Carrigafoyle

Area

116,143 m² (11.61 ha, 28.7 acres)

Buildings

6 buildings touch it. Their footprint covers 1,518 m².

Zoning

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

Townland

Carrigafoyle

Planning applications on this parcel

No planning application touches this parcel 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

• Special Area of Conservation: Lower River Shannon SAC 002165
• Special Protection Area: River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries SPA 004077
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Ballylongford Bay 001332

Recorded monuments around it

This parcel is in the zone of notification of 9 recorded monuments.

• KE002-041 Enclosure
  Description

  This irregularly shaped enclosure is not marked on the OS maps, but it does show up clearly on aerial photographs taken by the Survey in 1987, where it appears as an unusual pear shape. Very difficult to determine on the ground, it measures 37.6m N-S and rises to .6m high. It is cut on the S and E sides by fieldbanks, thus making measurements difficult to obtain. The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 1020. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 3 August 2013

• KE002-042 Castle - ringwork
  Description

  This site is situated in a large pastoral field. Not marked on any edition of the OS maps, it is a large circular enclosure, very much levelled but still distinguishable. The circular area is enclosed by a low wide earthen bank, and measures N-S 51m internally and 61m N-S externally, and it is 4-7m wide at the base of the bank. The external height of the bank above the surrounding land measures .4m and the internal height a maximum of .4m. This site is locally thought to be a Killeen (KE002-042001-). NE of the site lies Carrigafoyle Church (KE002-043001-) and Carrigafoyle Castle (KE002-045----). The above description is derived from Toal C. (compiler) ‘The North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority. (1995) no. 840. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 18 June 2013

• KE002-042001 Children's burial ground
  Description

  According to Toal (1995, 213) the ringwork site here (KE002-042----) is locally thought to be a Killeen. Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 18 June 2013

• KE002-043001 Church
  Description

  Church (in ruins). This church is situated on slightly elevated land to the W of Carrigafoyle Castle (KE002-045----). It has a rectangular shape measuring 20.3m x 8.2m externally, with walls 1m thick. On the N wall, 2.8m from the W gable, there is a narrow slit window formed of cut limestone and measuring .2m x .8m. There is a doorway in this wall, 7.5m from the W gable, which is formed of cut limestone in the pointed style; it measures 1m wide and 2.2m at its highest point. The S wall also contains a doorway, 6.2m from the W gable. Formed of cut limestone in the pointed style, it measures 1.2m in width and 2.2m at its highest point. In the interior of the S doorway are the remains of a water stoup. The S wall contains four windows in the pointed style and formed of cut limestone. The E gable contains one window of cut limestone in the pointed style. It was divided into two lights by a stone mullion, but this feature exists no longer. The W gable contains a quadrangular window of cut limestone, measuring .2m x 1.3m. The W gable also contains a small, now-disfigured window which is known as a 'leper hole'. The W gable would appear to be divided into two storeys. This second storey could have been the sacristy, where the vestments and vessels were kept. There would also appear to have been a belfry leading from the top of the W gable. An enclosure (KE002-043002-) would appear to extend out of the S wall near the W gable and from the E gable. The former travels for 22m before curving S and then W. A 7.6m wide gap can be noted to the S. This enclosure shows up quite clearly on aerial photographs. It was possibly a parish church for the O'Connor Kerry clan. The construction of this church would appear to be coeval with the nearby castle (KE002-045----), thus giving it a 15th century date. See attached plan of Carrigafoyle Church taken from North Kerry Archaeological Survey (Toal 1995, 237). The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 927. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 3 August 2013

• KE002-043002 Enclosure
  Description

  Church KE002-043001- is situated on slightly elevated land to the W of Carrigafoyle Castle (KE002-045----). An enclosure (KE002-043002-) would appear to extend out of the S wall near the W gable and from the E gable. The former travels for 22m before curving S and then W. A 7.6m wide gap can be noted to the S. This enclosure shows up quite clearly on aerial photographs. It was possibly a parish church for the O'Connor Kerry clan. The construction of this church would appear to be coeval with the nearby castle (KE002-045----), thus giving it a 15th century date. The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 927. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 3 August 2013

• KE002-044 Enclosure
  Description

  Situated immediately NE of Carrigafoyle Church (927), this site consists of a sub-circular area enclosed by a low, wide bank. It has been much levelled and is now barely perceptible. The enclosing bank is only visible from the NW through W to S to SE, and appears elsewhere only as a slight rise. The bank is on average 5m wide and rises to .4m high. A slight fosse can be noticed to the W, where it is 2m wide and .2m deep. The internal diameter is 17m N-S and 17m E-W. The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 1019. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 3 August 2013

• KE002-045 Castle - tower house
  Description

  National Monument No. 349. Carrigafoyle (Carraig an Phoill/Rock of the Hole or Pool) Castle, in the barony of Iraghticonnor (Oireacht Uí Chonchúir), parish of Aghavallen (Achadh Mhálainn) was built in the late 15th century by Connor Liath O'Connor Kerry, the son of John O'Connor Kerry who built the nearby Lislaughtin Abbey [KE003-016----]. Carrigafoyle Castle stands on inter-tidal zone of the estuary on the S side of the River Shannon to the E of Ballylongford Bay and S of Carrig Island (Island Begg/Little Island). Country House known as Carrigafoyle Castle (later renamed Killelton Farm Yard) which was the residence of the Sandes family stands 160m to SSW. Medieval church ruins (KE002-043001-) and enclosure (KE002-044----) 100m to W. The siting of this castle was described by Joyce (1870, 397) as ‘Carrigafoyle, an island in the Shannon, near Ballylongford, Kerry, with the remains of Carrigafoyle castle near the shore, the chief seat of the O’Conors Kerry, is called in the Annals, Carraig-an-Phoill, the rock of the hole; and it took its name from a deep hole in the river immediately under the castle’. In the late 16th century Carrigafoyle Castle came into the possession of James Fitzmaurice through his marriage with the widow of O’Conor Kerry whose family were the ancestral owners of the castle. In 1573 the Calendar of State Papers recorded that James Fitzmaurice, ‘has put away his wife for amorous letters written by her to Edw.[ard] Butler, married the relict of O’Conor Kerry, daughter of Sir Donnell O’Brien, and taken possession of Carrigafoyle, Co. Kerry’ (Hamilton 1860, 524). The castle was described in 1756 as; ‘the castle of Carrigfoile, formerly the chief seat of O’Connor Kerry, built in a romantic and strong situation in a small island, which stands in a bastion formed by the river Shannon. It was defended on the land side, opposite the island, by double walls, the outermost having square flankers, and the inward round bastions, built in the infancy of the art of fortification. At the back of the castle, is an island which defended it from being battered by shipping in the river’ (Smith 1756, 225-6). Carrigafoyle Castle was described by the Ordnance Survey in 1841 as follows; ‘This castle is situated on the west side of an arm of the Shannon (that extends to Ballylongford) about 6 paces from a channel or Esk which lies between it and Carrick Island and the tide surrounds it at every spring tide. The walls are in good preservation except the west side which is destroyed except fourteen feet of its height. The castle measures on the outside 60 feet [18.3m] from east to west and 33 ft. [10m] from north to south, and its walls are 8 ft [2.4m] thick and about 95 ft [29m] in height and so well grouted that the walls may be said to be as solid as rocks. The doorway was on the east end at a considerable height from the ground (so as that the tide could not reach it) but it is now disfigured and built up with modern mason work. This fabric consisted of six stories and two if its floors rested on stone arches, now much injured. It had 40 small windows on three sides remaining, all formed of chiselled cut lime stone, and some of them pointed, some rectangular and some round-headed. All its quoin stones are also chiselled lime one. Of the walls mentioned by Dr. Smith as defending this castle on the land side, only a part on one remains 100 feet [30.5m] in length 12 ft. [3.6m] in height and 6 ft [1.8m] in thickness and very well grouted. None of the towers or bastions remains’ (RIA MSS 14/C/30/3(v-vi) ). The castle consists of a single tower of five storeys, which rises to a height of over 24.4m and is constructed of small stones neatly laid. It measures 9.5m x 17.8m externally and the walls are over 2m thick. The second and fourth floors were covered by vaults, and with the breach in the wall on the landward side the fourth floor high-pointed vault can be clearly seen. Narrow intra-mural chambers were constructed in the haunches of the vault. The main door, which was at the E end, was situated high above the ground so that the tide could not reach it. It is now disfigured, but was constructed of cut limestone in the pointed style. Access to the upper floors was gained by a spiral staircase in the SE angle. The doors which lead from the spiral staircase were situated near the corners of the rooms and there would have been a recess in the room wall beside them into which the wooden door would have fitted when it was opened inwards. On the N, S, and E side 4 windows remain, all of which were formed of cut limestone. Some were pointed, others rectangular or round-headed. Originally the castle formed an island and was fortified by two curtain walls. The inner one, which enclosed the castle, had rounded turrets, while the outer wall, which enclosed three sides to the N, S, and W had square towers at the corners. The area between the bawns was used as a dock for boats. The inner wall has completely disappeared, but the landward side of the outer wall can still be seen. It measures 21m long and 2m thick before extending into the square turret measuring 16m x 4m, which was used as a dovecote (KE002-045002-). The illustration of the castle and bawn in Pacata Hibernia (1633) shows this unique defence system of Carrigafoyle Castle. An Inquisition held at Limerick City in 1542 by Gerald Aylmer, Chief Justiciar of Ireland, recorded complaints about 'O'Conoughour of Carigfoyle did take of John Streech [Stritch] Fitzgeorge for his ship coming to that citty 3s. 4d. and 20 gallouns of wyne, and soe of every ship that cometh to that towns with wyne’ (Lenihan 1866, 91). A letter written in 1573 by Nicholas Walsh to Lord Deputy Fitzwilliam about James Fitzmaurice who was 'very earnest with the widow Honor O'Brien for her castle of Carrigafoyle which I trust to prevent by dealing with her so as he may be frustrated of his hope' (O'Dowd 2000, 420-1). The following year in 1574, Gerald Fitzgerald, earl of Desmond granted to James Fitzmaurice of Desmond 'the mortgage the castle of Glancarbery [Glin], Tarbert and Carrigafoyle with the lands appertaining. James fulfilling and performing unto me all such covenants and promises as passed between me and him. Provided always that James shall be good to the heir of Carrigafoyle and that if I should (God forbid) miscarry that he shall deliver the said castle of Carrigafoyle to O'Connor Kerry's son who presently stands in my ward’ (O'Dowd 2000, 562). The Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle by the Earl of Ormond and the Elizabethan army on the 25th March 1579 [1580] was described in a letter written from Carrigafoyle on the 29th of March 1579 [1580] as follows; 'On the 25th, having met here with all the shipping, I encamped before this place, where Ormond came to me two day's after. As the house was circuited with the sea, it was not to be attempted but with the cannon; and because in the ships that brought the ordnance the victuals lay upon the pieces, I was forced to spend three or four days before I could unlade and plant the battery. The ward [KE002-045001-] consisted of 16 Spaniards and 50 others under one Captain Julian, who reported himself to be an excellent engineer, and undertook the keeping of it at the request of the Countess of Desmond, as appears by a Spanish letter written in her name by Doctor Sanders. They railed against her Majesty, and declared that they kept the castle [Carrigafoyle] for the King of Spain. I planted the battery so as to make the fall of the house to fill the ditch of the barbican. We battered it on Tuesday for six hours, and this day from morning till two of the clock after noon, before the house fell, but in the fall, the ditch and flankers being choked, it became forthwith assaultable. Captain Mackeworth entered the outer banne [bawn], and was master of it presently. The Spaniards retired to a turret upon the wall of the barbican, and some into the vaults. Some of the Irish and one

• KE002-045001 Bawn
  Description

  Carrigafoyle (Carraig an Phoill) Castle (KE002-045----) was built in the late 15th, early 16th century by Connor Liath O'Connor Kerry, the son of John O'Connor Kerry who built the nearby Lislaughtin Abbey [KE003-016----]. It consists of a single tower of five storeys, which rises to a height of over 24.4m and is constructed of small stones neatly laid. It measures 9.5m x 17.8m externally and the walls are over 2m thick. Originally the castle formed an island and was fortified by two curtain walls. The inner one, which enclosed the castle, had rounded turrets, while the outer wall, which enclosed three sides to the N, S, and W had square towers at the corners. The area between the bawns was used as a dock for boats. The inner wall has completely disappeared, but the landward side of the outer wall can still be seen. It measures 21m long and 2m thick before extending into the square turret measuring 16m x 4m, which would appear to have been used as a dovecote (KE002-045002-). The illustration in Pacata Hibernia (1633) shows this unique defence system of Carrigafoyle Castle. In 1580 John O'Connor fortified his castle against the Elizabethan forces under Sir William Pelham, with a garrison of 50 Irish and 19 Spaniards under the command of an Italian engineer named Julio. However, it was during this period that the castle saw the first effective use of artillery fire-power in Kerry. Pelham set up cannons on the mainland and on ships on the Shannon, and so bombarded the castle that it was stormed after only two days. All survivors were hanged or put to the sword. O'Connor surrendered it in 1600 to Lord President Carew, after which it was granted by the Crown to Sir Charles Wilmot. O'Connor Kerry was given land in Clare by the Earl of Thomond but in 1601, about the time of the Kinsale landing, he retook the castle, slaying the English garrison. O'Connor reoccupied the castle during the Cromwellian war and it was one of the last castles to fall. By 1649 the castle was finally destroyed by the Cromwellians. Carrigafoyle and much of the barony of Iraghticonnor were confirmed to the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin, by letters patent dated 14 September 1666. Castle described by Salter (2004,99) as follows; 'This fine tower partly standing 23m high lies on the shore of Ballylongford Bay. The tower is built of small stones neatly layered. It was surrounded by an inner bawn with round turrets, now destroyed, with a dock for boats between it and an outer bawn on the landward side, the loopholed 2m thick west wall of which survives, with a chamber in the chamfered-off NW corner. The tower is now only reached from the landward side because of the collapse of the upper parts at this end'. Carrigafoyle Castle is a national monument in State care (no. 349). See attached illustrations of Carrigafoyle Castle and bawn taken from Pacata Hibernia first published in 1633 Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 31 December 2021

• KE002-045002 Dovecote
  Description

  Carrigafoyle (Carraig an Phoill) Castle (KE002-045----) was built in the late 15th, early 16th century by Connor Liath O'Connor Kerry, the son of John O'Connor Kerry who built the nearby Lislaughtin Abbey (KE003-016----). Originally the castle formed an island and was fortified by two curtain walls (KE002-045001-). The inner one, which enclosed the castle, had rounded turrets, while the outer wall, which enclosed three sides to the N, S, and W had square towers at the corners. The area between the bawns was used as a dock for boats. The inner wall has completely disappeared, but the landward side of the outer wall can still be seen. It measures 21m long and 2m thick before extending into the square turret measuring 16m x 4m, which would appear to have been used as a dovecote'. Carrigafoyle Castle is a national monument in State care (no. 349). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 31 December 2021

Architectural heritage

• Kilelton Farm Yard, farmyard complex, 1840–1880 · Regional interest
  Description

  Farmyard complex, built c. 1860, originally about a courtyard, comprising farmhouse and related farm buildings. Detached four-bay two-storey house, with pitched slate roof, concrete ridge tiles, nap rendered chimneystack, plastic ports, concrete coping to gable ends, timber eaves and plastic rainwater goods. Painted nap rendered walls. Square-headed openings with stone sills and replacement timber casement windows. Replacement glazed timber panelled door. Detached ten-bay single-storey rubble stone-built range to south-east on an L-shaped plan with single-bay single-storey flat-roofed projecting bay to south-east. Pitched and hipped slate roofs, with sections of corrugated-iron, having concrete ridge tiles and cast-iron rainwater goods. Painted or lime washed random rubble stone walls. Pair of blind lunette window openings to north-east. Square-headed door openings with stone lintels and timber doors. Detached five-bay double-height corrugated-iron barrel-roofed barn building, built c. 1980, to south-west with five-bay single-storey lean-to projecting bay to front and corrugated-iron roof. Open arcade with iron pillars. Set back from road in own grounds. Gateway to east comprising pair of rendered panelled piers with finials. Landscaped grounds to site with avenue to farm yard complex.

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).

Ground and risks

Radon

At the centre of this parcel, about 1 in 10 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as low.

Terrain model

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_225 (ZIP).

Flooding

The Office of Public Works publishes its flood maps on floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, and Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland, both under 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.

Download this parcel as DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its neighbours and buildings, for a drawing program. GeoJSON, in WGS 84, suits a map, and KML opens in Google Earth.

Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. A parcel is the land of a title, not an address. The owner's name is in the Land Registry of Tailte Éireann: a copy of the folio can be ordered on landdirect.ie, for a fee.