Kilmonaster Middle

22 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Kilmonaster Middle, from 470 m² to 219,107 m² (21.91 ha, 54.14 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 17 neighbouring parcels touch it.

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

No zone of a development plan covers Kilmonaster Middle 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.

• 4 Mar 2021Conditional

  (1) CONSTRUCTION OF AN UNDER PASS FOR LIVESTOCK MOVEMENT (2) ALTERATIONS TO PREVIOUSLY GRANTED SHED UNDER PLANNING REF: 18/50820 FOR INCREASED FLOOR AREA AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

  Permission · Donegal County Council, 2150378

• 1 Oct 2020N/a

  CONSTRUCTION OF (1) AN UNDER PASS FOR LIVESTOCK MOVEMENT (2) A RETAINING WALL TO FORM A RAMP ONTO EXISTING SILAGE PIT AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

  Permission · Donegal County Council, 2051409

• 2 Sept 2020N/a

  CONSTRUCTION OF (1) AN UNDER PASS FOR LIVESTOCK MOVEMENT AND (2) A RAMP ONTO EXISTING SILAGE PIT AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

  Permission · Donegal County Council, 2051227

• 23 May 2018Conditional

  (A) RETENTION OF 2 NO. EXTENSIONS TO EXISTING SLATTED AGRICULTURAL SHED AND ERECTION OF AN EXTENSION TO SIDE OF SAME (B) RETENTION OF EXTENSION TO REAR OF 2ND EXISTING SLATTED AGRICULTURAL SHED AND ERECTION OF AN EXTENSION TO REAR OF SAME, (C) ERECTION OF A ROOF OVER EXISTING SILAGE PIT (ATTACHED TO EXISTING 2ND SHED MENTIONED IN (B)) FOR USE AS MEAL STORAGE, AND (D) RETENTION OF 2ND EXISTING SILAGE PIT AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

  Permission · Donegal County Council, 1850820

• 29 Mar 2018N/a

  (A) RETENTION OF 2 NO. EXTENSIONS TO EXISTING SLATTED AGRICULTURAL SHED AND ERECTION OF AN EXTENSION TO SIDE OF SAME (B) RETENTION OF EXTENSION TO REAR OF 2ND EXISTING SLATTED AGRICULTURAL SHED AND ERECTION OF AN EXTENSION TO REAR OF SAME, (C) ERECTION OF A ROOF OVER EXISTING SILAGE PIT (ATTACHED TO EXISTIING 2ND SHED MENTIONED IN (B)) FOR USE AS MEAL STORAGE, AND (D) RETENTION OF 2ND EXISTING SILAGE PIT AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

  Permission · Donegal County Council, 1850486

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

Designated sites

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

Recorded monuments

• DG070-063001 Standing stone
  Description

  Marked as 'Standing Stone' on the 2nd edition of the OS 6-inch map and as 'Standing Stone (site of)' on the 3rd edition. There are no visible remains. Situated on good land on the N slope of Kilmonaster Hill. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008 No archaeological significance NGR 22734 39764 Excavation Licence No. 05E0801 Pre-development testing was carried out on 18 July 2005 at a site in advance of its development at Kilmonaster Middle townland, Ballindrait, Co. Donegal. The proposed development, which consisted of the construction of a silage pit, dung pit, effluent containment tank and dry-bed cattle shed, was located within the constraint area for an archaeological complex, the Kilmonaster Passage Tomb cemetery. The nearest monument of the complex, a passage tomb, was 5m from the proposed containment tank. The cattle shed was 24m from the same monument. As the groundworks involved in the construction of the cattle shed consisted of four pits (1m by 1m by 1m deep) located along one side of the proposed structure, it was decided to concentrate the test-trenches at the proposed containment tank location. Three trenches were excavated, which measured 16.3m, 33m and 36.3m long, 0.9-1.3m wide and 0.1-1m deep. Below the topsoil were fill, grey/brown friable silt loam, orange/brown loose loamy sand and bedrock. A number of modern pottery sherds and one worked piece of flint were found in the topsoil. The fill consisted of soil and rocks and was located along the line of a field boundary. The friable silt loam contained a small number of animal bone fragments (from a calf) at c. 0.3m below the surface. The loamy sand was sterile. The landowner had informed me prior to the testing that livestock had been buried along this field boundary in years gone by, so the finding of bone was not a surprise. The stray find of worked flint in the topsoil was also not surprising, considering the proximity of the passage tomb (Excavations Bulletin 2005). Richard Crumlish, 4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

• DG070-063002 Anomalous stone group
  Description

  No archaeological significance. NGR 22734 39764 Excavation Licence No. 05E0801 Pre-development testing was carried out on 18 July 2005 at a site in advance of its development at Kilmonaster Middle townland, Ballindrait, Co. Donegal. The proposed development, which consisted of the construction of a silage pit, dung pit, effluent containment tank and dry-bed cattle shed, was located within the constraint area for an archaeological complex, the Kilmonaster Passage Tomb cemetery. The nearest monument of the complex, a passage tomb, was 5m from the proposed containment tank. The cattle shed was 24m from the same monument. As the groundworks involved in the construction of the cattle shed consisted of four pits (1m by 1m by 1m deep) located along one side of the proposed structure, it was decided to concentrate the test-trenches at the proposed containment tank location. Three trenches were excavated, which measured 16.3m, 33m and 36.3m long, 0.9-1.3m wide and 0.1-1m deep. Below the topsoil were fill, grey/brown friable silt loam, orange/brown loose loamy sand and bedrock. A number of modern pottery sherds and one worked piece of flint were found in the topsoil. The fill consisted of soil and rocks and was located along the line of a field boundary. The friable silt loam contained a small number of animal bone fragments (from a calf) at c. 0.3m below the surface. The loamy sand was sterile. The landowner had informed me prior to the testing that livestock had been buried along this field boundary in years gone by, so the finding of bone was not a surprise. The stray find of worked flint in the topsoil was also not surprising, considering the proximity of the passage tomb (Excavations Bulletin 2005). Richard Crumlish, 4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

• DG070-063003 Megalithic tomb - passage tomb
  Description

  This monument consists of a cruciform passage tomb standing close to the western edge of a large mound. The mound has been planted with trees, and its original perimeter is distorted by fences, but it appears to have been round in outline and c. 23m in diameter. It is now c. 1.5m high. A number of kerbstones can be identified, some of quartz. There are a large number of scattered quartz fragments on the surface of the mound. The surviving tomb structure is 7m in overall length, and it is aligned approximately W-E. Little now survives of the passage, which is entered from the W, but it was at least 3m long. The northern transept, at right angles to the inner end of the passage, is 1.1m long and narrows from 1.lm wide at the front to 0.9m at the back. A large roofstone, possibly somewhat displaced, covers this chamber. The southern transept is set somewhat askew to the main axis of the monument. It is 1.2m long and 0.9m wide at the front, narrowing to 0.7m at the back. The end chamber is 2.4m long and 1.5m wide. The stones of this chamber are somewhat taller than those of the transepts. Fagan 1845-8, book 10, 30; de Valera 1960, 71, fn. 224; Ó Nualláin 1968b, 5-8 (plan, photographs); Herity 1974, 214, Dg. 1; Ó Nualláin 1983a, 36, no. 75 (plan); SMR 1987, 70:66; Ó Nualláin 1989, 127; RMP 1995, 70:63. Kilmonaster Middle (Site A) The above description was published in the 'Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume VI, County Donegal.' Compiled by: Eamon Cody (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). Date of upload: 22 September 2008 No archaeological significance NGR 22734 39764 Excavation Licence No. 05E0801 Pre-development testing was carried out on 18 July 2005 at a site in advance of its development at Kilmonaster Middle townland, Ballindrait, Co. Donegal. The proposed development, which consisted of the construction of a silage pit, dung pit, effluent containment tank and dry-bed cattle shed, was located within the constraint area for an archaeological complex, the Kilmonaster Passage Tomb cemetery. The nearest monument of the complex, a passage tomb, was 5m from the proposed containment tank. The cattle shed was 24m from the same monument. As the groundworks involved in the construction of the cattle shed consisted of four pits (1m by 1m by 1m deep) located along one side of the proposed structure, it was decided to concentrate the test-trenches at the proposed containment tank location. Three trenches were excavated, which measured 16.3m, 33m and 36.3m long, 0.9-1.3m wide and 0.1-1m deep. Below the topsoil were fill, grey/brown friable silt loam, orange/brown loose loamy sand and bedrock. A number of modern pottery sherds and one worked piece of flint were found in the topsoil. The fill consisted of soil and rocks and was located along the line of a field boundary. The friable silt loam contained a small number of animal bone fragments (from a calf) at c. 0.3m below the surface. The loamy sand was sterile. The landowner had informed me prior to the testing that livestock had been buried along this field boundary in years gone by, so the finding of bone was not a surprise. The stray find of worked flint in the topsoil was also not surprising, considering the proximity of the passage tomb (Excavations Bulletin 2005). Richard Crumlish, 4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

• DG070-063004 Rock art
  Description

  Described by Ó Nualláin as 'X shows the position of the decorated stone now concealed or destroyed. This may have been the "overturned table-stone of a cromlech" mentioned, but is has since been removed or destroyed. It lay in the fence on the western side of the road running from Raphoe to Clady. The decoration was difficult to examine. The ornament consisted largely of cup and circle designs. The cups measured about 5 cm. In diameter and were 1 to 1.5 cm. deep. These were surrounded by circles of which the outermost was 16cm in diameter. Other markings, possibly straight lines, appeared to be present, but the position of the stone made it difficult to define these. The whole design seemed to conform more to the "Galician" rock scribings than to normal passage-grave art.' (ibid., 5). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 30 May 2010

• DG070-063005 Megalithic tomb - passage tomb
  Description

  These monuments stood c. 120m W of Site A. Both have been removed. They are shown on the OS 6-inch map of 1845-7, where collectively with Site A they are named 'Giant's Graves'. Site B is shown as a circle of dots, suggesting a kerb with a diameter a little over 20m within which a small group of dots seems to represent a chamber. On the pre-publication field map the kerb-like feature is named 'Druidic Circle', and the group of dots in the interior is named 'Cromlech'. Site C is shown as a small group of dots, perhaps representing a chamber, on the published map of 1845-7 and is named 'Cromlech' on the pre-publication field map. As shown on the OS 6-inch map, it stood c. 10m NW of Site B, but according to Thomas Fagan (1845-8) these sites stood c. 30 yards (c. 27.5m) apart. Fagan recorded that both were built with stones measuring 2 feet (c. 0.6m) to 31/2 feet (c. 1.05m) high. He noted that one of these graves - he did not specify which - was 11 feet (c. 3.3m) long by 41/2 feet (c. 1.4m) wide and the other 6 feet (c. 1.8m) long by 41/2 feet (c. 1.4m) wide; both, he claimed, were originally larger. It appears that Site B, apparently a megalithic tomb in a circular, possibly kerbed cairn, was probably a passage tomb, and Site C, in view of its proximity, may also have been one. Fagan 1845-8, book 10, 31; Ó Nualláin 1968b, 8-9; Herity 1974, 214, Dg. 2 and Dg. 3; Ó Nualláin 1983a, 36, nos. 76-7; Ó Nualláin 1989, 127; RMP 1995, 70:63. The above description was published in the 'Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume VI, County Donegal.' Compiled by: Eamon Cody (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). Date of upload: 22 September 2008 No archaeological significance NGR 22734 39764 Excavation Licence No. 05E0801 Pre-development testing was carried out on 18 July 2005 at a site in advance of its development at Kilmonaster Middle townland, Ballindrait, Co. Donegal. The proposed development, which consisted of the construction of a silage pit, dung pit, effluent containment tank and dry-bed cattle shed, was located within the constraint area for an archaeological complex, the Kilmonaster Passage Tomb cemetery. The nearest monument of the complex, a passage tomb, was 5m from the proposed containment tank. The cattle shed was 24m from the same monument. As the groundworks involved in the construction of the cattle shed consisted of four pits (1m by 1m by 1m deep) located along one side of the proposed structure, it was decided to concentrate the test-trenches at the proposed containment tank location. Three trenches were excavated, which measured 16.3m, 33m and 36.3m long, 0.9-1.3m wide and 0.1-1m deep. Below the topsoil were fill, grey/brown friable silt loam, orange/brown loose loamy sand and bedrock. A number of modern pottery sherds and one worked piece of flint were found in the topsoil. The fill consisted of soil and rocks and was located along the line of a field boundary. The friable silt loam contained a small number of animal bone fragments (from a calf) at c. 0.3m below the surface. The loamy sand was sterile. The landowner had informed me prior to the testing that livestock had been buried along this field boundary in years gone by, so the finding of bone was not a surprise. The stray find of worked flint in the topsoil was also not surprising, considering the proximity of the passage tomb (Excavations Bulletin 2005). Richard Crumlish, 4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

• DG070-063006 Megalithic tomb - passage tomb
  Description

  These monuments stood c. 120m W of Site A. Both have been removed. They are shown on the OS 6-inch map of 1845-7, where collectively with Site A they are named 'Giant's Graves'. Site C is shown as a small group of dots, perhaps representing a chamber, on the published map of 1845-7 and is named 'Cromlech' on the pre-publication field map. As shown on the OS 6-inch map, it stood c. 10m NW of Site B, but according to Thomas Fagan (1845-8) these sites stood c. 30 yards (c. 27.5m) apart. Fagan recorded that both were built with stones measuring 2 feet (c. 0.6m) to 31/2 feet (c. 1.05m) high. He noted that one of these graves - he did not specify which - was 11 feet (c. 3.3m) long by 41/2 feet (c. 1.4m) wide and the other 6 feet (c. 1.8m) long by 41/2 feet (c. 1.4m) wide; both, he claimed, were originally larger. It appears that Site B, apparently a megalithic tomb in a circular, possibly kerbed cairn, was probably a passage tomb, and Site C, in view of its proximity, may also have been one. Fagan 1845-8, book 10, 31; Ó Nualláin 1968b, 8-9; Herity 1974, 214, Dg. 2 and Dg. 3; Ó Nualláin 1983a, 36, nos. 76-7; Ó Nualláin 1989, 127; RMP 1995, 70:63. The above description was published in the 'Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume VI, County Donegal.' Compiled by: Eamon Cody (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). Date of upload: 22 September 2008 No archaeological significance NGR 22734 39764 Excavation Licence No. 05E0801 Pre-development testing was carried out on 18 July 2005 at a site in advance of its development at Kilmonaster Middle townland, Ballindrait, Co. Donegal. The proposed development, which consisted of the construction of a silage pit, dung pit, effluent containment tank and dry-bed cattle shed, was located within the constraint area for an archaeological complex, the Kilmonaster Passage Tomb cemetery. The nearest monument of the complex, a passage tomb, was 5m from the proposed containment tank. The cattle shed was 24m from the same monument. As the groundworks involved in the construction of the cattle shed consisted of four pits (1m by 1m by 1m deep) located along one side of the proposed structure, it was decided to concentrate the test-trenches at the proposed containment tank location. Three trenches were excavated, which measured 16.3m, 33m and 36.3m long, 0.9-1.3m wide and 0.1-1m deep. Below the topsoil were fill, grey/brown friable silt loam, orange/brown loose loamy sand and bedrock. A number of modern pottery sherds and one worked piece of flint were found in the topsoil. The fill consisted of soil and rocks and was located along the line of a field boundary. The friable silt loam contained a small number of animal bone fragments (from a calf) at c. 0.3m below the surface. The loamy sand was sterile. The landowner had informed me prior to the testing that livestock had been buried along this field boundary in years gone by, so the finding of bone was not a surprise. The stray find of worked flint in the topsoil was also not surprising, considering the proximity of the passage tomb (Excavations Bulletin 2005). Richard Crumlish, 4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

• DG070-063007 Megalithic tomb - passage tomb
  Description

  This monument stands c. 140m WSW of Site A. Now partly incorporated in a roadside fence, the structure is quite ruined and consists of four orthostats and what appears to be a displaced roof stone. The roofstone, 2.2m by 2.2m and 0.4m thick, leans against the western face of an orthostat measuring 0.75m high and at least 1.6m long, which is aligned more or less N-S. Just 0.2m to the E of the concealed southern end of this orthostat are two set stones, each c. 0.6m long, the northern one 0.55m high and the southern 0.4m. Approximately lm S of the large orthostat is another set stone. This is 0.6m long and also 0.6m high. Although the remains are clearly those of a megalithic tomb, its original design is not clear. Its proximity to the cruciform passage tomb (Site A) and to another probable passage tomb (Site B) suggests that it too may be the remains of one. A large quantity of human bone is said to have been unearthed here in 1839 (Fagan 1845-8). Fagan 1845-8, book 10, 31; Ó Nualláin 1968b, 9 (plan, photograph); Herity 1974, 214, Dg. 4; Ó Nualláin 1983a, 36, no. 78 (plan); SMR 1987, 70:68; Ó Nualláin 1989, 127; RMP 1995, 70:63. Kilmonaster Middle (Site D). The above description was published in the 'Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume VI, County Donegal.' Compiled by: Eamon Cody (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). Date of upload: 22 September 2008 No archaeological significance NGR 22734 39764 Excavation Licence No. 05E0801 Pre-development testing was carried out on 18 July 2005 at a site in advance of its development at Kilmonaster Middle townland, Ballindrait, Co. Donegal. The proposed development, which consisted of the construction of a silage pit, dung pit, effluent containment tank and dry-bed cattle shed, was located within the constraint area for an archaeological complex, the Kilmonaster Passage Tomb cemetery. The nearest monument of the complex, a passage tomb, was 5m from the proposed containment tank. The cattle shed was 24m from the same monument. As the groundworks involved in the construction of the cattle shed consisted of four pits (1m by 1m by 1m deep) located along one side of the proposed structure, it was decided to concentrate the test-trenches at the proposed containment tank location. Three trenches were excavated, which measured 16.3m, 33m and 36.3m long, 0.9-1.3m wide and 0.1-1m deep. Below the topsoil were fill, grey/brown friable silt loam, orange/brown loose loamy sand and bedrock. A number of modern pottery sherds and one worked piece of flint were found in the topsoil. The fill consisted of soil and rocks and was located along the line of a field boundary. The friable silt loam contained a small number of animal bone fragments (from a calf) at c. 0.3m below the surface. The loamy sand was sterile. The landowner had informed me prior to the testing that livestock had been buried along this field boundary in years gone by, so the finding of bone was not a surprise. The stray find of worked flint in the topsoil was also not surprising, considering the proximity of the passage tomb (Excavations Bulletin 2005). Richard Crumlish, 4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

• DG070-063008 Megalithic tomb - passage tomb
  Description

  This monument, which has been removed, stood c. 170m NW of Site A. According to OS cartographic and documentary records of the 1840s, the eastern half of a kerbed round mound, c. 23m in diameter, within which there appears to have been some form of structure, stood here alongside a roadway. The remainder of the mound had been demolished during construction of the road. According to Thomas Fagan (1845-8), 'many graves and human bones' were unearthed during this work. The remaining half of the mound was levelled toward the end of the 19th century (OS 1:2,500 Name Book, 1905). Bones were again reportedly unearthed at this time. There is a possibility that this was a passage tomb. Fagan 1845-8, book 10, 29; OS 1:2, 500 Name Book, sheet 70 (1905), 68; Ó Nualláin 1968b, 11; Herity 1974, 214, Dg. 5; Ó Nualláin 1983a, 36, no. 79; SMR 1987, 70:65; Ó Nualláin 1989, 127; RMP 1995, 70:63. Kilmonaster Middle (Site E). The above description was published in the 'Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume VI, County Donegal.' Compiled by: Eamon Cody (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). Date of upload: 22 September 2008 No archaeological significance NGR 22734 39764 Excavation Licence No. 05E0801 Pre-development testing was carried out on 18 July 2005 at a site in advance of its development at Kilmonaster Middle townland, Ballindrait, Co. Donegal. The proposed development, which consisted of the construction of a silage pit, dung pit, effluent containment tank and dry-bed cattle shed, was located within the constraint area for an archaeological complex, the Kilmonaster Passage Tomb cemetery. The nearest monument of the complex, a passage tomb, was 5m from the proposed containment tank. The cattle shed was 24m from the same monument. As the groundworks involved in the construction of the cattle shed consisted of four pits (1m by 1m by 1m deep) located along one side of the proposed structure, it was decided to concentrate the test-trenches at the proposed containment tank location. Three trenches were excavated, which measured 16.3m, 33m and 36.3m long, 0.9-1.3m wide and 0.1-1m deep. Below the topsoil were fill, grey/brown friable silt loam, orange/brown loose loamy sand and bedrock. A number of modern pottery sherds and one worked piece of flint were found in the topsoil. The fill consisted of soil and rocks and was located along the line of a field boundary. The friable silt loam contained a small number of animal bone fragments (from a calf) at c. 0.3m below the surface. The loamy sand was sterile. The landowner had informed me prior to the testing that livestock had been buried along this field boundary in years gone by, so the finding of bone was not a surprise. The stray find of worked flint in the topsoil was also not surprising, considering the proximity of the passage tomb (Excavations Bulletin 2005). Richard Crumlish, 4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

• DG070-063009 Megalithic tomb - passage tomb
  Description

  This monument has been removed. It stood 220m W of the cruciform passage tomb (Site A). Thomas Fagan (1845-8) described it as a ruined cairn, 25 yards (c. 23m) in diameter, enclosed by blocks of stone, apparently a kerb. He reported that in the cairn there were 'square', 'oblong' and 'circular graves', some of which were covered by flags bearing 'sundry rude devices'. Human bones were reportedly found in these graves. The presence of a round kerbed mound close to others containing passage tombs suggests that this may also have been a passage tomb, although the possibility that the whole was a cemetery mound containing cists has also been suggested (Waddell 1990). Fagan 1845-8, book 10, 29; Ó Nualláin 1968b, 11-12; Herity 1974, 214, Dg. 6; Ó Nualláin 1983a, 36, no. 80; SMR 1987, 70:67; Ó Nualláin 1989, 127; Waddell 1990, 73; RMP 1995, 70:63. Kilmonaster Middle (Site F). The above description was published in the 'Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume VI, County Donegal.' Compiled by: Eamon Cody (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). Date of upload: 22 September 2008 No archaeological significance NGR 22734 39764 Excavation Licence No. 05E0801 Pre-development testing was carried out on 18 July 2005 at a site in advance of its development at Kilmonaster Middle townland, Ballindrait, Co. Donegal. The proposed development, which consisted of the construction of a silage pit, dung pit, effluent containment tank and dry-bed cattle shed, was located within the constraint area for an archaeological complex, the Kilmonaster Passage Tomb cemetery. The nearest monument of the complex, a passage tomb, was 5m from the proposed containment tank. The cattle shed was 24m from the same monument. As the groundworks involved in the construction of the cattle shed consisted of four pits (1m by 1m by 1m deep) located along one side of the proposed structure, it was decided to concentrate the test-trenches at the proposed containment tank location. Three trenches were excavated, which measured 16.3m, 33m and 36.3m long, 0.9-1.3m wide and 0.1-1m deep. Below the topsoil were fill, grey/brown friable silt loam, orange/brown loose loamy sand and bedrock. A number of modern pottery sherds and one worked piece of flint were found in the topsoil. The fill consisted of soil and rocks and was located along the line of a field boundary. The friable silt loam contained a small number of animal bone fragments (from a calf) at c. 0.3m below the surface. The loamy sand was sterile. The landowner had informed me prior to the testing that livestock had been buried along this field boundary in years gone by, so the finding of bone was not a surprise. The stray find of worked flint in the topsoil was also not surprising, considering the proximity of the passage tomb (Excavations Bulletin 2005). Richard Crumlish, 4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

• DG070-063010 Megalithic tomb - passage tomb
  Description

  This monument is known only from Thomas Fagan's (1845-8) account, which was written in 1846, some years after it had been removed. He was informed locally that it was a cairn of white stones in which 'several stone coffins' containing human bones had been found. One of the 'coffins' was said to have contained a full skeleton accompanied by a 'brass hatchet'. The precise location of this monument is not known, but according to Fagan it was on the holding of John Stewart and adjoined the W side of the road running N-S through the townland. It is clear from land valuation records (Griffith 1848-64) and related maps that in or around 1857 a parcel of land occupied by John Stewart opened onto both sides of the road for a distance of c. 170m. The southern and northern limits of this stretch of ground are 4.5cm and 6.2cm from the southern edge of OS 6-inch sheet 70. This would place the monument c. 150m W of Site A, the cruciform passage tomb in the townland. It has been suggested (Ó Nualláin 1968b, 12) that a slight mound c. 90m N of Site E in the same townland may mark the location of this site, but as it lies to the N of what was the Stewart holding this seems unlikely. The precise nature of this monument is unclear, but its proximity to a small group of passage tombs suggests that it may have been another one. Fagan's account can also be interpreted as referring to a cemetery mound containing cists (Waddell 1990). Fagan 1845-8, book 10, 30; Ó Nualláin 1968b, 12; Herity 1974, 214, Dg. 7; Ó Nualláin 1983a, 36, no. 81; Ó Nualláin 1989, 127; Waddell 1990, 73; RMP 1995, 70:63. Kilmonaster Middle (Site G). The above description was published in the 'Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume VI, County Donegal.' Compiled by: Eamon Cody (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). Date of upload: 22 September 2008 No archaeological significance NGR 22734 39764 Excavation Licence No. 05E0801 Pre-development testing was carried out on 18 July 2005 at a site in advance of its development at Kilmonaster Middle townland, Ballindrait, Co. Donegal. The proposed development, which consisted of the construction of a silage pit, dung pit, effluent containment tank and dry-bed cattle shed, was located within the constraint area for an archaeological complex, the Kilmonaster Passage Tomb cemetery. The nearest monument of the complex, a passage tomb, was 5m from the proposed containment tank. The cattle shed was 24m from the same monument. As the groundworks involved in the construction of the cattle shed consisted of four pits (1m by 1m by 1m deep) located along one side of the proposed structure, it was decided to concentrate the test-trenches at the proposed containment tank location. Three trenches were excavated, which measured 16.3m, 33m and 36.3m long, 0.9-1.3m wide and 0.1-1m deep. Below the topsoil were fill, grey/brown friable silt loam, orange/brown loose loamy sand and bedrock. A number of modern pottery sherds and one worked piece of flint were found in the topsoil. The fill consisted of soil and rocks and was located along the line of a field boundary. The friable silt loam contained a small number of animal bone fragments (from a calf) at c. 0.3m below the surface. The loamy sand was sterile. The landowner had informed me prior to the testing that livestock had been buried along this field boundary in years gone by, so the finding of bone was not a surprise. The stray find of worked flint in the topsoil was also not surprising, considering the proximity of the passage tomb (Excavations Bulletin 2005). Richard Crumlish, 4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

• DG070-069001 Megalithic tomb - unclassified
  Description

  This feature, of which there is no visible trace, was first shown on the 1845-7 revision of the OS 6-inch map. It stood 50m SW of the last. Thomas Fagan identified it as a 'Giant's Grave' and wrote that it, like the last described, was 'enclosed by large flags standing 1 to 2 feet [c. 0.3-0.6m] high'. He added that it occupied a space measuring 24 feet by 14 feet (c. 7.3m by 4.25m) within which lay 'a flat stone 6 feet [c. 1.8m] square and 1 to 21/2 feet [c. 0.3-0.45m] thick and in one end raised 2 feet [c. 0.6m]'. According to an entry in the OS 1:2,500 Name Book (1903-4), all trace of this monument was removed in around 1870. Fagan's account seems to describe some form of megalithic structure, but its nature is not at all clear. Fagan 1845-8, book 10, 32; OS 1:2,500 Name Book, sheet 70 (1905), 72; Ó Nualláin 1968b, 12-13, site H; Herity 1974, 214, Dg. 8; Ó Nualláin 1983a, 36-7, no. 82; SMR 1987, 70:69; Ó Nualláin 1989, 142; RMP 1995, 70:69. The above description was published in the 'Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume VI, County Donegal.' Compiled by: Eamon Cody (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). Date of upload: 22 September 2008

• DG070-069002 Megalithic tomb - unclassified
  Description

  This feature, of which there is no trace, appears on the 1845-7 revision of the OS 6-inch map, where it is depicted as a standing stone but is not named. It was 50m NE of the next to be described. Both stood on a slight elevation in rolling pasture c. 2km W of Croaghan Hill and c. 400m SE of the cruciform passage tomb (Site A) in the same townland. Thomas Fagan (1845-8) identified it as a 'Giant's Grave...enclosed by large flags standing 1 to 2 feet [c. 0.3-0.6m] high...[it] is 11 feet [c. 3.3m] square...[in it] there lies a flag 7 feet [c. 2.15m] long, 4 feet [c. 1.2m] broad and 11/2 feet [c. 0.45m] thick and in one end raised 2 feet [c. 0.6m] and seem to cover a grave'. Thomas Fagan's brief account suggests that there may have been some form of megalithic structure here, but its nature is quite uncertain. Fagan 1845-8, book 10, 32; Ó Nualláin 1968b, 12-13, site I; Herity 1974, 214, Dg. 9; Ó Nualláin 1983a, 37, no. 83; Ó Nualláin 1989, 142; RMP 1995, 70:69. The above description was published in the 'Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland. Volume VI, County Donegal.' Compiled by: Eamon Cody (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). Date of upload: 22 September 2008

• DG079-002 Ringfort - unclassified
  Description

  There is no trace of the 'Fort' marked on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map. It was situated on the edge of a rise falling steeply to the SE in good land with excellent views over the Finn Valley. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008

• DG079-003 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  Internal diam. c. 18m. A subcircular area enclosed by a collapsed wall of stone and turf. It is much damaged on the SW side. The site is on a magnificent hilltop location on rock outcrop. Just below is a large area of elevated meadow, almost a lawn. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008

Architectural heritage

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

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

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

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as moderately high, moderately low, low, partly inferred.

Terrain model

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_1867 (ZIP).

Flooding

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

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, and Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland, both under CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

No address of the register names Kilmonaster Middle with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Donegal.

Name

Kilmonaster Middle

Area

1,041,779 m² (104.18 ha, 257.43 acres)

Civil parish

Clonleigh, and its townlands

Barony

Raphoe North

Electoral division

Clonleigh South, the unit of the census

Census 2022

2,156 people lived in 853 households in the Clonleigh South electoral division. 64% of households owned their home. 32% of homes were built since 2001. 9% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Gortin South, Gortnagole, Kilmonaster Lower, Legnabraid or Cunninghamstown, Magherashanvally, Sessiagh (Long), Shannon Middle

Placenames

Kilmonaster Middle 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.