had offspring so that she had been removed from the monastery by Cornelius, Bishop of Limerick (1400—25), with the consent of the dean and chapter' (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 323-4; Cal. papal letters 1427-47, 400-1). On the 26th September, 1567, Sir Warham St. Leger obtained a lease for twenty-one years of the Abbeys of Adare and Nenagh [Co. Tipperary], together with the site of the monastery of nuns of St. Katherine, called Monaster ne Kayllaghe, County Limerick, with appurtenances, rent £22 17s. 8d. (No. 1143) (Nicholls 1994, 141). Annotated 'M:Negella', the monastery is depicted along with Knockpatrick Church on Jobson’s Map of Munster dated 1589 (TCD MS1209/36). In 1633 the Earl of Cork purchased from sir Charles Coote ‘Monasternegillagh, with two plowlands and the tithes of one of them, and the rectories or parsonages of Robertstown, Donmoylan, Granshawe, and the Island of Aghnes, in the County of Limerick, which Sir Charles this day offers to sell me the inheritance, which is in lease to one John Green at £82. His mts. [sic] rent is about £1 6s. 8d.; it was conveyed by Sir John Jephson and his lady for £800 ster., and Sir Charles' price thereof to me is one thousand pounds, which I paid him" (Wardell 1904, 48-9). About the year 1770 John Greene left Old Abbey, and moved to Letteville, in the County Tipperary. George Hodges, who died in 1788, was succeeded by his cousin, George Morgan, of Foynes Island, ancestor of the present holder (Wardell 1904, 50). The abbey ruins were surveyed and described by Westropp (Wardell 1904, 53-62) in 1875 as following; ‘The remains consist of a large cloister court surrounded by other buildings : a long narrow church projects from the centre of the eastern face ; it is flanked by two small apartments opening into the cloister, that to the south of the church being evidently a sacristy. The refectory (with a long, low, projecting building, extending southward to the stream, and probably a kitchen) lies along the south wall of the court. To the west is a massive structure with buttresses, and at least three vaulted rooms underneath. It is older than the adjacent walls of the cloister, which embody its buttresses. The church and cloister walls are of one piece, and, though the refectory gables are only bonded at the top, the windows are of the same age as the church, early thirteenth century. Some rebuilding and considerable alteration and mutilation of portions of the church took place late in the fifteenth century. To this period belong its north doorway and east window. The sacristy, commonly called " the Black Hag's Cell,', is also an after-thought, and not bonded into the church; the south window is of late and bad design. The sacristy closes an older doorway in the western wall. The kitchen, though rude and plain, is also late, abutting against the refectory in awkward contiguity with an early window. A small structure, possibly a garderobe, projects near its south-eastern angle. The orchard and garden of Old Abbey House probably correspond to ancient enclosures. The old fish-pond remains in the latter. Another walled field, nearly surrounded by two little streams, seems of conventual origin; and, to the south of it, old earthworks and an ancient gateway with the curious circular pigeon-house mark the limit of the ancient precinct. Abbey Church The Church, like some of the other parts of the building, is "off the square." It is 82 feet [25m] long to the south, 83 feet [25m] to the north, and is 18 feet 6 inches [5.6m] wide to the east, and 17 feet 11 inches [5.4m] to the west. Buttresses project from each face of the angles at the east end; they seem of the fifteenth century, and embody older cut stones. The present east window is inserted in the arch of a larger and older window, and has the remains of two ambries under the sill. It has a slight external hood-moulding, and had two simple chamfered shafts, plainly interlacing overhead, without heading pieces or cusps. The shafts and tracery have disappeared; but the framework is intact, and shows slot holes for metal frames, both in the sides and sills. The stonework shows late dressing with toothed and pick chisels; the splay (and that of the second window in the south wall) were turned over planks. The holes for a long bar remain inside the window-shafts to either side of the splay. The south wall, going from the east, retains the following features: A window with a round splay, the light (which is partly built up) has a pointed head, and is recessed and chamfered, being of the same type as the window opposite to it in the north wall, and, in fact, save for its shortness, identical with the remaining window-light of the refectory and that removed from it, and now in the garden-house. This type is very common in the monasteries and churches built by the Normans or under English masons from 1180 to about 1230, and is found with round heads, but in other respects identical design, through the eleventh and early twelfth century. Below its sill are a small piscina with a quatrefoil basin, neatly moulded side shafts with capitals and bases, and an unusually flat trefoil arch, suggesting by its crooked and cramped appearance that the original head was replaced in later times. This was probably done when the upper part of the church walls was rebuilt, the recesses deprived of their arches, and in one case of their capitals, and the side windows lowered to their present stumpy proportions, perhaps in the late fifteenth century. Next we find a tall round-headed recess, probably once containing a picture. It has moulded capitals, bases, and sill, - LI019-026010: Anomalous stone group, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-026010-. In pasture 80m E of the Augustinian nunnery of Monasternagalliaghduff (LI019-026009-), within the demesne of the Old Abbey House, which lies 130m to NW. Not depicted on the 1840 OS 6-inch map or the 1897 OS 25-inch map. Described by Westropp in 1902 as following; ‘There is said to have been a “ring” or group of pillars about 5ft [1.5m] high in the field to the east of the orchard’ (Wardell 1904, 64). It appears the monument no longer survived at the time of writing and there are surface remains visible. Cropmarks visible in the field to the E of the walled orchard on Google Earth orthoimage taken 20/10/2010 may be the remains of the levelld 'ring' of upright stones. Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 13 July 2020 - LI019-026011: Standing stone, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-026011-. In pasture, 90m SW of the Augustinian nunnery of Monasternagalliaghduff (LI019-026009-) and 45m E of the dovecote (LI019-026004-), in the formal grounds of the Old Abbey House ruins which stand 170m to N. Not depicted on any OS maps. Possible standing stone described by Westropp as following; ‘In the field next to the Pigeon House [LI019-026004-] is a stone 3 feet 6 inches [1m] high and three feet [0.9m] by two feet [0.6m] wide’. No surface remains visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 08/04/2015. See attached location map Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 13 July 2020 - LI019-026012: Graveslab, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-026012-. Medieval graveslab decorated with a fleur-de-lys cross located against the inner face of the N wall of the abbey church of the 13th century Augustinian nunnery (LI019-026009-). Described by Westropp (Wardell 1904, 58) as following; 'A curious little tombstone leans against this wall, a solid block, 13½ inches [0.35m] to 9¼ inches [0.22m] broad, and about 30 inches [0.76m] high, adorned by a delicately incised Latin cross with round bosses and concave curves at the intersection of the arms'. See attached drawing of graveslab by Westropp 1902 Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 24 July 2020 - LI019-027: Ringfort - rath, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-027----. In pasture, on gentle E-facing slope. Circular area (diam. c. 35m) enclosed by earthen bank with an external fosse (Wth 1.3m; D 1.15m). Bank (int. H 2.1m; ext. H 2.5m), very heavily masked by overgrowth, is only accessible at NW. Collapsed dry-stone wall (H 0.35m) runs along outer edge of fosse which is littered with loose stone derived from wall. Interior is completely covered by dense overgrowth. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011 - LI019-028: Ringfort - cashel, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-028----. In pasture, on gentle NE-facing slope. Roughly-circular area (27.8m N-S; 30m E-W) defined by scarped edge (H 0.5m; Wth 2.65m) best preserved E->SE. Uneven interior, under pasture, with depression (0.7m N-S x 0.75m E-W; D 0.35m) in NE quadrant. (Wardell describes this as a cashel- see file for ref) Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011 - LI019-029: Ringfort - rath, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-029----. In pasture, on gentle NE-facing slope. Oval area (29m N-S; 23.7m E-W) enclosed by earth-and-stone bank, with external fosse (Wth 1.6m; D 0.7m) E->NW. Enclosing element is truncated by field boundary NW->E. Bank (int. H 1m; ext. H 1.5m), best preserved at WSW, has remains of stone-facing on inside face. Fosse is crossed by a causeway (Wth 2m) at W, but not matched by break in bank. Level interior is under pasture. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011 - LI019-233: Enclosure, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CLI019-233----. In area of waste adjacent to quarry. Oval area (24m N-S; 34m E-W) enclosed by earth-and-stone bank (int. H 0.45m; ext. H 0.7m). Bank best preserved W->NW (ext. H 1.65m) with external stone-facing SW->NE. Interior has been extensively quarried out to a depth of c. 2m. Field boundaries abut enclosure at SW and NE. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011 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). ## Architectural heritage (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Oldabbey. ## Ground and risks (Radon Risk Map of Ireland, EPA; Landslide Susceptibility Classification and LiDAR, Geological Survey Ireland) - Radon: at the centre of the townland of Oldabbey, about 1 in 10 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home: https://www.epa.ie/environment-and-you/radon/radon-testing/#d.en.82887 - 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 the townland of Oldabbey. - Flooding: the flood maps of the Office of Public Works, https://www.floodinfo.ie/map/floodmaps/, linked only: their licence does not allow re-use. 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. ## Downloads - DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings, for a drawing program: https://everytownland.com/limerick/oldabbey.dxf - GeoJSON, in WGS 84, for a map: https://everytownland.com/limerick/oldabbey.geojson - KML, for Google Earth: https://everytownland.com/limerick/oldabbey.kml ## Homes sold (Residential Property Price Register) No address of the register names Oldabbey with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Limerick: https://everytownland.com/limerick.md ## Neighbouring townlands (National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann) - Clashganniff: https://everytownland.com/limerick/clashganniff.md - Deelish: https://everytownland.com/limerick/deelish-120855.md - Ellaha: https://everytownland.com/limerick/ellaha.md - Kilcosgrave: https://everytownland.com/limerick/kilcosgrave.md - Kilmoylan: https://everytownland.com/limerick/kilmoylan.md - Knockardnacorlan: https://everytownland.com/limerick/knockardnacorlan.md - Monavaha: https://everytownland.com/limerick/monavaha.md - Mullagh: https://everytownland.com/limerick/mullagh.md - Stokesfield: https://everytownland.com/limerick/stokesfield.md - Tiermore: https://everytownland.com/limerick/tiermore.md 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. --- Everytownland reads the registered freehold land and the statutory boundaries of Tailte Éireann, the national zoning, planning file and heritage records of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Residential Property Price Register. 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; this site names no owner. A price is the price recorded for a past sale, not a valuation. Sources: Cadastral Parcels Freehold, Townlands, Civil Parishes, Baronies, Electoral Divisions and Buildings, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0; national zoning of development plans (GZT, MyPlan) and National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0, applicants not shown; designated sites, National Parks and Wildlife Service, CC BY 4.0; Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service, CC BY 4.0; National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, CC BY 4.0; Residential Property Price Register, Property Services Regulatory Authority, re-used with the source acknowledged. - Page: https://everytownland.com/limerick/oldabbey - In JSON: https://everytownland.com/api/townland/limerick/oldabbey