Bekan

72 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Bekan, from 652 m² to 178,737 m² (17.87 ha, 44.17 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 34 neighbouring parcels touch it.

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

• M4Rural Village Consolidation Zoning (Built up area)
  Mayo County Development Plan 2022-2028, Mayo · 7 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

• 5 Aug 2025Conditional

  Planning permission for development at St. Joseph's National School, Bekan, Claremorris, Co. Mayo comprising: construction of an additional accommodation mainstream classroom and all ancillary siteworks and services. Height of new Extension: 6.7m.

  Permission · Mayo County Council, 2560522

• 16 Jul 2024Conditional

  The demolition of 4 No. broiler chicken houses, feed silos, and utility shed and construction of 4 No replacement broiler chicken houses and feed silos.

  Permission · Mayo County Council, 2460452

• 7 Nov 2022N/a

  The demolition of 4 no. broiler chicken houses, feed silos, and utility shed and construction of 4 no. replacement broiler chicken houses and feed silos together with all ancillary site works and services

  Permission · Mayo County Council, 22991

• 22 Feb 2021Conditional

  CONSTRUCTION OF A ROOFED MANURE PIT, WALLED SILAGE SLAB AND 3 BAY ENCLOSED SLATTED SHED WITH UNDERGROUND SLURRY STORAGE ALONG WITH ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

  Permission · Mayo County Council, 21137

• 19 Mar 2020Conditional

  Extensions and alterations to the above school and for all ancillary siteworks and services at this address.

  Permission · Mayo County Council, 20196

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 Bekan.

Recorded monuments

• MA092-073 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In pasture, prominently sited on top of a low ridge, with very good views in all directions. Raised circular area (c. 37m NW–SE; c. 32m NE–SW) defined by an earthen bank (Wth c. 4m, c. 5m at SSW; int. H 0.4-0.5m; ext. H 2-2.4m at SW), reduced NNW–E to a scarp (H 0.7m). The bank is low and dilapidated internally, with remnants of internal stones facing at W and NW. The external slope is highest on the S half. An infilled fosse can be traced outside the bank on the S half; it takes the form of a low broad terrace (Wth c. 6m) at S. The entrance may have been at ENE where there is a low slumped section of bank, now partly obscured by an uprooted tree. Much of the centre of the rath is covered by a large dump of field clearance debris, engulfed in brambles and nettles. The bank is lightly ringed with hawthorn. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 20 May 2022

• MA092-077 Crannog
  Description

  The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email NMarchive@housing.gov.ie.

• MA092-078001 Church
  Description

  In NW quadrant of a graveyard (MA092-078002-). This ruined church is L-shaped in plan. The W gable (L 7m; T 1m) of the main E−W body (7m N–S; 17m E-W) of the church, stands largely intact, but the N, E and S walls have collapsed. The E and S walls are reduced to wall footings (Wth c. 1m); the N wall has been obliterated by 19th-/20th-century graves, which also fill much of the interior of the church. A rectangular extension (6.5m E–W; c. 9m N–S) (possibly a sacristy or accommodation) extends to the N from the E end of the N wall, with its E wall in line with the E gable of the main body of the church; it is defined by wall footings, topped by a loose jumble of stone. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 20 May 2022

• MA092-078002 Graveyard
  Description

  Located on elevated ground/low ridge, overlooking expanses of damp or boggy pasture to NE and SW. A subrectangular walled graveyard (c. 30m N−S; c. 50m E−W) is shown on the 1838 OS 6-inch map, with the church (MA092-078001) in the NW corner. By the time of the 1917 edition the graveyard had been extended to S−SW. This enlarged area encompasses a SW-facing slope and is enclosed by a modern concrete wall. A more recent trapezoidal extension has been appended to NE. The earlier phase of the graveyard, as shown on the 1838 map, can be traced as a roughly rectangular slightly raised area (c. 45m E–W; c. 30m N–S) defined by a grass-covered scarp, with the ruined church at its NW corner. It encompasses the higher, level ground of the ridge. This area is distinguished by a scattering of small, uninscribed gravemarkers that barely protrude above the sod, and by formal headstones and table tombs dating to the 19th-century. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 20 May 2022

• MA092-079 Mound
  Description

  In pasture, located on a gentle SW-facing slope on a low E−W ridge with extensive views. Ground falls away to NE and SW to areas of lowlying, boggy pasture. A modern extension to a graveyard (MA092-078002-) is 12m to W. This enigmatic mound is not indicated on the 1838 and 1917 OS 6-inch maps. It consists of a low circular platform (11.5m E–W; 11.6m N–S) defined by a slight scarp (H 0.2m). It is topped across its centre by a low, roughly oblong sod-covered stony rise (6.5m N–S; 4.8m E–W; H 0.3m at E, 0.65m at W) which extends on a N–S axis. At the S end of the stony rise is a circular cairn/stone feature (diam. c. 1.9m; H 1m) with roughly coursed walls, which appears to be a modern feature. A single large slab protrudes from the sod close to the base of the circular cairn on its S side Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 20 May 2022

• MA092-095 Enclosure
  Description

  In pasture, located to W of a graveyard (MA092-078002-) and N of a mound (MA092-079----). Listed in the RMP (1997) as an enclosure based on a small circular cropmark visible in an aerial photograph (GSI M 95 -6; Roll 213, pr. 33, SMR file). There is no visible trace at ground level. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 25 May 2022

• MA092-123 Fulacht fia
  Description

  Located on sloping ground at the interface between dry ground and an area of deep peat. There was no above ground evidence of this fulacht fia prior to its discovery during archaeological monitoring on the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme (2001-2002). It was fully excavated by Guinan (2015, 9-28, Bekan 1) under licence 01E0679. The fulacht fia consisted of an irregular spread (7.2m N–S; 7.4m E-W) of burnt sandstone fragments in charcoal-rich soil. The upper layers of the mound had been truncated during land reclamation. On the W side of the mound, there was an oval-shaped, earth-cut trough (L 2.04m E–W; Wth 1.22m; max D 0.7m) which was cut into boulder clay. The lower portion of thirty four wooden posts or stakes (diam. 2-4cm), mainly hazel, were preserved in the boulder clay, ranged around the base of the trough, probably the remnants of a wicker lining. A piece of struck chert was recovered. Three charcoal samples produced the flowing radiocarbon dates: 3352+/- 40 BP (1745-1525 BC); 3258 +/- 42 BP (1672-1439 BC); 3415 +/- 45 BP (1880-1600 BC). These dates place the site in the Middle Bronze Age. A second fulacht fia (MA092-124----) is located 600m to E. (Guinan 2015, 9-28). Compiled by: Jane O’ Shaughnessy Date of upload: 3 March 2016

• MA092-124 Burnt mound
  Description

  In an area of marginal, marshy land, with a small water course to W. This burnt mound was exposed in section in the pipe trench during archaeological monitoring of the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme (2001-2002). It was recorded and sampled under licence 01E0314 (Guinan 2015, 104, 118-120; Bekan II). It was visible on the S side of pipe trench as a layer (D 0.1m) of burnt stone in charcoal-rich peat. It underlay a layer (0.6m) of peat and overlay white boulder clay. The burnt layer appeared to extend to S beyond the road. A sample of charcoal was retrieved which produced a radiocarbon date of 3700+/-45 BP (2210-1940 BC) placing the site in the Early Bronze Age. (Guinan 2015, 118-120). Compiled by: Jane O’ Shaughnessy Date of upload: 3 March 2016

Architectural heritage

• Catholic Church of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, church/chapel, 1930–1940 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached eight-bay double-height Catholic church, built 1934-5; opened 1935; extant 1944, comprising seven-bay double-height nave opening into six-bay single-storey lean-to side aisles centred on single-bay double-height chancel (east). Renovated, 1968, with sanctuary reordered. Pitched slate roofs with lean-to slate roofs to side aisles, trefoil-perforated crested clay ridge tiles, lichen-covered concrete coping to gables on "Cavetto" kneelers including lichen-covered concrete coping to gable to entrance (west) front on "Cavetto" kneelers with gritdashed roughcast buttressed gabled bellcote to apex framing embossed cast-iron bell ("1887"), and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Gritdashed roughcast walls on rendered plinth. Paired round-headed window openings (clerestorey) with concealed dressings framing fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on lattice glazing bars. Round-headed window openings (side aisles) with concealed dressings framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having leaded stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass roundels. Round-headed "Trinity Window" to chancel (east) with concealed dressings framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having leaded stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass pierced ovals. "Rose Window" over with concealed dressings framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fitting having leaded stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass panel. Round-headed door opening to entrance (west) front with rendered surround having stepped reveals framing timber boarded or tongue-and-groove timber panelled double doors having overpanel. Round-headed "Trinity Window" with rendered surround having chamfered reveals framing fixed-pane fittings having leaded stained glass panels. "Rose Window" to gable with concealed dressings framing fixed-pane fitting having stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass octafoil. Interior including vestibule (west); square-headed door opening into nave with glazed timber double doors having overlight; full-height interior open into roof with choir gallery (west) below stained glass "Trinity Window" (????) and "Rose Window" (????), cut-veined white marble baptismal font on an octagonal plan, carpeted central aisle between timber pews, round-headed arcades on drum pillars, exposed split arch braced strutted collared timber roof construction on beaded corbels with wind braced timber boarded ceiling in carved timber frame on carved timber cornice, round-headed chancel arch framing stepped dais to sanctuary (east) reordered, 1968, with cut-veined white marble panelled altar below stained glass memorial "Trinity Window" (1934) and "Rose Window" (????), pair of cut-white marble Gothic-style wall monuments (ob. ????; ????) to side aisles, and exposed strutted timber roof construction with wind braced rafters to timber boarded ceiling. Set in landscaped grounds on a slightly elevated site.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

About 1 in 5 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

Susceptibility moderately low, low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map; parts are water.

Terrain model

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

Flooding

The flood maps of the Office of Public Works: floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency; Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland; both CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

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

Name

Bekan · Béacán

Area

2,556,867 m² (255.69 ha, 631.82 acres)

Civil parish

Bekan, and its townlands

Barony

Costello

Electoral division

Bekan, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Bekan electoral division: 776 people in 281 households; 90% of households own their home; 25% of homes were built since 2001; 15% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 7% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Brackloon West, Cloonbulban, Cloontumper, Greenwood, Knockaunacat, Lassanny, Lissaniska

Placenames

Bekan 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.