Skreen

184 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Skreen, from 69 m² to 366,088 m² (36.61 ha, 90.46 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 49 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 · 200 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

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

• 28 Jan 2026Refused

  the development will consist of the use of this land for equestrian purposes, including the retention of an equine development comprising two stable buildings which, along with rugged animals outside, which have a capacity to accommodate up to 22 horses, along with a sand arena, horse walker, external lighting, the demolition of a detached building which is used as an farm office (and former unapproved dwelling), the retention of existing hardstanding and its use as a parking area, the closure of an existing entrance and associated driveway and the opening of a new vehicular access, which would be served by a new internal driveway, as well as a connection to the mains water system. The application also includes the retention of a third existing stable building and its conversion into a farmhouse containing a single floor level and providing two bedrooms, a combined kitchen / living area and ancillary corridor, utility and wardrobe accommodation, the installation of a secondary wastewater treatment facility with polishing filter, the provision of equine waste storage facilities, prior to transfer off-site by an approved waste contractor and all associated site works

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2660105

• 18 Nov 2025N/a

  the development will consist of the use of this land for equestrian purposes, including the retention of an equine development comprising two stable buildings which, along with rugged animals outside, which have a capacity to accommodate up to 22 horses, along with a sand arena, horse walker, external lighting, the demolition of a detached building which is used as an farm office (and former unapproved dwelling), the retention of existing hardstanding and its use as a parking area, the closure of an existing entrance and associated driveway and the opening of a new vehicular access, which would be served by a new internal driveway, as well as a connection to the mains water system. The application also includes the retention of a third existing stable building and its conversion into a farmhouse containing a single floor level and providing two bedrooms, a combined kitchen / living area and ancillary corridor, utility and wardrobe accommodation, the installation of a secondary wastewater treatment facility with polishing filter, the provision of equine waste storage facilities, prior to transfer off-site by an approved waste contractor and all associated site works

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2561251

• 2 Jul 2025Conditional

  ground floor side extension with pitched, hipped roof over & internal alterations

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2560682

• 16 May 2025Conditional

  the development will consist of amendments to the previously approved permission granted under Planning Registry Reference 21/1816, consisting a part single and part storey and a half, detached dwelling house, with a detached single storey garage, new vehicular entrance gateway in lieu of the existing field entrance, new access road, new wastewater treatment unit and polishing filter/percolation area, along with all associated services, service connections, landscape and site development works

  Permission, 2 homes · Meath County Council, 2592

• 1 May 2025N/a

  the development will consist of amendments to the previously approved permission granted under Planning Registry Reference 21/1816, consisting a part single and part storey and a half, detached dwelling house, with a detached single storey garage, new vehicular entrance gateway in lieu of the existing field entrance, new access road, new wastewater treatment unit and polishing filter/percolation area, along with all associated services, service connections, landscape and site development works

  Permission, 2 homes · Meath County Council, 2579

• 28 Mar 2025Conditional

  the development will consist of constructing a detached domestic garage along with all ancillary site development works. This proposed garage is to be constructed in addition to the development already granted on the site under planning ref. no.: 23/176 and will be constructed to the east side of approved dwelling / extension

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2560313

• 25 Oct 2024Refused

  The development will consist of the retention of an equestrian development comprising three stable buildings, with a capacity to accommodate 18 horses (as well as rugged animals kept outside), sand arena, horse walker, external lighting, a detached building which was formerly used as an unapproved dwelling but which is now to be retained and used as a farm office, along with existing hardstanding for a parking area, an internal driveway, a revised entrance including an altered timber fence along the front boundary of the site and a connection to the mains water system. The application includes a new two-storey, detached farmhouse containing four bedrooms, a combined kitchen dining area and children’s den as well as ancillary storage, bathroom, utility and garage areas, the installation of a secondary wastewater treatment facility with polishing filter, the provision of equine waste facilities and all associated site works’

  Retention, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2460897

• 28 Sept 2024Conditional

  A revised single storey extension to a dwellinghouse, as previously granted under planning reference number 2360339, and for associated siteworks.

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2460797

• 1 Aug 2024Conditional

  the removal of the existing single-storey extension to the existing single-storey cottage, renovation and thermal upgrade works to the existing cottage, including relocation of window and door openings, replacement of existing windows, exterior insulation, internal alterations, re-roofing works, removal of one of two existing chimneys and construction of a new two-storey extension to the rear of the existing cottage with pitched-roof and front-facing solar panels including new kitchen, living room, utility room, bathrooms and hallway connected to the existing cottage by a new single-storey flat-roofed link structure including new entrance door and dining room, an increase to the total number of bedrooms to four, construction of a new standalone pitched roof single-storey garage, demolition of existing sheds and relocation of water pump associated with private well, alteration of existing vehicular driveway, installation of new wastewater treatment system replacing existing septic tank and all associated site works. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 24326

• 19 Jun 2024Conditional

  the development will consist of a new single storey and storey & half extension to an existing residential dwelling, including elevational changes and increased roof height, a new wastewater treatment system and all ancillary site works. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2460444

• 16 Oct 2023Conditional

  The construction of a single storey extension to a dwellinghouse, for the installation of a pump chamber, a stilling chamber, an intermittent soil polishing filter area, and for all associated siteworks.

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2360339

• 5 Oct 2023Conditional

  the construction of a single storey rear extension incorporating a Kitchen/Dining/Living space plus all associated site works

  Permission · Meath County Council, 23949

• 11 Sept 2023N/a

  the construction of a single storey rear extension incorporating a Kitchen/Dining/Living space plus all associated site works

  Permission · Meath County Council, 23879

• 23 Feb 2023Conditional

  (1) to re-construct an existing derelict dwelling on the site for use as a domestic garage and home office and will include additional door ope and internal alterations (2) to construct a single storied dwelling house and to install a proprietary waste water treatment unit and percolation area (3) to demolish a derelict shed on the site (4) to close up an existing entrance to the site and to make a new entrance to serve the new development and (5) all ancillary site development works to include landscaping and boundary treatment. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 23176

• 4 Aug 2022Refused

  proposed construction of a bungalow type dwelling house, detached garage, boundary fence/wall, suitable onsite sewerage treatment system with percolation area & ancillary site works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 221017

• 28 Jun 2022Conditional

  the development consists of the following: (1) The retention of a domestic garage constructed as an extension to the rear of an existing garage, for the storage of household items, garden tools and equipment and part of it for use as a children indoor games area. (2) All ancillary site works

  Retention, 1 home · Meath County Council, 22848

• 1 Apr 2022Conditional

  the construction of part single storey, part storey and a half, detached dwelling house with a detached single storey garage, new vehicular entrance and access road, new wastewater treatment unit and percolation area, along with all associated services, service connections, landscape and site development works. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 22410

• 22 Dec 2021Conditional

  the demolition of existing dwelling and outhouses and replacement with new two storey dwelling with single storey living area to the west, associated detached triple car garage, septic tank and percolation area and new private water well together with all associated site development works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 212410

• 15 Nov 2021Conditional

  permission is sought to (1) to demolish existing habitable single storey dwelling and domestic garage/store and full planning permission is sought to construct (1) a replacement spilt level - single storey type dwelling incorporating family flat (2) installing a proprietary wastewater unit and percolation area (3) construct revised entrance (4) all ancillary site works. Significant Further information/Revised plans submitted on this application.

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 212175

• 29 Oct 2021N/a

  permission is sought to (1) to demolish existing habitable single storey dwelling and domestic garage/store and full planning permission is sought to construct (1) a replacement spilt level - single storey type dwelling incorporating family flat (2) installing a proprietary wastewater unit and percolation area (3) construct revised entrance (4) all ancillary site works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 212087

• 22 Oct 2021Refused

  the construction of a bungalow, proprietary waste water treatment system, domestic garage, new entrance and all ancillary site development works

  Permission, 2 homes · Meath County Council, 212053

• 16 Sept 2021Conditional

  the construction of part storey and a half, part single storey detached dwelling house, with an attached single storey garage annex, boot & utility room. New vehicular entrance gateway in lieu of the existing field entrance, new access road, new wastewater treatment unit and polishing filter/percolation area, along with all associated services, service connections, landscape and site development works. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 211816

• 10 Sept 2021Refused

  constructing a two storied type dwelling house and a detached domestic garage, installing a proprietary waste water treatment unit and percolation area and to make a new entrance onto the road along with all ancillary site development works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 211777

• 9 Sept 2021Conditional

  permission for retention of existing garage located to the rear of the existing dwelling house and permission for retention of extended site boundary to the rear of the existing dwelling house and all associated site development works

  Retention · Meath County Council, 211761

• 2 Sept 2021Conditional

  permission to construct a single storey dwelling house, detached garden shed, new wastewater treatment system and percolation area, new entrance from the public road and all associated site development works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 211709

The 25 most recent of 52 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 Skreen.

Recorded monuments

• ME032-026 Moated site
  Description

  The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 10 July 2007 Small rectangular fields (dims. c. 20m by 10m) defined by ditches, covering c. 5 acres.

• ME032-032 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 10 July 2007 Raised circular area defined by scarp (diam. 20m) with surrounding fosse. No visible entrance.

• ME032-037 Enclosure
  Description

  The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 10 July 2007 Circular area (diam. c. 20m) defined by remains of slight fosse. No visible entrance. Possibly a landscape feature.

• ME032-038 Barrow - unclassified
  Description

  The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 10 July 2007 Sunken circular area (slightly domed) defined by shallow fosse (diam. 7m). Partly excavated in 1954 by E. Hickey, when a cremation was found.

• ME032-047 Settlement deserted - medieval
  Description

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

• ME032-047001 Castle - motte
  Description

  Hugh de Lacy granted the barony of Skreen to Adam de Feipo by c. 1172, and Adam probably made Skreen its caput or centre (Otway-Ruthven 1964). It is situated on a S-facing slope of the hill c. 300m S of the Columban church (ME032-047003-). This is a flat-topped earthen mound (diam. of top 15m; diam. of base 40m; H 6m) planted with deciduous trees. The castle (ME032-047002-) is c. 80m to the NNE. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 2 June 2016

• ME032-047002 Castle - tower house
  Description

  Situated on a S-facing slope of Skreen Hill. The motte at Skreen (ME032-047001-), located c. 80m to the SSW, became the caput of the de Feipo manor of Skreen (Otway-Ruthven 1964, 117), but at some stage a tower house was built. By the sixteenth century the manor had passed to the Marwood family, and in the late sixteenth century it passed to the Nugent family through the marriage of William Nugent with the heiress, Margaret Marwood (Hickey 1973). According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) Thomas Nugent of Rosse and others including Francis Dillon of Proudstown owned 640 acres at Skreen, of which Thomas owned the greater part. The two castles in Skreen were owned by Francis Dillon and George Lowther, a Protestant (Simington 1940, 67). The castle is now a three storey rectangular building with a circular tower at the SW angle. A three-bay, three storey house was built to the N of the castle c. 1780, which was re-modelled c. 1850 with the addition of a porch, and the tower house may have received its modern battlements and pointed windows at this time (see: http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/Surveys/Buildings/). The ground floor of the tower house is entered by a wide pointed doorway (c. 1.5m) from the house to the N and the large fireplace, protruding on the outer face of the W wall is thought to be original. The two upper floors are modernised, but a mural stairs in the W wall of the second floor leads to a newel stairs in the circular tower at the SW angle, which rises to the modern battlements. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 6 July 2016

• ME032-047003 Church
  Description

  Located on the summit of Skreen Hill with wide views out in every direction; the S-N ridge of Tara is the most prominent feature visible c. 3.5km to the W. An early monastery was established at Achall (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 44), which was named after a daughter of Cairpre Nia Fer, a mythological king of Tara. According to the late 10th or early 11th century Dindsheanchas Érann a rath, by which is probably meant a mound, was built over her grave on a hill east of Tara (Bhreathnach 1996, 38-9). At some point the shrine of St Colum Cille, or a part of his relics which had been brought to Ireland from Iona for safe-keeping, was kept here. As a consequence the name changed to Scrín Colum Chille, from which the name Skryne or Skreen is derived. Under this name it was plundered in 974 by Domnaill Mic Muircertaigh, who was attempting to dominate Meath and secure the High Kingship for himself (ibid. 41-3). The monastery was attacked or plundered in 986, 1037, 1058, and in 1127 when the shrine was stolen but returned soon afterwards (Cogan 1862-70, 1, 152-3). The monastery was sacked by the Uí Briuin in 1157, but the community continued even under Adam de Feipo, who had been granted the barony of Skreen by Hugh de Lacy c. 1172. Adam founded a church of St Nicholas at Skreen (ME032-047010-), perhaps in opposition to the old foundation, and endowed it on his brother, Thomas. When Thomas joined the Cistercians of St Mary’s in Dublin (DU018-020048-) c. 1186, all the tithes and privileges of the large parish of Skreen were transferred to the monks (Hickey 1952; O'Neill 2002, 12-4). Skreen and its successor parishes were still amongst the possessions of St Mary's at its dissolution in 1540 (White 1943, 17-20). The old monastery dedicated to St Columba seems to have become the parochial centre soon after, and St Nicholas’ is not recorded again after a charter of Adam’s son, Richard, and it probably became a chapel attached to the motte (ME032-047001-) and tower house (ME032-047002-). Around 1400 the Skreen estate passed to Thomas Marward by marriage to the heiress, Katherine de Feipo, and c. 1600 it came into the possession of William Nugent when he married Janet Marward (Hickey 1973). A house of Augustinian friars dedicated to the Holy Trinity was established at Skreen in 1341 by Francis de Feipo, and there are references to it in the 15th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 301-02). At the Suppression in 1540 the church had already been thrown down, and only the belfry and a dormitory survived, but it had hardly any other property (White 1943, 306-07). The location of this site is not known but it may have been a chantry attached to the parish church of St Columba. In 1533 Peter Wallis was the rector of the parish and the abbot of Skreen (Cogan 1862-70, 1, 274-5), Ussher (1622) describes the parish church and chancel as a ruin (Erlington 1847-64, 1, lxxvi), and Dopping (1682-5) says the church was unroofed but the chancel was repaired. It had a full supply of liturgical necessities including a font, and the graveyard was enclosed, half with a masonry wall and half with an earthen bank (Ellison 1972, 6). Isaac Butler writing c. 1749 describes the chancel as roofed (1892, 22), and Grose (1791, 2, 16) depicts the roofed chancel as wider than the roofless nave. The chancel was probably used for Protestant worship until a new church for the Skreen union was built at Lismullin (ME032-022----) in 1809-11 (Lewis 1837, 2, 559). The church is a National Monument (Harbison 1970, 191) and is within a subrectangular graveyard (dims c. 55m E-W at S to c. 85m E-W at N; c. 65-75m N-S) defined by masonry walls. It is an undivided nave and chancel structure (int. dims 36.3m E-W; 6.47m N-S) with a mural stairs to a rood screen and an arched tomb recess (Wth 2.5m; D 1.18m) in a projection (dims 6.9m E-W; 0.72m N-S) on the outer face of the N wall. The screen would separate the nave (int. dim. 21m E-W) and chancel (int. dim. 13.3m E-W), and the pointed doorway (Wth 0.854m; H 1.92m) to the stairs is highly decorated. There are opposing doorways in the N and S walls towards the W end of the nave, that on the S with some of the decorated architrave. Three pointed window embrasures survive on the S wall with evidence of a fourth, but there were none on the N wall. (Westropp 1894, 229-31) The W tower (ext. dims 6.05m E-W; 4.3m E-W) has a base-batter and is vaulted over the ground floor, which is accessed from the nave through a pointed doorway that is kept permanently locked. A newel stairs at the SE angle leads to the first floor, entered through a lintelled doorway from the stairs. This floor has three lights and a blocked doorway to the roof space of the nave. A mural stairs in the S wall leads through a lintelled doorway at the SW angle to the second floor that has small lights in the W and N walls. The third stage is the belfry stage, which originally had two openings on each wall, but only the N ones survive complete, with a re-used cross-slab in the mullion. (Bradley and King 1985, 134-5) The cross-slab (dims 1.4m x 0.18m; T 0.2m) has been modified to be used as part of the mullion, and is the only physical evidence of the early church. The decoration is part of a Greek cross within three incised circles (ext. diam. 0.34m) (Fenwick 1996). A miniature sculpture of an ecclesiastic that was in the graveyard is now over the S doorway and is dated by Hunt (1974, 1, 213) to the 14th century. It is probably from the pier of a cloister arcade. A graveslab with the head of a man in relief is inside the ground floor of the tower and can be dated to the first quarter of the 15th century (ibid.). The ground floor of the tower also has a sandstone font, which is damaged but appears to be rectangular with chamfered angles (dim. c. 0.6m; H c. 0.5m). However, it morphs into a circular form at the bottom of the basin, so that the panels on the large sides appear to be D-shaped, suspended from the rim. There is a simple cross (H 1.5m; span 0.4m) with a rectangular cross-section (dims 0.28m x 0.16m) in the graveyard. The arms are short (L 0.06m) and there is a worn crucifixion in relief on the W side. The cross is probably 16th or 17th century in date. Isaac Butler, writing c. 1749, describes the Marward graveslab (dims 2.23m x 0.91m; T 0.15m) as within the church (1892, 22), and it is now against the surviving E wall of the chancel. It was commissioned by William Nugent and his wife Janet Marward to commemorate her father, Walter, who died c. 1564, and her grandmother, Maud Cusack, nee Darcy. Maud’s first husband was James Marward and she was the mother of Walter, but later she became the wife of Sir Thomas Cusack, whose monument is at Trevet church (ME038-017----), c. 5km to the SE. During his lifetime Sir Thomas acquired a large estate from the dissolution of the Lismullen nunnery (ME032-024----) c. 2km to the WNW of Skreen. The stone was sculpted by John Cusack, the fourth son of Sir Thomas and Dame Maud, in 1611. (Hickey 1973) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. See the attached view of the S doorway and sculpted stone; and general views from the NE and S. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 23 January 2015

• ME032-047004 Stone sculpture
  Description

  A miniature sculpture of an ecclesiastic that was in the graveyard is now over the S doorway of the church (ME032-047003-) and is dated by Hunt (1974, 1, 213) to the 14th century. It is probably from the pier of a cloister arcade. Hunt describes it as: Built into the outside wall over the south door of the ruined church on the Hill of Skreen is the miniature effigy of a bishop. He seems to have stood within a niche with stepped buttressed sides protruding angularly outwards. He is vested in a chasuble over a dalmatic, tunicle and alb, the upstanding apparel of the amice being visible around his neck. He holds a crozier attired with a sudarium in his right hand and a crook in his left. The shaft of the crozier is broken away above the hand but the out-turned head remains. He is shown bare-headed, though traces of a ring of hair appear above the ears. Being of sandstone, much of the surface has flaked away, but from what remains, it can be seen that the figure appears to be good metropolitan work of the fourteenth century. It may have been either part of a tomb or have had an architectural use. See attached image. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 27 January, 2015

• ME032-047005 Cross-slab
  Description

  The belfry stage of the tower of Skreen church (ME032-047003-) originally had two openings on each wall, but only the N ones survive complete, with a re-used cross-slab in the mullion. It has been modified (dims 1.4m x 17.5m; T 0.2m), and is the only physical evidence of the early church. The decoration is part of a Greek cross within three incised circles (ext. diam. 0.34m) (Fenwick 1996). Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload; 27 January, 2015

• ME032-047006 Graveslab
  Description

  A graveslab with the head of a man in relief is inside the locked ground floor of the tower of Skreen church (ME032-047003-). It has been be dated to the first quarter of the 15th century by Hunt (1974, 1, 213) who describes it as: Attached to the west wall on the ground floor of the belfry is a wedge-shaped slab with raised borders. Down the centre of the field is carved a cross of simple form standing upon a base, charged with a shield. The stem of the cross is broad for three-quarters of its height. There is a moulding at this point and it continues as a narrower stem with chamfered sides and arms. Above the head of the cross, beneath a semi-circular arch of simple form, there is a head of a man, too fragmentary to show details. He wears a hat with a broad semi-circular brim and expanding crown. The upper part of the hat seems to be fluted. The type recalls Burgundian modes and suggests a date in the first quarter of the fifteenth century. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 27 January, 2015

• ME032-047007 Wall monument
  Description

  Located inside the E wall of Skreen church (ME032-047003-). Isaac Butler, writing c. 1749, describes the Marward graveslab (dims 2.23m x 0.91m; T 0.15m) as within the church (1892, 22), and it is now against the surviving E wall of the chancel. It was commissioned by William Nugent and his wife, Janet Marward, to commemorate her father, Walter, who died c. 1564, and her grandmother, Maud Cusack, nee Darcy. Maud’s first husband was James Marward and she was the mother of Walter, but later became the wife of Sir Thomas Cusack, whose monument is at Trevet church (ME038-017----), c. 5km to the SE. During his lifetime Sir Thomas acquired a large estate from the dissolution of the Lismullen nunnery (ME032-024----) c. 2km to the WNW of Skreen. The stone was sculpted by John Cusack, the fourth son of Sir Thomas and Dame Maud, in 1611. It is described in great detail by Hickey (1973) as: The Marward Stone is a feestone slab measuring 2.2m by 0.92m. Across the top are carved the letters D O M (Deo optimo mea) in the ribbon-like lettering of the period. On the left hand side, looking at the stone, a large achievement of arms shows a shield surmounted by the helmet of an esquire. Above, with flapping wings and serpent’s tail stands a cockatrice – the Nugent crest. From the wreath beneath his feet depends an elaborate mantling, curling above and around the shield and ending in two heavy tassels; beneath the shield a scroll carried the motto. The charge shows the arms of William Nugent (ermine two bars gules) and those of his wife Janet Marward (vert a fesse argent between three cinquefoils the same) quartered dexter chief and middle chief point. The marshalling is incomplete and from the uncut appearance of the stone I would suppose that the carving of the quarterings on the shield was never finished. William was the younger son of Richard the 8th Baron Delvin and a brother of Christopher the 9th Baron. He was a notable man in his day, a courtier, a Gaelic poet of merit, the leader of a rebellion and a servitor the Pope. His wife was the only daughter and heiress of Walter Marward the last Baron of Skryne who died c. 1564. The arms of Walter Marward are carved at the bottom right hand side of the stone impaled with those of his first wife Margaret Plunkett (sable a bend argent in the sinister pint a tower triple towered of the last) above them are the arms of Walter’s father James Marward, and mother Maud Darcy (azure semée of cross crosslets and there cinquefoils argent). The large shield thus commemorates Janet, the heiress to Skryne, and her husband, which two persons the inscription tells us, erected the monument. The two smaller shields commemorate Janet’s father and his first wife, and Janet’s grandmother who, the inscription tells us, are buried here. John Cusack is the sixth person mentioned on the stone and he names himself as the sculptor of it. The inscription is in Latin but is so weathered now as to be undecipherable except for the initial capital H and one or two odd letters. I give, on the pen and ink drawing, the transcription from Thomas Westropp’s paper (1894, 294). This was made by Mr. Joseph Moore and Rev. O. Brighton about 1894. An earlier one made by Butler (1892, 22) is very similar. The following is my translation: ‘This monument, William Nugent, the younger son of Richard Baron of Delvin, and Janet Marward, heiress and only daughter, set up as an ornament for the church to Walter Marward, Baron of Skryne and his first wife Margaret Plunket and to Matilda Darcy; in truth we are buried here. I, John Cusack, the brother germane of Walter by the same mother, carved with mine own hand for the everlasting memorial the year of Our Lord 1611.’ In the furthest right-hand corner under the device of Saint Bernadine (a sun inscribed I.H.S.) is carved in high relief the figure of a monk standing at ta table or an altar, his left hand on his breast, his right hand resting on some object. He wears a cowled habit girdled by a chord which hangs to his feet in front. He is almost certainly a Franciscan. Five winged cherubs complete the devices on the stone. From I. Butler (1893, 183): Of this place Isaac Butler gives the following: ‘Near the altar of the church, which is almost in ruins, there is a large grave, and the following inscription on the floor of the church: D O M HOC MONUMENTUM GUALTERO MAR / WARDE, BARON DE SCRIN. MARGARETAE / PLUNKET PRIMAE SUAE CONJUOI AC / MATILDAE DARCEY MATRI GENER / GULIELMUS . NUGENTIUS RICHARDI / BARONIS A DELVEN MINOR NATU / FILIUS ET JENETA MARWARD HEAERES / ET UNICA NATE POSUERUNT ECCLESIA / ORNAMENTO HIC VERO SEPULITS / MEMORIAE PERPETUAE. JOHANNES CUSACK EJUSDEM GUALTERI EX MATRE / GERMANUS FRATER SCULPSIT MANU / PROPRIA. ANNO DOMINI 1611. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 27 January, 2015

• ME032-047008 Cross - Churchyard cross
  Description

  There is a simple cross (H 1.5m; span 0.4m) with a rectangular cross-section (dims 0.28m x 0.16m) in the NE corner of the graveyard of Skreen church (ME032-047003-). The arms are short (L 0.06m) and there is a worn crucifixion in relief on the W side. The cross is probably 16th or 17th century in date. (Westropp 1894, 230) See attached image taken from NE Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 27 January, 2015

• ME032-047009 Font
  Description

  The locked ground floor of the tower of Skreen church (ME032-047003-) has a sandstone font, which is damaged but appears to be rectangular with chamfered angles (dim. c. 0.6m; H c. 0.5m). However, it morphs into a circular form at the bottom of the basin, so that the panels on the large sides appear to be D-shaped, suspended from the rim. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 16 August, 2017

• ME032-047010 Church
  Description

  Located on the S-facing slope of Skreen Hill. Adam de Feipo, Baron of Skreen, founded St Nicholas’ church before 1175, perhaps in opposition to the old monastery of St Colum Cille (ME032-047003-) c. 200m to the N, and endowed it on his brother, Thomas. When Thomas joined the Cistercians of St Mary’s in Dublin (DU018-020048-) c. 1186, all the tithes and privileges of the large parish of Skreen were transferred to St Mary’s. The old monastery at Skreen seems to have become the parochial centre soon after, and St Nicholas’ is not recorded again after a charter of Adam’s son, Richard. It probably became a chapel attached to the motte (ME032-047001-) and tower house (ME032-047002-) c. 250m to the SSE and c. 200m to the SE respectively. It is depicted as a rectangular structure (dims c. 10m N-S; c. 5m E-W) on the 1836 ed. of the OS 6-inch map and there is no record of an attached graveyard. It is not visible at ground level in pasture. (Hickey 1952, 145-8) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 28 January 2015

• ME032-047011 Graveyard
  Description

  Located on the summit of Skreen Hill with wide views out in every direction; the S-N ridge of Tara is the most prominent feature c. 3.5km to the W. The early monastery at Achall, which was later known as Scrín Colum Chille, and the medieval parish church (ME032-047003-) that supplanted it are within a subrectangular graveyard (dims c. 55m E-W at S to c. 85m E-W at N; c. 65-75m N-S) defined by masonry walls. Dopping (1682-5) says the graveyard was enclosed at that time, half with a masonry wall and half with an earthen bank (Ellison 1972, 6). Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 27 January, 2015

• ME032-050 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

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

• ME032-102 Ring-ditch
  Description

  Situated at the bottom of the S-facing slope of Skreen Hill. A small circular enclosure (diam. c. 10m) defined by a single continuous fosse if visible on Apple Maps (2018). It is also faintly visible on Digital Globe (c. 2013) and on Google Earth 12/07/2013). It was first reported by Jean Charles Caillere. See the attached enhanced image from Apple Maps Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 25 June 2021

• ME032-103 Ring-ditch
  Description

  Situated at the bottom of the S-facing slope of Skreen Hill. A small circular enclosure (diam. c. 4m) defined by a slight fosse is only visible on Apple Maps (2018). It was first reported by Jean Charles Caillere. See the attached enhanced image from Apple Maps Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 25 June 2021

Architectural heritage

• Water pump, 1850–1890 · Regional interest
  Description

  Cast-iron water pump, c.1870, with banded shaft, curved handle, fluted neck and fluted cap with finial. Set within rendered walls with concrete base and drain.

• House, 1860–1900 · Regional interest
  Description

  Pair of semi-detached three-bay single-storey houses, built c.1880, with central gabled porches. Pitched slate roof with red brick chimneystacks and decorative timber bargeboard to gable ends. Roughcast rendered walls. Timber casement windows with red brick surrounds and concrete sills. Timber glazed doors with render panels and plaques above. Rubble limestone boundary walls with wrought-iron pedestrian gates.

• Presbytery/parochial/curate's house, 1860–1900 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay two-storey parochial house, built c.1880, with central porch. Hipped slate roof with corbelled eaves course and red brick chimneystacks. Roughcast rendered walls. Round-arched opening with timber door and fanlight. Rubble limestone outbuildings to rear. Cast-iron gate piers and gates.

• Skreen Castle, gate lodge, 1840–1880 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached two-bay single-storey gate lodge, built c.1860, now vacant. Hipped slate roof with rendered chimneystack. Squared rubble limestone walls with limestone quoins. Cast-iron casement windows with stone sills. Rendered porch addition. Bounded by dressed limestone walls with ashlar limestone gate piers.

• Skreen Castle, country house, 1760–1800 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay three-storey country house, built c.1780. Remodelled c.1850, with castellated central porch addition, castellated chimneystack and pointed arch windows. Adjoining late medieval tower house with circular corner turret. Pitched tile roof with castellated chimneystacks. Roughcast rendered walls. Timber battened door set in pointed arch opening. Pointed arched windows to tower house. Stable blocks and outbuildings to east. Walled garden to south. Demesne bounded by rubble limestone walls with snecked limestone entrance and gate piers.

• Post box, 1860–1900 · Regional interest
  Description

  Cast-iron post box, erected c.1880, with V R insignia and crown. Mounted in roughcast rendered wall.

• J. O'Connell, house, 1850–1890 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay two-storey house, built c.1870. Hipped slate roof with rendered chimneystacks. Rendered walls and quoins. Timber sash windows with stone sills. Timber fascia with raised lettering and brackets, having square-headed opening with stone sill and battened timber shutters below. Rendered outbuilding with stone quoins and pitched slate roof to north east.

• Graveyard/cemetery, 1750–1790 · Regional interest
  Description

  Roman Catholic graveyard, c.1770, on the site of a fifteenth-century church, the remains of which are located in the centre of the graveyard. Medieval stone cross with a carved crucifixion panel to the north-east. The Marward Stone, which dates to the early seventeenth century, is located to the east of the church. Bounded by rubble limestone walls with limestone gate piers and wrought-iron double gate. .

• Skryne Rectory, rectory/glebe/vicarage/curate's house, 1780–1820 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay two-storey over basement rectory, built c.1800, with full-height projecting entrance bay. Hipped slate roof with rendered chimneystacks and cast-iron rainwater goods. Rendered walls with limestone string course over basement level. Timber sash windows with stone sills. Square-headed door openings to each side of porch, with moulded surrounds and panelled timber doors, accessed by steps. Roughcast rendered outbuildings and stables to north. Bounded by roughcast rendered wall to road.

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

Radon

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

Landslides

Susceptibility moderately high, 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 Skreen.

Flooding

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

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

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

Name

Skreen · An Scrín

Area

5,126,164 m² (512.62 ha, 1,266.7 acres)

Civil parish

Skreen, and its townlands

Barony

Skreen

Electoral division

Skreen, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Skreen electoral division: 1,673 people in 561 households; 86% of households own their home; 27% of homes were built since 2001; 7% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Baronstown, Cabragh, Collierstown, Colvinstown, Lismullin, Monktown, Obertstown, Proudstown, Walterstown

Placenames

Skreen 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.