Newcastle
Townland in the civil parish of Meelick, barony of Gallen, Co. Mayo; in Irish An Caisleán Nua
Parcel 964652
- Area
- 37,306 m² (3.73 ha, 9.22 acres)
- Buildings
- No building touches it.
- Zoning
- No zone of a development plan covers it in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply.
- Townland
- Newcastle
Planning applications on this parcel
No planning application touches this parcel in the national file, which goes back to 2010.
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 this parcel.
Recorded monuments around it
This parcel is in the zone of notification of 6 recorded monuments.
- MA071-028001 Church
Description
Located in a graveyard (MA071-028002) which encloses a round tower (MA071-028003-) and a cross-slab (MA028-028004-). The OS Letters record that two portions of the S wall of this church were extant in the 1830’s, located to SE of the round tower (O’Flanagan 1929, 383(158)). The location is marked as ‘Church (site of)’ on the 1931 OS 6-inch map. There are no upstanding remains of the church. Two low, grass-covered stony banks (Wth c. 1m; H c. 0.3) set perpendicular to each other are visible c. 10m SE of the round tower towards the E end of on the level summit of the knoll: one bank measures c. 6m ENE−WSW, and from its ENE end a shorter length of bank (L c. 3m) extends to NNW. It is possible that this L-shaped arrangement may represent remnants of the S and E walls of the church. The area is overlain by grave plots of relatively recent date. A number of pieces of cut stone (MA030-028005-), including a fragment of a round-headed window, which were found in the graveyard, are likely to have come from the church. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 21 June 2018
- MA071-028002 Graveyard
Description
In pasture, located on the E end of a low hill, with good views of the surrounding pastureland. This graveyard is depicted on the 1838 OS 6-inch map as a rectangular walled area (c. 45m ENE–WSW; c. 36m NNW–SSE); by the time of the 1931 edition, it had expanded to its current subrectangular extent (49m ENE–WSW; c. 72m NNW–SSE). It is enclosed by a mortared stone wall, with two gated entrances in the W wall. The oldest part of the graveyard, in the S half, encompasses the level top of the hill, and has an undulating, grass-covered surface. Stones protruding from the scarped S-facing slope may be part of an early enclosing wall, predating the current S wall of the graveyard. This part of the graveyard encloses the site of a church (MA071-028001-), a round tower (MA071-028003-) and a cross slab (MA071-028004-). Here, there is a scatter of 20th century grave plots with headstones, a few 19th century headstones and ledgers, and several low, uninscribed informal stone gravemarkers in roughly N−S rows. A rectangular enclosure/ grave plot (5.7m E–W; 6.1m N-S), enclosed by a stone wall (T 0.45m; H 0.9m), abuts the inner face of the graveyard wall at E; it appears to be 19th-century in date. The ground shelves down gently to N from the older, higher part of the graveyard, to the more level N half, which has a dense concentration of 20th-century grave plots laid out in close set rows. A number of architectural fragments (MA071-028004-), which are built into the graveyard wall at SE, are likely to have come from the church. The graveyard is bordered to W by a road, to W of which there is a modern graveyard. Attached images: MA071-028002-_01.JPG Graveyard with round tower viewed from N MA071-028002-_02.JPG Older, higher part of graveyard, viewed from W MA071-028002-_03.JPG Older, higher part of graveyard, viewed from E MA071-028002-_04.JPG Lower part of the graveyard, viewed from S Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 21 June 2018
- MA071-028003 Round tower
Description
In the SW quadrant of a graveyard (MA071-028002-), located on the top of a low hill. The location provides good views over an expanse of flat, damp pastureland which surrounds the base of the hill, and of the surrounding low hills beyond. This round tower is a National Monument in State care (No. 98). The circular tower (diam. c. 5.5m) is well built of relatively uniformly-sized, evenly-coursed sandstone blocks, and some limestone, dressed to the curve. It stands to a height of c. 21m, but is missing its original conical cap. There is an offset (Wth 0.16-0.25m; H 0.16-0.25m) around the circumference at the base. This is lowest at S−SW, but is higher on the N and E sides where it helps compensate for a natural drop in ground level. At N−NE and t SE the offset has a double step (total H 0.6m), with the lower level built of rougher, larger stones. A thin, shallow groove is incised on the upper surface of the stones of the offset, describing a continuous circle around the circumference. This may have provided a guideline for the construction of the tower on these foundations. The tower has a round-headed, externally splayed doorway (H 1.68m; Wth 0.76m; D 1.1m) at SSE. It is set above ground level, as is usual in round towers, in this case, 3.42m above the top external offset. It has a mortice for a bolt on the inside of the E jamb (Barrow 1979, 159). The tower had at least four floors levels, lit by small windows, flat-headed at NNW, WSW, ESE, and N, and angle-headed (created by two stones set at an angle) at ESE and S. The floors were wooden, supported on offsets or corbels, except for second floor level, which is a stone vault, supported on an offset and corbel table. The vault is 3.05m above the offset at first floor level. On the NE side of the vault there is a hole for a ladder, which allowed access to the floors above (Barrow 1979, 159). The vault is rare feature in round towers; a parallel can be found in the round tower (DG006-002004-) on Tory Island, Donegal. A cross-slab (MA071-028004-) is affixed to the external wall face of the tower at E. There are no upstanding remains of the church (MA071-028001-), which is located to SE of the tower, and the exact location of a souterrain (MA071-028006-), located to the W, is unknown. The round tower and the cross-slab are the only visible remains of the monastic foundation that existed here. Attached images: MA071-028003-_01.JPG Round tower viewed from S MA071-028003-_02.JPG Round tower viewed from N MA071-028003-_03.JPG Double offset at N-NE side of tower Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 21 June 2018
- MA071-028004 Cross-slab
Description
Located in a graveyard (MA030-028002-). It is affixed to the external wall at E of a round tower (MA071-028003-). It consists of a stone slab (L 1.48m; Wth 0.62m; T 0.17m), slightly rounded at top, and tapering to a narrow base. Filling almost the entire space on one face is a Latin cross formed of, and framed by, an intricate interlace pattern. The design is now very worn. It was, however, recorded by Crawford (1922, 179-181) in the early 20th century. He noted a number of small cross-like lacunae within the interlace pattern, and irregularities or inconsistencies in the execution of the interlace design. Between the decorated frame and the members of the cross are four blank panels, two of which, on the right side, contain worn remnants of an inscription 'ór dogr…' or 'ór dogri…' This translates as ‘Pray for Gr…’, with the name of the person now illegible. (Crawford 1922, 179-181). Attached images: MA071-028004-_01.JPG Cross-slab on SE side of round tower MA071-028004-_02.JPG Weathered surface of cross slab MA071-028004-_03.JPG Crawford's published drawing of cross slab (Crawford 1922, 180) Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 21 June 2018
- MA071-028005 Architectural fragment
Description
In the wall of a graveyard (MA071-028002-). A number of pieces of worked stone, including part of a round headed window, are incorporated into the graveyard wall at the SE corner. These were found within the graveyard, and are likely to have been part of the fabric of the church (MA071-028001-). Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 21 June 2018
- MA071-028006 Souterrain
Description
Located to W of a graveyard (MA071-028002-), which encloses a round tower (MA071-028003-) and the site of a church (MA071-028001-). This souterrrain was uncovered in 1967 by workmen digging foundation trenches for the wall of the 'new cemetery at Meelick', in a field known locally as 'The Bishop's Field' (NMI Correspondence Files/SMR file). Two trenches (D c. 1m) cut through the souterrain, revealing it to be of dry-stone construction with lintel roofing. Some objects, including bones and sea shells, were recovered and brought to the National Museum. The souterrain is likely to have been associated with the monastic foundation which existed here, of which the round tower and church were a part. The souterrain was covered over again; its exact location, which was not recorded at the time of its discovery, remains uncertain. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 21 June 2018
Architectural heritage
No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands on this parcel.
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).
Ground and risks
- Radon
- About 1 in 5 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home
- Landslides
- Susceptibility low, on the 1:50,000 map.
- Terrain model
- No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of this parcel.
- 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.
Download this parcel: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its neighbours and buildings, for a drawing program; GeoJSON, in WGS 84, for a map; KML, for Google Earth.
Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. 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.
- Area
- 176.7 ha
- 437 acres
- Land parcels
- 74
- registered freehold, median 4,618 m² (0.46 ha, 1.14 acres)
- Zoning
- —
- not in a zoned settlement
- Planning
- 0
- applications since 2010
Land parcels
Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann
74 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Newcastle, from 147 m² to 123,759 m² (12.38 ha, 30.58 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 41 neighbouring parcels touch it.
Download the townland: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings; GeoJSON or KML.
Zoning
Development plans, national zoning
No zone of a development plan covers Newcastle 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.
Planning applications
Sites that touch the townland, newest first
No planning application touches the townland of Newcastle in the national file, which goes back to 2010.
Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.
Nature and heritage
Designated sites and recorded monuments
Designated sites
- Special Area of Conservation: River Moy SAC 002298
Recorded monuments
- MA071-020 Ringfort - rath
Description
In pasture, straddling a rise overlooking the Gweestion River 30m to SW. Raised oval area or platform (22.6m NE–SW; 35.8m NW-SE) defined by an earthen scarp (H 1.35m at NE, 2.8m at SW). The external face of the scarp, which is markedly vertical, is enhanced by the natural fall of ground on the SW side. At SW−W the scarp drops to a low terrace (Wth 3-4m) which appears to be a natural feature. There is a low area or gap (Wth 2.4m) in the scarp at the ESE which most likely marks the original entrance. There is a pronounced slope down from the NW quadrant to E and SE, which gives the rath a slightly domed profile on the NE–SW axis. The rath scarp is thickly ringed with hazel trees; the interior is grassy. The base of the rise immediately to NW of the rath has been quarried out. There is a rath (MA071-019----) 175m to N. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 25 June 2021
- MA071-022 Ringfort - rath
Description
In pasture, crowning the top of a knoll, with good views of undulating pasture and flat bog. Raised circular area (c. 21.5m N–S) defined by a stony scarp (H 0.55m at SE, 1.2m at N–W), which retains a slightly raised internal lip (Wth 1.6m) in parts. The scarp is low and eroded for much of the circuit, especially on the E arc. A gap (Wth c. 2m) at SE may be an original entrance, but is now eroded by farm stock. The interior surface is strewn with stones. There is an oval pit (1.5m NNW–SSE; 1.1m ENE–WSW; D 0.8m), with a small stony mound beside it, in the centre of the interior. Hawthorn, blackthorn and brambles densely ring the rath perimeter and have encroached on the interior. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 2 July 2021
- MA071-023 Enclosure
Description
In pasture, located on a rise on a roughly E–W ridge, with good views along the valley of the the Gweestion River and of the surrounding undulating landscape. A possible fording point of the river is c. 100m to SW. A circular enclosure (diam. 25-30m) is shown on 1838 OS 6-inch map; it is not shown on later map editions. The enclosure appears to have utilised a natural rise or projection on the ridge. Traces of a stony scarp (H 1.1m at SE, 2.6m at SW) survive SE–SW in a shallow arc (L 33m E–W), enhanced by the steep natural slope. A portion of the scarp has a slightly raised lip (Wth c. 2m; int. H 0.15m) at its outer edge, which may preserve the S arc the enclosure. A field fence, which traverses the ridge top on an E–W axis, lies c. 7m to N of the curving scarp. No trace of the enclosure is visible to N of the fence. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 2 July 2021
- MA071-025 Ringfort - rath
Description
In pasture, crowning top of knoll, with good views over gently undulating pasture and stretches of lowlying bog. A circular enclosure (diam. c. 30m) is shown on the 1838 and 1931 OS 6-inch maps. It has been levelled. A flat subcircular area (c. 20.4m E–W; c. 16m N–S) is evident on the summit of the knoll, defined at NNW–ESE by traces of a levelled scarp; elsewhere the scarp is levelled so that it merges seamlessly with the natural hill slope. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 2 July 2021
- MA071-026 Ringfort - rath
Description
Located on a low ridge in undulating landscape. There is a plantation of deciduous and evergreen trees immediately to NE and SW. Oval area (29.3m E–W; 38.5m N–S) defined by an earthen bank (Wth 3.6m; int. H 0.4m at NE, 0.7m at W; ext. H 1.2m) which retains a low internal rim on the N half but is largely reduced to a scarp elsewhere. A short remnant of a possible outer bank (L 9m; Wth 2.4m; int. H 0.3m; ext. H 0.55m) with an intervening gap/fosse (Wth 3.4m) is evident outside the inner bank at N. The interior slopes gently down to SE−S towards a gap (Wth 4m) in the bank at SSE, possibly the location of the original entrance. There is another break in the bank (Wth 5m) at the SW. The rath is lightly ringed with hawthorn, ash and brambles, with long grass in the interior. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 2 July 2021
Architectural heritage
No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Newcastle.
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).
Ground and risks
Radon, landslides, flooding
- 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.
- Terrain model
- No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Newcastle.
- 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.
Homes sold
Property Price Register
No address of the register names Newcastle with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Mayo.
The townland
- Name
- Newcastle · An Caisleán Nua
- Area
- 1,766,751 m² (176.68 ha, 436.57 acres)
- Civil parish
- Meelick, and its townlands
- Barony
- Gallen
- Electoral division
- Meelick, the unit of the census
- Census 2022
- Meelick electoral division: 541 people in 208 households; 88% of households own their home; 30% of homes were built since 2001; 20% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 7% were holiday homes.
- Neighbouring townlands
- Barleyhill, Carrowgallda, Clooneen, Clooninshin, Collagh, Laghtmacdurkan, Lecarrow, Meelick, Tullyroe
- Placenames
- Newcastle 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.