Abbeylands
Townland in the civil parish of Arklow, barony of Arklow, Co. Wicklow; in Irish Fearann na Mainstreach
Parcel 1279239
- Area
- 981 m²
- Buildings
- 1 building touches it, 736 m² on the ground
- Zoning
- S5 Community & Education (Arklow and Environs Local Area Plan) The objective
- Townland
- Abbeylands
Planning applications on this parcel
27 Apr 2026Conditional
new single storey steel canopy structure with sheet metal roof finish, PV panels, new permeable paved ambulance parking bay (below canopy) with new vehicular entrance of Castle Park Road, new planted sloped bank & associated landscape works to the north side of the existing two storey ambulance station
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2660338
27 Mar 2026N/a
new single storey steel canopy structure with sheet metal roof finish, PV panels, new permeable paved ambulance parking bay (below canopy) with new vehicular entrance of Castle Park Road, new planted sloped bank & associated landscape works to the north side of the existing two storey ambulance station
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2660228
28 Nov 2024Conditional
construction of a single storey extension of 3no. Special Educational Teaching Rooms (floor area = 58.6sqm) to the front of the existing single storey St Peter Building (existing floor area = 979.0sqm), together with minor internal alterations and all associated site works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2460752
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 8 recorded monuments.
- WI040-029 Historic town
Description
In 1571 the Manor of Arklow and the 'burgesses of the Earl's town of Arcloe' were required to, 'have paid the yearly rent of 3s. 4d., and some of them paid but 6d. by the year, with bearing Irish exactions as 'conyve,' livery, horsemen, horseboys, gallowglasse, kerne and kernitye with divers other impositions for every of their tenements, gardens and commodities of the accustomed commons time out of mind which to said burgesses and dwellers of said town belongeth/the said Earl, pitying the miserable estate and decay of said town and dwellers, and they complaining the same to grow of the said 'conye' and other Irish exactions, agreed that in consideration that the burgesses shall be free of the aforesaid exactions and all other impositions and all old accustomed rents, they shall pay for every of their tenements to said Earl and his heirs yearly 13s. 4d. current money of Ireland and one 'wetche' hen, and the tenants that be not burgesses shall pay a like sum and two 'wetche' hens. Every burgess shall pay to said Earl and his heirs the ancient customs heretofore paid out of timber, wood, boards, bark and fishing, and bring such wood as shall be provided for the Earl and his heirs at the waterside in their small lighters, and put the same aboard the vessel or vessels wherein it shall be transported to Dublin for the provision of the Earl and his heirs frank and free from paying anything for the lighters or men labouring in them, as heretofore they were accustomed. Every burgess and tenant shall give yearly four labourers for four days to help the reparations and building of the castle (WI040-029002-) and walls thereof, and at their own charges make strong gates, ditches and pales for the better defence of said town against rebels and evil-disposed people, and likewise workmen for the mending of the haven [WI040-029011-] of said town, and watch and ward the town orderly by day and night, and answer to the ordinary courts that shall be kept there by said Earl's seneschal or other officer appointed. Also to have a market-day once a week as the town in old time had, and the Earl to be a means to get a fair to be held there, provided the Earl shall have the custom' (Curtis 1941, No. 192, 211-2). The Urban Survey of Co. Wicklow described the historic town of Arklow known in Irish as An tInbhear Mór as follows; 'Arklow is a port town situated on the south bank of the Avoca river. It is about forty miles south of Dublin on the Wexford road. The medieval town was situated at the foot of a hill along the south bank of the river Avoca. Arklow is one of the small handful of Irish places whose name is genuinely of Scandinavian origin. The precise meaning of the name is a matter of debate. There is no doubt about the suffix "-lo", a meadow, but the prefix Ark- has not been fully explained. One suggestion is Arkell-lo "Arkell’s meadow", another is Ar-lo "river meadow". The presence of the placename, however, together with the well-known ninth century Viking burial (WI031-040----) indicates that there was a Scandinavian settlement in the vicinity. The nature of this settlement is unclear. The absence of documentary references almost certainly indicates that it was not a town but it is possible that it was some form of hamlet or fishing village, or perhaps simply a way-station on the Dublin-Bristol routes. Arklow’s beginnings as a town appear to commence with the coming of the Normans. Theobald FitzWalter was granted the manor of Arklow by Prince John in 1185 and he probably commenced to settle the area soon afterwards (Orpen 1911-20, i, 371). The property was to remain in the hands of Theobald’s descendants, the Butlers, throughout the middle ages and consequently incidental references are to be found to the town in the Ormond deeds. One of Theobald’s first actions was the foundation of a Cistercian abbey (WI040-029004-) on the "island of Arklow" (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 126: sub Abington). The presence of this monastery suggests that there no Scandinavian settlement of any size here at the time because the Cistercians preferred isolated rural locations to urban settings. In 1205 the monks were moved by Theobald to Abington (LI014-014002-), Co. Limerick, a move which probably indicates the beginnings of an Anglo-Norman urban settlement at Arklow. References are few during the middle ages, however, and it is not until 1571 that there is the first clear evidence that the settlement was actually incorporated (Curtis 1932-43, v, 211). In the fourteenth century Arklow began to come under pressure from the native Irish. The castle was captured in 1331 (Power 1981, 30) but it seems that the town survived the Gaelic resurrgence as a bastion outpost of the Pale. The sixteenth century witnessed the Butler family reasserting its interests in the manor and an important document of 1571, an agreement between the earl of Ormond and the townsmen, sheds some interesting light on the appearance of the town at that time (Curtis 1932-43, v, 211-2). It is clear that the town was in a state of dilapidation and the castle (WI040-029002-), harbour and defences are specifically mentioned as being in poor condition. The town remained loyal to the crown during the Nine Years War and it was a supporter of the Confederate cause in 1641-9. The town surrendered to Cromwell in September 1649 as his army passed through en route to Wexford. In 1700 the Butlers sold out their interest in the town and manor of Arklow to John Allen of Stillorgan an event which effectively closes the history of the medieval town' (Power 1981, 55). There may have been a harbour; a 'haven' is mentioned in a 1571 covenant, as are town defenses in the form of 'gates, ditches, and pales' (Curtis 1933-43, V, 212). Kerrigan (1995, 38) stated that in 1576, what must have been earthwork ramparts were constructed around Wicklow and Arklow. Of the medieval town only the street pattern and a portion of the castle (WI040-029002-) survive. The street plan is linear based on Main Street which runs east-west following the line of the river and has an extension at the east end towards the south. The burgage plot pattern is clearly visible on the O.S. map where narrow properties run back to the river on the north side and have what is virtually a common boundary along the south. The bridge, and Bridge Street, connecting the town with Ferrybank clearly cuts across this pattern and it is evidently a later insertion. The very name "Ferrybank" indicates that contact between the north and south banks of the Avoca was originally by ferry rather than by bridge. Narrow lanes still survive between many of the properties but it is not possible to say if any of the houses have a pre-1700 core. MARKET PLACE This is likely to have been located in Main Street. HARBOUR The presence of a harbour can be inferred from Viking times when the location at a river estuary would have been its most attractive feature. The repair of the "haven" is among the features mentioned in the 1571 covenant between the earl of Ormond and the townsmen (Curtis 1932-43, v, 212). The harbour was probably located on the east side of the town where there are still quays today. Lewis (1837, i, 60) states that, in the early nineteenth century, the harbour was accessible only to small boats because the passage was sinuous and subject to shifting sands. TOWN DEFENCES The 1571 covenant between the earl of Ormond and the burgesses of Arklow mention that the burgesses shall "at their own charges make strong gates, ditches and pales for the better defence of said town" (Curtis 1932-43, v, 211). There is no positive evidence that these defences were built and there are no surviving remains. The alignment, however, and length of the long boundary which delimits the burgage plots on the south side of Main Street suggests that some form of defence probably existed, possibly an earthen rampart and fosse' (Bradley and King 1989, 1-5)'. The above description is derived from the p
- WI040-029001 Religious house - Dominican friars
Description
Situated on level terrain on the S side of the town. The site of the Dominican friary founded in 1264 by Thomas Theobald FitzWalter. Portions of the church and claustral buildings survived into the mid-18th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 221). No surviving remains; the site is now a park in Arklow town with 18th- and 19th-century headstones, including samples by Denis Cullen and James Byrne, arranged around the perimeter of the high-walled square graveyard. Part of the medieval borough of Arklow (WI040-029----). In 1414 the pope granted the friary the following rights; 'Relaxation, during ten years, of years and ten quarantines of enjoined penance to penitents who on the six feasts of Our Lord, Whitsun day, the four feasts of, St. Mary the Virgin, the Nativity of St. John Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, the Invention and Exaltation Of Holy Cross and the dedication, and on All Saints, during the octaves of certain of them and the six days of Whitsun week, visit or (vel) give alms for the conservation and sustentation of the Friars Preachers' church of Holy Cross de Arclo, in the diocese of Dublin' (Cal. papal letters, 461). In 1541 after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Crown granted a 'Lease to Edmund Duffe, gent.; of the site of the priory of friars preachers of Arclow, with appurtenances. To hold for 21 years, at a rent of 20s.—' (Nicholls 1994, 22). On the 27th of January, 1541 an inquistion held at Arklow under a jury consisting of, 'Edmund Edward, Peter Waffer, Patrick Fannyng, Walter Chever, Denis Edward, Patrick Kenne, James Ower, Dermot Kelley, John McGerrer, William McMorysshe, Hugh Carpenter, and Hugh Ballagh' recorded that the Dominican House of Arklow, then listed as in Co. Wexford consisted of the following; 'All the buildings in the precinct are necessary for the farmer, and with a garden cont[aining]. 2 acr[es]., and are worth above repairs 6.s. 8.d. Vill of Arctlo [Arklow]. - 2 parks or closes cont. 3 acr.; 2.s. 3 acr. (greater measure); 2.s. A new chamber; Edmund Duff, for a term of years; value, 6.s. 8.d.; rent, a grain of corn. A messuage; Connor McKee ; 12.d., and for victuals, a quarter of beef (12.d.), 6 cakes (12.d.), 3 gallons of butter (2.s.) ; total, 5.s. A messuage; Thomas Ferrold 5.s.; do.; John Gregory 5.s. ; do.; Hugh Ballagh; 3.s. 4-d. 6 cottages, worth 12.s.; now waste by war and rebellion of the Irish called le Kavaners [Cavanaghs]. 2 vacant pieces of ground; ,2.d. Each tenant of a messuage used to give to the Friars, for their sustenance, from every brewing of beer for sale, 3½ gallons of beer worth 13.s. 4d.; this duty is not rendered now. Each gave 1 hen; 8.d. Total, 23.s. 2.d. Total of the extent, 29.s. 10.d.' (White 1943, 373). Edmund Duff [Duffy] was listed as the occupier of the 'House of Friars Preachers of Arcloo' (ibid., 374). In 1544 the friary lands were granted, 'to John Travers of Dublin, esq., in consideration of the sum of £41 of the site of the monastery of friars preachers of Arclowe, with appurtenances, county Wexford' (Nicholls 1994, 46). According to Brewer (1825-6, 332) 'on part of the site was erected a parish church, the land having been granted for that purpose by Sir Laurence Esmond, Bart. and Benjamin Mountney, Esq.; but this building falling to decay a new church has been recently erected, on a more eligible spot'. The Urban Survey of Co. Wicklow described the Dominican Friary of the Holy Cross as follows; 'This was founded in 1264 by Thomas Theobald FitzWalter and he was buried there in 1285 (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 221). It was suppressed in 1539 but parts of the church and claustral buildings survived until the mid eighteenth century (ibid.). It was located in the rectangular site marked "graveyard" on the south side of Main Street. No building remains survive. The site itself has been turned into a public park with the eighteenth and nineteenth century gravestones arranged around the walls' (Bradley and King 1989, 6). The following details were recorded by Gwynn and Hadcock (1970, 221); 'In 1414 an indulgence was granted for the conservation of the friars' church. The friary was suppressed in 1539. On 27 Jan. 1541 the jurors found that the buildings and 2-acre site were necessary for the farmer (Edmund Duffy); the possessions (then let to several tenants) included 15 acres, four messuages and six cottages, val. c. 62s., but given as 29s. 10d. because part was waste by war and rebellion of the Irish called le Kavaners: E. The buildings consisted of church and belfry, chapter-house, dorter, hall, three chambers, store, kitchen, etc.; the property was granted in 1544 to John Travers at a small rent. The ch[urch]. and priory stood almost complete in Burgo's time. Stephen O'Kelly, last representative of the order in Arklow, d[ied]. soon after 1835'. 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. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 14 July 2021
- WI040-029002 Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle
Description
Between 1185-9 the Calendar of Ormond Deeds recorded that; 'John, son of Henry King of England, Lord of Ireland, with the assent of his father, grants to Theobald Walter the castle of Arklow with the vill of Arklow and all lands pertaining thereto, to hold to him and his heirs by the service of a knight's fee, for all service' (Curtis 1932, No. 17, 8). This land grant suggests that there was probably an earth and timber castle constructed before the land grant of 1185-9. This castle may have taken the form of a ringwork and the rock cut ditch to the W of the stone castle may have formed part of the defences of this earth and timber castle. The form of the stone castle constructed by Theobald Walter may have followed the outline of the ringwork castle. The manor and lordship of Arklow was originally located in the county of Carlow and in 1601 a lease between Thomas, Earl of Ormond and Captain Laurence Esmond relating to this manor stated that all 'the castles, messuages, lands, tenements, etc., belonging to the same, saving to the Earl and his heirs a place for a weir [WI040-029012-] upon the river of Arklow, also all eyries of hawks and all game ; to hold to said Laurence, his executors and assigns, for a term of thirty years at annual rent of £60. together with 12 barrels of herrings to be delivered yearly to the manor of Arklow and sent from thence to the Earl's manor of Clonmore as often as herring fishing shall happen in the haven of Arklow' (Curtis 1943, No. 7, 9). According to the terms of his lease Captain Laurence Esmond, 'shall further repair the wall or bawn of said manor where ruined, and shall buttress it with lime and stone within two years' (ibid., 10). In 1571 the 'burgesses of the Earl's town [WI040-029----] of Arcloe' were required to, 'give yearly four labourers for four days to help the reparations and building of the castle and walls thereof, and at their own charges make strong gates, ditches and pales for the better defence of said town against rebels and evil-disposed people, and likewise workmen for the mending of the haven [WI040-029011-] of said town, and watch and ward the town orderly by day and night, and answer to the ordinary courts that shall be kept there by said Earl's seneschal or other officer appointed. Also to have a market-day once a week as the town in old time had, and the Earl to be a means to get a fair to be held there, provided the Earl shall have the custom' (Curtis 1941, No. 192, 211-2). In 1543 the castle was in the possession of John Travers, Master of the King's Ordnance in Ireland and was leased from Sir James Butler Earl of Ormond with the conditions that, 'John shall defend the town [WI040-029----], manor, lordship and castle of Arklow which he holds at Present by lease for a term of years of said Earl, and shall also do the best he can to win such lordships, meases, lands, tenements, etc., belonging to said lordship, etc., or to any part Of the Earl's inheritance in Leinster from the possession of the Irish withholding the same without lawful or just title, said Earl now grants to John an annuity of £13 6s 8d Irish out of the rents, issues and profits of said lordship, to have and to hold to said John as long as he remains the Earl's tenant of that lordship' (Curtis 1937, No. 311, 256-7). In 1594 there was a reference to the 'great hall of the castle of Arklow' which was the venue for 'several complaints exhibited by sundry of the inhabitants within the lordship of Arklow unto the Earl of Ormond as concerning several wrongs, injuries and other bad dealings used by said inhabitants, very pernicious and hurtful among themselves, whereby great discontentment and disquietness ensued thereof, for want of due course to be taken for redress of such wrongs and other indirect dealings as are continually growing betwixt said inhabitants as well for titles of land, actions of debt, as otherwise/ thereupon said Earl having a circumspect care of said inhabitants, being his tenants, directed unto us his pleasure, willing us, James Grace of Rathville in county Carlow, Edmond Gall and Piers McWilliam of county Kilkenny, to repair to the lordship of Arklow, calling before us such controversies as were depending betwixt the inhabitants' (Curtis 1943, No. 7, 8-9). The Urban Survey of Co. Wicklow described Arklow Castle as follows; 'The castle was the administrative centre of the medieval manor and in view of its position, on high ground at the west end of the town (WI040-029----) overlooking the Avoca river, it possibly replaces a pre-Norman structure. The remains consist of a stretch of curtain wall and a circular corner tower built on rock outcrop and consisting of randomly coursed rubble stone. These are essentially of thirteenth century date. The tower is now three floored (8m high) but Grose’s (1795, ii, opp. p. 62) view shows that it was originally higher. There is no access to the ground or first floor and the walls of the second floor are largely missing. There is a basal batter c. 2.5m high on the north east side. The first floor has a flat lintelled opening on the east but the jambs are missing. A small section of wall with a pointed doorway and chamfered sandstone jambs and a short flight of steps (possibly leading to a wall walk) remain in the south west side of the second floor. The curtain wall, some 8m high at its western end, runs south-east from the angle tower before turning almost due south where it reduces in height from 6m to 4m. In the high section of the wall beside the tower there are two loops with sandstone jambs and above these, close to tower, there is a jamb of a large window with bar-holes for glazing. The angle at the south east appears to be largely rebuilt as does the section of wall running south from there' (Bradley and King 1989, 5-6). The castle remains were described in the 18th century as follows; 'There is little more than half of a tower remaining; it makes part of the walls that inclose the barracks. It was in former ages much contended for by the English and Irish. In 1331, it was strongly fortified and in possession of the first, when it was violently attacked by the latter; but Lord Bermingham opportunely came to its relief, and with a small party defeated the O'Tools with considerable slaughter. However the Irish a short time after became masters of it, and on the 8th of August, 1332, the English obtained and re-edified it. In 1641, the Irish surprised this castle and put all the garrison to the sword; they held it till 1649, when it, with the neighbouring fortresses, fell into the hands of Cromwell, who marched from Dublin, in September, with a design to reduce to his obedience the south-east and south parts of Ireland, which he effected in a short time. This View was taken from an original drawing by P. S. Reyley, Esq. in the collection of the Right Honourable William Conyngham [1733-1796] (Grose 1795, ii, 62)''. The drawing of Arklow Castle has been attributed to Pope Stevens Reyley (Reilly) c. 1774 who was commissioned by William Burton Conyngham (NLI PD 2097 TX; Harbison 2012, 60-1, 194). View of Arklow Castle drawn by James Stark Fleming (1890-1920) has a sketch with the date 1700 which is of unknown provenance (NLI PD 1974 TX 1 (88); Hewson 1975, 116). In 1839 Eugene O’Curry of the Ordnance Survey recorded the following details about Arklow Castle; ‘The remains of an old Castle also may be seen in this town, consisting of one ruined round tower, which appears to have stood at the northern angle of the castle; the northern side of it is down to within about 12 feet [3.65m] of the ground; the south side remains to the height of about 46 feet [14m], having a pointed door, about 10 feet [3m] from the ground, by which one lands on an arched floor, from which is an ascent to the top through the wall, by 34 stone steps. From the south and west sides of this tower lines of walls extend to a considerable distance, and the old inhabit
- WI040-029003 Church
Description
The church of Arklow in the diocese of Dublin was mentioned in 1279 when it was held by 'Fremund called Lebrun, papal chaplain and the dean and chapter of St Patrick’s elected Master William de Conreria, papal chaplain' (Cal. papal letters, 457). In 1283 the Calendar of Ormond Deeds recorded the following about Arklow Church; 'Acknowledgment by John de Kerdyfe, clerk, (if having received by the land of Ralph Cossin, bailiff of Sir Theobald le Botiller, of Thuk, ten marks in which Sir Theobald was bound to de Kerdyfe's lord, Fromund le Brun, for tithes of sheaves of the church of Arclo [Arklow]' (Curtis 1932, No. 265, 105). In 1289 the King ordered 'Protection in Ireland for 5 years for Richard of Baluncheville, parson of the churches of Blauncheville, Dovenachmore, Clonhussell, and Arclo, remaining by licence in England' (Cal. doc. Ire., No. 540, 243). The 1302-06 Ecclesiastical taxation of the bishopric of Dublin valued the 'The church of Arklow, with the chapel’ , in the Deanery of Arklow, at £4 per annum with the tenth value of 8s. (Cal. doc. Ire., 241). The Visitation of Dublin Diocese in 1630 described the site as follows; 'The church of Arklow wants some covering. The chauncel is in good repair, only it wants ornaments within. The great tithes are impropriate, worth about £40 per annum. Mr Balthazar Fox is vicar there, whose vicarage is set for £17 per annum, out of which he allows to one Nicholas Whyte, curate there, £5 sterling per annum' (Anon. 1869, 163). The Urban Survey of Co. Wicklow described the parish church of St Mary as follows; 'The medieval parish church was located on the north side of Main Street. No remains survive above ground today and the site has been turned into a small public park with a series of eighteenth and nineteenth century tombstones arranged around the wall' (Bradley and King 1989, 6). The site of the medieval church of St Mary on the N side of Main Street; marked as 'Grave Yard' on the 1838 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Not visible at ground level; the rectangular graveyard (dims. 29m E-W; 23m N-S) has been made into a public park and the 18th- and 19th-century headstones, including examples by Denis Cullen, have been arranged around the perimeter. 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. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 14 July 2021
- WI040-029004 Religious house - Cistercian monks
Description
Situated on low-lying marshy ground in Arklow Town. Probably the site of a Cistercian Abbey, granted by Theobold Walter to the Cistercians of Furness, but possibly only in existence for a short period (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 126). It was part of the medieval borough of Arklow (WI040-029----). Human skeletons in what appear to have been lintelled graves or long cists were found on the site prior to 1927 at the site marked 'Site of Grave Yard' on the 1838 OS 6-inch map. A trapezoidal tombstone, possibly of medieval date, was also found and was located at Shelton Abbey (Ronan 1927, 103). The site is now occupied by houses. The Urban Survey of Co. Wicklow described the Cistercian Abbey site as follows; 'Before 1204 Theobald Walter granted the island of Arklow to the Cistercians of Furness (Lancashire) for the foundation an abbey but in 1205 he transferred the monks to a new monastery at Abington, County Limerick (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 126). Presumably the Cistercians established some form of temporary church but it is not clear what happened to it after 1205. O’Curry (O.S. Letters: Wicklow) noted that "an ancient graveyard with the site of a church was found on the north side of the Bridge of Arklow in a sandbank in Ferrybank townland in this [Kilbride] parish. Several graves containing’ skeletons were found here, which were covered with large flags, the sides being built with stones of various sizes and forms. The surface of the place is still covered over with human bones. A tombstone now lying at Lord Wicklow’s farmhouse [Sheldon Abbey] was found here a few years ago which is 6 feet long, 2 feet broad at one end and 1 foot 8 inches at the other and 7 inches thick in the centre along the whole length, whilst the edges on each side are but 3 inches in thickness" (Ronan 1927, 103-4, note 9). This church site has been identified by O’Curry and Ronan with the site of the Cistercian Abbey. The description of the abbey as being founded on an "island" and the discovery of this graveyard in a sandbank supports this view' (Bradley and King 1989, 7). 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. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 30 June 2021
- WI040-029007 Graveyard
Description
The site of the medieval church of St Mary on the N side of Main Street; marked as 'Grave Yard' on the 1838 OS 6-inch map. Not visible at ground level; the rectangular graveyard (dims. 29m E-W; 23m N-S) has been made into a public park and the 18th- and 19th-century headstones, including examples by Denis Cullen, have been arranged around the perimeter. 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: 19 September 2013
- WI040-029008 Graveyard
Description
Situated on low-lying marshy ground in Arklow Town. Probably the site of a Cistercian Abbey (WI040-029004-), granted by Theobold Walter to the Cistercians of Furness, but possibly only in existence for a short period (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 126). It was part of the medieval borough of Arklow (WI040-029----). Human skeletons in what appear to have been lintelled graves or long cists were found on the site prior to 1927 at the site marked 'Site of Grave Yard' on the 1838 OS 6-inch map. A trapezoidal tombstone, possibly of medieval date, was also found and was located at Shelton Abbey (Ronan 1927, 103). The site is now occupied by houses. 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: 19 September 2013
- WI040-029009 Graveyard
Description
Situated on level terrain on the S side of the town. The site of the Dominican friary (WI040-029001-) founded in 1264 by Thomas Theobald FitzWalter. Portions of the church and claustral buildings survived into the mid-18th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 221). No surviving remains; the site is now a park in Arklow town with 18th- and 19th-century headstones, including samples by Denis Cullen and James Byrne, arranged around the perimeter of the high-walled square graveyard. Part of the medieval borough of Arklow (WI040-029----). 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: 19 September 2013
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
- No susceptibility class on the 1:50,000 map; parts are made ground.
- Terrain model
- LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_3351 (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
- 46.3 ha
- 114 acres
- Land parcels
- 635
- registered freehold, median 261 m²
- Zoning
- R2
- Existing Residential
- Planning
- 94
- applications since 2010
Land parcels
Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann
635 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Abbeylands, from 1 m² to 25,288 m² (2.53 ha, 6.25 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 58 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
- R2Existing Residential (Existing residential)
Arklow and Environs Local Area Plan, Wicklow · 628 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - M2Town Centre (City/Town/village Centre, central area)
Arklow and Environs Local Area Plan, Wicklow · 32 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - S5Community & Education (Mixed/general community services/facilities uses)
Arklow and Environs Local Area Plan, Wicklow · 13 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - M5Mixed Use (Other mix of uses)
Arklow and Environs Local Area Plan, Wicklow · 7 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - R1New Residential - R28 (New/proposed residential)
Arklow and Environs Local Area Plan, Wicklow · 3 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - G4Active Open Space (Active open space)
Arklow and Environs Local Area Plan, Wicklow · 3 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - C2.1Employment (Industrial, enterprise, employment)
Arklow and Environs Local Area Plan, Wicklow · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - G1Open Space (Open space, park)
Arklow and Environs Local Area Plan, Wicklow · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.
Planning applications
Sites that touch the townland, newest first
8 Sept 2026N/a
alterations and extensions to his property, the application includes for the construction of a single storey porch to front elevation, the construction of a single storey plant room to side elevation and for the construction of single storey storage bays at rear of property including provision of a number of Velux windows to front and rear including ancillary works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2660810
5 Aug 2026N/a
construction of a 2 Storey Doctors Surgery, including, 10 No. Consultation Rooms and 3 No. Treatment rooms, Emergency set down area and 2 no. Disabled Parking Spaces together with associated site works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2660694
27 Apr 2026Conditional
new single storey steel canopy structure with sheet metal roof finish, PV panels, new permeable paved ambulance parking bay (below canopy) with new vehicular entrance of Castle Park Road, new planted sloped bank & associated landscape works to the north side of the existing two storey ambulance station
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2660338
27 Mar 2026N/a
new single storey steel canopy structure with sheet metal roof finish, PV panels, new permeable paved ambulance parking bay (below canopy) with new vehicular entrance of Castle Park Road, new planted sloped bank & associated landscape works to the north side of the existing two storey ambulance station
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2660228
19 Feb 2026Refused
1. new single storey detached house. 2. new vehicular entrance from Harbour Court housing estate. 3. new hammer head/turning area from Harbour Court housing estate. 4. new pedestrian footpath linking existing footpath from Gussett Lane to Harbour Court housing estate. 5. connections to existing services. 6. all above with associated siteworks
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2660115
3 Nov 2025Conditional
section 254 licence - scaffolding
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 25314
27 Aug 2025Conditional
Section 254 Licence
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 25244
30 Apr 2025Conditional
existing two storey as built rear extension and all associated site works
Retention · Wicklow County Council, 25105
25 Apr 2025Conditional
bay window to front of dwelling with porch roof overhang and retention of domestic store at rear, and associated works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2599
9 Apr 2025N/a
construction of new mixed use building with 2 retail unit and 10 apartments, bike and bin store, connection to all services and associate works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2560263
28 Mar 2025Refused
the following: 1. New two storey detached house 2. New vehicular entrance from Harbour Court Housing Estate 3. New pedestrian footpath linking existing footpath from Gussett Lane to Harbour Court Housing Estate 4. Connections to existing services 5. All above with associated siteworks
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2560227
24 Mar 2025N/a
existing two storey as built rear extension and all associated site works
Retention · Wicklow County Council, 2566
20 Mar 2025Conditional
an extension of 41.00sq.metres to existing dwelling house and associated site works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2560193
28 Nov 2024Conditional
a single storey extension of 4no. Special Educational Teaching Rooms (floor area = 60sqm) to the front of the existing single storey St Michael Building (existing floor area = 1016.0sqm), together with minor internal alterations and all associated site works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2460751
28 Nov 2024Conditional
construction of a single storey extension of 3no. Special Educational Teaching Rooms (floor area = 58.6sqm) to the front of the existing single storey St Peter Building (existing floor area = 979.0sqm), together with minor internal alterations and all associated site works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2460752
6 Nov 2024Conditional
(i)Construction of single storey domestic garage, Gross Area c.37square metres, to rear of house (ii)Widening of existing front access and all associated site works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2460681
28 Aug 2024Conditional
Part 8 - to construct 74 No. Social Housing Units and all associated works. The accommodation shall consist of the following: 2 No. four bedroom storey and a half units, 17 No. three bedroom two storey units, 45 No. two bedroom two storey units, 2 No. one bedroom apartments in a two storey unit and 8 No. one bedroom single storey units. (Please see the Site Notice for details in relation to submissions or observations in respect to the proposed development)
Permission, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 24352
16 Jun 2024Conditional
as constructed single storey garage building, c.36square metres, and all associated site works
Retention · Wicklow County Council, 2460340
7 May 2024N/a
as constructed single storey garage building, c.36square metres, and all associated site works
Retention · Wicklow County Council, 2460256
18 Apr 2024Conditional
planning registration reference number 22/1014, is being sought for the construction of a new detached two storey, townhouse dwelling together with all associated ancillary site works
Permission consequent · Wicklow County Council, 2460223
19 Mar 2024N/a
change of use of first floor from retail to a 1-bedroom apartment; Amendments to rear elevation including windows and a new balcony, internal amendments and all associated site works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 24133
8 Mar 2024Refused
to demolish an existing substandard 60m² 2-storey store building and erect a 90m² single storey shed to the existing yard along with all associated site development works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 24120
17 Nov 2023Conditional
the existing single-storey extension to the rear & side of the existing dwelling comprising of a kitchen, utility and sitting room (with an area of 28m²) together with the retention of the existing single - storey front entrance porch (with an area of 3m²) all at ground floor level. Also, retention permission is being sought for the two existing single storey garden sheds to the rear of the existing dwelling (garden shed 1 with an area of 15.2m²) and (garden shed 2 with an area of 25m²) all connecting into the existing services
Retention · Wicklow County Council, 2360420
31 Oct 2023Conditional
the Material Change of Use from Retail (Pharmacy Unit) to Health Centre (additional HSE accommodation) in part of the ground floor of the existing Primary Care Centre, localised alterations to the building elevations and all associated site works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2360388
1 Jul 2023Conditional
alterations and additions to the existing detached bungalow. The proposed works will comprise of the demolition of the existing attached single storey lean-to garden shed and utility area to the rear (west) elevation & the construction of a new single storey dining, utility, bedroom & bathroom extension in lieu, together with the demolition of the existing front entrance porch to the front (east) elevation including alterations to the existing window & door openings to all elevations. The proposed works will also include the widening of the existing site entrance gates to the front (east) boundary all connecting into existing services and including all associated site works
Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2360134
The 25 most recent of 94 applications.
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 Abbeylands.
Recorded monuments
- WI040-029001 Religious house - Dominican friars
Description
Situated on level terrain on the S side of the town. The site of the Dominican friary founded in 1264 by Thomas Theobald FitzWalter. Portions of the church and claustral buildings survived into the mid-18th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 221). No surviving remains; the site is now a park in Arklow town with 18th- and 19th-century headstones, including samples by Denis Cullen and James Byrne, arranged around the perimeter of the high-walled square graveyard. Part of the medieval borough of Arklow (WI040-029----). In 1414 the pope granted the friary the following rights; 'Relaxation, during ten years, of years and ten quarantines of enjoined penance to penitents who on the six feasts of Our Lord, Whitsun day, the four feasts of, St. Mary the Virgin, the Nativity of St. John Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, the Invention and Exaltation Of Holy Cross and the dedication, and on All Saints, during the octaves of certain of them and the six days of Whitsun week, visit or (vel) give alms for the conservation and sustentation of the Friars Preachers' church of Holy Cross de Arclo, in the diocese of Dublin' (Cal. papal letters, 461). In 1541 after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Crown granted a 'Lease to Edmund Duffe, gent.; of the site of the priory of friars preachers of Arclow, with appurtenances. To hold for 21 years, at a rent of 20s.—' (Nicholls 1994, 22). On the 27th of January, 1541 an inquistion held at Arklow under a jury consisting of, 'Edmund Edward, Peter Waffer, Patrick Fannyng, Walter Chever, Denis Edward, Patrick Kenne, James Ower, Dermot Kelley, John McGerrer, William McMorysshe, Hugh Carpenter, and Hugh Ballagh' recorded that the Dominican House of Arklow, then listed as in Co. Wexford consisted of the following; 'All the buildings in the precinct are necessary for the farmer, and with a garden cont[aining]. 2 acr[es]., and are worth above repairs 6.s. 8.d. Vill of Arctlo [Arklow]. - 2 parks or closes cont. 3 acr.; 2.s. 3 acr. (greater measure); 2.s. A new chamber; Edmund Duff, for a term of years; value, 6.s. 8.d.; rent, a grain of corn. A messuage; Connor McKee ; 12.d., and for victuals, a quarter of beef (12.d.), 6 cakes (12.d.), 3 gallons of butter (2.s.) ; total, 5.s. A messuage; Thomas Ferrold 5.s.; do.; John Gregory 5.s. ; do.; Hugh Ballagh; 3.s. 4-d. 6 cottages, worth 12.s.; now waste by war and rebellion of the Irish called le Kavaners [Cavanaghs]. 2 vacant pieces of ground; ,2.d. Each tenant of a messuage used to give to the Friars, for their sustenance, from every brewing of beer for sale, 3½ gallons of beer worth 13.s. 4d.; this duty is not rendered now. Each gave 1 hen; 8.d. Total, 23.s. 2.d. Total of the extent, 29.s. 10.d.' (White 1943, 373). Edmund Duff [Duffy] was listed as the occupier of the 'House of Friars Preachers of Arcloo' (ibid., 374). In 1544 the friary lands were granted, 'to John Travers of Dublin, esq., in consideration of the sum of £41 of the site of the monastery of friars preachers of Arclowe, with appurtenances, county Wexford' (Nicholls 1994, 46). According to Brewer (1825-6, 332) 'on part of the site was erected a parish church, the land having been granted for that purpose by Sir Laurence Esmond, Bart. and Benjamin Mountney, Esq.; but this building falling to decay a new church has been recently erected, on a more eligible spot'. The Urban Survey of Co. Wicklow described the Dominican Friary of the Holy Cross as follows; 'This was founded in 1264 by Thomas Theobald FitzWalter and he was buried there in 1285 (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 221). It was suppressed in 1539 but parts of the church and claustral buildings survived until the mid eighteenth century (ibid.). It was located in the rectangular site marked "graveyard" on the south side of Main Street. No building remains survive. The site itself has been turned into a public park with the eighteenth and nineteenth century gravestones arranged around the walls' (Bradley and King 1989, 6). The following details were recorded by Gwynn and Hadcock (1970, 221); 'In 1414 an indulgence was granted for the conservation of the friars' church. The friary was suppressed in 1539. On 27 Jan. 1541 the jurors found that the buildings and 2-acre site were necessary for the farmer (Edmund Duffy); the possessions (then let to several tenants) included 15 acres, four messuages and six cottages, val. c. 62s., but given as 29s. 10d. because part was waste by war and rebellion of the Irish called le Kavaners: E. The buildings consisted of church and belfry, chapter-house, dorter, hall, three chambers, store, kitchen, etc.; the property was granted in 1544 to John Travers at a small rent. The ch[urch]. and priory stood almost complete in Burgo's time. Stephen O'Kelly, last representative of the order in Arklow, d[ied]. soon after 1835'. 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. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 14 July 2021
- WI040-029009 Graveyard
Description
Situated on level terrain on the S side of the town. The site of the Dominican friary (WI040-029001-) founded in 1264 by Thomas Theobald FitzWalter. Portions of the church and claustral buildings survived into the mid-18th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 221). No surviving remains; the site is now a park in Arklow town with 18th- and 19th-century headstones, including samples by Denis Cullen and James Byrne, arranged around the perimeter of the high-walled square graveyard. Part of the medieval borough of Arklow (WI040-029----). 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: 19 September 2013
Architectural heritage
- House, 1920–1930 · Regional interest
Description
Terraced two-bay two-storey house, built c.1925. The façade is finished in unpainted render whilst the pitched roof is slated and has a shared rendered chimneystack. The entrance consists of partly glazed timber door with plain rectangular fanlight. The flat-headed windows have two over two timber sash frames. To the front is a small garden, enclosed from the street by a rendered wall. The house is one of a long planned roadside terrace of largely identical properties.
- House, 1920–1930 · Regional interest
Description
End-of-terrace two-bay two-storey house, built c.1925. The façade is finished in unpainted roughcast with narrow painted render surrounds to the openings, whilst the pitched roof is slated and has a blank gable shared with the neighbouring house, and a rendered chimneystack. The entrance consists of partly glazed timber door with plain rectangular fanlight. The flat-headed windows have two over two timber sash frames. To the front is a small garden, enclosed from the street by a rendered wall. The house is one of a long planned roadside terrace of largely identical properties.
- House, 1945–1955 · Regional interest
Description
End-of-terrace two-bay two-storey house, built c.1950. The façade is in brick whilst the part hipped roof is covered in pan tiles and has a shared brick chimneystack. The entrance consists of a panelled timber door set within a bevelled reveal. The windows are flat-headed and have timber sash frames, those to the upper floor six over six, that to the ground floor tripartite. Cast-iron rainwater goods. To the front of the house is a relatively small garden enclosed with a rendered wall. The property is one of a large planned grouping of identical properties.
- House, 1945–1955 · Regional interest
Description
Terraced two-bay two-storey house, built c.1950. The façade is in brick whilst the pitched roof is covered in pan tiles and has a shared brick chimneystack. The entrance consists of a partly glazed timber door set within a bevelled reveal. The windows are flat-headed and have timber sash frames, those to the upper floor six over six, that to the ground floor tripartite. uPVC rainwater goods. To the front of the house is a relatively small garden enclosed with a rendered wall. The property is one of a large planned grouping of identical properties.
- House, 1900–1920 · Regional interest
Description
Terraced two-bay two-storey house, built c.1910. The façade is finished in unpainted render whilst the pitched roof is slated and has a shared rendered chimneystack. The entrance consists of partly glazed timber door with plain rectangular fanlight. The flat-headed windows have two over two timber sash frame. To the front is a small garden, enclosed from the street by a rendered wall. The house is one of a long planned roadside terrace of largely identical properties.
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 moderately low, low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map; parts are made ground and water.
- Terrain model
- LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_3351 (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 Abbeylands with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Wicklow.
The townland
- Name
- Abbeylands · Fearann na Mainstreach
- Area
- 463,002 m² (46.3 ha, 114.41 acres)
- Civil parish
- Arklow, and its townlands
- Barony
- Arklow
- Electoral division
- Arklow No. 1 Urban, the unit of the census
- Census 2022
- Arklow No. 1 Urban electoral division: 10,367 people in 3,895 households; 66% of households own their home; 35% of homes were built since 2001; 9% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.
- Neighbouring townlands
- Arklow, Knockanrahan Lower, Tinahask Lower, Tinahask Upper
- Placenames
- Abbeylands 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.