Ballysakeery

36 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Ballysakeery, from 78 m² to 160,249 m² (16.02 ha, 39.6 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 Ballysakeery 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.

• 12 Jun 2023Conditional

  The development will consist of the construction of new dwelling house, domestic garage, on-site wastewater treatment system, new site entrance together with ancillary site development works.

  Permission, 1 home · Mayo County Council, 2360210

• 12 Feb 2021Conditional

  CONSTRUCTION OF A 4 BAY SLATTED SHED WITH UNDERGROUND SLURRY STORAGE TANK ALONG WITH ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

  Permission · Mayo County Council, 21101

• 14 Nov 2018Conditional

  DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DERELICT DWELLING HOUSE TOGETHER WITH ADJACENT ANCILLARY BUILDINGS AND TO CONSTRUCT A PROPOSED REPLACEMENT DWELLING HOUSE. WORKS SHALL ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PROPRIETARY WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM WITH TERTIARY TREATMENT FILTER TO SERVE SAID DWELLING HOUSE TOGETHER WITH CONNECTIONS TO ALL NECESSARY UTILITIES

  Permission, 1 home · Mayo County Council, 18905

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

• Special Area of Conservation: Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SAC 000458
• Special Protection Area: Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SPA 004036
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Killala Bay/Moy Estuary 000458

Recorded monuments

• MA022-054 Castle - unclassified
  Description

  In pasture, on a bluff overlooking the W shoreline of the River Moy estuary. The bluff is bordered at N by a cliff face dropping to the shore immediately, and to E–SE by a steep fall into small N-S ravine, which channels a stream into the estuary. There are extensive views to N over the estuary and Killala Bay, and to S over sharply undulating grassland. This castle is shown as a rectangular building (8-10m NE-SW; 5-6m NW-SE), named ‘Ballysakeery Castle’ on the 1838 OS 6-inch map. On the 1929 OS 6-inch edition it is indicated as ‘Ballysakeery Castle (Site of)’ and the ‘Site of’ symbol is shown in the S half of an oval hachured area (30m N-S; 23m E-W). The 1838 OS Letters record that it originally belonged to the Barrett family, and later to the Burkes, and that ‘no part of its walls are now standing’ (O’Flanagan 1927, 58). There are few traces now visible at ground level. The outline of a rectangular building is visible as a slightly raised area (7.4m NW–SE; 13m NE–SW) defined by a low sod-covered stone bank/wall (Wth c. 1.6m-c. 2m; int. H 0.35-0.5m; ext. H 0.6-0.8m). There is a gap (Wth c. 2m) at the S end of the NW wall, and a break or eroded section (Wth 2.5-3m) at the S end of the SE wall. The NE wall appears to coincide with a natural rocky scarp, but this is largely masked by a splayed stony slump spreading for c. 2m to N beyond the NE wall. Immediately to W of the building, level ground extends to W-NW for 12m to a natural rising slope, partly quarried away and now cloaked in brambles. A sod-covered stony bank/wall (Wth c. 2.2m; int. H 0.45m; ext. H 0.7m), located 10m to NE of the building, encloses the head of the bluff where it overlooks the stream ravine. The bank/wall curves from the edge of the bluff at SSE in a shallow curve to W and then ends at the cliff edge, overlooking the estuary, at NNE. The enclosed area (22m NNE–SSW; 22.7m WNW–ESE), is rather undulating and uneven but there are no obvious remains of any structures, and no entrance gap is evident. It is unclear if this formed part of the castle precinct or is merely a later field enclosure. There is a mill (MA022-099----) in a small ravine immediately to S, a church (MA022-055001-) and graveyard (MA022-055002-) c. 50m to S, and a rath (MA022-056----) c. 200m to SE. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 2 May 2019

• MA022-055001 Church
  Description

  In the N half of a graveyard (MA022-055002-). Ruined rectangular medieval church (c. 7.5m N–S; c. 17.4m E–W) with mortared walls (T 0.9-1m) of roughly coursed, small and medium-sized stone blocks. The W gable survive to a height of c. 2m; there is a blocked-up doorway (Wth 1.1m; H c. 1.1m) at the S end, topped on its internal face by a stone lintel, above which is a shallow arch of voussoirs. Along the W half of the S wall sections of the inner wall face survive intact to a height of 1.7m, and remnants of a window are evident. The E half of the S wall, the N wall and the E gable are reduced to barely discernible, sod-covered wall footings (Wth 0.8m). The interior of the church appears slightly sunken relative to exterior ground level, and is strewn with grass-covered heaps of rubble. There is a castle (MA022-054----) c. 50m to NW, and a rath (MA022-056----) c. 140m to E. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 2 May 2019

• MA022-055002 Graveyard
  Description

  In pasture, close to the shore on the W side of the River Moy estuary. The graveyard encompasses the W end of an E−W ridge. A gentle slope immediately outside the W wall of the graveyard drops to a stream, which skirts the graveyard at W and S. The graveyard is subrectangular (c. 29m E–W; c. 28m N–S), enclosed by a mortared stone-built wall of relatively modern date, accessed at the W end of the N wall through a wrought-iron gate, flanked by circular stone-built pillars. There is a ruined medieval church (MA022-055001-) in the N half. There is a predominance of early 19-century graveslabs, lying directly on the ground or supported on low stone walls, to W and S of the church; many of these are in a somewhat dilapidated condition. Several 20th-century rectangular grave plots are intersperced between the 19th-century graves, and a close-set row fills the narrow space between the N wall of the church and the N graveyard wall. Numerous low, uninscribed stone gravemarkers, many arranged contiguously in roughly N−S rows, are visible throughout the graveyard. There is a castle (MA022-054----) c. 50m to NW, and a rath (MA022-056----) c. 140m to E. An access road lies to the N of the graveyard. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 2 May 2019

• MA022-056 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In pasture, located at a break of slope on the N side of a narrow E–W ridge, which borders the W shoreline of the River Moy estuary; immediately to N of the rath the ground levels out for c. 20m, then there is an abrupt drop to the stony shoreline. There are good views to N over the estuary as it opens into Killala Bay, and to S and W over undulating grassland. Raised circular platform (16.4m E–W; 13.7m N–S) defined by a stony bank, and enclosed by a fosse with an external bank. The raised profile of the rath is enhanced by the steep contours of the ridge on which it is sited; the S half appears to have been built up to create a level interior. The inner bank (Wth 5.3m; int. H 0.15m; ext. H 3.6m, at SSW) is degraded to a low rim on its internal face on the S arc, and on the N arc is reduced to a scarp (ext. H 3.4m). Stones, possibly the remnants of a kerb, can be discerned in parts along the inner edge of the bank. In parts, where the sod is eroded, cockle shells can be seen incorporated into the stony earthen makeup of the bank. The fosse (Wth 3.5-4m) and external bank (Wth c. 4.3m; int. H 0.45m; ext. H 1.2m) are well defined at NE–W, but are truncated at W–NW by an old quarry pit (max. dim. 4-5m) dug into the external slope of the rath mound, and at NNW–NE by a later field fence. In the interior there is a slight dip in the SE quadrant, sloping towards the entrance gap (Wth 3.4m) at SE, which opens onto a causeway (Wth c. 3m) across the fosse and a corresponding gap in the external bank. The S side of the causeway is defined by a low bank (Wth 1.8m; H 0.2-0.4m) which extends to ESE for c. 9m and then turns to S for 5m before petering out; this may be the remnants of a later field boundary rather than a feature contemporary with the rath. An E–W farm track skirts the S side of the rath. A slightly dished or hollow, roughly circular area (5.6m E–W; 7.4m N–S) defined by a slight rim is located 10m E of the rath; it appears to be the result of quarrying. There is a church (MA022-055001-) and graveyard (MA022-055002-) c. 140m to E on the same ridge. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 2 May 2019

• MA022-068 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In undulating pasture, located on a low knoll rising from a NW–SE ridge, and giving good views of the surrounding undulating grassland and the estuary of the River Moy to E. At the base of the ridge slopes, to NW and SE, there are wettish areas cut through by field drains, with a stream at SE–E. This rath is named ‘Rathardan’ on the 1838 and 1929 OS 6-inch maps. It consists of a raised circular area (26.4m E–W; 24.6m N–S) defined on the S arc by remnants of a bank (Wth c. 3.9m; int. H 0.45m; ext. H 1.8m, at S), reduced elsewhere around the circuit to a stony earthen scarp. The bank/scarp has a pronounced external slope for much of its circuit, enhanced by the natural slope of the knoll on which the rath is sited; at NW–NE the scarp is lower and less distinct. There is a break (Wth 2m) in the scarp at NNW, and another gap/eroded area (Wth 1.5-2m) at SE, but it is unclear if either indicates an original entrance. In the interior there is a slightly raised sub-circular area (8-10m E–W; 11-11.5m N–S). It is defined on its perimeter at N-E and S by a scarp, but its limits are less distinct at W. On the SE side, a gap (Wth 2m) opens into a roughly circular hollow (diam. c. 4m), located off-centre to ESE within the rise. The significance of this feature is uncertain: It may be the remains of a structure contemporary with the rath, but the hollow may simply be the result of relatively recent disturbance/digging. Gorse and blackthorn encroach on the S half of the rath perimeter. There is a rath (MA022-071) c. 300m to SE, and another rath (MA022-056) is visible c. 450m to NE. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 3 May 2019

• MA022-070 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In pasture, located at base of a SW-facing slope, adjacent to a stream/drain in a narrow roughly E-W valley of wet ground. The stream serves as the townland boundary. Circular area (diam. 20-25m) enclosed by an earthen bank. Gorse and brambles ring the bank, and cover much of the W half of the interior, making inspection difficult. The bank is best preserved (Wth c. 5m; int. H 0.55-0.6m; ext. H 1.1m) on the N half; it appears to be more degraded on the S half, reduced to a scarp (ext. H 0.5m) at S–SW. A field fence, on a NNE-SSW axis, bisects the interior centrally. A possible rath (MA022-069----) is located on elevated ground c. 100m to SW. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 3 May 2019

• MA022-071 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In rough pasture, located on a slight rise with wettish ground to E and S. A minor road skirts the base of the rise at N–NE. Raised circular, flat-topped area (c. 19m N–S; c. 21m E–W) defined by a very broadly sloping scarp. The interior area consists of a hard, stony surface, showing through a sparse covering of rough grass, moss and gorse. Gorse and brambles thickly ring the perimeter. This appears to be the partly levelled rath. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 3 May 2019

• MA022-074 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In average pasture, located beside the SW boundary of the townland, prominently sited on top of a knoll or rise, which is named Mount Ready on the 1838 and 1829 OS 6-inch maps. The knoll part of a NW–SE ridge, providing good views over the surrounding sharply undulating terrain, and E to the estuary of the River Moy. Raised oval area (c. 27m NW–SE; c. 20m NE–SW) defined by an earthen bank, and enclosed at SW–N by a fosse and external bank. The natural slope (overall H c. 5m) of the knoll, particularly steep on the E side, is used to enhance the enclosing elements. The inner bank (Wth 4.3m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 3.35m, at NW) retains a low internal lip at W–NW, but elsewhere is largely reduced to a scarp (ext. H 3.5-4m, at SW). The fosse (Wth 2.7m) and external bank (Wth c. 4m; int. H c. 0.8m; ext. H c. 1.5m) are well defined around the W half of the circuit, but are not evident on the E half where the knoll slope is steepest and shows signs of relatively recent disturbance. The entrance gap (Wth 4m) at the SE opens onto a shallow slump across the fosse defined on the E side by a low bank. The centre of the interior is level with a gentle slope down at its outer edges at W and E towards the enclosing scarp. In the SW quadrant, close to the entrance, there is a roughly circular hollow (diam. c. 7.5m; D 0.5m) which appears to be the result of relatively recent disturbance. At NNW the external slope of the outer bank is incorporated onto the line of a later field fence, and at S a semi-circular area (c. 8m NW–SE; c. 4m NE–SW) has been quarried away immediately outside the external bank. There is dense overgrowth of blackthorn, brambles and gorse on the W half of the rath perimeter. Another rath (MA022-073) is located 100m to NW. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 3 May 2019

• MA022-075 Enclosure
  Description

  In sharply undulating average pasture, located on an elevation, bordered at the NE side by slope that falls steeply, then levels out for c. 30m until it reaches the shoreline of the River Moy estuary. There is a modern house immediately to SW. This possible rath is shown on the 1838 OS 6-inch map as a circular, ringfort-sized enclosure, and on the 1929 edition as a circular enclosure incorporated at SE, S and W into field boundaries associated with the house at SW. It has been levelled. The ephemeral outline of a circular area (c. 27m E–W; c. 29m N–S) can still be traced: A low rise (Wth 1.7m; H 0.5-0.7m) on the perimeter at WNW may be a remnant of the original enclosing bank, and traces of a levelled scrap (H c. 0.4m) are evident at NW–N, but the rest of the circuit is barely discernible. A field fence on a NW-SE axis truncates the SW–W edge of the enclosure. The interior is level and grass-covered, with a large concrete slab set in the ground in the SE quadrant. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 3 May 2019

• MA022-099 Mill - unclassified
  Description

  Built into the E end of a narrow terrace on a steep ridge slope bordering the S side of a stream. The stream enters the estuary of the River Moy 10m to E. A road, leading to the shore, borders the N bank of the stream. A mill is shown here on the Down Survey Barony map (1656-8). A building is shown on the 1838 and 1929 OS 6-inch maps but is not marked as a mill. Roofless rectangular building (8.45m E–W; 6m N–S), with well-constructed walls (T 0.6m) at W, N and E of coursed, mortared stone. The S wall is formed by the vertical rock face which backs the terrace. The N wall (H c. 5m) is flush with, and provides a facing for, the vertical scarp or drop on the N edge of the terrace. The E wall also coincides with a drop at that end of the terrace. To the W of the building, the terrace provides level ground leading to a doorway (Wth 2m; H 2m) in the W wall (H c. 3.3m). The doorway is topped with a shallow arch of voussoirs, and is fitted with a drawbar socket in the S jamb, just at the spring of the arch; a matching socket in the N jamb is partly destroyed. There is an offset just below the top of the N wall, and a small window at the E end of the wall. There is a window (Wth 0.22m; H 0.34m) in the E wall, with a small square ope (W 0.12m; H 0.15m) beside it on the N side. At the N end of the E wall, there is a blocked-up opening (Wth c. 1m) of a door or window with a head of evenly matched voussoirs. This opening is just above interior ground level but would have opened on to a vertical drop in the exterior of the wall. A stone-built sluice lies 20m to W channelling a narrow stream towards the bedrock cascades adjacent to the mill. There is a castle (MA022-054----) located on elevated ground on the N side of the stream, a church (MA022-055001-) and graveyard (MA022-055002-) are c. 50m to S, and a rath (MA022-056----) is c. 200m to SE. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 7 May 2019

• MA022-123 Barrow - ring-barrow
  Description

  In pasture, located on the narrow summit of a steep-sided E-W ridge, in sharply undulating terrain of E-W ridges and drumlin-like hillocks. At the base of the steep S slope of the ridge there is a small natural basin of rush-grown boggy ground. The ridge provides widespread views: Bartagh Island and Killala Bay to N, the Moy estuary at NE–E, with the Ox Mountains on the horizon to E, Nephin Mountain prominent to SSW, and the Nephin Beg Range extending along the far horizon at SW–S. This possible ringbarrow is very low profile and poorly defined. It consists of a low, circular mound (diam. c. 14m E–W; c. 16m N–S; H 0.45-0.55m at E and W; 1.1-1.3m at N and S) with a gently domed, broadly slumped profile. The mound spans the N-S width of the narrow ridge top, and the height of slope on the N and S sides is enhanced by the natural fall of the ridge. A gap (Wth 2.2.5m), possibly a fosse, intervenes between the mound and an outer, slightly raised enclosing undulation which appears to be a levelled bank. This external bank can be traced at SE–NNE, but peters out at NE–E. The overall diameter is 24-25m. Compiled by: Jane O’ Shaughnessy Date of upload: 12 February 2016

Architectural heritage

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

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 Ballysakeery, about 1 in 10 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 moderately high, moderately low, low, partly inferred.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Ballysakeery.

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 Ballysakeery with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Mayo.

Name

Ballysakeery · Baile Easa Caoire

Area

1,759,883 m² (175.99 ha, 434.88 acres)

Civil parish

Ballysakeery, and its townlands

Barony

Tirawley

Electoral division

Ballysakeery, the unit of the census

Census 2022

620 people lived in 222 households in the Ballysakeery electoral division. 88% of households owned their home. 36% of homes were built since 2001. 9% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 2% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Newtownwhite, Rosserk, Rusheens

Placenames

Ballysakeery 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.