Summerhill Demesne

99 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Summerhill Demesne, from 4 m² to 720,291 m² (72.03 ha, 177.99 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 53 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 · 113 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R2A1 - Existing Residential (Existing residential)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 23 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• S5G1 - Community Infrastructure (Mixed/general community services/facilities uses)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 6 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G3H1 - High Amenity (Conservation, amenity or buffer space, corridor/belt, landscape)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 4 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R1A2 - New Residential (New/proposed residential)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G1F1 - Open Space (Open space, park)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

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

• 30 Jul 2026N/a

  the development will consist of: A part single-storey, part two-storey extension to the rear of the existing bungalow dwelling. A total extension area of 128.6sqm comprising of a first floor (40.9sqm) Master bedroom, wardrobe and bathroom together with a ground floor (87.7sqm) extension including Living room and bootroom areas. Replacement of existing septic tank with a proposed new Waste Water Treatment System and associated percolation area. As well as all associated internal and external alterations and site development works

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2660953

• 15 Jul 2026N/a

  the development will consist of: A part single-storey, part two-storey extension to the rear of the existing bungalow dwelling. A total extension area of 128.6sqm comprising of a first floor (40.9sqm) Master bedroom, wardrobe and bathroom together with a ground floor (87.7sqm) extension including Living room and bootroom areas. Replacement of existing septic tank with a proposed new Waste Water Treatment System and associated percolation area. As well as all associated internal and external alterations and site development works

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2660886

• 26 Mar 2025Conditional

  the development will consist of the construction of a two-storey style dwelling, detached domestic garage, 5 No. equine stables & dungstead, the installation of a wastewater disposal system, new site entrance and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560302

• 8 Nov 2023Conditional

  the construction of 70 no. Independent Living Units, comprised of (i) 5 no. one storey, one bed, mid terraced units, (ii) 56 no. one storey, 2 bed, mid and end terraced units, (iii) 9 no. two storey, 3 bed, end terraced units & (iv) 2 no. single storey indoor amenity suites. The proposed development also consists of a two-part-three storey nursing home, with a gross floor area of 5,870m2, accommodating (i) 75 no. bedrooms (99 no. beds), including single, twin and ward rooms (with ensuite), (ii) dayrooms & multi­ function space, (iii) chapel, (iv) associated resident's welfare facilities / treatment / therapy rooms, (v) administration areas and staff facilities, (vi) associated dining area, kitchen, plant and services, and (vii) courtyard gardens and terraces. Vehicular access to the development will be via an existing, (to be upgraded) access from the New Road / Moy Road (L6212). The proposed development also provides for surface car parking, bin & bicycle storage, 2 no. ESB substations, hard & soft landscaping, boundary treatments, vehicular and pedestrian site access, and all associated site development works, including service connections, public lighting, foul and surface water drainage / attenuation, and water supply / storage. The proposed development is located on a site area measuring approx. 3.89Ha, in the townland of Summerhill Demesne

  Permission, 70 homes · Meath County Council, 231041

• 20 Apr 2023Conditional

  the installation of an aircraft noise monitoring terminal on a standalone, tiltable mast structure (6m in height) along with associated works including electricity connection

  Permission · Meath County Council, 23427

• 30 Mar 2023N/a

  the installation of an aircraft noice monitoring tereminal on a standlone, tiltable mast structure (6m in height) along with associated works including electricity connection

  Permission · Meath County Council, 23340

• 16 Mar 2023Conditional

  (1) to construct a single storied dwellinghouse, (2) to install a proprietary waste water treatment unit and percolation area in accordance with EPA 2021 code of practice, (3) to provide a new vehicular entrance with access onto cul-de-sac laneway via existing driveway and entrance north west of the application site and (4) all ancillary site development works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 23291

• 16 Mar 2023Conditional

  (1) to construct a single storied dwelling house, (2) to install a proprietary waste water treatment unit and percolation area in accordance with EPA 2021 code of practice, (3) to provide a new vehicular entrance with access onto cul-de-sac laneway via existing driveway and entrance north west of the application site and (4) all ancillary site development works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 23296

• 7 Sept 2022Conditional

  a proposed single storey extension to front & side of existing single storey dwelling, minor alterations to existing dwelling & all associated site works. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application

  Permission · Meath County Council, 221166

• 5 Jul 2021Refused

  the development will consist of: A single-storey dwelling house, wastewater treatment system, new vehicular entrance with access via existing access drive, and all associated site development works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 211288

• 5 Jul 2021Refused

  the development will consist of: A single-storey dwelling house, wastewater treatment system, new vehicular entrance with access via existing access drive, and all associated site development works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 211292

• 1 Apr 2021Conditional

  the development will consist of the construction of a storey and a half house, a single storey domestic garage, a waste water treatment unit with a percolation area and all associated site works. The development will also consist of the modifications of the existing agricultural entrance, to provide access to the land and to the proposed development

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 21612

• 6 May 2020Conditional

  the development consists of retention of revisions to the house previously granted planning permission under Planning Reg. Ref. TA/60080. These revisions include, single storey sun room projection to rear, two bay window projections to the front, internal alterations at first-floor level to include a fifth bedroom, additional floor area to the side sitting room projection, provision of attic storage room to part of home, elevational changes including increase in building height, alterations to front porch to make this a double-height space, addition of two front bay windows, new roof lights to the rear and side elevation of the attic storeroom area and a canopy over the utility room door. The development also consists of retention of revisions to the domestic garage/store. These revisions include, increased floor area, provision of attic storage area to part of this domestic garage/store, increased building height, elevational changes including new roof light to the rear elevation and relocation of the roller garage to the front elevation. Retention permission is also sought for the relocation of the house within the site, relocation of the garage/store within the site, revised entrance piers and all associated site works and services

  Permission · Meath County Council, TA200591

• 16 Apr 2020N/a

  the development consists of retention of revisions to the house previously granted planning permission under Planning Reg. Ref. TA/60080. These revisions include, single storey sun room projection to rear, two bay window projections to the front, internal alterations at first-floor level to include a fifth bedroom, additional floor area to the side sitting room projection, provision of attic storage room to part of home, elevational changes including, alterations to front porch to make this a double-height space, addition of two front bay windows, new roof lights to the rear and side elevation of the attic storeroom area and a canopy over the utility room door. The development also consists of retention of revisions to the domestic garage/store. These revisions include, increased floor area, provision of attic storage area to part of this domestic garage/store, increased building height, elevational changes including new roof light to the rear elevational and relocation of the roller garage to the front elevation. Retention permission is also sought for the relocation of the house within the site, relocation of the garage/store within the site, revised entrance piers and all associated site works and services

  Permission · Meath County Council, TA200525

• 11 Dec 2018Conditional

  conversion, change of use and rehabilitation of the existing two storey stone farm courtyard building to a two storey dwelling house with a terrace at first floor level to the north elevation. Accessed via the existing vehicular entrance gateway and access road. New waste water treatment unit and percolation area, along with all associated services, service connections, landscape and site development works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, TA181481

• 29 Jan 2018Conditional

  Development will consist of fenestration changes to the front elevation, infill covered porch area to front and relocate front door, Change to profile of hipped front roof, new rooflight to front of roof, new dormer window to rear of roof, demolish existing chimney and install new flue and all associated drainage and landscaping works.

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, TA180070

• 11 Aug 2017Conditional

  the development will consist of a storey and a half style dwelling, a detached domestic garage, wasterwater disposal system, domestic site entrance and all associated site works

  Permission, 2 homes · Meath County Council, TA170933

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 Summerhill Demesne.

Recorded monuments

• ME042-026 Mound
  Description

  Situated at the crest of a W-facing slope, it is not depicted on any map. This is a grass and scrub-covered mound (diam. of base c. 20-25m; H c. 3m at E to c. 8m at W). 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: 12 August 2019

• ME043-021001 Castle - tower house
  Description

  Situated on a NW-facing slope of a prominent hill in the parish of Laracor. The Leyns or Lynch family have been associated with Co. Kildare, but in 1421 Walter Leyns of the Knock is first recorded, and the Lynches continue to be associated with the Knock up to the end of the seventeenth century (Devitt 1909-11, 270). Peter Lynch was implicated in the rebellion of Silken Thomas in 1535 and was attaindered for a period but the family later recovered the Knock (ibid. 274). The ‘new castle on the Knock’ with a great barn adjoining is mentioned in 1609 (ibid. 278). According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) Gerrett Linch of the Knock owned 590 acres there in 1640, and on the premises were ‘two castles, one Mill and divers cabins, and also an old chappell and a stone quarry’ (Simington 1940, 173). He also owned land at Readstowne (102 acres) and had a share in 360 acres at Laracor in the same parish (ibid. 173-6). The castle was besieged and captured by the Royalist, Ormonde, in 1642, and was occupied by Cromwellian forces in 1647 (Devitt 1909-11, 280). The land was forfeited during the Cromwellian period and granted to Henry Jones, the Anglican Bishop of Meath from 1661, who lived in the castle (ibid. 283). Although Garrett had been a Royalist, and three of his sons had died for the cause, he failed to recover the Knock after the Restoration in 1660, and his old property continued in the possession of Jones (ibid. 288). There is an almost complete tower house with good quoins and a base-batter with portion of a later house (ME043-021001-) attached to the SW. The tower house is a rectangular structure (ext. dims 10.1m E-W; 8m N-S) entered through a pointed doorway towards the S end of the W wall. This leads through a lobby to the ground floor apartment, which has an embrasure with a pointed and chamfered light in the N and S walls, and two cupboards in the E wall. A pointed doorway at the N end of the W wall leads to a newel stairs at the NE angle, which has a gun-loop in the W wall and is also accessed by a passage and doorway from the lobby. From the entrance lobby a doorway was broken through the S wall to the later house. From the newel stairs a pointed doorway, now blocked, leads to the first floor under the N-S barrel-vault, the floor of which is supported on corbels in the E and W walls. The only features are a destroyed window in the E wall, a light and a fireplace in the S wall and a doorway in the W wall leading to a passage in the W wall. This passage, which is also accessed from the stairs by a pointed doorway, has a light in its W wall and its S wall was broken through to the first floor of the later house. There is a second gun-loop on the stairs up to the second floor over the vault, which is entered by a pointed doorway. Inside the doorway a destroyed doorway in the N wall leads to a garderobe, which has a cusped ogee-headed light and a slop-stone. The chute from the garderobe debouches on the N wall at ground level. There are rectangular lights at the centre of the E wall of the main chamber and at the NE and SE angles, while the light on the S wall, just W of a fireplace, is pointed. A pointed doorway in the W wall leads to a vaulted passage with one window in the W wall and what is probably a blocked doorway in its S wall leading to the later house. However, this passage does not communicate with the stairs at the NW angle and it had a wooden floor with the joists set into the E and W walls. The third floor is supported on corbels and repeats the lay-out of the second floor and the roof over it was supported on corbels. The stairs continue to the destroyed parapet, where the only features are two chimney stacks rising over the S wall. 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: 13 July 2016

• ME043-021002 House - 16th/17th century
  Description

  Situated on a NW-facing slope of a prominent hill in the parish of Laracor. The Leyns or Lynch family have been associated with Co. Kildare, but in 1421 Walter Leyns of the Knock is first recorded, and the Lynches continue to be associated with the Knock up to the end of the seventeenth century (Devitt 1909-11, 270). Peter Lynch was implicated in the rebellion of Silken Thomas in 1535 and was attaindered for a period but the family later recovered the Knock (ibid. 274). The ‘new castle on the Knock’ with a great barn adjoining is mentioned in 1609 (ibid. 278) and probably refers to this house. According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) Gerrett Linch of the Knock owned 590 acres there in 1640, and on the premises were ‘two castles, one Mill and divers cabins, and also an old chappell and a stone quarry’ (Simington 1940, 173). He also owned land at Readstowne (102 acres) and had a share in 360 acres at Laracor in the same parish (ibid. 173-6). The castle was besieged and captured by the Royalist, Ormonde, in 1642, and was occupied by Cromwellian forces in 1647 (Devitt 1909-11, 280). The land was forfeited during the Cromwellian period and granted to Henry Jones, the Anglican Bishop of Meath from 1661, who lived in the castle (ibid. 283). Although Garrett had been a Royalist, and three of his sons had died for the cause, he failed to recover the Knock after the Restoration in 1660, and his old property continued in the possession of Jones (ibid. 288). There is an almost complete tower house (ME043-021001-) with portion of this later house attached to the SW. The house was T-shaped but only part of the N wall and the N part of the W wall together with a large stairs return (ext. dims 6.3m N-S; 4.5m E-W) that was at the centre of the W wall survive. The stairs tower has a doorway (destroyed) at the ground floor on its N wall with a plaque dated 1636 on the outside of the wall. There are two small lights and a window on the ground floor of the return. Just N of the stairs tower a fireplace protrudes on the outside (L 3.5m) that had a light inserted into it. Just 5m N of the stairs return is a portion of the N wall (L 6.75m) with a single light. The first floor was supported on corbels in the N wall and there is a fireplace over that on the ground floor. There is a window in the W wall and another in the N wall, while a passage has been broken through to the first floor of the tower house, under its vault. The W and N walls are recessed to support the second floor, which has a fireplace over those below it and a window in the N wall. Gables rise over the W wall of the stairs return with a fireplace, and over the surviving portions of the W and N walls. 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: 13 July 2016

• ME043-021003 Memorial stone
  Description

  On the external N wall of the stairs return of the house (ME043-021002-) at ground level is a rectangular plaque (Wth c. 0.4m; H c. 0.5m) with the date 1636. The inscription in relief is in a panel beneath a glove with extended fingers over a fish and has been read (FitzGerald 1917-8; Devitt 1909-11, 292) as: PRAY FOR THE / SOVLE OF LVKE / .WYE. PRIEST / 1636. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 13 July, 2016

• ME043-031 Church
  Description

  Situated on a NW-facing slope of a prominent hillock, which was known as the Knock. The Civil Survey (1654-5) of Laracor parish records Gerratt Lynch of Knocke owning 500 acres in that townland, which would include the townlands of Summerhill and Moy, and in which there were two castles, a mill and ‘an old chapell’ (Simington 1940, 173). Dopping's Visitation Book (1682-5) lists this church as a chapel-of-ease to Laracor (ME036-044----), and records that the church was built by Bishop Henry Jones and consecrated on 25 July, 1669 (Ellison 1972, 10). There is no visible trace of the church within a circular graveyard (diam. c. 50-55m) defined by a masonry wall N-S-W, but the circuit is not completed W-N where the walls run to a NE-SW public road c. 60m to the NW. Trees grow inside the perimeter, and the headstones in the main date from the mid-18th century to the present. The headstone (Wth 0.68m; H 0.63m; T 7-9cm) of Mary from Summerhill, dated 1689 (FitzGerald 1910), is leaning forward severely at the centre of the graveyard. The incised legend in roman letters inside a raised frame is crudely executed, the letters becoming smaller towards the bottom. It can be read as: [ON THE…] DAY OF NOVEMBER IN THE / [YEA]R 1689 THE BODY OF GOOD MARY / [..]EAY OF SVMMERHIL WAS HERE / LAIN SHE (WAS) ONE THAT IN CHARITY / DID ABOVD SINCE FIRST SHE / LAID HER FOOT VPON THE / GROUND. SHE WAS ONE / THAT NEVER DID GRVDGE OF HER FRIEND/ OR WHAT GOD GAVE HER IN THIS WORLD / …EAD SHE WAS ONE THAT NIVER HAD / ….VRS SHE WAS TO HIPAST (?) AND A / ….ANOTHER AMOANVRSE SHE LIVED /…..HER HVSBAND MARTY VIARCANO / …HATH 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: 23 March, 2013

• ME043-031001 Graveyard
  Description

  Situated on a NW-facing slope of a prominent hillock, which was known as the Knock. The site of a chapel at Knocke (ME043-031----), which was a chapel-of-ease to Laracor (ME036-044----), is located within a subcircular graveyard (diam. c. 50-55m) defined by a masonry wall N-S-W, but the circuit is not completed W-N where the walls run to a NE-SW public road c. 60m to the NW. Trees grow inside the perimeter, and the headstones in the main date from the mid-18th century to the present, although the headstone of Mary from Summerhill (ME043-031002-) is dated 1689. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 24 March, 2015

• ME043-031002 Headstone
  Description

  The headstone (Wth 0.68m; H 0.63m; T 7-9cm) of Mary from Summerhill, dated 1689 (FitzGerald 1910), is leaning forward severely at the centre of the graveyard (ME043-031001-). The incised legend in roman letters inside a raised frame is crudely executed, the letters becoming smaller towards the bottom. It can be read as: [ON THE…] DAY OF NOVEMBER IN THE / [YEA]R 1689 THE BODY OF GOOD MARY / [..]EAY OF SVMMERHIL WAS HERE / LAIN SHE (WAS) ONE THAT IN CHARITY / DID ABOVD SINCE FIRST SHE / LAID HER FOOT VPON THE / GROUND. SHE WAS ONE / THAT NEVER DID GRVDGE OF HER FRIEND/ OR WHAT GOD GAVE HER IN THIS WORLD / …EAD SHE WAS ONE THAT NIVER HAD / ….VRS SHE WAS TO HIPAST (?) AND A / ….ANOTHER AMOANVRSE SHE LIVED /…..HER HVSBAND MARTY VIARCANO / …HATH Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 24 March, 2015

• ME043-032 Earthwork
  Description

  Located at the crest of a hillock. A circular embanked enclosure (ext. diam. c. 45m) is depicted on the 1836 edition of the OS 6-inch map and a hachured feature is depicted on the 1912 edition. It is described as ‘Donaghanore’ on both maps. This is a raised and grass-covered circular platform (diam. of base 20.3m E-W; 20m N-S; diam. of top 15.5m) defined by a scarp (at S: Wth 1.6m; H 0.6m; at N: H 1.4m), with some trees remaining from when it was a woodland at the W edge of the demesne of Summerhill House as depicted on the earlier OS map. The interior has a large grass-covered quarry (diam. 9.2m; D 1.2m) which distorts its appearance. The graveyard wall of church site (ME0430-031----) is c. 15m to the N. 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: 26 August 2019

• ME043-059 Enclosure
  Description

  Located on a shelf towards the bottom of a N-facing slope. Archaeological testing (06E1231) by A. Collins in advance of a re-alignment of the R158 road identified archaeological features in the right-angle curve of the R158 where it changes course from W-E c. 500m E of Summerhill village and turns S (Collins 2008, 14-15). It was set aside as Site 1 and excavated (07E0163) by the same archaeologist (xcavations.ie 2007:1392). The monument is a rectangular enclosure (int. dims 20m plus E-W; c. 20m N-S) defined by flat-bottomed ditches or moats at the E (Wth 3.25m; D 1.35m) and S (Wth of top 2.5m; D 1.06m) that were supplied with water from a leat (Wth 2.2m; D 1.25m) approaching from the S and joining the moats at the SE angle. Another leat approaching from the S joined the centre of the S side. A short section of the N moat (Wth of top 2.6m; D 1.15m) was also sampled. There was no evidence of an inner bank or palisade, but the siting of internal features c. 2-4m inside the inner edge of the ditch suggests that it may have had an inner bank. The interior was divided into three plots by linear gullies and slot-trenches. There were numerous pits and post-holes in the interior as well as the remains of three bowl furnaces and a large cereal-drying kiln. Three square structures represented by clusters of post-holes at the four corners, perhaps indicating phases of re-building, were c. 4m inside the moat at S. Some pits are Iron Age in date as a C14 determination of 129-390 cal. AD was returned from one. A slightly later date is represented by two short gullies and five pits at the NW edge of the excavated area that produced a C14 date of 446-650 cal. AD (Collins 2009, 12-4). The enclosure was established in the early medieval period and the three moats returned most of the artefacts recovered, including a pseudo-penannular ring-broach of seventh to tenth century date, two glass beads, a copper alloy ring and another fragment of a ring. Each of the three ditches was re-cut at least three times, and two C14 dates of 620-780 cal. AD and 660-870 cal. AD were returned from the final re-cut of the S fosse. Two curvilinear gullies cordon off the NW part of the interior and four phases can be recognized in their establishment in the seventh century. Their courses intersect at one point and only the later inner one has an entrance gap at E, which was maintained in subsequent iterations. The narrower outer gully (Wth 0.6m; D 0.35m) produced a C14 date of 490-650 cal. AD from a hazelnut shell at its base, while its final re-cutting provided a radiocarbon date of 620-870 cal. AD. The corral created by these gullies was devoid of structures, apart from occasional pits and gullies and two possible wind-breaks, although one of these post-dates the corral as it is built over its outer gully. The W part of the enclosure, which remains unexcavated, was cordoned off from the E by another N-S gully running S from the outer curved gully. (ibid. 21-26, 34-6) Outside the coral there were structures in the S part of the enclosure. There is a cereal drying kiln, evident as an oval feature (dims 4.86m N-S; 0.85-1.62m E-W), inside the SE angle of the enclosure and it may have had a stone-lined flue. Its clay-lined base was fire-reddened and it was filled with four layers of silt which yielded carbonised cereal remains that produced a C14 date of 690-890 cal. AD. The kiln was disturbed by a tree-bole but it may have been dumb-bell shaped with the drying chamber at the higher S end. (ibid. 27-8) Immediately W of the cereal drying kiln was a square structure (dims c. 4m x 4m) defined by clusters of post-holes at each corner except the SE where they would have been destroyed by a later ditch. At its centre a single bowl furnace provided a C14 date of 720-970 cal. AD. Seven small pits, including two other bowl furnaces, close to the S ditch are thought to be related. (ibid. 28-30). Just 6m to the W of this structure a line of three overlapping structures are thought to be nearly contemporary, although not closely dated. At the E end of the line a square structure (int. dims 4m x 4m) is represented by clusters of post-holes at every corner except the SW. It overlaps a rectangular structure (dims c. 5m x c. 4m) to its W which occupies the area of the two other bowl furnaces. This structure was defined by arcs of posts to the E and W of what might have been an open space between the structure to the E and the circular structure (diam. c. 3-4m) to its W that is defined by nine post-holes with a possible entrance at SW (ibid. 28-34). There were clusters of post-holes throughout the interior of the enclosure but no patterns were discerned, although they are thought to be generally contemporary with the structures. There were also some pits and two hearths that could not be directly associated with the structures (ibid. 34-8). Of the 174 artefacts recovered 66 were prehistoric lithics, mostly waste flint and chert, and late medieval wares in the upper fill of the fosses or moats are thought to be intrusive. Two complete cable type glass beads were recovered from the primary fills of the enclosure ditches, and two other fragments of glass beads were also found. Early medieval artefacts are few, but a lignite bracelet and a piece of amber are significant discoveries. Amongst thirty nine metal artefacts were a copper alloy ring-pin and two copper alloy pins (ibid. 48-50), although not all from sealed contexts. There were four sherds of early medieval E-ware, but most of the pottery recovered were local wares from the high medieval period including Dublin wares (13th to early 14th century), and sixteen sherds are post-medieval in date, from the 18th century and later. There was clearly prehistoric activity in the area, but in form the enclosure would be classified without question as a high medieval moated site. The contexts of the early medieval material are very secure, and the radiocarbon determinations demonstrate conclusively that the enclosure was constructed and used in the middle to later part of the first millennium AD. There is no evidence of occupation, although this may await discovery in the W part of the monument that was outside the road-take but all the structures appear to have been devoted to industrial activity, particularly metal-working. See the attached site plan from Collins (2009, fig. 10; N at top) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 29 June 2021

• ME043-059001 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  There is a cereal drying kiln inside the SE angle of the rectangular enclosure (ME043-045----) evident as an oval feature (dims 4.86m N-S; 0.85-1.62m E-W), and it may have had a stone-lined flue. Its clay-lined base was fire-reddened and it was filled with four layers of silt which yielded carbonised cereal remains that produced a C14 date of 690-890 cal. AD. The kiln was disturbed by a tree-bole but it may have been dumb-bell shaped with the drying chamber at the higher S end. (Collins 2009, 27-8) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 29 June 2021

• ME043-059002 Metalworking site
  Description

  There is a cereal-drying kiln (ME043-059001-) in the SE angle of the rectangular enclosure (ME043-059----). Immediately W of it was a square structure (dims c. 4m x 4m) defined by clusters of post-holes at each corner except the SE where they would have been destroyed by a later ditch. At its centre was a single bowl furnace in the form of a pit (diam. 0.45m; D 0.15m) with a fire-reddened base and a vitrified clay lining. Two fills of silty and clayey sand with charcoal inclusions filled the pit, from which a sample of birch charcoal provided a C14 date of 720-970 cal. AD. Seven small pits, including three other bowl furnaces, are thought to be related. One furnace (diam. 0.62m; D 0.38m) with vertical sides has an oxidized edge and four fills with charcoal and metal slag. Another pit (diam. 0.5m; D 0.28m) with vertical, oxidised sides had four fills with charcoal and slag. A third pit (diam. 0.22m; D 0.05m) with an oxidised edge has a single fill of sandy clay and slag. These were close together within the central of three overlapping structures inside the S moat of the enclosure. (Collins 2009, 28-30) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 29 June 2021

• ME043-060 Ring-ditch
  Description

  Located on level ground at the bottom of a N-facing slope. Archaeological testing (06E1231) by A. Collins (2008, 15) in advance of a realignment of the R158 road identified archaeological features that were subsequently excavated (07E0164) as Site 2 by the same archaeologist (excavations.ie 2007:1393). This is a small circular area (int. diam. 3.5m; ext. diam. 5.5-6m) defined by a rounded ditch (max. Wth 1.1m; max. D 0.6m). The ditch had six fills including silts at the base while orange-brown sandy clays with moderate inclusions of charcoal, burnt bone and pebbles occupied most of the ditch. There were two lenses of black charcoal-rich clay with burnt bone within the ditch. The burnt human bone was from at least one young individual of indeterminate sex, and a red sandstone bead was recovered from the topmost fill. There was a single stakehole at NE, and a shallow pit (diam. 0.74m; D 0.4m) inside the W edge of the ditch was filled with an orange – brown silty clay, but no artefacts or bone was recovered from it. An E-W ditch clips the N edge of the ring-ditch and is possibly early medieval in date but a large NW-SE ditch through the centre produced modern artefacts. A sample from one of the dark lenses in the barrow’s ditch produced a C14 date of 360-50 cal. BC, while a sample from the topmost fill yielded a date of 180 cal. BC – 10 cal. AD. (Collins 2009) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 29 June 2021

Architectural heritage

• Summerhill House, demesne walls/gates/railings, 1720–1740 · Regional interest
  Description

  Ashlar limestone gate piers and walls, c.1730, with modern steel gates. Comprising of pair of square ashlar limestone piers supporting pair of gates, flanked by pairs of ashlar limestone gate piers to pedestrian gates. Ashlar limestone curved walls, terminated by ashlar limestone piers.

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 10 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 Summerhill Demesne.

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 Summerhill Demesne with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Meath.

Name

Summerhill Demesne

Area

3,373,457 m² (337.35 ha, 833.6 acres)

Civil parish

Laracor, and its townlands

Barony

Moyfenrath Lower

Electoral division

Summerhill, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Summerhill electoral division: 1,453 people in 504 households; 66% of households own their home; 33% of homes were built since 2001; 8% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Agher, Drumlargan, Moy, Springvalley, Summerhill

Placenames

Summerhill Demesne 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.