Kilmoon East

Area

28,939 m² (2.89 ha, 7.15 acres)

Buildings

No building touches it.

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

Kilmoon East

Planning applications on this parcel

No planning application touches this parcel in the national file, which goes back to 2010.

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

Designated sites

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 13 recorded monuments.

• CL004-077001 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  On a gentle rise in good pasture overlooked by higher ground to NW and N with commanding views in other directions. Within a large field system (CL008-053001-). Hachured on the 1842 OS 6-inch map and named ‘Cahercloggaun’ on the 1915 edition. The remains of a tower house (CL004-077002-) lie in the SE quadrant. Described in the OS Letters (1839) as an ancient caher which gave name to the castle and the townland (Comber 1997, 70). The cashel is listed by Fitzpatrick (2009, 302) as one of three ‘cathairs’ associated with late medieval tower houses. A subcircular cashel (int. dims. 33m N-S; 31m E-W) defined by a roughly coursed drystone wall (Wth 3.2-3.5m; int. H 1.1-1.5; ext. H 2.5-3.1m) composed of regular blocks which form a uniform wall-face. The inner wall-face is constructed from small regular blocks and is best preserved from S to W (max. H 1.5m). The outer wall-face is built on a plinth (H 0.5m) from N to NE and comprises large regular blocks with base-batter at N (H 2.8m) and W (H 3.1m). Cunningham (1980, 47) noted that the walls in the SW ‘are massive, with huge regular blocks, creating upright joints a few feet apart’. The wall is lowest at E (H 0.8m) and missing at SE where the tower house was built. Several low interconnecting banks cross the interior. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 13 June 2022

• CL004-077002 Castle - tower house
  Description

  In the SE quadrant of a cashel (CL016-077001-) and within a large field system (CL008-053001-). The cashel (CL016-077001-) is described by Westropp (1901, 13) as ‘an ancient residence of the O'Loughlins, who, probably in the fifteenth century, built a peel tower in its garth preserving the ring-wall as a bawn’. Westropp (ibid.) also notes that the tower house ‘inhabitants seem to have been in constant trouble with the Government’ and several pardons are recorded. The tower house gateway faced SE and was ‘demolished long before 1878, and, indeed, probably before 1839’ and to the S of the gateway ‘heaps of grass-grown masonry, with traces of an ambrey and steps, mark the site of the castle’ (Westropp 1901, 14). According to Cunningham (1980, 47) all that remained of the castle was a ‘narrow lintelled porch still visible in the mound of rubble’. The name Cahercloggaun is translated by Ua Cróinín and Breen (1997, 47) as ‘Cahair a’ chlochain-The Fort of the Stone House’. Very little of the tower house remains except for a mound of stone (9m NE-SW; 7.5m NW-SE) which extends outside the cashel wall with a hollow in the centre which contains mortared masonry and a lintled doorway leading to the base of a stairway. The stairway survives as ten steps which lead towards the cashel wall in the SE and near the base, on either side of the stairs, two narrow windows survive but have been blocked up by rubble (Ua Cróinín and Breen 1997, 47). The tower house has been listed by Fitzpatrick (2009, 302) as one of three late medieval tower houses found in association with a cathair site. The following items have been uploaded: CL004-077002-_01.pdf Details from Risteárd Ua Cróinín and Martin Breen, The Castles and Tower-houses of Co. Clare (unpublished report). Uploaded courtesy of R. Ua Cróinín and M. Breen. CL004-077002-_01.jpg View of tower house site from N. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 13 June 2022

• CL004-078 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  On high ground with excellent views in all direction, overlooked by a hill from NW to N with lower ground to the E and S and within a large field system (CL008-053001-). Hachured and named ‘Cahermoyle’ on the 1842 and 1915 OS 6-inch maps. Referred to by O’ Donovan (1839) as ‘Caher-Mael in the Townland of Cragreagh’ (Comber 1997, 71). Described by Westropp (1901, 16) as ‘featureless and much dilapidated’ (27.7m N-S; 29.2m E-W) with coarsely built walls (T 2.1m; H 2.4m). A roughly circular cashel (int. dims. 30m N-S; 28m E-W) defined by a drystone wall. The inner wall-face is best preserved in the N (int. H 0.9m; Wth 2.1m; ext. H 1.1m) and decreases in height and width in the W (int. H 0.5m; Wth 0.9m; ext. H 1.1m). The wall is best preserved externally (H 1.1m in N; H 1.8m in S) where it is composed of large regular blocks set on their sides. At WSW one stone set on edge (L 1.8m; H 0.8m) is much larger than other stones in the wall. A gap in the NNW where the cashel wall thickens is an original entrance (Wth 1.8m) and has an original rock floor. The interior is level. The following image has been uploaded: CL004-078----_01.jpg Cashel exterior and entrance from NW Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 30 November 2022

• CL005-276 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  On a SE-facing slope in an area of scrub within a large field system (CL008-053001-). A subcircular enclosure (diam. c. 27m) defined by a stone wall visible on Google Earth (imagery date 2 April 2005) and on Digital Globe (2011-2013). The townland boundary with Cragreagh runs along the perimeter from NW to E. Cahermoyle (CL004-078----) lies c. 145m to the W. Compiled by: Mary Tunney  Date of upload: 10 November 2025

• CL008-049001 Church
  Description

  In the NE quadrant of a graveyard (CL008-049002-) and immediately to the N of a medieval house (CL008-049004-). Indicated and named 'Kilmoon Church (in Ruins)' on the 1842 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. Recorded by Robinson (1977) as 'Kilmoon Ch. Early Christian, with 15th C. chapel' on his map of the Burren. Included as 'Kilmugown' in the Papal Taxation lists of 1302 (Cunningham 1980, 48). In 1839 in the OS Letters (Comber 1997, 70) it was suggested that the church was dedicated to St Múdhain/Muadanus/Mudanus. Westropp (1900-1902, 132) proposed that the founder may have been Mogua. This rectangular church (18.7m E-W; 6.9m N-S) is defined by stone walls of cyclopean construction. The OS Letters (Comber 1997, 70) mentioned that 'all its features are destroyed, so that nothing remains to guide the antiquarian in his conclusions as to its age but the character of the masonry, which looks ancient.' Westropp (1900-1902, 132) considered the masonry in these walls to be large and very early. Sheehan (1982, 46) concluded that the church was of 'probable early date'. The well-preserved N wall (Wth c. 0.9m; H 1.4m) is constructed of random-coursed, mortared limestone ashlars, with an external outshot (L 1.6m) which may be a buttress. This wall is incorporated into the N wall of the enclosing graveyard (CL008-049002-). Only the outer face of the E gable (H 1m) is visible. Westropp (ibid.) seems to have noted a plinth here, which is no longer visible. Only the outer face of the S wall's E end (L 7m; H 1m) survives, as well as intermittent traces of the wall-face in the central part of the wall. A very short stretch (L 1m) of the W gable survives, in the NW corner; the remainder of this wall has collapsed, forming a grass-covered rubble mound (H 1m). The church interior is filled with rubble; however, Westropp (ibid.) recorded a 'pier and corbel of an arched canopy over the altar'. To the S of the church and almost abutting it is a medieval house (CL008-049004-). There is a holy well (CL008-049003-) c. 157m to the WSW. There was a widely visible standing stone (CL008-052----) (now fallen) c. 470m to the ENE, which may have functioned as a termon marker associated with this medieval church. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 14 December 2022

• CL008-049002 Graveyard
  Description

  In undulating pastureland with wide views S to W. Indicated and named 'Graveyard' on the 1842 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. This subrectangular graveyard (int. dims. 48.4m N-S; 41.8m E-W) is defined by a plain, mortared stone wall with a gate and stile in the NE corner. In the NE quadrant of the graveyard (its highest point) there is a medieval church (CL008-049001-), its N wall incorporated within the N wall of the graveyard. Immediately to the S of this church is a medieval house (CL008-049004-), adjacent to which at W is a fragment of a pointed window/door embrasure (CL008-049007-). Between the church and the graveyard gate lies a cross-slab (CL008-049008-). Most of the gravestones in the SW-sloping graveyard are 19th-20th century in date, although some which are marked by simple uninscribed upright slabs may be older. Large (2011) noted that this well-tended and pathed graveyard includes uninscribed headstones, flat headstones, pedestal headstones and chest tombs, as well as discarded arched jamb stones. There is a holy well (CL008-049003-) c. 117m to the W. There was a widely visible standing stone (CL008-052----) (now fallen) c. 470m to the ENE, which may have functioned as a termon marker associated with the medieval church (CL008-049001-) in this graveyard. The following images have been uploaded: CL008-049002-_01.jpg View from centre of graveyard looking WSW CL008-049002-_02.jpg N wall from NE CL008-049002-_03.jpg N wall from NW Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 14 December 2022

• CL008-049004 House - medieval
  Description

  Situated immediately to the S of Kilmoon church (CL008-049001-) in the NE quadrant of an associated graveyard (CL008-049002-). Indicated on the 1842 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. Described by Westropp (1900-1902, 132) as a late 15th-century mortuary chapel and known colloquially as ‘the priest's house’. This rectangular medieval house (int. dims. 5.2m N-S; 3.8m E-W) is built of random-coursed mortared limestone walls (Wth 0.91m; max. H 2m) with stressed quoinstones. In the N centre of both the E and W walls is an almost intact square-headed single-ope window (W window: H 0.68m; Wth 0.28m; E window: H 0.9m; Wth 0.29m) with intact hood-moulding. The well-preserved pointed arched doorway (int. H 1.4m; Wth 0.91m) in the S wall incorporates an embrasure (Wth 1.4m) with a hanging-eye on the E side. The doorway has been partly blocked up with drystone walling, and some of its lower jambstones have been removed. Immediately to the W of this house lies an architectural fragment that may be part of a pointed window or door embrasure. The following images have been uploaded: CL008-049004-_01.jpg Doorway from SSE CL008-049004-_02.jpg Doorway from W CL008-049004-_03.jpg View from SE CL008-049004-_04.jpg W window from SW Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 14 December 2022

• CL008-049008 Cross-slab
  Description

  Lying prone in the NE corner of Kilmoon graveyard (CL008-049002-). Identified by Michael Lynch. This light-coloured sandstone cross-slab (L 0.74m; Wth 0.32m) is decorated with an incised Latin cross (L 0.54m; Wth 0.25m; Wth of stem 0.07m; Wth of cross-arms 0.05m) with expanded terminals. The terminals appear to be cusped, although the top and left terminals are damaged. The following images have been uploaded: CL008-049008-_01.jpg Cross-slab (2009) CL008-049008-_02.jpg Cross-slab (2012) Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 14 December 2022

• CL008-052 Standing stone
  Description

  In a slight hollow on a low prominent hill, in undulating pastureland and outcropping limestone, within a field system (CL008-053001-). Labelled 'Kilmoon Standing Stone' on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. When inspected in 1998, this standing stone (H 3.47m; Wth 0.33m; T 0.15m) was upright, leaned slightly to the E, was uniform in shape along its length and was rectangular in cross-section; it had rough surfaces except where worn smooth by cattle rubbing against it. In 2006 the stone broke at its base and fell to the E. A number of small stones were noted close to it, some of which were well set in the ground while others were lying loose on the ground surface. These could be packing or support stones. The widely visible standing stone may have functioned as a termon marker associated with the medieval church (CL008-049001-) of Kilmoon, which lies 470m to the WSW. Local sources suggest that the standing stone may have marked a route between this church and another church (CL005-108001-) at Killeaney, 1.1km to the NE. The following images have been uploaded: CL008-052----_01 View of standing stone from S (1998) CL008-052----_02 View of fallen standing stone from W (2006) Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 19 October 2022

• CL008-053001 Field system
  Description

  A network of irregular field walls (c. 1.km NE-SW; c. 800m NW-SE) visible on Digital Globe (2011-2013) and on OSi Aerial Premium (2012-2018) extending across Ballyhenna and Cahercloggaun townlands and associated with 4 cashels including Cahercloggaun itself (CL004-077001-) and Cahermoyle (CL004-078----). A number of fields in the area have been reclaimed. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 30 August 2021

And 3 more.

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

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

Landslides

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

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of this parcel.

Flooding

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

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

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

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