Killeen

187 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Killeen, from 0 m² to 1,708,715 m² (170.87 ha, 422.23 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 30 neighbouring parcels touch it.

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

• P5RA - Rural Area (Mixed/general primary sector uses, including 'rural')
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 142 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• C5D1 - Tourism (Tourism and related)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (Variation 02 - Made on 13/05/2024), Meath · 75 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

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

• 30 Jun 2026Conditional

  DEVELOPMENT WORKS COMPRISING OF ALTERATIONS TO DESIGN OF 1NO. PERMITTED 2 STOREY 4-BEDROOM DETACHED HOUSE WITH GARAGE, ON A SITE OF 0.284HA BEING PART OF A PREVIOUSLY PERMITTED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF 13 HOUSES AT THE PADDOCKS (REF: 22/50 & 23/578) THE PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE ALTERATIONS TO ELEVATIONS, CHANGES TO FENESTRATION, INTERNAL LAYOUT CHANGES AND ATTIC CONVERSION TO PROVIDE 2 BEDROOMS (TOTAL 5 BEDROOMS) WITH NEW GABLE WINDOWS NEW ROOFLIGHTS, FRONT AND REAR EXTENSION OF GARAGE AND ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT & LANDSCAPE WORKS. THE VEHICULAR ACCESS IS AS PREVIOUSLY PERMITTED VIA THE EXISTING INTERNAL ROADS & ENTRANCES TO KILLEEN CASTLE DEMESNE. ALL WITHIN THE OVERALL SITE OF APPROX. 0.284 HA (A PROTECTED STRUCTURE)

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2660814

• 4 Jun 2026Conditional

  Development comprising retention of alterations to previously permitted design of 1no. permitted 2 storey plus attic 5-bedroom detached house with attached garage with a site area of 0.27ha, (ref: 24/60861). Alterations for retention to include omission of chimney. The vehicular access is as previously permitted via the existing internal roads & entrances to Killeen Castle Demesne. all within the overall site of approx. 255 ha (a protected structure)

  Retention, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2660687

• 4 Jun 2026Conditional

  Development works comprising of alterations to design of 1no. permitted 2 storey 5-bedroom detached house with detached garage, on a site of 0.2674ha being part of a previously permitted residential development of 13 houses at the paddocks (ref: 22/50 & 23/578). The proposal to include side and rear extension to house, rear extension of garage, minor elevation changes, and associated site development & landscape works. The vehicular access is as previously permitted via the existing internal roads & entrances to killeen castle demesne. all within the overall site of approx. 0.267 ha (a protected structure).

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2660688

• 26 May 2026Conditional

  development works comprising of retention and completion of alterations to design of 1no. permitted 2 storey 5-bedroom detached house with detached garage, on a site of 0.38ha being part of a previously permitted residential development of 13 houses at The Paddocks (ref: 22/50 & 23/578). The proposal to include front porch extension and rear first floor extension to house, revised fenestration, extension of garage, minor elevation changes, internal layout changes and attic conversion to provide bedroom & study (total 5 bedrooms) with new gable windows new rooflights, and associated site development & landscape works. The vehicular access is as previously permitted via the existing internal roads & entrances to Killeen Castle Demesne. all within the overall site of approx. 255 ha (a protected structure)

  Retention · Meath County Council, 2660630

• 26 May 2026Conditional

  Permission and Retention Permission for Development comprising of retention and completion of amendments to design of 1no. permitted 2 storey 5-bedroom detached house & garage and associated site development & landscape works, with a site area of 0.24ha, being part of a previously permitted residential development of 22 houses at Loughmore Walk/The Burrows (ref ra/191174). The proposal to include minor alterations to elevations, revised fenestration to rear, new rooflights to rear, new ground floor bay window to side, new & revised gable windows, internal layout alterations, and external escape staircase from basement. The vehicular access is as previously permitted via the existing internal roads & entrances to Killeen Castle Demesne. all within the overall site of approx. 255 ha (a protected structure)

  Retention · Meath County Council, 2660631

• 1 Feb 2026Conditional

  File Ref: 21252 - the construction of a detached 2 storey 4 no. bedroom dwelling, an associated domestic garage, within curtilage parking, the reinstatement of existing vehicular entrance, provision of a new access driveway, new wastewater treatment plant system and all associated site works necessary to facilitate the development

  Extension of duration, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2660

• 15 Jan 2026Unconditional

  File Ref: 2560458 - The development will consist a change of house type from a two storey dwelling previously granted Planning Permission under Planning Register Reference 211201 to a single storey dwelling, proposed revised garage design, revisions to the Site Layout Plan, and all associated site works and services

  Extension of duration, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2612

• 10 Dec 2025Conditional

  SASULA UNLIMITED COMPANY Intends to apply for Permission At a site circa 6.39 Ha, within Killeen Castle Demesne (a Protected Structure), Dunsany, Co. Meath.: The proposed development consists of minor amendments to 26no. houses/house plots permitted under Reg. Ref. 23/1139 and amended by Reg. Ref. 25/60256 at Nos. 1-15 The Orchards, Nos. 1-7 The Abbey, Gate Lodges Nos. 3-5, and No. 8 The Oakwood, so as now to consist of: • Development comprising of the reduction of plot size and adjustment to the site boundaries and position of houses at Nos. 1-7 The Abbey, involving the omission of the two southern most plots (Nos 6 & 7 The Abbey) and the reconfiguration of plots so as now to result in 3 no. 4 bedroom 2 storey houses, and 3no. 5 bedroom 2 storey houses each with garages (4 no. are detached garages and 2 no. are attached garages) at Nos. 1 – 6 The Abbey; • The adjustment to the boundary treatment and position of houses at Nos. 1 – 5 The Orchards, adjustment to the plot size and to the site boundaries and position of houses at Nos. 6-14 The Orchards, together with the inclusion of an additional dwelling (in lieu of No. 7 The Abbey) so as now to result in 6no. 4 bedroom 2 storey houses and 9no. 5 bedroom 2 storey houses at No. 1 – 15 The Orchards, each with garages (9 no. are detached garages and 6 no. are attached garages); • the reduction of plot size and adjustment to the site boundaries and minor change of house type at No. 8 The Oakwood so as now to provide 1 no. 4 bedroom 2 storey house (from House Type B to House Type D), together with a detached garage; • the minor adjustment to the boundary treatment, plot size and minor change of house type at Nos. 3 – 5 Gate Lodges so as now to result in 3no. 5 bedroom 2 storey houses at No. 3 – 5 Gate Lodges, each with garages (3no. are detached garages), • All associated landscape and site development works. There is no change to the number of dwellings permitted at Killeen as a result of this planning application. The vehicular access is as otherwise permitted via the internal road network and 2no. main entrances to Killeen Castle Demesne along the Killeen Road/L2208.

  Permission, 25 homes · Meath County Council, 2561346

• 8 Dec 2025N/a

  the installation of 3 no. modular, portable Padel tennis courts, complete with artificial grass surface, 4m high fencing around sections of the Padel courts perimeter and 6m high integrated LED lighting and all other ancillary site works. The proposed site is within the curtilage of Protected Structure MH 038-100

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2561339

• 1 Dec 2025N/a

  The proposed development consists of minor amendments to 25no. houses/house plots permitted under Reg. Ref. 23/1139 and amended by Reg. Ref. 25/60256 at Nos. 1-15 The Orchards, Nos. 1-7 The Abbey, Gate Lodges Nos. 3-5, and No. 8 The Oakwood, so as now to consist of: • Development comprising of the reduction of plot size and adjustment to the site boundaries and position of houses at Nos. 1-7 The Abbey, involving the omission of the two southern most plots (Nos 6 & 7 The Abbey) and the reconfiguration of plots so as now to result in 3 no. 4 bedroom 2 storey houses, and 3no. 5 bedroom 2 storey houses each with garages (4 no. are detached garages and 2 no. are attached garages) at Nos. 1 – 6 The Abbey; • The adjustment to the boundary treatment and position of houses at Nos. 1 – 5 The Orchards, adjustment to the plot size and to the site boundaries and position of houses at Nos. 6-14 The Orchards, together with the inclusion of an additional dwelling (in lieu of No. 7 The Abbey) so as now to result in 6no. 4 bedroom 2 storey houses and 9no. 5 bedroom 2 storey houses at No. 1 – 15 The Orchards, each with garages (9 no. are detached garages and 6 no. are attached garages); • the reduction of plot size and adjustment to the site boundaries and minor change of house type at No. 8 The Oakwood so as now to provide 1 no. 4 bedroom 2 storey house (from House Type B to House Type D), together with a detached garage; • the minor adjustment to the boundary treatment, plot size and minor change of house type at Nos. 3 – 5 Gate Lodges so as now to result in 3no. 5 bedroom 2 storey houses at No. 3 – 5 Gate Lodges, each with garages (3no. are detached garages), • All associated landscape and site development works. There is no change to the number of dwellings permitted at Killeen as a result of this planning application. The vehicular access is as otherwise permitted via the internal road network and 2no. main entrances to Killeen Castle Demesne along the Killeen Road/L2208.

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2561308

• 11 Aug 2025Conditional

  planning permission is sought for development consisting of the construction of a two-storey, detached dwelling and domestic garage, comprising alterations to the design of a previously granted dwelling type A+, being part of a previously permitted residential development of 13 no. two-storey dwellings at ‘The Paddocks’, Killeen Castle Demesne (Previous planning numbers 22/50 and 23/578 relate). The alterations include elevational changes, floor plan layout changes and the linking of the garage to the dwelling with a carport. The application is within the demesne of Killeen Castle, a protected structure (MH 038-100). This application for permission relates to site no. 7, ‘The Paddocks’, Killeen Castle Demesne, Dunsany, Co. Meath and is made on behalf of John Paul Gilroy.

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560841

• 4 Jul 2025Conditional

  development comprising of change of housetype from 1no. permitted 2-storey 5-bedroom 328m2 A-TYPE detached house & garage (being part of a previously permitted residential development of 65 houses at Killeen Castle -ref 23/1139) to new 2-storey 4-bedroom 246m2 house with attached garage, including associated site development & landscape works. The vehicular access is as previously permitted via the existing internal roads & entrances to Killeen Castle Demesne, all within the overall site of approx. 255 ha (a protected structure)

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560692

• 26 Jun 2025N/a

  development comprising of alterations to design of 1no. permitted 2 storey 5-bedroom C+ type detached house & garage, being part of a previously permitted residential development of 13 houses at The Paddocks (ref: 22/50). The proposal to include revision of internal layout, attic conversion revised front facade & windows, new gable windows and enlarging garage to include gym behind, all to provide a 2-storey plus attic, 6-bedroom house and garage, and associated site development & landscape works. The vehicular access is as previously permitted via the existing internal roads & entrances to Killeen Castle Demesne. all within the overall site of approx. 255 ha (a protected structure)

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560654

• 26 Jun 2025N/a

  development comprising of change of housetype from 1no. permitted 2-storey 5-bedroom 328m2 A-TYPE detached house & garage and associated site development & landscape works, (being part of a previously permitted residential development of 65 houses at Killeen Castle -ref 23/1139) to new 2-storey 4-bedroom 246m2 house with attached garage the vehicular access is as previously permitted via the existing internal roads & entrances to Killeen Castle Demesne. all within the overall site of approx. 255 ha (a protected structure)

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560658

• 11 Apr 2025Conditional

  development comprising of alterations to design of 1no. permitted 2 storey 5-bedroom +A type detached house with detached garage, on a site of 0.2595ha, being part of a previously permitted residential development of 13 houses at The Paddocks (ref: 22/50). The proposal to include changing to new house type (similar to permitted AC+ type) comprising 2-storey plus attic, 5 bedroom house, with attached garage, and associated site development & landscape works. The vehicular access is as previously permitted via the existing internal roads & entrances to Killeen Castle Demesne. All within the overall site of approx. 255 ha (a protected structure)

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560374

• 14 Mar 2025Conditional

  the proposed development consists of amendments to the site layout of 16no. courtyard units permitted under Reg. Ref. 23/1139 (referred to as 4-19 Hunters Yard), so as now to consist of: 14no. 4-bedroom 2 storey semi-detached dwelling units and 2no. 5-bedroom 2 storey detached dwelling units each with rear gardens in lieu of 16no. 3-bedroom 2 storey terraced courtyard dwellings; All ancillary landscape and site development works, including adjustments to existing/permitted parking spaces at Hunters Yard so as now to provide of 48no. car parking spaces (an addition of 6 spaces above that already permitted); An increase in the boundary of the Hunters Yard development area is proposed to accommodate this development. There is no change to number of units permitted under Reg. Ref.23/1139 in respect to Hunters Yard. The vehicular access is as otherwise permitted via the existing internal road network and entrances to Killeen Castle Demesne

  Permission, 14 homes · Meath County Council, 2560256

• 3 Mar 2025Conditional

  the development consists of the change of use from existing stable block to dwelling house incorporatng a new roof and changes to the existing elevations including all associated site works and new drainage connection

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560206

• 29 Oct 2024Refused

  the development consists of the change of use from existing stable block to dwelling house incorporating a new roof and changes to the existing elevations including all associated site works and new drainage connection

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2460906

• 17 Oct 2024Conditional

  development comprising of alterations to previously permitted design of 1no. 2 storey 5-bedroom cc type detached house with attached garage and associated site & development & landscape works with a site area of 0.28ha (ref: 23/60510). Alterations to include new bay window, internal layout changes and extended front gable and revised first floor windows. The vehicular access is as previously permitted via the existing internal roads & entrances to Killeen Castle Demesne. All within the overall site of approx. 255 ha (a protected structure)

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2460859

• 17 Oct 2024Conditional

  development comprising of alterations to previously permitted design of 1no. permitted 2 storey plus attic 5-bedroom CC type detached house with attached garage and associated site & development & landscape works with a site area of 0.27ha, (ref: 24/60350). Alterations to include extended kitchen and internal layout changes to the second floor and revised gable window. The vehicular access is as previously permitted via the existing internal roads & entrances to Killeen Castle Demesne. All within the overall site of approx. 255 ha (a protected structure)

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2460861

• 30 Jul 2024Conditional

  change to the elevations of the previously permitted design (Ref 22/1693) including the addition of windows on the east and west elevations and change to windows on the front and rear elevations. This development is within the curtilage of Killeen Castle (a protected structure). Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application

  Retention, 1 home · Meath County Council, 24321

• 30 Jul 2024Conditional

  development comprising of alterations to design of 1no. permitted 2 storey 5-bedroom CC+-type detached house & garage and associated site development & landscape works, with a site area of 0.28ha, being part of a previously permitted residential development of 13 houses at The Paddocks (ref: 22/50). Alterations to include internal layout changes to provide new front porch, new bay window on side, utility room, new stairs from first floor to existing attic level, new bay window to rear, new attic bedroom, ensuite and games room (total 5- bedrooms), new gable windows, revised fenestration and extended garage roof with 2 no. velux roof lights.

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2460583

• 18 Jul 2024Conditional

  the proposed development comprises of 19 no. two-storey 5-bed detached houses and 3 no. 3-bed detached bungalows; including all associated site development and landscape works. This development is in lieu of 22 no. dwellings previously permitted at this location (Reg. Ref. DA140090 as extended under Reg. Ref. RA181337) and does not result in any increase in dwellings as a result. The vehicular access is via the existing internal estate road network and entrances to Killeen Castle Demesne as previously permitted and completed. The proposed development is located on a site of c. 2.47Ha, within the overall c. 225Ha Killeen Castle Demesne (a Protected Structure), Dunsany, Co. Meath

  Permission, 22 homes · Meath County Council, 2460547

• 12 Jul 2024Refused

  the development consists of the change of use from existing stable block to dwelling house incorporation a new roof and changes to the existing elevations including all associated site works and new drainage connection

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2460522

• 2 Jul 2024Conditional

  The development proposed consists of the construction of a single storey pavilion building in the garden of a dwelling house to provide ancillary residential accommodation, including home office use, all associated site development works. The North Gate Lodge is located within the curtilage of Killeen Castle (a protected structure).

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2460489

The 25 most recent of 99 applications.

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 Killeen.

Recorded monuments

• ME038-012 Castle - tower house
  Description

  Situated on a slight S-facing slope. Hugh de Lacy granted the barony of Skreen to Adam de Feipo in 1172 but further details of the sub-infeudation are not known. However, Killeen is likely to be an early manor in the possession of the Cussack family, and a castle, undoubtedly the ringwork castle (ME038-050002-), was built as its caput or centre. In 1401 Sir Christopher Plunket of Rathregan, later the first Lord Killeen, married Joan Cussack, heiress to Killeen and Dunsany, and Killeen remained in the Plunket family down to the twentieth century. Their eldest son John inherited Killeen and his descendants became Earls of Fingal, while Dunsany was left to their second son, Christopher, who became the first baron Dunsany. According to the Civil Survey (1654) In 1641 Sir Christopher Plunket, the Earl of Fingal and an Irish papist, owned over half the parish of Killeen with all the land in the townlands of Killeen, Clowanstown and Smithstown, while Sir Richard Barnewall of Crickstown (ME039-006----) owned the rest (Simington 1940, 69, 70). At Killeen there was ‘a castle, a church and a water mill, with several out houses belonging to the said castle, and several cottages, in ye said Towne’. The castle is represented as a tower, undoubtedly a tower house, on the Down Survey (1656-8) barony map. The castle was remodelled in 1780, altered c. 1804 to a design by Francis Johnston, and embellished in 1841 to a design of James Shiel when it assumed its present appearance (Bence-Jones 1978, 170). A rectangular tower house with projecting towers at the NW and NE angles and probably dating to the fifteenth century survives at the core of the neo-gothic structure. The castle was subject on an arson attack in 1981 leaving only a shell of a building. In 2005 it was repointed and re-roofed as part of restoration works. During these works two carved stone heads, a male and female in high relief were identified on the western façade. Archaeological testing (96E0001) by R. Meenan in the immediate vicinity of the tower house exposed part of the base-batter of its walls but no evidence of the ring-work which is located c. 30m to the NW (excavations 1996:309; 1999:692). See the attached representation of the castle from the Down Survey barony map of Skreen (N at left), courtesy of the National Library of Ireland Compiled by; Michael Moore Updated by: Christine Baker Date of revision: 22 February 2015 Amended: 13 April, 2022 by Michael Moore

• ME038-013 Church
  Description

  Situated at the SE end of a low NW-SE ridge. This is the location of an early church, the ecclesiastical enclosure of which (ME038-050001-) has been partially excavated (Baker 2009, 57-60). The enclosure consists of two fosses placed c. 12m apart (ext. diam. c. 110m), and the outer had an entrance (Wth c. 4m) at NE, which was dug across later. Six construction and erosion phases were identified, and the outer ditch produced two C14 dates of AD 430-640 and AD 770-980, but the latter might represent a W extension of the enclosure. The inner fosse was slighter and produced a C14 determination of AD 600-810. No physical trace of this church is traceable in the surviving structure, and whether the early church persisted into the second millennium is not known. A second phase of activity saw both ditches cut at SE by the fosse of an Anglo-Norman ring-work castle (ME038-050002-), which may be the re-use of a rath as a C14 date of AD 880-1020 was recovered from the base of the ditch (ibid. 60-1). A church at Killeen is listed in the ecclesiastical taxation (1302-06) of Pope Nicholas IV (Cal. doc. Ire., 5, 255) and Ussher (1622) describes the church and chancel as reasonably repaired (Erlington 1847-064, 1, lxxiv). According to the Dopping (1682-5) and Royal (1693) visitations the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary was ruined since 1641 but the graveyard was fenced (Ellison 1972, 7). The present church was built by Sir Christopher Plunkett, a grandson of Sir Richard Plunkett of Rathregan, in the earlier part of the 15th century (Leask 1960, 13-15). In 1403 Sir Christopher married Joan, the daughter and heiress of Sir Lucas Cusack, and became the lord of Killeen. Their sons are credited with establishing branches of the family at Dunsany, Rathmore, Dunshauglin and Balrath (Baker 2009, 10-15). Sir Christopher and Lady Joan established a chantry within the parish church to pray for their souls in 1431, by which time the church may have been built, and the names of many of its clergy are known. In 1609 the property of the chantry, amounting to over 800 acres and including a stone house in the W end of the churchyard, was vested in the Baron of Killeen. (Cogan 1862-70, 1, 354-7) This is a fortified parish church on the site of the older structure, of which there are no visible remains. It consists of a nave (int. dims 16.85m E-W; 6.8m N-S) and chancel (int. dims 13.9m E-W; 6.1m N-S) that survives complete as a conserved National Monument, although it is within the Killeen estate (Harbison 1970, 187). It is within a D-shaped graveyard (dims c. 50m WNW-ESE; c. 45m NNE-SSW) defined by masonry walls, with the straight side at N where it is bordered by a lane, but excavation (05E0414) found a medieval wall beneath the N lane wall, which may be the original boundary of the graveyard (Baker 2009, 66). The headstones date mainly from c. 1719 to c. 1890, with some later ones. Pointed doorways of a red sandstone towards the W end of the nave walls at N (Wth 1.19m; H 2.33m) and S (Wth 1.2m; H 2.32m) have external hood-mouldings. The impost of the N doorway has some mason’s marks in the form of quartered squares. The S doorway has the base of an added porch (ext. dims 3.82m E-W; 3.28m N-S), which was roofed by John Quatermas and his bedfellow, Ellen Rebne, according to their graveslab in the nave, dated 1570. The long nave walls have single pointed windows of two multi-cusped lights placed E of the doorways, and the W wall has the remains of a cinquefoil triple-light window with dog-tooth decoration on the architrave. The E end of the long nave walls have recesses (L 3.7m; D 0.58m) with flat arches that provide double-light, multi-cusped windows at the ground floor and at the level of the rood loft, but there is only a single ogee-headed light in the N wall at the upper level. The loft is reached by a pointed doorway (Wth 0.57m; H 1.78m) in the N pier of the pointed chancel arch (Wth 3m). The sandstone edges of the piers are chamfered and have eroded. The chancel has three cinquefoil double-light windows in the S wall, of which only the W and E are complete, and there is one similar window at the W end of the N wall. A triple sedelia (L 2.55m; D 0.87m) survives complete between the central and E windows of the S wall. It has cinquefoil ogee-headed openings under a square hood moulding, with a groin-vaulted ceiling. The E window is a three-light cinquefoil window with complete tracery. A pointed doorway (Wth 0.81m; H 1.95m) in the N chancel wall leads to a sacristy (int. dims 4.67m E-W; 3.3m N-S) under an E-W barrel-vault with a rectangular light and fireplace in the N wall and a cinquefoil window in the E wall. The doorway from the chancel also leads to a mural stairs in the W wall of the NE tower (ext. dims 7.2m E-W; 5.27m N-S) and there is a round-headed doorway (Wth 0.88m; H 1.58m) from the foot of this stairs to the outside. The first floor has a light towards the E end of the N wall and a reconstructed window in the E wall, while the S wall has a hagioscope that allows a view into the chancel. A lintelled doorway at the S end of the W wall leads to a mural stairs to the second floor, which has lights in the N and E walls, but there might not have been access to the parapet level. The NE is the largest of four towers at each angle of the church, but the SE tower (ext. dims 2.15m N-S; 2.07m E-W), although it has a corbelled chamber and a square window in the S wall at ground level, is solid masonry. Its only function is to provide communication between the wall-walk on the S chancel wall and that over the E window, which connects with the N wall-walk of the chancel where a section of the parapet survives. From the nave a lintelled doorway at the S end of the W wall leads to a newel stairs in the SW tower (ext. dims 3m E-W; 1.8m N-S) that permits access to the wall-walk on the S wall of the nave. At the top of the tower a doorway leads over the W window of the nave to the belfry stage of the NW tower. This tower (ext. dims 3m E-W; 2.9m N-S) is entered on the ground by a lintelled doorway at the N end of the W nave wall. There are small lights in the N and W walls at ground level, but if there was communication with the first floor it was by internal ladder. The first floor has a corbelled ceiling with three holes for bell-pulls, but the only access to the second floor is by a lintelled doorway from the wall-walk on the N nave wall. The belfry stage has two tall cinquefoil openings on the E and W walls, and one round-headed opening on the N wall. The fragmentary double effigy tomb of a lady and her knight is now reconstructed in the N recess at the E end of the nave (Hunt 1974, 207-08). The table (dims 2.23m x 1.38m; T 0.1m; H over base 0.84m) has a chamfered edge and is carved in false relief, although only the heads survive in trefoil niches with crocketed surrounds. The partial inscription mentions John Cusack, who is unidentified, but it is probably mid-15th century in date. The side-panels might not be related but one long side has five ogee-headed niches with foliate cusps and crockets above, and three surviving crests displaying the arms of Barnwall, Butler or le Poer, and Plunkett impaling Cusack and Tuite quartered. The W end has crests bearing symbols of the Blessed Virgin (a heart pierced by a sword) and symbols of the Passion. There are 12 other graveslabs and memorials that are described separately (Cogan 1862-70, 1, 357-60; FitzGerald 1911; Moore 1970). The octagonal font (ext. dim. 0.66m; H 0.42m; total H 0.92m) with a circular basin (int. diam. 0.51m; D 0.29m) has shallow chamfered under-panels and is located at the W end of the nave. The shaft (H 0.35m) has a cordon at its narrowed waist, and the base is octagonal with a chamfered upper surface (H 0.22m). The rim is damaged, but has a wave-like top and four attachment points for the covering are present. The upper panels were decorated with armorial shields but too faintly to be interpreted now, while o

• ME038-013001 Font
  Description

  The octagonal font (ext. dim. 0.66m; H 0.42m; total H 0.92m) with a circular basin (int. diam. 0.51m; D 0.29m) has shallow chamfered under-panels and is located at the W end of the nave. The shaft (H 0.35m) has a cordon at its narrowed waist, and the base is octagonal with a chamfered upper surface (H 0.22m). The rim is damaged, but has a wave-like top and four attachment points for the covering are present. The upper panels were decorated with armorial shields but too faintly to be interpreted now, while of the three heads carved in the round, only one is undamaged and can be interpreted as that of St John the Baptist. (Roe 1968, 73-6) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 11 March, 2015

• ME038-013002 Tomb - effigial
  Description

  The fragmentary double effigy tomb of a lady and her knight is now reconstructed in the N recess at the E end of the nave. The table (dims 2.23m x 1.38m; T 0.1m; H over base 0.84m) has a chamfered edge and is carved in false relief, although only the heads survive in trefoil niches with crocketed surrounds. The partial inscription mentions John Cusack, who is unidentified, but it is probably mid-15th century in date. The side-panels might not be related but one long side has five ogee-headed niches with foliate cusps and crockets above, and three surviving crests displaying the arms of Barnwall, Butler or le Poer, and Plunkett impaling Cusack and Tuite quartered. The W end has crests bearing symbols of the Blessed Virgin (a heart pierced by a sword) and symbols of the Passion. (Cogan 1862-70, 1, 357-60; FitzGerald 1911, 403-05; Moore 1970, 27, No. 7; Hunt 1974, 1, 207-08, No. 190). It is described by FitzGerald as: The upper portion of an altar-tomb slab of the fifteenth century. Under a double canopy appear two heads, one the head of a knight in armour, and the other, that of a lady wearing a capacious horned head-dress. The lady is placed on the right side of the knight. The remainder of this double-effigied slab is lost. An inscription in raised black letter ran round the edge of the slab. All that is legible on this fragment are the words (with the contractions expanded): OBITUS DOMINE JOHANE CUSAK DOMINE DE KILLEN, UXORIS C…. Translation: The death of Dame Joan Cusack, Lady of Killeen, wife of C[hristopher Plunkett Kt. ?] The first word of the inscription is very doubtful, and looks like “Oritus,” and may be a mistake for “Obitus.” The inscription possibly refers to Joan Cusack, daughter and heiress of Sir Lucas Cusack, Kt. Lord of Killeen, who married in 1401 Sir Christopher Plunkett, Kt. of Rathregan, the ancestor of the Plunketts, Barons of Killeen and Dunsany. According to Archdall’s edition of “Lodge’s Peerage of Ireland, “ vol. VI, p 174, Joan died on the 4th March, 1441, and Sir Christopher in 1445. See however, another slab to them No. IX (ME038-013009-). The surrounds consist of three portions of the sides of a fifteenth–century altar-tomb, but to which of the existing covering slabs it may belong cannot be ascertained… These sides are divided into richly ornamented ogee-headed panels; and, though the panels contain no sculpturings, there are shields, each supported by two angels, bearing coats-of-arms or religious emblems, in the spaces between the panels heads. ....the first shield contains the St. Lawrence family arms. The second shield is quartered viz: 1 and 4 a (?) lion rampant, 2 and 3 a bend dexter between six birds; these arms have not been identified. The third shield has not been identified and the fourth shield may be the arms of the le Poer or the Butler family. The fifth shield is the Plunkett coat impaling Cusack and Tuite quartered. The sixth and seventh shields bear religious emblems, viz: on one, a heart pierced by two swords; and on the other a cross, spear, sun (? crown of thorns), three nails, and two scourges. The Plunkett and Cusack arms would look as if these sides belonged to the altar-tomb slab described as No. IX (ME038-013009-). See attached views of the reconstructed tomb. Date of upload: 18 March, 2015

• ME038-013003 Tomb - effigial
  Description

  This is a large stone in the NE angle of the chancel that has fractured and is now largely made up with cement (dims 2.33m x 1.25m; H 5-6cm). The shallow imprint of a bishop (H 1.23m; Wth of torso 0.27m; Wth at base 0.57m) can be seen at the centre of the stone with the head at the E. (FitzGerald 1911, 405-06, No. III; Moore 1970, 24, No. 1; Hunt 1974, 210, No. 195) It is described by FitzGerald as: This is a large slab, unsculptured, except for a sunken portion in the middle, showing by its outline that it contained the brass of a bishop of small size. The bishop wore a mitre, and held a crozier, the head of which, turning outwards, appears on his left side. Brasses in Ireland are of very rare occurrence. If a guess might be hazarded, the tomb may possibly belong to Dr. William Silke, who, according to Ware’s “Bishops of Ireland,” was Bishop of Meath from 1434 to 1450, in which latter year he died at Ardbraccan on the 9th of May, and ‘lies buried in the church of St. Mary at Killeen.” Date of upload: 18 March, 2015

• ME038-013004 Cross - Churchyard cross
  Description

  Outside the N doorway of Killeen church (ME038-013-----) is the base (dims 0.7m x 0.7m) and shaft (dims 0.23m x 0.13m; H 1.15m) of a churchyard cross. There is no inscription, but six figures set in ogee-headed niches surmounted by crockets and foliage are present including saints Andrew, Simon (?), Bartholomew (?), Thomas (?), and Philip. A date of c. 1500-1510 is suggested (King 1984, 100). It is described by King as: Outside the N wall of the medieval church in the grounds of Killeen Castle. Repaired in August 1979. Material: fossiliferous limestone. A shaft, in three fragments, of rectangular section, decorated in false relief and set in a s square base, which is buried in the ground. Each face has figures set in ogee-headed niches surmounted by elaborate pinnacles consisting of an interlaced central stem with foliate crockets. The figures stand on triangular brackets, below which is a continuous architectural border. No inscriptions. The figures are very worn making some of the identifications tentative. W: on the left is St Andrew with a large saltire cross wearing a V-necked pleated tunic under a n over-mantle. Beside him is St Simon (?) carrying a book and short club. He has a pointed beard and wears a tunic and mantle as do the other figures although the drapery is arranged differently in each case. E: On the left St Bartholomew (?) with flesher's knife, and on the right St Thomas (?) wearing a hooded cloak and carrying a spear. N: A figure giving a blessing. The symbol carried in the left hand is damaged. S: St Phillip with forked beard carrying a cross staff in his right hand. Despite its damaged condition the figure sculpture and architectural features find their best parallels on the Rathmore font which both Roe (1968, 98) and Rae (1970, 6, 32) suggest may be the work of an Ossory artist c. 1503. A date c. 1500-1510 is indicated for the cross too. Date of upload: 18 March, 2015

• ME038-013005 Tomb - effigial
  Description

  This is a slab (dims 2.17m x 1.11m at top, 1.17m at bottom; H 11cm) at the SE angle of the chancel with the head at the E and the inscription is in gothic lettering. This is the Tuite – Cusack tomb. (FitzGerald 1911, 406-07, No. V; Moore 1970, 25, No. 3; Hunt 1974, 209, No. 193) It is described by FitzGerald as: a very large, badly fractured slab, on which is sculptured in low relief the figure oaf a bishop, the mitred head of whom rests under an ornamental canopy.... In his right hand the bishop holds a square object (? a book), and a crozier (head outwards) in his left. An angel supports his head on the right side. At the right side of the bishop are two or three ogee-headed niches, one over the other, each containing a human figure (? Saints). The lower portion of the slab… is so weather-worn and injured that little can be distinguished on it. Raised black-letter inscriptions run along the edge of the slab. Those portions of it in the upper half of the slab, where it is better preserved, show that it ran in one line along the top, in two parallel lines on the left side of the bishop, and in one line on his right side. The inscriptions that remain…. are very fragmentary, and as they also appear to commence in the genitive case, the beginnings of them must have been on the lower end of the slab, now quite indecipherable, probably commencing with “Hic jacent corpora,” of “Orate pro animabus”; unless this is another case of an “Obitus”? With contractions lengthened the readings probably are: 1 RICARDI TUYT QUONDAM DOMINI KILLEN, ET PLURIUM FILIORUM FILIARUMQUE EIUS QUONDAM …… 2 ET JOHANNE TUYT UXORIS SUE QUONDAM DE KILLEN, ET SIMONIS CUSAK, MILITIS, FILII DOMINE…. 3 OBIIT FRATER GALFRIDUS CUSAK, QUONDAM EPISCOPUS MIDENSIS…. Killeen passed in the fourteenth century, by marriage with a Cusack heiress, into the possession of Sir Richard Tuite of Sonnagh, and then through his daughter and heiress, Joan, into the possession of another branch of the Cusack family – Sir Walter of Gerardstown, who had a brother Sir Simon, sons of a John Cusack of Gerardstown. When it was that Geoffrey Cusack was Bishop of Meath appears to be unknown. Sir James Ware’s “Bishops of Ireland” has a note that he died in 1200; and Cotton’s “Fasti” places his death in 1300. Of the two the latter is the more likely. [Geoffry Cusack was bishop of Meath in 1253-4. See this web-page accessed on 11, March, 2015: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_of_Meath ] Judging by what is left of the inscriptions, this slab seems to be commemorative of several members of the Tuite and Cusack families. Date of upload: 18 March, 2015

• ME038-013006 Wall monument
  Description

  This is the wall memorial of Plunkett-Dillon, dated 1681, blocking the E window in the S wall of the chancel. This consists of two crests over two slate inscriptions within a frame (dims (1. 7m x. 1.7m). There is a skull and cross-bones above the crests but beneath the pediment. The inscription is in copper-plate cursive script. (Moore 1970, 25-6, No. 4) It is described by FitzGerald ((1911, 407-09) as: This consists of a mural monument placed in the window (built up to receive it) between the sedilia and the east wall. The monument is in two divisions, each of which contains a coat-of-arms and inscription below it. The latter is getting into bad condition owing to the flaking nature of the slab. Taking the left-hand division first, the inscriptions run thus: Crest. Coat-of-arms. Motto: Festina lente (i.e.” Hasten forward with caution,” the Plunkett motto). Sir Nicholas Plunkett Knight: 3rd son to / Christopher lord Baron of Killeen / & Jane Dillon his Lady, daughter / to James Dillon Lord Baron of Kill / keney (? lane) west afterwards Earl of / Roscoman died ye 27th day of / December 1680 / and of his / age 79th. On the right-hand slab the inscription runs: Crest. Coat-of-arms. Motto: Lux en tout (now Loyal en tout, the Browne motto). This Monument was Erected / for him by Sir Valentine Browne / of Ross in the County of Kierry / Bart. & Dame Jane his wife / sole daughter & heire of ye said / Sir Nicholas Plunkett & was / finished in ye Month of / October 1681. The following remarks on the above-named Sir Nicholas are copied from Archdall’s “Lodge’s Peerage of Ireland,” vol. VI P 180: Sir Nicholas (3rd son of Christopher, Lord Killeen), barrister-at-law, a man of great repute for prudence and eminence in his profession. In the Parliament of 1634 he was returned member for the County Meath, at the age of 22 years; and in the next year he was also returned for the said county, with Sir Richard Barnewall. He was appointed one of the Committee sent by the House of Commons into England, from whence he returned in August, 1641, with several gracious concessions from the King; and after the breaking out of the Rebellion, was chosen in the latter end of October, 1642, Chairman of the General Assembly at Kilkenny, and at the conclusion of the war was named one of the supreme Council. He married, first, a daughter and co-heir to William Turner, Alderman of Dublin, by whom he had two daughters: Jane and Mary, the younger of whom dying young, Jane became heir, and was married to Sir Valentine Brown of Ross (Killarney), County of Kerry, Baronet. He married, secondly, Mary, daughter of Christopher Plunket of the Grange; and thirdly, Catherine, daughter of James Aylmer of Carrickbrien, County Clare, Esqr. (She remarried with John Butler), but had no issue. He was interred at Killeen; and on the right hand of the chancel is a large tomb, and over it in the wall the arms of Plunket, bearing those of Turner in a surcoat, and impaling those of Aylmer in one escutcheon, and in another those of Brown, bearing those of Plunket and Turner in a surcoat, and under them this inscription (as given above). Date of upload: 18 March, 2015

• ME038-013007 Tomb - effigial
  Description

  This is the effigy of a knight (dims 2.17m x 0.84 at bottom to 0.86m at top (W); H 9cm) against the N wall of the chancel. The inscription is in gothic lettering but only the legs of the knight and the name Cusack are extant. (FitzGerald 1911, 409, No. VII; Moore 1970, 26, No. 5; Hunt 1974, 208, No. 192) It is described by FitzGerald as: This is a slab bearing in low relief, the effigy of a knight, now so weather-worn that the lower portion alone shows the device. An ornamental border runs down the outer edge of the two longer sides, and between it and the knight’s effigy is an inscription now indecipherable except for the words: …CUSAK QONDA D[NI DE KILLEEN] DE / STIRPE ET MACIONE…. If a guess might be hazarded, this effigy possibly represents Sir Lucas Cusack, Knt. Lord of Killeen, whose daughter and heiress Joan married Sir Christopher Plunkett in 1401. Date of upload: 18 March, 2015

• ME038-013008 Graveslab
  Description

  This is a large slab (dims 2.02m x 1.04m; H 6cm) that has two lines of gothic inscription on two sides. It is the Plunkett – Forster slab and is against the centre of the N wall of the chancel. It has the symbols of the passion at the W end and a crest at the foot (E), and is dated 1584. The crest is Plunkett impaling Forster, whose device is a chevron pointing up with three arrows pointing down, two above the chevron. (FitzGerald 1911, 410-11; No. VIII; Moore 1970, 26-7, No. 6) It is described by FitzGerald as: This tomb commemorates and Edward Plunkett, of Balrath, County Meath, who, according to Archdall (vol. VI, p 196), was a great-grandson of Edward Plunkett, of Balrath, sixth son of Sir Christopher, first Lord of Killeen. The first-named Edward married, firstly, Margaret Plunkett, daughter of Christopher, Lord Dunsany: and secondly, Ellen, daughter of Richard Forster, of Santry, County Dublin. The inscription is short, and, running round the edge, only occupies the upper end and one side of the slab. It is cut in incised black letter. It reads: HIC IACET EDWARDUS PLUNKET, / NUPER DE BALRATHE, QUI OBIIT OCTAVO DIE OCTOBRIS AO DNI 1584. In the upper half of the slab are the instruments of our Lord’s Passion and Crucifixion cut in relief. In the middle of them is a T-shaped cross with Our Lord standing by the side of it, encircling it with His arm. Over the cross, on a straight band, are the letters INRI. On the left-hand side of the cross appear the flogging-post, with ropes attached, a pincers holding a nail, a spear, a hammer, a ladder, a three-thonged scourge, the thirty pieces of silver, a cock standing on a barred oblong-shaped object, and a [?] lantern. On the right-hand side of the cross appear a scimitar, a reed, a closed hand, the sponge on a pole, the hyssop on a pole, a birch-rod, a ewer and basin, two dice, and a peculiar device resembling foliage. In the lower half of the slab, under the initials E.P. and E. F., is a shield impaling the Plunkett and Forster coats-of-arms. Date of upload: 18 March, 2015

• ME038-013009 Tomb - effigial
  Description

  This is a knight and a lady in false relief (dims 2.13m by 1.18m at the top and 1.24m at the bottom; H 10cm) that has been damaged and is in the centre of the chancel. It has arches above the heads that are at the W, and the lady is at the right-hand side of the knight. The inscription is in gothic lettering around the edge and commemorates Christopher Plunkett and Joanne Cusack. It dates to c. 1445. (FitzGerald 1911, 411-12, No. IX; Moore 1970, 27, No. 7; Hunt 1974, 210, No. 194) It is described by FitzGerald as: A large, fractured slab bearing two effigies, a knight and his wife, with a black-letter inscription running around the edge. Until recently this tomb was in good condition, but it was wantonly broken by some servants of an English gentlemen who had taken Killeen Castle for a winter’s hunting. They placed a ladder against the church wall outside, climbed up, and, from the top of the wall, hurled down stones on to the effigies with disastrous results. The effigies are cut in very low relief (like the bishop on No. V). Their heads are surmounted by a double, richly carved canopy. The lady, lying on the right of the knight, wears the bullock-hoof-shaped head-dress, and her feet rest on a cushion. The knight is represented as clean-shaved; his feet rest on a small dog. In both figures the arms are doubled up so that the hands rest flat on their chests. The inscription is not legible in one or two places, and in the right-hand bottom corner a portion of the slab is broken off and lost. What is legible reads, with the contractions expanded: HIC IACENT CORPORA / CRESTOFORI PLUNKET, MILITIS, QUINDAM DEPUTATIS LOCUM TENIENTIS HIBERNIE, ET JOHANE CUSAK UXORIS SUE, QUI FIERI FECERUNT ISTAM ECCLESIAM, ORATE PRO ANIMA NICHOLAI PLUNKET [MILITIS QUI MULTA BONA DEDIT ISTI ECCLES]IE. ORATE PRO ANIMABUS DOMINE ELIZABETHE PLUNKET, JOHANIS P. SENIORIS, JOHANIS P. JUNIORIS, RICARDI / P. SENIORIS, RICARDI P. JUNIORIS ET… Translation: Here lie the bodies of Sir Christopher Plunkett, Knight, at one time vice-deputy of Ireland, and of Joan Cusack his wife, who built (caused to be made) this church. Pray for the soul of Sir Nicholas Plunkett, Knight, who granted many benefits to this church. Pray for the souls of Dame Elizabeth Plunkett, of John Plunkett the elder, of John Plunkett the younger, of Richard Plunkett the elder, of Richard Plunkett the younger, and of….. The missing portion of the Latin inscription which appears in brackets is taken from the inscription as given in Archdall’s edition of Lodge’s “Peerage of Ireland,” vol. VI, p. 174, where, however, the concluding few words are omitted; no mention is made in that Peerage of Dame Elizabeth, and the succeeding names on the slab so that their relationship to Sir Christopher remains unsolved. Of Sir Christopher, Archadall supplies the following information: Sir Christopher, eldest son of John Plunket, in reward of this services in the wars of Ireland, and the expenses he had been at to the great impoverishment of his fortune, had a grant of 20 marcs from King Henry VI, dated 5th November, 1426, before which time he was Sheriff of Meath, and, in 1432, was deputy to Sir Thomas Stanley, Kt., Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. In 1401 he married Joan, daughter and sole heir of Sir Lucas Cusack, Kt., Lord of Killeen, Dunsany and Gerardstown in the County of Meath, and in her right became Lord of Killeen. In conjunction with his said wife, who died 4th March, 1441, he founded the church of Killeen, within which church, in the west part of the chancel, they founded a chantry, consisting of four priests, to pray for their souls; and they also founded a college in the reign of King Henry VI. Sir Christopher departed this life in 1445, and was interred in the church of Killeen under a tomb erected for him with this inscription (as given above). He left a numerous issue, viz. seven sons and three daughters. The sons were: 1 John, the eldest, succeeded at Killeen. 2. Sir Christopher, ancestor to Lord Dunsany. 3. Sir Thomas, ancestor to the Plunkets of Rathmore. 4. Robert, ancestor to the Plunkets of Dunsoghly. 5. Rowland, who died without issue. 6. Edward, ancestor to the Plunkets of Balrath. 7. Edmund, in holy order, who died 6 July, 1474. Date of upload: 18 March, 2015

• ME038-013010 Graveslab
  Description

  This slab (dims 2.06m x 0.97m; T 12cm) with a crest and an English inscription in raised roman lettering and also gothic is against the S wall of the chancel. It is dedicated to Robert Cusack and Margaret Plunkett, and dated 1620. (FitzGerald 1911, 412-14, No. X; Moore 1970, 28, No. 8) It is described by FitzGerald as: This slab…. is in a very good state of preservation. In the upper portion of it is a shield bearing the Cusack coat-of-arms impaling those of Plunkett, viz: For Cusack: “ Per pale or and sable, a fesse counter-changed.” For Plunkett: “sable, a bend argent; in the sinister chief a tower triple-towered of the second.” Over the respective arms are the initials R.C. (Robert Cusack) and M. P. (Margaret Plunkett). The inscription runs round the edge of the stone and is peculiar, as it starts in raised Roman capitals along one end and one side, and then continues in small “black letter,” also in relief, thus: HERE LIETH THE BODY / OF ROBART, CVSACK, OF, GERARDSTON, ESQUIER AND TOWEY / CUSACKE IN CONNAGHTE AND / MARGARET PLUNKET HIS WIF, AND HIS FORMER WIFE MARGARET / PORTER, AND THE BODY OF HIS / SONE AND HEIAR JAMES CUSACKE, ANNO DOMINI 1620. The above-mentioned Robert Cusack was a son of Patrick Cusack of Gerardstown, County Meath, by his wife Frances, daughter of Bartholomew Dillon of Riverstown, near Tara. Robert was twice married: first, to Margaret, daughter of ? Simon Porter of Kingstown, County Meath, by whom he had a son James, named on the slab; and secondly, to Margaret, daughter of ? Oliver Plunkett of Kilsaran, Baron of Louth, and had issue (see Burke’s “Landed Gentry”). Robert Cusack died on the 28th of April, 1632, so that the slab was erected during his lifetime; and the date 1620 was probably the date of his son’s death. Date of upload: 18 March, 2015

• ME038-013011 Graveslab
  Description

  This slab (dims 1.83m by 0.68m at E to 0.77m at W; H 7-9cm) has no image but it has a gothic inscription around the edges. It is at the W end of the chancel, in the centre. This is the Plunkett / Birmingham slab, date 1500. (FitzGerald 1911, 414-15, No. XI, Moore 1970, 28, No. 9) It is described by FitzGerald as: …Except for the inscription in large, raised “black letter”, which runs round the edge of the slab, it is quite plain. The inscription, with the contractions expanded, reads: HIC IACENT CORPORA EDWARDI PLUNKET, MILITIS DOMINI DE DUNSANI QUI INTERFECTI FUIT APUD / KILODORY IN OFALY / IN TEMPORE COMITIS SURRY LOCUM TENIENTIS HYBERNIE AO. DO. MDXXI, ET EMEBREM / GAM UXORIS SUE AO. DM. MD. Translation: Here lie the bodies of Sir Edward Plunkett, Knight, Lord of Dunsany, who was slain at Killaderry in Offaly, in the time of the Earl of Surry, Deputy of Ireland, in AD 1521; and of Amy Bermingham his wife, AD 1500. Of this Edward, fourth Baron Dunsany, Archdall (vol. Vi, p 200) gives the following account: Edward, Lord Dunsany, attended Gerald, eight Earl of Kildare, to the famous battle of Knocktoe in Connaught, 19th August, 1504; and in 1521, having hazarded his person too far in pursuing the rebels O’Carroll and ‘Connor, under the command of Thomas (Howard), Early of Surrey, he was slain by O’Connor, and was interred in the chancel of the church of Dunsany (recte Killeen). He married Anne (recte Amy), daughter and heir of Philip Bermingham, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas (by his wife Ellen, daughter and heir to Nicholas Strangeways, Chief Remembrancer of the Exchequer, by Alice his wife, daughter of …Delahyde), and had issue. According to Sir James Ware’s “Annals of Ireland,” Philip Bermingham, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, died on the 30th January, 1489. These Annals also mention Lord Dunsany’s death in 1521. “Kilodory” is now Killaderry (the church of the oak-wood), a parish in the Barony of Philipstown Lower, King’s County, at that time a portion of the O’Connor Territory of Offaly. Date of upload: 18 March, 2015

• ME038-013012 Tomb - effigial
  Description

  In a niche at the E end and the S side of the nave, is the effigy (dims 1.92m x 0.64m; H 12cm) of a knight with the head to the W. The effigy is in false relief, but there is no inscription. The date is probably early 16th century. (FitzGerald 1911, 415-16; Moore 1970, 29, No. 12; Hunt 1974, 208-09, No. 191) It is described by Hunt as: In a niche on the south side of the nave lies a figure of a knight carved in high false relief. He is armed in a pair of plates below which three rows of the mail habergeon can be seen. His head-piece is a pointed bascinet, the cheek-pieces descending nearly as low as the chin and the visor hinged at the level of the eyes. The bascinet comes to an acute point within the ogee-shaped canopy over his head which is cusped below and has foliate crockets in the spandrels. His shoulders are covered with the pisane, but there are no besagews on them. The arms are defended with vambraces of plate with rondels over the cubitus. He wears no gauntlets but his hands are gloved, having short cuffs with long pendant points below. His legs are presumably defended with plates, but they are much worn. There are sabatons on the feet which are shown in profile, the left resting on the back of a dog which looks up towards him. The sword hangs from a belt at the waist by an arrangement of straps and it has a medium-sized round pommel and a straight cross-guard with descending angular terminations. The effigy may be dated to the mid-fifteenth century. Date of upload: 18 March, 2015

• ME038-013013 Graveslab
  Description

  This slab (dims 1.73m x 0.57m; max. H 7cm) is in the centre of the nave, moved there from a position against the S wall. The inscription is in roman lettering around the edge. It has the symbols of the passion at the W end with INRI beneath. This is the Quatermas – Rebne slab and the date is 1570. (FitzGerald 1911, 416; Moore 1970, 29, No. 11) It is described by FitzGerald as: The inscription is in raised Roman capitals, with the exception of the “b’s” which are cut in small Roman letters. Another peculiarity in the letters is that the “S’s” are reversed; the “C’s” resemble reversed capital “D’s”; the “W’s” are “V’s”; and the “Q” to the surname is a reversed “P”. The inscription reads: Her lieth the bodi of Iohn Quatermas, and his bedfellow Ellen Rebne who rouft this churche porch, and leaft ananfel for to repaier the sam to whos sols God be merciful, A.D.. 1570. The date is doubtful, owing to the division of the figure…; but 1570 is the only reading for it, as 1507 would be much too early a date for this style of lettering – Roman capitals. One puzzling word in the inscription is ‘ananfel’; it may possibly read ‘an anfel’ or ‘a’nanfel’; but each reading is equally inexplicable; and what is also remarkable is that there is no sign of a church porch to this building (since the conservation the foundations of one are outside the S doorway). In the upper end of the slab are carved the instruments of our Lord’s Passion and Crucifixion, consisting of: A rayed sun. The spear. Two three-thonged scourges. The seamless vesture. Three dice. A hammer. A pincers and nail. A ladder. ? Three nails. A heart pierced by two swords; all on a shield. And, below all, an INRI on a T-shaped cross. Date of upload: 18 March, 2015

• ME038-013014 Graveyard
  Description

  Situated at the SE end of a low NW-SE ridge. The fortified parish church of Killeen (ME038-013----), which is on the site of the older structure, is within a D-shaped graveyard (dims c. 50m WNW-ESE; c. 45m NNE-SSW) defined by masonry walls, with the straight side at N where it is bordered by a lane, but excavation (05E0414) found a medieval wall beneath the N lane wall, which may be the original boundary of the graveyard (Baker 2009, 66). The headstones date mainly from c. 1719 to c. 1890, with some later ones. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 18 March, 2015

• ME038-014 Cross - Wayside cross
  Description

  Known locally as the Cruise monument, the wayside cross consists of a damaged shaft (H 0.77m; Wth dims 0.34m x 0.26m) and rectangular base (dims 0.48m x 0.38m; H 0.38m), cut from a single stone. Decorated with eight figures framed by decoration it can be ascribed to King's Group 1 typology and dates to c.1470. It is inscribed THOMAS PLUNKET/MARIA CRUYS on the south side of the base. (King 1984, 99) Compiled by: Michael Moore Updated by: Christine Baker Date of revision: 18 February 2015

• ME038-030 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  Situated in the valley of a small N-S stream just as it terminates in a tear-shaped lake. A well described as ‘Lady Well’ in gothic script is depicted on the 1836 and 1908 editions of the OS 6-inch map, but its status is not known. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 14 April 2022

• ME038-044001 Ringfort - unclassified
  Description

  This monument was identified by geophysical survey (Licence no. 05R030Ext) and confirmed by test excavation (Licence no. 05E0415) undertaken within Killeen Castle Demesne in advance of golf course development. Located c.150m east of burial and habitation site (ME038-045----), the site consists of a circular double-ditched enclosure. The inner ditch (Wth 2.2m) encloses an area (diam. c. 29m) while the outer ditch (Wth 4m) encloses a wider area (diam. 55m). There is considerable activity internally. While no diagnostic material was retrieved the morphology suggests this is a bivallate ringfort (Baker 2009, 31). It is associated with a field system (ME038-044002-). Compiled by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 22 February 2015

• ME038-044002 Field system
  Description

  It was identified (Licence no. 05E0415) undertaken within Killeen Castle Demesne in advance of golf course development. It was partially excavated (Licence no. 05E949). Located c.150m east of the burial and habitation site (ME038-045----) and c.16m west of ringfort (ME038-044001-) the site consists of intercutting enclosure ditches, pits and kilns. An arc (59m in length) of the northern enclosure ditch (Wth 1.9-4.4m; max. D 1.6m) was excavated. It contained 26 distinct fills. Analysis of plant remains revealed the presence of oats, wheat and barley while radiocarbon analysis returned a date range of AD 650-780. Internal to this ditch were small ditches, gullies, pits, postholes and spreads. A plano-convex knife of late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age date was retrieved from one of the gullies. External to the enclosing arc were thirteen interlinking ditches that formed a series of broad divisions. A number of kilns, furnaces and pits were located within these areas defined by the ditches. A sample from a keyhole-shaped kiln contained barley and oats and was radiocarbon dated to AD 420-600. Three furnaces were identified and interpreted as smelting furnaces. All three were subjected to radiocarbon analysis, returning dates within a range of AD 250-450. Given its location in proximity to a probable ringfort, its correlation with historical sources in layout, the presence of cereal-drying kilns and smelting kilns and its artefact-poor agricultural nature the site was interpreted as the airlise of a ringfort. (Baker 2009, 40-46) Compiled by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 22 February 2015

• ME038-045001 Enclosure
  Description

  This monument was identified through archaeological monitoring (Licence no. 04E0969) of topsoil stripping for services. Subsequent geophysical survey (Licence no. 05R030Ext) revealed a series of enclosures and anomalies encompassing an area (dims 300m N-S; 130m E-W). Located towards the towards the northern limit of Killeen Demesne, on relatively flat high ground with extensive views southwards. The ground falls away sharply to the west to a stream. A series of three enclosures were identified within the area exposed by the topsoil stripping. The inner enclosure (diam. 22m) encompasses burials and intersects with another enclosure (diam. 40m) to the northeast, the area between the two being characterised by a possible structure and accompanying habitation evidence (pits, ditches, surfaces etc.). A large outer enclosure surrounds the main focus of burial and habitation (dims c.58m) diamond also intersected with the inner enclosure to the north east. On the basis of the recovery of a ringed polyhedral-headed pin it can be concluded that the site was active in the 10th century A.D. (although both earlier and later usage cannot of course be precluded). To the south of these enclosures geophysical survey shows several more enclosures and possible field systems indicating the multi-period nature of the monument (Baker 2009, 28). Preserved in situ adjacent to a golf course. Compiled by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 22 February 2015

• ME038-045002 Burial ground
  Description

  This monument was identified through archaeological monitoring (Licence no. 04E0969) of topsoil stripping for services. Subsequent geophysical survey (Licence no. 05R030Ext) revealed a series of enclosures and anomalies encompassing an area (dims 300m N-S; 130m E-W). Aligned E-W, a total of four burials and six lintel burials were identified within an area (dims c. 25m N-S x 10m E-W), the exposed width of the haul road. They were enclosed by an inner enclosure (22m diam.) ditch. On the basis of the recovery of a ringed polyhedral-headed pin it can be concluded that the site was active in the 10th century A.D. (although both earlier and later usage cannot of course be precluded) (Baker 2009, 28). Preserved in situ adjacent to a golf course. Compiled by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 22 February 2015

• ME038-046 Excavation - miscellaneous
  Description

  This site was identified through archaeological monitoring (Licence no. 04E0969) of topsoil stripping and excavated (Licence no. 05E0303) ahead of the insertion of services. Located to the east of Killeen Demesne along the 97m contour line, the site consisted of seventy-six features within the stripped area (dims 60m E-W; 20m N-S). There were three distinct but related foci including pits containing charcoal-rich fill/burnt stone material; a series of small pits (diam. < 1m) and stakeholes and later drainage activity. A total of 34 lithics were recovered and included diagnostic pieces with their origin in the Neolithic but their use extending into the Bronze age including a hollow scraper, round scraper, thumbnail scraper and concave scraper. Three samples returned an Early Bronze Age date range (2580-2139 BC) for activity on site (Baker 2009, 37-40). Compiled by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 22 February 2015

• ME038-047 Road - road/trackway
  Description

  This monument was identified by geophysical survey (Licence no. 05R030Ext) and confirmed by test excavation (Licence no. 05E0415) undertaken within Killeen Castle Demesne in advance of golf course development. Located south of Killeen castle (ME038-012----) and extending downslope to the vicinity of the wayside cross (ME038-014----), the site was characterised by linear anomalies that were confirmed as large ditches and gravel pathways. Pottery recovered from this area was predominantly 18th and 19th century in date while the gravel pathways were defined by redbrick. This area may have functioned as a formal garden prior to landscaping. In the vicinity of the wayside cross there are broad linear anomalies extending northwards that intersect with similar anomalies sweeping eastwards. The latter correspond with extant remains to the west of the demesne which consist of a roadway delineated on either side by ditches and banks. Within the test trenches this was reflected by the presence of ditches and the remains of a gravel-laid surface (Wth 3.8m). The old road from Dunshaughlin to Trim passed east-west through the demesne at this point and is depicted on a 1753 Estate map. Locally it is held that the road to Tara extended from this road at the Cruise monument and the presence of a roadway just east of the wayside cross seems to confirm this. While there is no artefactual material to date the roadways it is possible they were in use from the early medieval period until the mid-18th century (Baker 2009, 34). Preserved within the golf course. Compiled by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 22 February 2015

• ME038-048 Enclosure
  Description

  This monument was identified by geophysical survey (Licence no. 05R030Ext), confirmed by test excavation (Licence no. 05E0415) and excavated (Licence no. 05E0539) within Killeen Castle Demesne in advance of golf course development. Located c.300m south of Killeen Castle (ME038-012----) the site was characterised by a structure, possible workshop activity and a rectangular enclosing ditch. To the west of the site the original course of the river that runs north south through the demesne was identified. It was abutted by interrelated complexes of activity and related drainage system. The earth-cut structure (dims 9.7m x 7.1m) was aligned N-S and encompassed a basal layer of drainage overlain by a floor and stakehole setting. This was related to a large rectilinear ditch (Wth 1.5-2m) enclosing a largely sterile area (dims 26m N-S; 42m E-W). The material assemblage was dominated by local wares indicating a broad 13th/14th century date range. This correlated with radiocarbon analysis that returned a date range of AD 1280-1408 (Baker 2009, 47). Compiled by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 22 February 2015

• ME038-049001 Enclosure
  Description

  This site was identified by geophysical survey (Licence no. 05R030Ext) and confirmed by test excavation (Licence no. 05E0415) within Killeen Castle Demesne in advance of golf course development. Characterised by a D-shaped enclosure and associated field system (ME038-049002-) that was truncated by a laneway and 19th century quarrying. The D-shaped enclosure (35m diam.) is defined by a large ditch (Wth 4.4m) enclosing a number of pits, stone features and charcoal rich deposits. The remains of two skeletons were also identified. Radiocarbon analysis of a sample from the enclosure ditch returned a date of AD 990-1153 (Baker 2009, 36). Preserved in situ. Compiled by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 22 February 2015

• ME038-049002 Field system
  Description

  This site was identified by geophysical survey (Licence no. 05R030Ext) and confirmed by test excavation (Licence no. 05E0415) within Killeen Castle Demesne in advance of golf course development. Characterised by a cellular layout the field system is associated with a D-shaped enclosure (ME038-049001-) and was truncated centrally by a NE/SW laneway and to the south by 19th century quarrying. A small area (40m NS x 30m EW) of the field system was excavated. This area was defined by two intersecting ditches (Wth 2.1-3.9m) that formed the western and southern elements of the field system. Internally the focus of activity was a series of six pits (diam. 0.5-2m) and drainage features within a confined area (dims 8m N-S; 11m E-W). All yielded animal bone and crop seeds (oats, barley and wheat). Radiocarbon analysis of samples from the enclosing ditches and internal activity returned a date range of AD 691-1018 (Baker 2009, 53). Compiled by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 22 February 2015

• ME038-050001 Ecclesiastical enclosure
  Description

  This monument was excavated (Licence no. 05E0414ext) within Killeen Castle Demesne in advance of development. This enclosure was part of a multi-period activity extending from Killeen Castle (ME038-012----) and surrounding Killen church (ME038-013----) and graveyard, an area c.120m x 200m. The earliest phase of this activity consists of a double-ditched enclosure surrounding the extant 15th century church. The inner enclosure ditch (max. 3.3m diam.) was exposed for 67m to the east and north of the extant church. It was truncated by the insertion of later medieval activity. A radiocarbon date of AD 660-810 was recovered from the ditch fill as was a type E whittle and tang knife. Located c.12m from the inner enclosure the outer ditch encompassed an area 110m diameter. It was exposed for 130m varying from 1.7-4m in width and from 1-2m in depth). An entrance (4m w.) was identified to the NE. At least six construction/backfill events were identified. Radiocarbon analysis provided a date range of AD 430-640 for the SE segment and AD 770-980 for the W. Two cereal drying kilns were located in the space between the inner and outer enclosures. A stone lined keyhole kiln was dated to AD 690-900 while a stone lined comma-shaped kiln was dated to AD 970-1060. Traditionally this was the site of an early church (Baker 2009, 60). Compiled by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 22 February 2015

• ME038-050002 Castle - ringwork and bailey
  Description

  This site was excavated (Licence no. 05E0414ext.) within Killeen Castle Demesne in advance of development. Characterised by a curvilinear ditch that directly truncated both early enclosures (ME038-050001-) this ditch constituted the original castle ringwork or formed part of the motte. The ditch (2.9-3.6m w.) enclosed an area 30m in diameter. The fills reflect the probable dumping of waste from the interior and include animal bone and oyster shell. Analysis of the plant remains identified a predominance of wheat grains as well as oats, weeds and cabbage. The pottery recovered included imported ware from France (Saintonge, French Orleans)and Britain (Ham Green B, Chester)(Baker 2009, 61). Compiled by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 22 February 2015

• ME038-050003 Structure
  Description

  This site was excavated (Licence no. 05E0414ext.) within Killeen Castle Demesne in advance of development. Overlying the Anglo-Norman enclosure (ME038-050002-) this rectangular medieval structure (8.2m x 4.5m)and associated cistern was aligned N-S. Constructed from clay boned limestone block it survived from 1-3 courses in height. Internally nine distinct floor deposits were identified. Analysis of the deposit indicated a high content of bread wheat. Also present were the bones of a whole salmon and the faunal evidence indicated that meat was being hung indicating a storage facility. A radiocarbon date range of AD 1030-1250 was returned although pottery recovered indicated it was used during the latter part of that timeframe (Baker 2009, 63). Compiled by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 22 February 2015

• ME038-050004 Kiln - lime
  Description

  This site was excavated (Licence no. 05E0414ext.) within Killeen Castle Demesne in advance of development. Located north of Killeen Castle (ME038-012----) and beyond the early enclosure (ME038-050001-) this kiln was cut partially into bedrock. Stone built it measured 5.5m in overall diameter and survived to a maximum of 0.8m in depth. There were three flues: the main to the south, a truncated flue to the east and a deliberately blocked flue to the NW. The base was sealed by a hard deposit of lime. A radiocarbon date of AD1300-1440 was obtained (Baker 2009, 66). Compiled by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 22 February 2015

Architectural heritage

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

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 20 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 Killeen.

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.

• Killeen, Dunsany6 sales

Name

Killeen · An Cillín

Area

5,161,704 m² (516.17 ha, 1,275.48 acres)

Civil parish

Killeen, and its townlands

Barony

Skreen

Electoral division

Killeen, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Killeen electoral division: 1,283 people in 418 households; 89% of households own their home; 27% of homes were built since 2001; 6% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Belpere, Berrillstown, Clowanstown, Clowanstown, Dunsany, Glebe, Mooretown, Smithstown, Warrenstown

Placenames

Killeen 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.