Loughaun

63 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Loughaun, from 80 m² to 510,384 m² (51.04 ha, 126.12 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 18 neighbouring parcels touch it.

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

No zone of a development plan covers Loughaun in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply to each application.

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

No planning application touches the townland of Loughaun in the national file, which goes back to 2010.

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

No designated site (Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Natural Heritage Area or proposed one) touches the townland of Loughaun.

Recorded monuments

• OF008-040 Enclosure
  Description

  Not visible at ground level. Aerial photographs (GSI, N 534/5) shows faint outline of oval shaped enclosure. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF008-041 Cairn - unclassified
  Description

  Situated on low rise in area of undulating countryside with nearby church (OF008-045001-) and high cross (OF008-045005-) to S. Circular shaped platform measuring 8.5m E/W by 8m N/S and 0.3m high above surrounding land. There is evidence for stone kerbing on the southern side of the platform where the sheep have eroded away the top soil. The interior of the site is very even with a few loose stones scattered about. The edge of the platform is lined with hawthorn trees. The site would appear to be some form of burial site which may have had a low central mound which has now been eroded down to a flat platform. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF008-042 Crannog
  Description

  Situated on flat recently drained land in area of undulating countryside. The site of an irregular shaped mound measuring 20m N-S and about 0.7m high above surrounding land. The mound is flat on top and has no visible features with no evidence of an encircling fosse. There is damage to the Northern side of the mound where a trackway has been inserted. This site does not fall easily into any class of archaeological site, it could well be a small crannog because of its location and townland name. Described in the OS Field Name Books as an 'Ancient Fort' (OSFNB 1837-40, 238). Described by Manning in 1988 as 'This mound is situated in lowlying damp ground that has been drained for many years. It is irregular in outline, dome shaped (with no totally flat surface on top) and measures 22m E-W by 20m N-S and 1.20m high at the centre. There is no encircling ditch or bank. There is also a possibility that it may be a remarkably large and extensive fulacht fiadh' (ASI file 1988). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF008-043 Mill - corn
  Description

  18th-19th century mill located near church (OF008-045001-) and high cross (OF008-045005-). Depicted as Coleraine Flour Mill on the first edition of the OS 6-inch map. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF008-044 Burial mound
  Description

  On slight ridge in area of undulating countryside, flat topped mound (approx. H 2m; diam. 17m E-W by 15m N-S) the top of which slopes from N to S with no evidence of an enclosing fosse at base of mound. There is a 19th century mill built into the W side of the mound. According to local tradition when the mill was being built part of the mound was excavated revealing several skeletons which indicates site as a possible burial mound. Appearance of the site along with lack of enclosing fosse indicates that this is the site of a natural ridge which has been utilised as a burial mound. However its close proximity to the medieval church (OF008-045001-) and graveyard (OF008-045003-) of Tihilly may suggest that this mound may have been re-used as a possible motte in the twelfth century (Manning, Archaeological Survey of Ireland file 1988). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF008-045001 Church
  Description

  Located on a slight rise of ground in an area of undulating countryside. Present remains consists of a poorly preserved medieval church of rectangular plan (int. dims. 4.2m N-S; 10m E-W; W T 0.65m) built with roughly coursed limestone rubble which in places has a cyclopean appearance. May have reused fabric of earlier building to build surviving church (Harbison 1972, 207). Only the wall footings of the E and W walls survive. Destroyed window on S wall with no other architectural features visible. Poorly preserved high cross with round base located to the SE of church with Crucifixion and Adam and Eve scene on W face with other panels filled with interlace and animal motifs (Harbison 1972, 207). Early Christian cross inscribed graveslab beside high cross with cross potent with hollowed terminals and centre. Inscription 'or do ogain' now barely discernible. A second slab now lost had interlace expansions (Lionard Vol. 61, 113). The outline of an earth and stone bank to the N of the church may indicate graveyard boundary. To the N of the church are several unmarked upright stones, possible grave markers. A blocked up Holy well (OF008-045006-) located to the SE is now marked by a hawthorn bush (DeCourcy Williams 1897, 128-49) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF008-045002 Ecclesiastical enclosure
  Description

  Possible small enclosure or cashel that is indicated on the OS 6-inch map may be the remains of a small early-Christian ecclesiastical enclosure. According to the Archaeological Survey of Ireland files this site was inspected by Liam de Paor in 1977 and he described ' a roughly oval shaped enclosure marked on the OS 6-inch maps as a dotted line is the remains of a cashel wall an inner enclosure' (ASI file 1977). Possible cashel like enclosure may be the remains of an enclosure that predates or is contemporary with the medieval church (OF008-045001-) at Tihilly. The present remains consist of a low rise of ground indicates the existence of a levelled enclosure (approx. diam. 32m N-S; 47m E-W) that once surrounded the medieval church at Tihilly. Church was located in E quadrant of enclosure. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF008-045003 Graveyard
  Description

  Enclosing the whole church are the partial remains of a wall which is marked on the 6-inch map, this is probably the graveyard wall. There are no headstones visible but there are many protruding stones which may be grave markers. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF008-045004 Cross-slab
  Description

  The slab measures 1m in length and 0.7m in width. The cross engraved into the slab is a three line cross with a square centre. At the end of each stem of the cross there is a rectangle. The border originally surrounded the cross but is now missing in parts. There are remains of an inscription on the top right hand side of the cross that reads 'or do ogain' (Lionard 1961, 113). This slab is located approx. 1m to the Southwest of the High cross (OF008-045005-). Described by Lionard as 'The centre and terminals have rectangular sinkings on a slab from Tihilly (Co. Offaly) (Fig. 10:17)' (Lionard 1961, 113). One of a group of three early Christian cross-slabs (OF008-045007/008-) at Tihilly (Crawford 1913, 263). Described by Crawford as a 'rough slab 4ft. (1.21m) by 2 ft. 5 in. (0.73m) bearing a three-line cross with a plain square centre and rectangular extremities. A rectangular frame or panel surrrounds the cross, and a defaced inscription occupies the sinister side' (Crawford 1913, 263). Slab (a) in Crawfords catalogue of cross-slabs from Tihilly. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF008-045005 Cross - High cross
  Description

  Tihilly High Cross located to the SE of the medieval church (OF008-045001-) this high cross is in poor condition with only half of its ringed head surviving along with its circular base which is also partially destroyed. The OPW has done some restoration work to it in recent years. The cross shaft is composed of two pieces with interlace and geometric patterns carved in panels on the N, S and E faces. There are two biblical figures carved on the west face which are badly weathered and impossible to decipher. However from previous descriptions these figures consist of Adam and Eve and the Crucifixion. The cross sits on top of a circular base which has two bands carved in high relief encircling the base. The Northern portion of this base is missing along with the top and northern portion of the ringed head of the cross. The whole cross measures approx. 2.5m high by 0.2m thick by 0.3m wide. Described by Harbison as a 'High Cross near a church (OF008-045001-) standing on a round base. Adam and Eve, and a Crucifixion can be seen on the west face, and many of the other panels are filled up with good interlacing, geometrical and animal motifs. Nearby is also an Early-Christian grave-slab (OF008-045004-)' (Harbison 1970, 207). A 3D model of the high cross can be downloaded from Offaly County Council website at www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Heritage/Archaeology/3D_Surveying_of_Archaeological_Monuments/ In 1992 the cross was recorded by Harbison (1992, vol. 1, 172-3) and described as following: 'The cross is much damaged, but enough remains to show that it was a ringed cross with roll mouldings at the edges. The panels are divided by mouldings which come in horizontally from the sides and double back on themselves without meeting each other in the middle. The present height of the cross is 1.80m high, and it was probably about 65cm across the arms originally. The almost straight shaft is 35cm wide and 20cm thick. It is mounted on a round base 55cm high and with a diameter of about 88cm; it has two horizontal roll mouldings on the bottom, and one on the top. EAST FACE E1 : Two birds with interlocking necks, and with a human head between them on the bottom of the panel. E2 : Interlace E3 : A human interlace, with one head in each corner and the legs meeting in the middle. E4 : A spiral fret-pattern. Head: At the centre of the head there is a rounded bearing a spiral joined to others surrounding it. There is interlace, possibly of an animal variety, on the arms and on the upper part of the shaft. Ring : it is no longer possible to make out the decoration of the ring. SOUTH SIDE S1 : Interlace S2 : Two affronted upright animals with crossed necks, comparable to those on the shaft of the south side of Saints Patrick and Columba's Cross at Kells. S3 : An S-spiral design. S4 : Interlace. End of arm : Fragmentary panel of fretwork. WEST FACE W 1 : A winged griffin, with head to the left, and possibly facing slightly outwards. W 2 : An interlace of four circular devices. W 3 : ADAM AND EVE KNOWING THEIR NAKEDNESS. - Adam and Eve both hide their nakedness as they approach one another in half-profile under the arcading branches of the apple tree. W 4 : Interlace of four circular devices with an extra band of interlace beneath. Head : THE CRUCIFIXION. - Christ stands in a tight-fitting garment possibly with his legs bound. His arms hand down at a slight angle. To the left is Stephaton holding up the vinegar on the end of a pole, while on the right, Longinus pierces Christ's armpit with his lance. Above Christ's head there is an unidentified object or figure (a bird or an angel?). There may possibly be a small figure at the end of the surviving arm. NORTH SIDE N1 : Above a 'plinth' panel, seemingly undecorated, there is a panel of interlace. N 2 : C-shaped spirals of pelta-type above one another. N 3 : An irregular but deeply modelled animal interlace, with the animals facing upwards. N 4 : A two-strand interlace. The end of the arm is broken. Gable. The gable of the cross is at present kept in the Department of Archaeology in University College, Dublin. It is 38cm high (including its tenon below), 29cm wide and 18cm thick. It is house-shaped and has flat broad mouldings at the corners, the finials consisting of a pelta-shaped with each end curving up into a spiral. There may be a trace of shingles on the sloping 'roof'.' The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF008-045006 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  Disused blocked up holy well to the E of church (OF008-045) and beside high cross (OF008-045) marked by a loose pile of stones which cover the well. There is a hawthorn bush which usually accompanies a Holy well beside the pile of stones. No other features visible. Not marked on any edition of the OS 6-inch maps. (De Courcy Williams 1897, 128-49) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF008-045007 Cross-slab
  Description

  Described by Lionard as 'Another Tihilly slab now lost, had interlace in the expansions' (Lionard 1961, 113). Not visible at ground level. The precise location of this cross-slab is unknown. One of a group of three cross-slabs (OF008-045004/008-) that were located on the early Christian monastery of Tihilly (OF008-045001-) (Crawford 1913, 263). Macalister recorded the state of the stone as Williams had found it: `It was broken into several pieces, of which the top fragment could not be found in 1897'. He was unable to find the stone himself, when visiting it in January, 1943 (Macalister 1949, 42). Rfragmentary traces of an inscription were recorded from the slab which read --]INND[-- (Macalister 1949, 42). Described by Crawford as a ' slab in which the centre and extremities of the cross are filled by interlaced knots. A defaces inscription runs across the upper part. The slab is broken into three pieces, and the top is missing' (Crawford 1913, 263). Slab (b) in Crawfords catalogue of cross-slabs from Tihilly. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

Architectural heritage

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

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 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 Loughaun.

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 Loughaun with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Offaly.

Name

Loughaun · An Lochán

Area

2,238,560 m² (223.86 ha, 553.16 acres)

Civil parish

Durrow, and its townlands

Barony

Ballycowan

Electoral division

Silverbrook, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Silverbrook electoral division: 822 people in 266 households; 87% of households own their home; 38% of homes were built since 2001; 7% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 1% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Aharney, Ballykilmurry, Coleraine, Coniker, Coolnahely, Kildangan, Tara

Placenames

Loughaun 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.