Island

149 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Island, from 101 m² to 129,240 m² (12.92 ha, 31.94 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 29 neighbouring parcels touch it.

No zone of a development plan covers Island 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.

• 21 Mar 2022Conditional

  RETAIN ATTIC CONVERSION AND GARAGE ALL AS PER DRAWING DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED TOGETHER WITH ALL ANCILLARY SITE WORKS AND SERVICES

  Retention · Mayo County Council, 22220

• 7 Sept 2021N/a

  RETAIN EXISTING DWELLING HOUSE, EXISTING GRANNY FLAT, EXISTING DOMESTIC SHED AND A NEW REPLACEMENT EFFLUENT TREATMENT SYSTEM TOGETHER WITH ALL ANCILLARY SITE WORKS AND SERVICES

  Retention · Mayo County Council, 21953

• 17 May 2021N/a

  RETENTION PERMISSION CONSISTING OF EXISTING DWELLING HOUSE, EXISTING GRANNY FLAT, EXISTING DOMESTIC SHED AND A NEW REPLACEMENT EFFLUENT TREATMENT SYSTEM TOGETHER WITH ALL ANCILLARY SITE WORKS AND SERVICES

  Retention · Mayo County Council, 21500

• 14 Dec 2020Refused

  THE LAYING OF A 150MM DIAMETER UNDERGROUND DISCHARGE PIPE 3.5KM IN LENGTH FROM EXISTING FACTORY IN KNOCKAUNACAT TO PROPOSED OUTFALL AT THE GWEESTION STREAM ANNAGH PASSING THROUGH TOWNLANDS OF KNOCKAUNACAT, DERRYMORE, ERRIFF, ISLAND AND ANNAGH, TOGETHER WITH ALL ANCILLARY SITE WORKS AND SERVICES

  Permission · Mayo County Council, 20979

• 14 Feb 2020Conditional

  DEMOLISH EXISTING SHED AND CONSTRUCT EXTENSIONS TO DWELLING HOUSE, ALTER ELEVATIONS AND UPGRADE EXISTING SEPTIC TANK/FOUL EFFLUENT TREATMENT SYSTEM, WITH ALL ANCILLARY SITE WORKS AND SERVICES

  Permission · Mayo County Council, 20107

• 14 Jan 2020Conditional

  RETAIN EXISTING DWELLING HOUSE, EXISTING GRANNY FLAT, EXISTING DOMESTIC SHED TOGETHER WITH ALL ANCILLARY SITE WORKS AND SERVICES

  Retention · Mayo County Council, 205

• 27 Nov 2019N/a

  RETENTION OF AS BUILT DWELLING HOUSE, GRANNY FLAT, DETACHED DOMESTIC SHED, TOGETHER WITH ALL ANCILLARY SITE WORKS AND SERVICES

  Retention · Mayo County Council, 19951

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: River Moy SAC 002298
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Mannin And Island Lakes 001910

Recorded monuments

• MA093-017001 Earthwork
  Description

  On the S shore of Island Lake. In the early 1900’s Knox (1911, 330-333) recorded an elaborate array of rectilinear field plots and enclosures, which he called 'baileys’, associated with a moated site (MA093-017006-) and Island House, a fortified house (MA093-017003-). Defined by banks and ditches, the field plots extended over an area of c. 190m N−S by 150m E−W. Already at this date the ‘ramparts were much ruined and the ditches much filled.’ (ibid. 333). The remains were largely levelled in the 20th century; one rectangular plot (45m NNE−SSW; 21m WNW−ESE) survives immediately S of the moated site. It is defined on its N side by the fosse of the moated site and on the other sides by an earthen bank (Wth 1.8m; int. H 0.3m; ext. H 0.6m) with an external fosse (Wth 1.2m; ext. D 0.45m), and is truncated at SE by a later field wall. Immediately to S is a natural rise or small knoll with a subrectangular platform (c. 11.5m N−S; 11-12m E−W) scarped into its summit. The scarp (H 0.7m) is well defined on the NW, N and E but appear to have been partly dug away at S. It appears to be much as it was when Knox (1911, 332) saw it: ‘a flat platform 13 yards [12m] by 13 yards, 3 to 4 feet [c. 1m] above the surrounding level. The sides have been somewhat cut into and there is a slight trace of a small rampart along its northern side.’ He speculated that it might have served as ‘a guard-house or watch-house…and as a look-out to the west.’ Within the complex of earthworks, Knox also noted remnants of a possible stone castle (MA093-017002-) and two buildings (MA093-017004-; MA093-017005-) of which there is now no trace at ground level. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 1 July 2022

• MA093-017002 Castle - unclassified
  Description

  On the S shoreline of Island Lake, within a complex of earthworks (MA093-017001-) associated with a moated site (MA093-017006-) and Island House, a fortified house (MA093-017003-). There is no visible trace at ground level of this possible castle which Knox (1911, 332; ‘I’ on his plan) recorded in the early 1900’s. A mound, abutting the S side of the moated site had been dug into revealing the stone foundations of a rectangular building that Knox considered to be 'a stone castle, 52 feet [16m] by 30 feet [9m]…Large, neatly cut quoin stones suggest a late thirteenth- or fourteenth-century date. A strong wall, forming a small bawn enclosed it on two sides.’ Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 1 July 2022

• MA093-017003 House - fortified house
  Description

  On the shores of Island lake, associated with a moated site (MA093-017006-) and earthworks (MA093-017001-). Named ‘Island House’ on the 1838 and 1916 OS 6-inch maps, this fortified house built of rubble limestone with dressed limestone quoins is T-shaped in plan. Aligned roughly NE−SW, it is described here for convenience as if on a N−S axis. It appears to have been built in two phases: The earliest part is the almost square, tower-like N projection (stem of the ‘T’), to which the larger rectangular E−W block (bar of the ‘T’) was added; the wall join between the two parts is clearly visible. The earlier building may have been a form of tower house or small fortified house; gun loops suggest that it dates to late 16th- or early17th-century; the E−W block was added later in the 17th-century or early 18th century. The house as a whole has three steep-pitched gables, each topped by a chimney, one on the N wall of the N projection, the other two at either end of the main E−W block. It is roofless; the walls stand to full height, but there are several breaches and damaged sections; the quoins are robbed out to a height of 1-1.5m above ground level from NW corner of the N tower and from the NE corner of E−W block; and most of the windows have been robbed of their stone lintels and sills. There were timber floors throughout; stone corbels projecting from the E and W walls of the tower and putlog holes in the walls of the E−W bock indicate their original position. Heaps of stone rubble fill the interior, and alder and hawthorn trees grow there. Rubble heaps also abut the exterior face of the N wall, flanking the tower. The N projection/tower (7.1m NW−SE; 6.63m NE−SW; Wall T 1.2m) is a two-storey building with attic. The N gable, topped with a chimney, has a string course on the exterior wall face. A central doorway (Wth 1.9m; H 2.2m) in the N wall at ground floor, topped by a shallow voussoir arch, retains a step and block punch-dressed surround, and two large flat slabs form a threshold. The doorway is carefully blocked up with mortared masonry –this may to have been done when the main E−W block was occupied; there are remnants of plaster/render on the masonry infilling the doorway and also on the surrounding wall face. Two gun loops flank the doorway, one on each side, and another gun loop (now broken out on exterior) extends through the NW angle of the wall. A small window, with a chamfered cut-stone surround, at the E end of this wall at first floor level appears to have a gun loop in the NE angle it embrasure. The W wall has a large breech midway along its length at ground floor level –possibly there was a window or gun loop embrasure here; it is blocked up now with rough rubble walling. There is a rectangular window roughly midway in the wall at first floor level. The E wall similarly has a central large rectangular window at first floor level, and is pierced by gunloops at both ground and first floor levels. Gun loops at ground and first floor level in the S wall, which is now incorporated into the N wall of the main E−W block, are proof that this portion of the building was originally a standalone house. At ground floor level in the S wall a central doorway opens into the E−W block; the W jamb survives, furnished with a drawbar socket, but the remainder of the doorway is broken out; this breech extends up through first floor level, where there was most likely a corresponding doorway. There is small flat-lintelled ground floor fireplace immediately to W of the central doorway in the N wall. A larger fireplace is located at first floor level directly above the doorway, indicating that this was the main chamber. Knox (1911, 332) recorded that this portion of the house overlies a ‘roofed culvert’ or drain which channelled water from a wet hollow c. 200m W of the house and carried it to the lake. The rectangular E−W block (18.47 NE−SW; 7.6m NW−SE; wall T 0.65-0.7m) is two storey with attic. The S wall/main elevation has four bays with an off-centre, ground floor doorway. The windows in the four bays on the first floor are identical plain rectangular embrasures; at ground floor level, there are three corresponding windows with the doorway in the third bay from the W. A small narrow rectangular window (Wth 0.5m), which retains its stone lintel, flanks the E side of the doorway, intervening between it and the easternmost ground floor window. Only one window (Wth 0.94m; H c. 1.35m) (second from W ground floor -blocked up) is intact, retaining both lintel and sill. The doorway is broken out, but the E jamb is intact; the breech extends upwards through the wall to the level of the window above. The W gable has no windows. It has two fireplaces (now partly concealed by loose rubble) at ground floor level, indicating that this end of the building was divided by an E−W partition (now gone) into two rooms. The N room was lit by two rectangular windows in the N wall, with a wall cupboard (W 0.74m; D 0.38m; H 1.2m) between the two windows. The S room was lit by at least one window in the S wall, and has a lintelled rectangular recess (Wth 0.68m; D 0.37m; H 1.16m) at the S end of the W wall. A fireplace is located off centre to S at first floor level. The E gable has a large central fireplace at ground floor (robbed of its stone lintel and surround), flanked by two recesses/wall cupboards, that to N intact (Wth 0.76m; D 0.6m; H 1.2m), that to S ruined. At first floor level a small fireplace is tucked into the S side of the projecting main chimney flue which rises from the ground floor. There is large rectangular window at first floor level at N end of wall, and the attic level is lit by two small windows flanking the central chimney flue. The NE portion of the E end of the ground floor may have been partitioned off, with access to the exterior through a doorway in the N wall, evident now as a large lintelled opening. Knox (1911, 331) records that in the late 16th century Theobald Dillon bought these lands from the Mac Costellos, who had a castle here. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 26 July 2022

• MA093-017004 Building
  Description

  On the S shoreline of Island Lake, located c. 10m E of a possible castle (MA093-017002-), within a complex of earthworks (MA093-017001) associated with a moated site (MA093-017006-) and Island House, a fortified house (MA093-017003-). There is now no trace at ground level of a building which Knox (1911, 332; ‘J’ on his plan) saw at roughly this location in the early 1900’s. Knox noted 'a rectangular trace of a stone building, 21 feet [6.4m] by 17 feet [5m], which from its position is likely to have been a gate-house of the bawn’ [of the possible castle (MA093-017002].' Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 1 July 2022

• MA093-017005 Building
  Description

  On the S shoreline of Island Lake, located a short distance NW of Island House, a fortified house (MA093-017003-), within a complex of earthworks (MA093-017001-). Knox (1911, 333) noted a mound at roughly this location, which appeared to incorporate 'a trace of stone building like a small tower, 21 feet [6.4m] by 15 feet [4.5m].' It was located immediately to NW of the fortified house and he considered that it might have formed part of a gateway associated with house. There is no visible trace at ground level. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 1 July 2022

• MA093-017006 Moated site
  Description

  Located on a NE-facing slope which falls gently to the S shoreline of Island Lake. As a result of 20th-century drainage works, the lake is reduced now to an expanse of damp marsh ground. This moated site (aligned NNE−SSW, but described here as N−S for convenience) is not shown on the 1838 and 1916 OS 6-inch maps. It was still intact when first recorded in the early 1900’s by Knox (1911, 330-333). Knox’s sketch plan suggests that it was originally trapezoidal in plan with approximate dimension of c. 75m E−W on the broad N side, narrowing to c. 55-60m E-W at the S side. The E third of the enclosure was subsequently levelled. The remains consist of a trapezoidal area (55m E−W at N end, c. 37m E−W at S end; 56m N−S) defined on the S, W and N sides by a substantial bank (Wth 5.5-7m) with an external fosse (Wth 2.5-3m; D 0.55m). Stones protrude in parts from the bank, possibly remnants of stone facing. It is bordered now at E by NE−SW field wall/property wall and no trace of the levelled E portion of the site, which lay to E of this wall, is now visible at ground level. On the S side the enclosing bank (Wth 6.8m; int. H 2.4m; ext. H 1.7m) has a high, steep internal slope, compensating for the natural slope on which the site is built. There is broad gap (Wth 7.7m) in the bank midway along the W side, with a causeway across the fosse, but it is unclear if this is an original entrance. Grassed-over remnants of a trackway (Wth 3-3.5m) extend from this gap for 30m to NW, and Knox notes that this is ‘only an unfinished road of 1848’ (ibid. 331). A quarry pit (c. 6-7m across) cuts into the fosse immediately to N of the gap. The bank and fosse on the N side of the enclosure coincide with the old shoreline of the lake; it is possible that the lake waters originally filled the fosse. The fosse appears to terminate at a point which would have been midway along N site when the site was intact, but is now toward the E end of the surviving length of bank. Here, a roughly square ramp-like projection (c. 7m N−S; c. 5m E−W) of the bank slopes downwards across the fosse. This feature may have provided access to the lake and to boats moored adjacent to the enclosure. The interior of the enclosure is not raised relative to exterior ground level, and slopes down gently from S to N, mirroring the natural slope. It is traversed by cultivation ridges, aligned roughly N−S. Cultivation ridges are also visible in the surrounding field to W and S. A slight linear rise, remnants of a bank or wall, crosses the SW quadrant on a NW−SE axis, possibly a continuation of the 1848 road mentioned above, which may have extended through the moated site. Knox (1911, 331) states that the Anglo-Norman family, MacJordan Duff Mac Costello had a castle here, ‘which passed into the hands of Sir Theobald Dillon in the latter years of the sixteenth century.’ Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 1 July 2022

• MA093-018 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.

• MA093-037 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  This rath has been partly levelled. It is evident as a slightly raised, circular area (33m N–S; 31.7m E–W) defined by a low, broadly slumped levelled scarp (Wth slope 6.5m; ext. H 0.6m at NW). There are some boulders incorporated into the scarp at NNW but it is unclear if they represent the remains of a primary feature or merely field clearance. Outside the scarp at NNW–NE, a slight depression marked by a denser growth of thistles may be an infilled fosse. A field wall, on a NE–SW axis, crosses the E half of the interior. To E of this wall, a perpendicular field wall extends to ESE through the SE quadrant of the interior. The interior to NW of the NE−SW field wall is grass covered; to SE of the wall it is largely engulfed in brambles. A disused sand pit encroaches slightly on the scarp at E. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 23 June 2022

• MA093-038001 Ogham stone
  Description

  Embedded in the top of a barrow -unclassified (MA093-038002-), on its NE perimeter. The barrow crowns the NE end of a steep-sided ridge, in an area of undulating grassland. The location provides panoramic views, stretching to the far horizon in all directions, with Croagh Patrick visible in the distance to W, and Nephin Mountain to NW. At the base of the ridge, c. 150m to SE, there is natural depression of boggy, rush-grown ground, shown on the 1916 OS 6-inch map as a pool or small lake (max. dim. c. 100m) named ‘Loughsheebaun’. A ringbarrow (MA093-096----), now levelled, is located on an adjacent ridge top c. 200m to NNE. The barrow (MA093-038002-) consists of a low, circular earthen mound or platform (diam. 10m N−S; 10.6m E−W), with a well-defined perimeter scarp (H 0.6m). The top surface of the platform has a flattish perimeter rim (Wth 2-2.5m) grading seamlessly into a central, shallow hollow (diam. c. 2m; D c. 0.2-0.3m), which may not be an original feature of the barrow. The base of the ogham stone (MA093-038001-) is embedded in the top of the barrow on outer NE edge of the central hollow. The ogham stones consists of a massive block of stone (L 1.8m E−W; Wth 0.57-0.6m N−S; T 0.35m), which has a rectangular cross-section, straight sides which taper at the top to form an asymmetrical triangular peak, and an ogham inscription on the angles of the top and both sides of the E (or uppermost) face. The stone formerly stood upright, with its long axis aligned NNW−SSE, but when first recorded in 1898 it was already tilting to the W at an angle of 75 degrees, with ‘the apex at a height of five feet [1.5m] from the ground level.’ (Cochrane 1898, 401). Incremental tilting to the W has continued, to the extent that the stone is now almost prostrate; the base remains embedded in the top of the NE perimeter of the barrow, with apex/top now tilted to a height of 0.43m above the surface of the shallow, central hollow of the barrow. The ogham inscription is, therefore, on what now presents as the uppermost surface of the stone, formerly the E face when the stone was vertical. This face of the stone has a rather rough and weathered surface, with several irregularities and areas of possible flaking or chipping, particularly toward the apex/west end of the stone. The surface is moderately blotched with lichen. The lines and notches are, in general, sharply delineated, up to 1cm in width, with the lines measuring up to 10-12cm in length, but some variation is evident in the thickness and spacing of the scores. The scores on the narrow N and S sides of the stones appear somewhat better preserved than some of those on the more weathered broad face. (Jane O'Shaughnessy, field report) Macalister (1945, 5, no. 3) noted that although this inscription is 'injured by wear and chipping', the reading is 'certain': CUNALEGI AVI QUNACANOS. Compiled by: Nora White Date of upload: 12 September 2017

• MA093-038002 Barrow - unclassified
  Description

  In gently undulating grassland, crowning the summit of a hill, close to a break of slope on the NE side where there is a steep and abrupt fall of ground. The hill affords extensive views that encompass Croagh Patrick on the far horizon to W and Nephin to NW. It overlooks a pool, now an area of boggy ground, which is located at the base of the slope c. 150m to SE. The pool is named ‘Loughsheebaun’ on the 1916 OS 6-inch map. A slightly raised circular area (10m N–S; 10.3m E–W) defined by a raised rim (ext. H 0.8m at N, 0.6m at S) that slumps seamlessly into a concave interior (diam. 2.8m). An ogham stone (MA093-038002-) is set in the NE edge of the hollow. There is a low berm-like extension (Wth c. 1m; H 0.2m) at the external base of the barrow on the NE–E side. Another barrow (MA093-096----) is located c. 200m to NNE. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 23 June 2022

• MA093-079 Ringfort - unclassified
  Description

  In pasture, located on a rise. Ground falls away gradually to NE towards Island Lake (now drained). Not indicated on the 1838 OS 6-inch map; a roughly rectangular wooded area outlined by a dashed line is shown on the 1916 editions; recorded in an aerial photograph aerial photo: GSI M 94 -5; Roll 213, pr. 36; SMR file. Broadly oval platform (27.8m E–W; 34.5m N–S) defined by a scarp, outside which at S–NW is a sloping terrace defined on its outer edge by a scarp. The platform scarp is dilapidated, with stones protrude randomly in parts from the top. At N–ESE it has a steep, broad external slope that merges with the natural fall of ground, giving a drop in height of c. 2m. At E a section has been quarried away. At SE the scarp has a stony ramp-like expansion, possibly an entrance feature. The scarp is very poorly defined on the SW arc On the W half the platform scarp drops to a sloping terrace (Wth 3-4m) with a scarp on its outer edge. The terrace is well defined at S-SW, following the curve of the enclosure. At NNW the scarp diverges from the enclosure and continues in a straight line NNE to intersect with the NW-SE field wall which lies a few meters N of the enclosure. The interior is fairly level. To W of centre, there is a slight rise with stones protruding randomly from the sod, bordered on W side by shallow depression (4m N–S; c. 1.2m E–W). To NW of this, more or less coinciding with the line of the enclosing scarp, is a square hollow (max. dim. 2m; D 0.25-0.5m) with large stones protruding from the sides and base. This may simply be the result of disturbance/quarrying, but it might be the remains of a souterrain. The platform is grassy on top and is sparsely ringed with hawthorn trees. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 30 June 2022

• MA093-080 Earthwork
  Description

  In pasture, in a modern rectangular field, on a NE-facing slope Not shown on the 1838 and 1916 OS 6-inch maps. Recorded in an aerial photograph (GSI M 552 -3; Roll 217, pr. 22; SMR file). A section of road defined by two parallel banks (Wth 1.8-2.3m; H 0.2-0.5m) set 13m apart. The banks appear as low, sod-covered rises or scarps, with a few stones protruding in parts. The intervening space/road surface is grassed over. The road can be traced for c. 150m on a NE–SW axis extending through the centre of a modern rectangular field. According to local tradition this is a remnant of a long avenue that led to Island House (MA093-017003-). At its SW end it connected the house with a public road leading to the Ballyhaunis town. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 30 June 2022

• MA093-093 Fulacht fia
  Description

  In pasture, in an area of lowlying, flat damp land bordering the S bank of the Mannin River. Ground rises c. 20m to S. According to local information, a fulacht fia located here was levelled during land reclamation (SMR file). There is no visible trace at ground level. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 30 June 2022

• MA093-096 Barrow - ring-barrow
  Description

  In pasture, located on top of a hillock, at the break of slope on the SE side. The location provides extensive views over the surrounding undulating terrain; trees block views of Croagh Patrick to W and Nephin Mountain to NW. Another barrow (MA093-038001) is visible on a prominent elevation c. 200m to SSW. When inspected in 1998, this monument consisted of a central circular mound (2.4m N–S; 2.6m E–W; H 0.35m) enclosed by a fosse (Wth 1.2m) with an external bank (Wth 2-2.5m; int. H 0.2-0.3m), with an overall diameter of c. 9m. The outer bank was poorly defined, and graded into the hill slope, and the E side of the barrow was partly dug away. An inspection in March 2017 found that the barrow has been entirely levelled. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 25 August 2017

Architectural heritage

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

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).

• Island, Ballyhaunis8 sales

Name

Island · An tOileán

Area

3,422,894 m² (342.29 ha, 845.82 acres)

Civil parish

Bekan, and its townlands

Barony

Costello

Electoral division

Bekan, the unit of the census

Neighbouring townlands

Annagh, Bohogerawer, Bracklaghboy, Carrowneden, Cartron, Erriff, Larganboy East

Placenames

Island on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, 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.