Killoughter
Townland in the civil parish of Rathnew, barony of Newcastle, Co. Wicklow; in Irish Cill Uachtair
Parcel 1265573
- Area
- 381,052 m² (38.11 ha, 94.16 acres)
- Buildings
- 7 buildings touch it, 2,154 m² on the ground
- 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
- Killoughter
Planning applications on this parcel
14 Jul 2026Refused
mobile home for her personal use, effluent treatment unit and ancillary works
Permission, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 2660629
18 Jun 2026N/a
mobile home for personal use, effluent treatment unit and ancillary works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2660552
6 Apr 2021Conditional
construction of a new 230 square metre farm building and hard standing, for agricultural use as a sheep shed, together with all necessary ancillary works, drainage and fencing
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 21373
2 Mar 2021N/a
construction of a new 230 square metre farm building and hard standing, for agricultural use as a sheep shed, together with all necessary ancillary works, drainage and fencing
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 21214
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 this parcel.
Recorded monuments around it
This parcel is in the zone of notification of 6 recorded monuments.
- WI019-024001 Church
Description
Situated on a gentle W-facing slope. Described in the OS Letters as a ruined church (dims. c. 9.6m x 4.2m), of which only parts of the S wall and E gable still stood; the remains of a door were visible in the W gable, part of a window survived in the E gable, and there were two small windows in the S wall. They also state that the rectangular graveyard (WI019-024002-) was no longer in use (O'Flanagan 1928, 87). Portions of a small, extremely overgrown, rectangular structure survive, presumably representing the church (dims. c. 8.9m x 5.4m; wall T c. 0.8-1m). It appears to have had a W door, but no other architectural features are visible. An eighteenth-century headstone occurs inside the E gable. According to Swan (1996, 7) ‘this site is also identified by Ronan (ibid) as an early site. Price (1967, 417) suggests that it may date from the period of Christianisation of the Scandinavian settlers of this region and may thus have been associated with the major settlement of Wicklow during this period. No saint's name can readily be associated with this site but it is also suggested that the name Kiladerrig which occurs in the adjacent townland, may have been an earlier name for this site. The ancient name of Kilbla (now Ballybla) is also strongly associated with this district and is probably derived from another early British Saint, Blá or Bláan, whose name survived in the present townland of that name (ibid, 409). It is not unlikely that all three names refer to the same site, now represented by the ruined church and graveyard of Killoughter, since all three occur within a few hundred metres of each other’. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 29 November 2012
- WI019-024002 Graveyard
Description
Situated on a gentle W-facing slope. Described in the OS Letters of 1838-40 as a ruined church (WI019-024001-), of which only parts of the S wall and E gable still stood; the remains of a door were visible in the W gable, part of a window survived in the E gable, and there were two small windows in the S wall. They also state that the rectangular graveyard (dims. c. 50m NW-SE; 35m NE-SW) was no longer in use (O'Flanagan 1928, 87). An eighteenth-century headstone occurs inside the E gable of the church. Date of upload: 29 November 2012
- WI019-024003 Industrial site
Description
Archaeological licence no. 00E0490 An assessment of a proposed single-storey dwelling and associated services, at Killoughter, Co. Wicklow, was undertaken between 10 and 14 July 2000. The foundation trenches of the dwelling had been excavated without an archaeological presence on site. Once the client became aware of the archaeological condition placed on the development, our offices were contacted with a view to assessing the archaeological potential of the site. The site was visited in order to inspect the level of excavation and to determine whether any archaeological material was exposed in any of the sections. A foundation trench 1m wide and 0.7m deep had been excavated around the perimeter of the proposed dwelling (which measured 11m north-south x 8m). In addition to this, a further east-west-orientated foundation trench, 8m long and 0.7m deep, had been excavated through the centre of the floor-plan. A perpendicular foundation trench had been excavated at the centre point on the northern side of the central foundation. This was c. 3.5m long, 1m wide and 0.7m deep. Upon inspection it was apparent that significant medieval deposits had been disturbed within the central area of the proposed dwelling and that these deposits spread over an area c. 5.3m east-west x 5m. These deposits were concentrated within several cut features that may have formed part of a large trapezoidal structure. The production of lime on the site, coupled with several burnt deposits, suggests that it may have been industrial in nature. The main phase of activity on site was represented by the accumulation of at least 0.3m of medieval stratigraphy in the central area. All of these deposits were confined within two to three cut features. A large, burnt, rectangular cut, C15, orientated north-west/south-east, which cut natural geology, was recorded between 0.2m (east) and 0.5m below PGL. It was located in the central part of the easternmost foundation trench, where it ran beyond the limit of the development. Both exposed edges of the pit were lined by a thin layer of charcoal and had been fire-reddened through intense burning. The second major cut feature recorded, C17, at the western end of the central foundation trench, was orientated north-east/south-west and cut natural geology. It was recorded at a point 0.3m below PGL. Its full extent was not clear as it had been completely removed during the excavation of the north-south foundation trench to the north of the central trench. A spread of archaeological clays suggested that C17 extended north to a point where it met another truncated cut, C25, which had been almost completely removed during the excavation of the foundation trenches. The fact that all the medieval stratigraphy was contained within C15, C17 and C25 would imply that they functioned as retaining features. Whether they formed a single structure remains unclear. In summary, it can be stated that the site at Killoughter had been formally occupied during the medieval period. This activity was concentrated within several cut features that may have formed part of a larger, trapezoidal structure. The production of lime on the site, coupled with several burnt deposits, suggests that it may have been industrial in nature. A fuller interpretation of the site would be aided by further hand-excavation (Bennett 2002, 365-6). Date of upload: 29 November 2012
- WI019-040001 Moated site
Description
Situated on a gentle E-facing slope. A series of low earthworks defining two conjoined rectangular areas now incorporated into farm buildings. Further earthworks consisting of field enclosures and platforms, and linear features extend to the E, N and W (Swan 1996, 8-10). Described by Simpson (1994, 223) as ‘at Killoughter was a second ward site, where the partial remains of a large moated site still survive. It appears to have had two platforms side by side, the southern site being the earliest. This has a small internal bank on the eastern side measuring 80cm high with a possible external bank on the northern side. A small spring feeds the moat. The site to the north is much larger in area and was extended by enlarging the moat. The external bank was continued on the eastern side where the surviving moat is 7.5 metres in width.' A farmhouse occupies the platform of the northern site but the moat, although not complete, is still water-filled in places. It is up to 8.5 metres at its widest with a recorded depth of 1.7 metres. Killoughter probably represents a moated defended farmstead which was enlarged in the mid-fourteenth century when the site was used as a ward. The neighbouring ward castle of Kilmartin, because of its small size, may have proved inadequate to cope with large garrisons’. According to Swan (1996, 11-12) ‘the extensive area of parkland to the south, west and east of Killoughter House best preserves the complexes of earthworks and features (WI019-040002-), since it is likely that less intensive cultivation has taken place here in recent centuries. Thus at the base of series of terraces which may be identified south of Killoughter House, a well defined linear feature can be traced for a considerable distance. This appears to correspond closely to the type of feature generally identified as a sunken routeway or roadway which is a standard feature of such deserted medieval settlements. This feature identified on the air photo as (A) can also be traced in the fields to the south-west and to the north-east from here. To the south of this, a series of rectangular features, marked (B), (C) and (D) may also be traced. To the north-east certain of these features may be identified close to Castlegrange. This site, deriving its name from the abbey established in Wicklow town during the reign of Henry III, 1216-1272 (Price 1936, 44) is identical in form and function, to the other moated sites referred to in this study. It still retains extensive remnants of its water-filled moats as well as fragments of masonry. The rectangular features most clearly associated with Killoughter may well have extended in some manner almost as far as Castlegrange (See Air Photo, Fig. 6, Features (E), (F), (G), (H). Likewise Courtfoyle (WI019-013----), another defended moated site, lying north-west from Killoughter (WI019-040001-) appears to have a complex of comparable associated features extending towards the south with some possible features located to the east (Refer Air Photo, Fig. 6, Feature (I), (J), (K). Some, if not most of these may well represent a pattern of field enclosures earlier than and underlying the modern field system. Certain of these features however are most reasonably interpreted as habitation or settlement sites of a type associated with a medieval settlement. It is probable that these all form part of a single extensive medieval settlement associated with and focused on the major defended site of Killoughter (WI019-040001-)and its adjacent church (WI019-024001-)’. Limited archaeological test trenching was carried out in 2000 in the fields between the church (WI019-024001-) and the moated site (WI019-040001-) as part of work associated with the Hollybrook to Wicklow Gas Pipeline (Excavation Licence 00E0690). This work confirmed the existence of linear earthworks although no dating evidence was found. (Tobin 2002, 366) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 23 January 2013 Revised by: Caimin O'Brien and Claire Breen See linked image with aerial photograph taken from Swan, D. L. 1996 Archaeological assessment of area of proposed development at Killoughter, Co. Wicklow. Unpublished report. National Monuments Section, Heritage and Planning Division, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin.
- WI019-040002 Field system
Description
Situated on a gentle E-facing slope. A series of low earthworks defining two conjoined rectangular areas now incorporated into farm buildings. Further earthworks consisting of field enclosures and platforms, and linear features extend to the E, N and W. According to Swan (1996, 11-12) ‘the extensive area of parkland to the south, west and east of Killoughter House best preserves the complexes of earthworks and features, since it is likely that less intensive cultivation has taken place here in recent centuries. Thus at the base of series of terraces which may be identified south of Killoughter House, a well defined linear feature can be traced for a considerable distance. This appears to correspond closely to the type of feature generally identified as a sunken routeway or roadway which is a standard feature of such deserted medieval settlements. This feature identified on the air photo as (A) can also be traced in the fields to the south-west and to the north-east from here. To the south of this, a series of rectangular features, marked (B), (C) and (D) may also be traced. To the north-east certain of these features may be identified close to Castlegrange. This site, deriving its name from the abbey established in Wicklow town during the reign of Henry III, 1216-1272 (Price 1936, 44) is identical in form and function, to the other moated sites referred to in this study. It still retains extensive remnants of its water-filled moats as well as fragments of masonry. The rectangular features most clearly associated with Killoughter may well have extended in some manner almost as far as Castlegrange (See Air Photo, Fig. 6, Features (E), (F), (G), (H). Likewise Courtfoyle (WI019-013----), another defended moated site, lying north-west from Killoughter (WI019-040001-) appears to have a complex of comparable associated features extending towards the south with some possible features located to the east (Refer Air Photo, Fig. 6, Feature (I), (J), (K). Some, if not most of these may well represent a pattern of field enclosures earlier than and underlying the modern field system. Certain of these features however are most reasonably interpreted as habitation or settlement sites of a type associated with a medieval settlement. It is probable that these all form part of a single extensive medieval settlement associated with and focused on the major defended site of Killoughter (WI019-040001-)and its adjacent church (WI019-024001-)’. Limited archaeological test trenching was carried out in 2000 in the fields between the church (WI019-024001-) and the moated site (WI019-040001-) as part of work associated with the Hollybrook to Wicklow Gas Pipeline (Excavation Licence 00E0690). This work confirmed the existence of linear earthworks although no dating evidence was found. (Tobin 2002, 366) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 23 January 2013 Revised by: Caimin O'Brien and Claire Breen See linked image with aerial photograph taken from Swan, D. L. 1996 Archaeological assessment of area of proposed development at Killoughter, Co. Wicklow. Unpublished report. National Monuments Section, Heritage and Planning Division, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin.
- WI019-042 Field system
Description
Situated on a gentle E-facing slope. A pattern of field enclosures covering an area of c. 10.5 hectares visible as low earthworks on an Ordnance Survey aerial photograph. (Swan 1996, fig. 6) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 29 November 2012 See linked image with aerial photograph taken from Swan, D. L. 1996 Archaeological assessment of area of proposed development at Killoughter, Co. Wicklow. Unpublished report. National Monuments Section, Heritage and Planning Division, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin.
Architectural heritage
No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands on this parcel.
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
- About 1 in 20 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
- LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_3387 (ZIP).
- 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.
Download this parcel: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its neighbours and buildings, for a drawing program; GeoJSON, in WGS 84, for a map; KML, for 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.
- Area
- 157 ha
- 388 acres
- Land parcels
- 38
- registered freehold, median 3,382 m² (0.34 ha, 0.84 acres)
- Zoning
- —
- not in a zoned settlement
- Planning
- 12
- applications since 2010
Land parcels
Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann
38 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Killoughter, from 137 m² to 381,052 m² (38.11 ha, 94.16 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 14 neighbouring parcels touch it.
Download the townland: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings; GeoJSON or KML.
Zoning
Development plans, national zoning
No zone of a development plan covers Killoughter 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.
Planning applications
Sites that touch the townland, newest first
14 Jul 2026Refused
mobile home for her personal use, effluent treatment unit and ancillary works
Permission, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 2660629
18 Jun 2026N/a
mobile home for personal use, effluent treatment unit and ancillary works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2660552
21 Aug 2025Conditional
Retention permission for the change of use of an existing 72sq.m. single storey garage to a self contained granny flat and permission for a new 6sq.m. Link Corridor with flat roof over between the existing dwelling and the existing granny flat.
Retention, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 2560647
7 Aug 2025N/a
change of use of an existing 72sq.m. single storey garage to a self contained granny flat and permission for a new 6sq.m. Link Corridor with flat roof over between the existing dwelling and the existing granny flat
Retention · Wicklow County Council, 2560605
28 May 2024Conditional
the construction of a 354 sq.m. agricultural shed. Together with all associated ancillary works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2460287
6 Apr 2021Conditional
construction of a new 230 square metre farm building and hard standing, for agricultural use as a sheep shed, together with all necessary ancillary works, drainage and fencing
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 21373
2 Mar 2021N/a
construction of a new 230 square metre farm building and hard standing, for agricultural use as a sheep shed, together with all necessary ancillary works, drainage and fencing
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 21214
6 Oct 2017Conditional
change of use removal of condition2 of planning reference 94/1124 from restricted use as a dwelling to use by all classes of persons
Permission, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 171217
11 May 2017Conditional
proposed domestic garage
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 17527
1 Mar 2017N/a
extension comprising 42sqm to existing cottage of 56sqm, provision of new on site car parking, with assocaited site works and permission for upgrade shared septic tank and percolation area to EPA 2009 standards together with associated site development works
Permission, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 17216
20 Feb 2017N/a
change of use (removal of condition 2 of Planning Reference 1124/94) from restricted use as a dwelling to use by all classes of persons together with permission for upgrading of shared septic tank and percolation area to EPA 2009 standards together with associated site development works
Permission, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 17181
20 Feb 2017N/a
extension comprising 42 sqm to existing cottage of 56 sqm and permission for upgrade shared septic tank and percolation area to EPA 2009 standards together with associated site development works and provision of new onsite carparking
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 17182
Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.
Nature and heritage
Designated sites and recorded monuments
Designated sites
No designated site (Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Natural Heritage Area or proposed one) touches the townland of Killoughter.
Recorded monuments
- WI019-023 Enclosure
Description
Situated on level ground in gently undulating terrain. Circular enclosure (diam. c. 30m) defined by a fosse and truncated at the W by a field boundary, visible as a cropmark on aerial photograph (CUCAP, BDJ 88). The OS letters (O'Flanagan 1928, 81) refer to a large ringfort in the adjacent townland of Rathmore which could be this site or another in the next field to W (Rathmore, (WI019-022----). Not visible at ground level. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 December 2008
- WI019-024001 Church
Description
Situated on a gentle W-facing slope. Described in the OS Letters as a ruined church (dims. c. 9.6m x 4.2m), of which only parts of the S wall and E gable still stood; the remains of a door were visible in the W gable, part of a window survived in the E gable, and there were two small windows in the S wall. They also state that the rectangular graveyard (WI019-024002-) was no longer in use (O'Flanagan 1928, 87). Portions of a small, extremely overgrown, rectangular structure survive, presumably representing the church (dims. c. 8.9m x 5.4m; wall T c. 0.8-1m). It appears to have had a W door, but no other architectural features are visible. An eighteenth-century headstone occurs inside the E gable. According to Swan (1996, 7) ‘this site is also identified by Ronan (ibid) as an early site. Price (1967, 417) suggests that it may date from the period of Christianisation of the Scandinavian settlers of this region and may thus have been associated with the major settlement of Wicklow during this period. No saint's name can readily be associated with this site but it is also suggested that the name Kiladerrig which occurs in the adjacent townland, may have been an earlier name for this site. The ancient name of Kilbla (now Ballybla) is also strongly associated with this district and is probably derived from another early British Saint, Blá or Bláan, whose name survived in the present townland of that name (ibid, 409). It is not unlikely that all three names refer to the same site, now represented by the ruined church and graveyard of Killoughter, since all three occur within a few hundred metres of each other’. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 29 November 2012
- WI019-024002 Graveyard
Description
Situated on a gentle W-facing slope. Described in the OS Letters of 1838-40 as a ruined church (WI019-024001-), of which only parts of the S wall and E gable still stood; the remains of a door were visible in the W gable, part of a window survived in the E gable, and there were two small windows in the S wall. They also state that the rectangular graveyard (dims. c. 50m NW-SE; 35m NE-SW) was no longer in use (O'Flanagan 1928, 87). An eighteenth-century headstone occurs inside the E gable of the church. Date of upload: 29 November 2012
- WI019-024003 Industrial site
Description
Archaeological licence no. 00E0490 An assessment of a proposed single-storey dwelling and associated services, at Killoughter, Co. Wicklow, was undertaken between 10 and 14 July 2000. The foundation trenches of the dwelling had been excavated without an archaeological presence on site. Once the client became aware of the archaeological condition placed on the development, our offices were contacted with a view to assessing the archaeological potential of the site. The site was visited in order to inspect the level of excavation and to determine whether any archaeological material was exposed in any of the sections. A foundation trench 1m wide and 0.7m deep had been excavated around the perimeter of the proposed dwelling (which measured 11m north-south x 8m). In addition to this, a further east-west-orientated foundation trench, 8m long and 0.7m deep, had been excavated through the centre of the floor-plan. A perpendicular foundation trench had been excavated at the centre point on the northern side of the central foundation. This was c. 3.5m long, 1m wide and 0.7m deep. Upon inspection it was apparent that significant medieval deposits had been disturbed within the central area of the proposed dwelling and that these deposits spread over an area c. 5.3m east-west x 5m. These deposits were concentrated within several cut features that may have formed part of a large trapezoidal structure. The production of lime on the site, coupled with several burnt deposits, suggests that it may have been industrial in nature. The main phase of activity on site was represented by the accumulation of at least 0.3m of medieval stratigraphy in the central area. All of these deposits were confined within two to three cut features. A large, burnt, rectangular cut, C15, orientated north-west/south-east, which cut natural geology, was recorded between 0.2m (east) and 0.5m below PGL. It was located in the central part of the easternmost foundation trench, where it ran beyond the limit of the development. Both exposed edges of the pit were lined by a thin layer of charcoal and had been fire-reddened through intense burning. The second major cut feature recorded, C17, at the western end of the central foundation trench, was orientated north-east/south-west and cut natural geology. It was recorded at a point 0.3m below PGL. Its full extent was not clear as it had been completely removed during the excavation of the north-south foundation trench to the north of the central trench. A spread of archaeological clays suggested that C17 extended north to a point where it met another truncated cut, C25, which had been almost completely removed during the excavation of the foundation trenches. The fact that all the medieval stratigraphy was contained within C15, C17 and C25 would imply that they functioned as retaining features. Whether they formed a single structure remains unclear. In summary, it can be stated that the site at Killoughter had been formally occupied during the medieval period. This activity was concentrated within several cut features that may have formed part of a larger, trapezoidal structure. The production of lime on the site, coupled with several burnt deposits, suggests that it may have been industrial in nature. A fuller interpretation of the site would be aided by further hand-excavation (Bennett 2002, 365-6). Date of upload: 29 November 2012
- WI019-040001 Moated site
Description
Situated on a gentle E-facing slope. A series of low earthworks defining two conjoined rectangular areas now incorporated into farm buildings. Further earthworks consisting of field enclosures and platforms, and linear features extend to the E, N and W (Swan 1996, 8-10). Described by Simpson (1994, 223) as ‘at Killoughter was a second ward site, where the partial remains of a large moated site still survive. It appears to have had two platforms side by side, the southern site being the earliest. This has a small internal bank on the eastern side measuring 80cm high with a possible external bank on the northern side. A small spring feeds the moat. The site to the north is much larger in area and was extended by enlarging the moat. The external bank was continued on the eastern side where the surviving moat is 7.5 metres in width.' A farmhouse occupies the platform of the northern site but the moat, although not complete, is still water-filled in places. It is up to 8.5 metres at its widest with a recorded depth of 1.7 metres. Killoughter probably represents a moated defended farmstead which was enlarged in the mid-fourteenth century when the site was used as a ward. The neighbouring ward castle of Kilmartin, because of its small size, may have proved inadequate to cope with large garrisons’. According to Swan (1996, 11-12) ‘the extensive area of parkland to the south, west and east of Killoughter House best preserves the complexes of earthworks and features (WI019-040002-), since it is likely that less intensive cultivation has taken place here in recent centuries. Thus at the base of series of terraces which may be identified south of Killoughter House, a well defined linear feature can be traced for a considerable distance. This appears to correspond closely to the type of feature generally identified as a sunken routeway or roadway which is a standard feature of such deserted medieval settlements. This feature identified on the air photo as (A) can also be traced in the fields to the south-west and to the north-east from here. To the south of this, a series of rectangular features, marked (B), (C) and (D) may also be traced. To the north-east certain of these features may be identified close to Castlegrange. This site, deriving its name from the abbey established in Wicklow town during the reign of Henry III, 1216-1272 (Price 1936, 44) is identical in form and function, to the other moated sites referred to in this study. It still retains extensive remnants of its water-filled moats as well as fragments of masonry. The rectangular features most clearly associated with Killoughter may well have extended in some manner almost as far as Castlegrange (See Air Photo, Fig. 6, Features (E), (F), (G), (H). Likewise Courtfoyle (WI019-013----), another defended moated site, lying north-west from Killoughter (WI019-040001-) appears to have a complex of comparable associated features extending towards the south with some possible features located to the east (Refer Air Photo, Fig. 6, Feature (I), (J), (K). Some, if not most of these may well represent a pattern of field enclosures earlier than and underlying the modern field system. Certain of these features however are most reasonably interpreted as habitation or settlement sites of a type associated with a medieval settlement. It is probable that these all form part of a single extensive medieval settlement associated with and focused on the major defended site of Killoughter (WI019-040001-)and its adjacent church (WI019-024001-)’. Limited archaeological test trenching was carried out in 2000 in the fields between the church (WI019-024001-) and the moated site (WI019-040001-) as part of work associated with the Hollybrook to Wicklow Gas Pipeline (Excavation Licence 00E0690). This work confirmed the existence of linear earthworks although no dating evidence was found. (Tobin 2002, 366) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 23 January 2013 Revised by: Caimin O'Brien and Claire Breen See linked image with aerial photograph taken from Swan, D. L. 1996 Archaeological assessment of area of proposed development at Killoughter, Co. Wicklow. Unpublished report. National Monuments Section, Heritage and Planning Division, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin.
- WI019-040002 Field system
Description
Situated on a gentle E-facing slope. A series of low earthworks defining two conjoined rectangular areas now incorporated into farm buildings. Further earthworks consisting of field enclosures and platforms, and linear features extend to the E, N and W. According to Swan (1996, 11-12) ‘the extensive area of parkland to the south, west and east of Killoughter House best preserves the complexes of earthworks and features, since it is likely that less intensive cultivation has taken place here in recent centuries. Thus at the base of series of terraces which may be identified south of Killoughter House, a well defined linear feature can be traced for a considerable distance. This appears to correspond closely to the type of feature generally identified as a sunken routeway or roadway which is a standard feature of such deserted medieval settlements. This feature identified on the air photo as (A) can also be traced in the fields to the south-west and to the north-east from here. To the south of this, a series of rectangular features, marked (B), (C) and (D) may also be traced. To the north-east certain of these features may be identified close to Castlegrange. This site, deriving its name from the abbey established in Wicklow town during the reign of Henry III, 1216-1272 (Price 1936, 44) is identical in form and function, to the other moated sites referred to in this study. It still retains extensive remnants of its water-filled moats as well as fragments of masonry. The rectangular features most clearly associated with Killoughter may well have extended in some manner almost as far as Castlegrange (See Air Photo, Fig. 6, Features (E), (F), (G), (H). Likewise Courtfoyle (WI019-013----), another defended moated site, lying north-west from Killoughter (WI019-040001-) appears to have a complex of comparable associated features extending towards the south with some possible features located to the east (Refer Air Photo, Fig. 6, Feature (I), (J), (K). Some, if not most of these may well represent a pattern of field enclosures earlier than and underlying the modern field system. Certain of these features however are most reasonably interpreted as habitation or settlement sites of a type associated with a medieval settlement. It is probable that these all form part of a single extensive medieval settlement associated with and focused on the major defended site of Killoughter (WI019-040001-)and its adjacent church (WI019-024001-)’. Limited archaeological test trenching was carried out in 2000 in the fields between the church (WI019-024001-) and the moated site (WI019-040001-) as part of work associated with the Hollybrook to Wicklow Gas Pipeline (Excavation Licence 00E0690). This work confirmed the existence of linear earthworks although no dating evidence was found. (Tobin 2002, 366) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 23 January 2013 Revised by: Caimin O'Brien and Claire Breen See linked image with aerial photograph taken from Swan, D. L. 1996 Archaeological assessment of area of proposed development at Killoughter, Co. Wicklow. Unpublished report. National Monuments Section, Heritage and Planning Division, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin.
- WI019-042 Field system
Description
Situated on a gentle E-facing slope. A pattern of field enclosures covering an area of c. 10.5 hectares visible as low earthworks on an Ordnance Survey aerial photograph. (Swan 1996, fig. 6) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 29 November 2012 See linked image with aerial photograph taken from Swan, D. L. 1996 Archaeological assessment of area of proposed development at Killoughter, Co. Wicklow. Unpublished report. National Monuments Section, Heritage and Planning Division, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin.
- WI019-049 Fulacht fia
Description
A small pit or fulacht fiadh-type feature was archaeologically excavated (Licence No. 01E0824). The site was detected as a small spread of heat-shattered stone at the western limit of the pipeline corridor during the monitoring of topsoil-stripping for the Hollybrook-Wicklow Bord Gáis Éireann pipeline. Excavation revealed a small oval pit, which measured 0.86m north-south by 1.08m. The cut possessed gently sloping sides and a flat base with a depth of 0.22m. It was cut into natural subsoil. The fill consisted of a moderately compact greyish-black sandy clay with inclusions of frequent medium-sized stones, which were a mix of mainly heat-shattered granite and sandstone. No additional archaeological features were noted in the immediate area. Conversations with the landowner confirmed the impression that the excavated material at Killoughter was merely an outlying element of a larger fulacht fiadh. According to the landowner, several spreads of burnt material were present in the field immediately to the west of the excavated feature. At the time of pipeline construction this field was under pasture (Bennett 2003, 422). Date of upload: 30 September 2012
Architectural heritage
- Killoughter House, country house, 1790–1810 · Regional interest
Description
Detached seven-bay single-storey over basement country house, built c.1800. The country house is finished in render. To the south west side is a late 20th-century conservatory. A broad flight of stone steps with plain cast-iron railings extends over the basement area and rises to the timber panelled double front door; this is flanked by paired Ionic pilasters. Sidelights are decorative and the radial fanlight is set within an elliptical-headed opening. Window openings are flat-headed with six over six and six over three timber sash frames. The hipped roof is finished with artificial slate with red clay ridge tiles. The country house is set on a rise within a small demesne. There is a curved roughcast rendered gate screen with wrought-iron gates.
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, landslides, flooding
- Radon
- About 1 in 20 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home
- Landslides
- Susceptibility high, moderately high, moderately low, low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map.
- Terrain model
- LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_3387 (ZIP).
- 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.
Homes sold
Property Price Register
No address of the register names Killoughter with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Wicklow.
The townland
- Name
- Killoughter · Cill Uachtair
- Area
- 1,570,460 m² (157.05 ha, 388.07 acres)
- Civil parish
- Rathnew, and its townlands
- Barony
- Newcastle
- Electoral division
- Wicklow Rural, the unit of the census
- Census 2022
- Wicklow Rural electoral division: 10,247 people in 3,334 households; 73% of households own their home; 56% of homes were built since 2001; 4% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 3% were holiday homes.
- Neighbouring townlands
- Barnacoyle Big, Barnacoyle Little, Clonmannan, Cronykeery, Inchanappa North, Kilmartin, Rathmore
- Placenames
- Killoughter 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.