# Rockfleet, Co. Mayo: townland, land parcels and planning

Townland in the civil parish of Burrishoole, barony of Burrishoole, Co. Mayo; in Irish Carraig an Chabhlaigh.

- Area (Tailte Éireann): 391,904 m² (39.19 ha, 96.84 acres)
- Land parcels (Tailte Éireann): 14 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in it, median 6,980 m² (0.7 ha, 1.72 acres)
- Zoning (national zoning, MyPlan): not in a zoned settlement
- Planning (National Planning Applications): 4 applications since 2010
- Civil parish: Burrishoole, https://everytownland.com/mayo/parish/burrishoole.md
- Barony: Burrishoole
- Electoral division: Newport West, the unit of the census
- Census 2022 (Central Statistics Office): 799 people lived in 290 households in the Newport West electoral division. 75% of households owned their home. 21% of homes were built since 2001. 11% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 31% were holiday homes.
- County: Co. Mayo, https://everytownland.com/mayo.md
- Placenames Database of Ireland: https://www.logainm.ie/en/37487
- Townland number at Tailte Éireann: 152791
- Centre: latitude 53.897056, longitude -9.635798 (WGS 84)

## Land parcels (registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann)

14 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Rockfleet, from 338 m² to 97,746 m² (9.77 ha, 24.15 acres); 12 neighbouring parcels touch its boundary. Largest first:

- Parcel 974591: 97,746 m² (9.77 ha, 24.15 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/974591.md
- Parcel 962276: 94,290 m² (9.43 ha, 23.3 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/962276.md
- Parcel 910679: 75,716 m² (7.57 ha, 18.71 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/910679.md
- Parcel 985345: 43,241 m² (4.32 ha, 10.68 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/985345.md
- Parcel 991772: 34,116 m² (3.41 ha, 8.43 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/991772.md
- Parcel 993087: 18,561 m² (1.86 ha, 4.59 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/993087.md
- Parcel 4896882: 10,657 m² (1.07 ha, 2.63 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/4896882.md
- Parcel 5263565: 3,303 m² (0.33 ha, 0.82 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/5263565.md
- Parcel 921387: 2,916 m² (0.29 ha, 0.72 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/921387.md
- Parcel 900170: 2,435 m² (0.24 ha, 0.6 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/900170.md
- Parcel 941172: 2,279 m² (0.23 ha, 0.56 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/941172.md
- Parcel 932944: 1,567 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/932944.md
- Parcel 927658: 1,453 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/927658.md
- Parcel 879494: 338 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/879494.md

## Zoning (national zoning of development plans, MyPlan)

No zone of a development plan covers Rockfleet 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)

4 applications, newest first.

- 22 Apr 2026, Mayo County Council 2660322: N/a. Permission. The development will consist of the construction of a private dwelling house and effluent treatment system together with all ancillary site works. The application will be accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS).. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/MayoCC/AppFileRefDetails/2660322/0
- 5 Feb 2025, Mayo County Council 2530: N/a. Permission. Section 5 Declaration: install a new heating system, new bathroom wear, upgrade the electrical installation to modern standards, install a kitchen and floor coverings throughout. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/MayoCC/AppFileRefDetails/2530/0
- 8 Sept 2022, Mayo County Council 22764: Conditional. Permission, 1 home. INSTALLATION OF A DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM INCLUDING PUMPING, SECONDARY STAGE AND TERTIARY TREATMENT PRIOR TO DISCHARGE TO GROUND WATER WITHIN THE CURTILAGE OF THE EXISTING DWELLING HOUSE, PROVISION OF AN AREA WITHIN THE CURTILAGE FOR OFF-ROAD PARKING OF VEHICLES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DWELLING HOUSE. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/MayoCC/AppFileRefDetails/22764/0
- 18 May 2021, Mayo County Council 21507: Refused. Permission. CONSTRUCTION OF A DWELLING HOUSE WITH SEPTIC TANK AND TERTIARY TREATMENT SYSTEM AND PERCOLATION AREA. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/MayoCC/AppFileRefDetails/21507/0

Applicants are not shown.

## Designated sites (National Parks and Wildlife Service)

- Special Area of Conservation: Clew Bay Complex SAC, site code 001482, https://www.npws.ie/protected-sites/sac/001482
- Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Clew Bay Complex, site code 001482

## Recorded monuments (Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service)

- MA067-024: Enclosure, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CMA067-024----. 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.
- MA067-025001: Castle - tower house, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CMA067-025001-. Located on the shoreline of Rockfleet Bay, a sheltered but deep inlet on the NE side of Clew Bay. It is built on limestone bedrock on the W side of the mouth a small river that flow into the NE end of the inlet. This tower house is a National Monument (no. 454) in state ownership. It is indicated as ‘Rockfleet Castle (in Ruins)’ on the OS 6-inch maps, but is also known by the Irish version of that name, Carrickahowly or Carraig a’Chabhlaigh, meaning ‘Rock of the Fleet’. It was partly restored in the 20th century when still in private ownership. The Office of Public Works is currently undertaking a programme of restoration and conservation at the castle. Aligned NNE-SSW, the tower house will be described here for convenience as though N−S. It is a four storey rectangular building (ext. dims. c.7.5m WNW−ESE; 9m NNE-SSW; wall T 1.8-2m) with a neatly integrated base batter. The (restored) gabled roof, the gabled ends at E and W, is set in from the walls of the tower, allowing space for a parapet walk with bartizans projecting from the NW and SE corners. Located directly on the shore, at high tide the sea laps against the base of the N, E and S walls. The entrance is at the E end of the N wall; the pointed arched doorway, reached by three stone steps, has a cut-stone surround. Stone corbels projecting from the interior walls supported the original wooden floors. There are no stone stairs from the ground level to the first floor; access was most likely by wooden ladder or stairs. A spiral stone stairs built into the SE angle leads from the first floor to the upper floors and the battlements, and also gives access to mural chambers and a garderobe or latrine in the thickness of the E wall. Effluent from the garderobe fell through a shute to the base of the wall, where it was conveniently flushed away at each high tide. Windows throughout are small, narrow, rectangular opes or loops. The second floor has a vaulted stone ceiling. This supports the stone-flagged floor of the uppermost chamber, which is located directly beneath the pitched roof and appears to have been the principal chamber of the castle. It features a large fireplace in the S wall, the large chimney of which rises from the exterior wall; no fireplaces are evident on any of the lower floors. There is a large pointed-arch opening in the N wall, which is likely to have served as a door through which goods and supplies could be hoisted up, an easier method than carrying them up the narrow spiral stairs. Stone corbels protruding from the exterior face of the W wall indicate that another building or structure once abutted this side of the castle; a long rectangular building is shown on the 1836 OS 6-inch map on this side of the castle. A mid-19th- century account of the castle suggests that it was originally enclosed within a bawn (MA067-025004-) and an early 17th century document, which mentions the ‘castle and town of Carrickowla’, points to the existence of an associated settlement (MA067-025002-). The plain and unassuming character of this small tower house belies its interesting history. A castle of the Burke clan, descendants of the Angle-Norman de Burgos, Rockfleet is more famously associated with Gráinne Ní Máille (Grace O’Malley), or Granuaile as she is popularly known. She moved here in 1567 following her marriage to Richard an Iaranin (iron) Burke, whom she married three years after the death of her first husband. In 1570 Richard an Iarainn was designated táiniste (successor or heir) to the MacWilliam, clan chief of the MacWilliam Iachtarach or Mayo Burkes. The safe harbour of Rockfleet provided a convenient base from which Gránne could maintain her fleet of galleys and continue her family’s traditional seagoing lifestyle of fishing, trading and opportunistic raiding or piracy. Raids carried out by Gráinne’s fleet on Galway trading ships prompted Galway city in 1579 to send a fleet under Captain William Martin to besiege Rockfleet. But Gráinne successfully repelled the attack, and Captain Martin barely escaped capture. Following a period of conflict, Richard an Iarainn made a deal with Sir Nicholas Malby, English governor of Connacht, and as result not only succeeded to the Gaelic title of the MacWilliam, but also received an English knighthood. In 1580 he and Gráinne moved their base of operations to Lough Mask. But after his death in 1583, Gráinne returned to Rockfleet. The appointment the following year of Sir Richard Bingham as governor of Connacht initiated a decade of turmoil in the province. By 1591 Bingham had destroyed Gráinne’s fleet and confiscated her properties, reducing her to destitution. She appealed directly to Queen Elizabeth I for redress in 1591, and again in 1593, when she famously travelled to London and in a personal audience with Elizabeth succeeded in making a deal that allowed her to resume her former life. She is believed to have died at Rockfleet in 1603. In 1612 the castle was listed amongst the manorial properties granted by James I to Thomas Butler, Earl of Ormonde (Curtis 1934, 50). Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 13 November 2020
- MA067-025002: Settlement deserted - medieval, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CMA067-025002-. This record refers to a settlement that may have developed adjacent to Rockfleet tower house (MA067-025001-). Rockfleet castle, also known as Carrigahowley, is mentioned in a document dated 1612 which lists extensive manorial lands and properties in Aughrim, Co. Galway and Burrishoole, Co. Mayo that were granted by James I to Thomas Butler, Earl of Ormonde. It is listed as ‘the castle and town of Carrickowla and four quarters of land adjacent…’ (Curtis 1934, 50). The nature and extent of this ‘town’ are unknown; no remains are now visible at ground level. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 13 November 2020
- MA067-025003: Burial, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CMA067-025003-. Located c. 50m SW of Rockfleet tower house (MA067-025001-), on the N verge of the road which borders the shoreline. In 1948 roadworks at approximately this location exposed human remains at a depth of 0.6-0.9m below ground surface. The skeletal remains were largely destroyed, but appeared to represent a fully extended burial, aligned E−W. A few bone fragments were retrieved for examination; these were later reburied. No associated graveslabs or artefacts were found. The discovery was reported to the National Museum but was not further investigated. (Cahill and Sikora 2011, 499). Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 13 November 2020
- MA067-025004: Bawn, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CMA067-025004-. At Rockfleet tower house (MA067-025001-). An enclosing wall, possibly the remnants of a bawn, was still standing in the early 1840’s when Rockfleet was visited by Mr and Mrs S.C. Hall. In the published account of their travels around Ireland, they described Rockfleet as follows: ‘Carrig-a-Hooly…consists of a square keep of solid masonry, the surface being scarcely broken by a few windows of exceedingly small and narrow dimensions. At one corner the ruins of a projecting barbican may be traced –the whole character of the building being that of savage strength. It stands upon the rock, and appears to have been protected by a strong surrounding wall, a small circular tower adjoining it being built in the remains of this wall.’ (Hall 1843, vol. 3, 390-391). No trace of the enclosing wall and small tower are now evident. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 13 November 2020

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)

- Rockfleet Lodge, hunting/fishing lodge, 1700–1838, Regional interest, registry number 31306709, https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=MA&regno=31306709. Detached five-bay two-storey fishing lodge, extant 1838, on a T-shaped plan centred on single-bay single-storey gabled projecting porch to ground floor. Vacant, 1901. Occupied, 1911. Pitched slate roofs including pitched (gabled) slate roof (porch), roll moulded clay ridge tiles centred on paired rendered chimney stacks having red brick chevron- or saw tooth-detailed corbelled stepped capping supporting crested yellow terracotta tapered pots, decorative timber bargeboards to gables on timber purlins, and replacement uPVC rainwater goods on exposed timber rafters. Creeper- or ivy-covered rendered, ruled and lined walls with rusticated rendered quoins to corners. Square-headed central door opening with tooled cut-limestone step threshold, and concealed dressings framing replacement timber panelled door. Square-headed window openings with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and concealed dressings framing two-over-two timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Set back from line of road with piers to perimeter supporting looped wrought iron gate.

## 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 Rockfleet, about 1 in 5 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 moderately high, moderately low, low, partly inferred. Parts of the land are water.
- Terrain model: no LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Rockfleet.
- 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/mayo/rockfleet.dxf
- GeoJSON, in WGS 84, for a map: https://everytownland.com/mayo/rockfleet.geojson
- KML, for Google Earth: https://everytownland.com/mayo/rockfleet.kml

## Homes sold (Residential Property Price Register)

No address of the register names Rockfleet with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Mayo: https://everytownland.com/mayo.md

## Neighbouring townlands (National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann)

- Carrowbeg North: https://everytownland.com/mayo/carrowbeg-north.md
- Carrowsallagh: https://everytownland.com/mayo/carrowsallagh.md
- Gortfahy: https://everytownland.com/mayo/gortfahy.md
- Raigh: https://everytownland.com/mayo/raigh-152707.md
- Wilford: https://everytownland.com/mayo/wilford.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.

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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/mayo/rockfleet
- In JSON: https://everytownland.com/api/townland/mayo/rockfleet