Ballyhenna

Area

200,047 m² (20 ha, 49.43 acres)

Buildings

5 buildings touch it. Their footprint covers 460 m².

Zoning

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

Townland

Ballyhenna

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 113 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

• CL008-045002 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  In undulating rough pastureland and outcropping limestone, within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL009-001001-). Hachured on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. This almost circular cashel-like enclosure (24m N-S; 23m E-W) consists of a revetted platform. The randomly coursed revetment (H 1-1.95m) is steep and well-preserved, and survives up to six/seven courses in height. A gap (Wth 1.5m) occurs in it at WSW. To the S of this, immediately outside the enclosure, there is a short length of collapsed wall (L c. 6m) extending to the WSW, suggesting a pathway or causeway into the interior. A collapsed and grass-covered wall (Wth 1m; H 0.2m) extends from ENE-WSW across the N part of the undulating interior. Collapsed earth and stone field boundaries (Wth 2m; H 0.25m) are traceable outside and parallel with the enclosure perimeter from N-E, at a distance of c. 5.5m from the revetment. There is a hut site (CL008-045010-) c. 16m to the W. Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 4 October 2022

• CL008-045003 Enclosure
  Description

  On a low rise in undulating rough pastureland and outcropping limestone, within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL009-001001-). This subrectangular enclosure (49m WNW-ESE; 33m NNE-SSW) is defined by a fairly uniform earthen bank (av. Wth 3.15m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 0.4m). A rise at SW (H 1.15m) may be due to the natural slope of the ground. Traces of one course of an external revetment are visible intermittently at N, NE, S and SW. Just outside the bank at NW, two intersecting stone walls, forming a T-junction, indicate that there was formerly a building or structure here. A cattle trackway crosses the E half of the interior and cuts through the bank at NE. There is a bullaun stone (CL008-045023-) c. 45m to the E and another cashel (CL008-045004-) c. 57m to the SSW. Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 4 October 2022

• CL008-045004 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Within the confines of a disused clachan in an area of undulating rough pastureland and karstic limestone, within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL009-001001-). This possible rath, subcircular in plan (int. dims. 26.9m E-W; 22.8m N-S), is defined by a low collapsed and grass-covered earth and stone bank (Wth 1.2m; int. H 0.25m; ext. H 1m); the outer face is steep. There are many gaps in the bank and a modern stone wall has been along its perimeter from WSW-NNW. The gently SE-sloping interior is slightly higher in the centre and contains several field-clearance cairns. Grass-covered walls radiate from the bank, enclosing small fields/allotments which surround the monument on all sides. A ruined house lies c. 28m to the SSE. Another cashel (CL008-045003-) lies c. 57m to the NNE. Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 4 October 2022

• CL008-045005 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In undulating rough pastureland and karstic limestone, overlooked by a ridge to the W, and within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL009-001001-). This almost circular rath (14m N-S; 13.5m E-W) is defined by an earthen bank (Wth 1m; int. H 0.2m; ext. H 0.75m) from SE-SW, a scarp (H 1.8m) from SW-NNE and curving stone field boundary (H c. 0.7m) from NNE to SW; the latter probably mirrors the outline of the bank. There is no trace of a revetment but a large limestone slab is visible at SSW and a few large stones are also visible along the perimeter. A low collapsed and grass-covered field wall, running ENE-WSW, crosses the N half of the interior and continues through the adjacent fields. The following image has been uploaded: CL008-045005-_01.jpg View from N Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 4 October 2022

• CL008-045006 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  On top of an E-W running ridge in pasture, within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL009-001001-). This subcircular rath (35.5m N-S; 30.5m E-W) is defined by a scarp (H 0.5-0.75m); a vague rise (H <0.1m; Wth 1m) from N to NE suggests the former presence of an earthen bank. A later earth and stone field bank, running NNE-SSW, cuts across the W half of the interior. Grass-covered field walls radiate from the scarp at SE, SSE and SSW. There is an enclosure (CL008-045007-) c. 86m to the NNE. Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 4 October 2022

• CL008-045007 Enclosure
  Description

  In undulating pastureland and outcropping limestone, with higher ground to the SE, within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL009-001001-). This enclosure is defined by a roughly D-shaped steeply scarped earthen platform (31.7m E-W; H 0.55-0.9m) with a straight NW side (L c. 33m) consisting of a modern field wall. The field to the N of this wall has been quarried. Intermittent stretches of limestone drystone revetting (two/three courses high) are visible on the scarp face from SSE-W. The perimeter is overgrown from ENE-E. Two hollows (D 0.5m) are visible in the uneven rocky interior. Limestone slabs and boulders in the base of the larger hollow (7m NE-SW; 2m NW-SE) are suggestive of a possible collapsed souterrain but may be field clearance. There is a cashel (CL008-045008-) c. 68m to the NE, and a rath (CL008-045006-) c. 86m to the SSW. The following image has been uploaded: CL008-045007-_01.jpg View from SW Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 5 October 2022

And 103 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 5 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 low, 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.