Aughinish East

14 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Aughinish East, from 152 m² to 846,555 m² (84.66 ha, 209.19 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 7 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 Aughinish East 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.

• 30 Apr 2026N/a

  Extension of Duration for Planning Ref. No. 16/418 : a ten year permission for development on a site of c. 0.225 ha located within the existing Aughinish Alumina plant consisting of the installation of 2 no. deep thickeners (steel vessels with a diameter of c. 22m and maximum overall height of c.21.9m) and ancillary elements, including stairs, access platforms and walkways linking to adjacent vessels, pumps, cabling and pipework. The development will also consist of the provision of a hardstanding, an internal road (c. 6.1m wide and c. 40.6m long) to the east of the thickeners and all other site development works above and below ground (the application relates to development which comprises or is for the purposes of an activity requiring an Industrial Pollution & Control Licence, now replaced by an Industrial Emissions Licence)

  Extension of duration · Limerick County Council, 267034

• 25 Feb 2022Conditional

  an extension of c. 55 sqm to the existing electrical switch room building. Aughinish Alumina Limited carries out an activity on the site requiring an Industrial Emissions Licence(Licence Reg. No. P0035-17)

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 22226

• 8 Dec 2021Conditional

  works to facilitate an expansion of the disposal capacity at the existing Bauxite Residue Disposal Area (BRDA). The works will generally consist of the construction of rock fill embankments at the perimeter of the BRDA, offset internally and founded on the previously deposited and farmed bauxite residue, in 2 m high vertical lifts. The proposed development will result in the footprint of the BRDA decreasing as it increases in height. The proposed development will result in a c.12m increase in height (over that previously permitted under Limerick County Council Ref. 05/1836; An Bord Pleanála Ref. PL13.217976) to a maximum height of c.44m OD upon closure. The proposed expansion of the BRDA will provide for the deposition of an additional c. 8.0 million m3 bauxite residue over the lifetime of the development. The proposed development also provides for an expansion of the existing capacity of the Salt Cake Disposal Cell (SCDC), which is located within the BRDA through a vertical extension of the exiting perimeter wall and associated cell lining resulting in a c.2.25m crest height increase of the existing cell to c.31.25m OD and a maximum overall height of c.35.50m OD upon closure. The increase in capacity of the SCDC will provide for the storage of an additional c. 22,500 m3 of salt cake. Additional works include a c.3.9ha expansion of the permitted borrow pit (Limerick City and County Council Ref. 17/714; An Bord Pleanála Ref. ABP-301011- 18) to the east of the BRDA resulting in a total borrow pit area of c.8.4ha with a maximum depth of c. 8.5 m O.D and providing for an additional 380,000m3of rockfill with blasting and crushing of rock to occur between April and September each year. Further works include upgrades to the water management infrastructure to accommodate the BRDA development; the continued use of a stockpile area for rock and top-soil storage to the south east of the BRDA; use of top-soil and rock materials for the landscaped restoration and closure of the BRDA (including SCDC); restoration of the extended borrow pit extraction area; lighting; spillway ramps (drainage channels); revised boundary treatments and ancillary associated works above and below ground. Aughinish Alumina Limited carries out an activity on the site requiring an Industrial Emissions Licence (Licence Reg. No. P0035-07). This application is accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement - https://www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/case/312146

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 21312146

• 11 Dec 2020Conditional

  the provision of nature trail and upgrade of existing nature trail, construction of a car park comprising 29 no. car parking spaces, new vehicular access and associated landscaping and boundary treatment works. It is also sought to demolish existing derelict structures and a bird hide and construct a new bird hide in its place. A Natura Impact Statement(NIS) will be submitted to the planning authority with the application

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 201325

• 26 Jul 2017Conditional

  a ten year permission for development on this site of c. 7 hectares located adjoining the existing Aughinish Alumina Ltd plant for the provision of a Borrow Pit with an extraction area of c. 4.5 hectares to extract c. 374.000 m³ of rock over a 10 year period. The extraction area is sought up to a maximum depth of c. 8.5 m O.D., with extraction to occur between April and September each year. The proposed development includes the demolition of a contractors shed and all ancillary site development, areas of stockpiling, landscaping and boundary treatment works above and below ground, including restoration of the extraction area. Aughinish Alumina Limited carries out an activity requiring an Industrial Pollution Prevention and Control Licence (now replaced by an Industrial Emissions Licence – Licence Register No. P0035-06). The development and operation of the proposed Borrow Pit is not a licensable activity. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application.

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 17714

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

Designated sites

• Special Area of Conservation: Lower River Shannon SAC 002165
• Special Protection Area: River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries SPA 004077
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Inner Shannon Estuary - South Shore 000435

Recorded monuments

• LI010-017 Excavation - miscellaneous
  Description

  Close to the W edge of Aughinish Island, in area now occupied by an industrial complex (Aughinish Alumina). The site was excavated in 1974 prior to the industrial development. It consisted of a roughly circular area (diam. 35m) enclosed by a bank revetted internally and externally with limestone slabs and having a rubble core (Kelly 1974). Excavation showed the site was built directly on bedrock, though 'there was evidence of levelling and clearance of the jagged bed-rock in one area suggesting a house site' (ibid.). Also uncovered were two large rock-cut pits and 'traces of an occupation layer underlying the internal wall collapse, which produced coarse pottery, a heavily corroded iron bridle bit, a bronze chisel and pin and two saddle querns' (ibid.). These finds led the excavator to conclude that 'the site was built and occupied exclusively during the Late Bronze Age' (ibid.). A similar site was excavated at the same time 200m to the SE (LI010-019---). Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• LI010-018 Enclosure
  Description

  On NW-facing slope of N-S ridge, on Aughinish Island overlooking the River Shannon; site now part of industrial complex (Aughinish Alumina). Excavated in 1974 prior to industrial development (Hickey 1973-4). Consists of ovoid area (56.5m N-S; 45m E-W) enclosed by 'stone bank covered in grass' which was truncated E->NW by 'a modern dry-stone fence' (ibid., 17, fig. 2). Excavation of interior revealed 'an absence of stratigraphy' with c. 0.25m of topsoil lying directly on limestone bedrock or a hard yellowish subsoil. Sections through the bank showed 'it was built on a thin layer of topsoil and was a dry-stone bank of flimsy construction' (ibid., 17, fig. 2 & 4). In SW quadrant of interior 'eight graves were uncovered occupying a small area ... they were aligned E-W and set closely together' (ibid., 19). The graves had been disturbed by agricultural activity but contained 'the skeletal remains of twelve individuals, male and female, whose ages ranged from infancy through adolescence to old age' (ibid.); no grave goods or any other datable material was recovered with the burials. Some animal bones were recovered both from interior and underneath enclosing bank, mostly from sheep; these led the excavator to conclude that the enclosure probably functioned as a sheep-fold (ibid., 23-4). Amongst the stray finds recovered was a shard from 'Belgium or Northern France ... probably of 16th or early 17th century date' (ibid., 21). Four separate phases of activity were discernible: some iron smelting took place here before the enclosure was built; then the enclosure was built, probably as a sheep-fold; at some stage part of the enclosure was used as a burial ground; and finally the enclosure fell into disrepair (ibid., 23). The excavator suggests that the most likely date for the sheep-fold was between 1666 and c. 1750 (ibid., 24). A similar feature was excavated at the same time 500m to the N (see LI010-019---). Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• LI010-019 Excavation - miscellaneous
  Description

  Close to the W edge of Aughinish Island, in an area now occupied by an industrial complex (Aughinish Alumina). The site was excavated in 1974 prior to the industrial development. It consisted of a roughly circular area (diam. 35m) enclosed by a bank revetted internally and externally by limestone slabs and with a rubble core (Kelly 1974). The excavation revealed 'the plan of a circular house 8m in diameter', with 'pits and some entrance features' (ibid.). Coarse pottery was found, similar to that found at a nearby site excavated at the same time 200m to the NW (LI010-017---). The excavator concluded that this site also dated to the Late Bronze Age. Also uncovered was 'a small rectangular stone-walled structure measuring 5m x 4m' which partially overlaid the 'collapsed fort wall', There was no dating evidence for this structure but the excavator compared it with a similar feature excavated at the same time 500m to the S (LI010-018---). Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• LI010-020 Castle - tower house
  Description

  On Aughinish Island overlooking the River Shannon; site now part of industrial complex (Aughinish Alumina) but excavated in 1974 prior to this industrial development (Lynch 1974). Excavations revealed the base of a bawn wall (Wth 2.2m) enclosing a 'roughly circular' area (c. 80m N-S; c. 60m E-W), with well cobbled entrance on S side (Wth 3.5m). Whilst 'legal reasons prevented the investigation of the keep' (ibid.) considerable area-excavation was carried out within the bawn, revealing the base of 'a domed oven' (ibid.). Finds included sherds of late and post-medieval pottery, a wide range of iron objects, and an Irish halfpenny dating to the late 17th century. Also uncovered were the skeletons of 31 individuals, 'of which 'the majority were young children and babies' (ibid.). This latter suggests the presence of a burial ground for unbaptised children (killeen) (www.excavations.ie). The results of the excavation were summarised as following; 'Legal reasons prevented the investigation of the keep of the castle, so the excavation had to be confined to the bawn only. The castle itself, which dates to the late 16th — early 17th centuries, appeared to be set in a roughly circular enclosure, indicated by a low ridge showing in the grass. A preliminary trial trench was cut on the northern side of the site and this revealed the base of the bawn wall. This wall, which was well-built, averaged 2.20m in thickness and was built directly on the limestone bedrock. Subsequent trial trenches succeeded in picking up the line of the wall. It was roughly circular in plan with no evidence of towers. An entrance to the bawn area was found on the southern side; it is about 3.0m wide and well cobbled with small rounded stones. To the east of the castle, a portion of the bawn wall appears to have been built on an artificially constructed ‘platform’ of loose stones and earth. This ‘platform’ which is approx. 1.0m high, would have been necessary to make this area level with the adjacent field. No evidence was found of a ditch outside the wall. An interesting feature uncovered by the excavation, was a square-built structure, 3.40m x 3.40m, situated in the northern area of the bawn. Built on the square base was a roughly circular setting of stones. Extending from the square base was a thick layer of charcoal. Complete excavation revealed that the core of the structure was composed entirely of rubble. The only find was a badly corroded iron knife. This structure seems best interpreted as the base for a domed oven, of the type found on medieval sites. Considerable area-excavation was carried out within the bawn, and in the process, thirty-one skeletons were uncovered. Of these, thirty were concentrated in a small area, immediately north of the castle, the remaining one having been found in the southern area. Preliminary examination of these skeletons has revealed that the majority were young children and babies. Finds from the site include: animal bone; sherds of late and post-medieval pottery; a wide range of iron objects; clay-pipe fragments; a blue glass bead; a bronze disc-headed pin, and an Irish halfpenny dating to the reign of Charles 11(1683). (www.excavations.ie). According to local information part of ruin stood to a considerable height until 1930s when 'deemed unsafe and demolished' (Donnelly 1994, vol. 2, 15). By 1974 only visible remains of castle were some 'masonry fragments incorporated in a modern garden wall' (ibid.). Westropp (1906-7, 241-2) gives the following details about Aughinish Castle; 'The owners appear to have been, 1584-1601, Tiege O'Donogh or O'Dufiie, Aghanes or Aghnes Island (Inq. Exch, 54; Fi. 6566), and, 1604, R. Lyster, subject to dower of his mother Marg. Bourke (Inq. Chan, viii, 237). 1613 Sir J. Jephson, Aghniss, as part of estate of Monaster ny gillagh (Ib., 5a). 1616 Sir E. Berkeley, at his death. 1642 besieged (Dep. 302). 1655 F. Courtney (C.S. p. 95). Fabric - A long building about 65 feet [21m] by 28 feet [9m] wide, with three rooms and the remains of a fourth and western'. Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 13 May 2020

• LI010-020001 Bawn
  Description

  On Aughinish Island overlooking the River Shannon; site now part of industrial complex (Aughinish Alumina) but excavated in 1974 prior to this industrial development (Lynch 1974). Excavations at Aughinish Castle (LI010-020----) revealed the base of a bawn wall (Wth 2.2m) enclosing a 'roughly circular' area (c. 80m N-S; c. 60m E-W), with well cobbled entrance on S side (Wth 3.5m). Whilst 'legal reasons prevented the investigation of the keep' (ibid.) considerable area-excavation was carried out within the bawn, revealing the base of 'a domed oven' (ibid.). Finds included sherds of late and post-medieval pottery, a wide range of iron objects, and an Irish halfpenny dating to the late 17th century. Also uncovered were the skeletons of 31 individuals, 'of which 'the majority were young children and babies' (ibid.). This latter suggests the presence of a burial ground for unbaptised children (killeen). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 13 May 2020

• LI010-020002 Children's burial ground
  Description

  On Aughinish Island overlooking the River Shannon; site now part of industrial complex (Aughinish Alumina) but excavated in 1974 prior to this industrial development (Lynch 1974). Excavations at Aughinish Castle (LI010-020----) revealed the base of a bawn wall (LI010-020001-) enclosing a 'roughly circular' area, with well cobbled entrance on S side. Whilst 'legal reasons prevented the investigation of the keep' (ibid.) considerable area-excavation was carried out within the bawn, revealing the base of 'a domed oven' (ibid.). Finds included sherds of late and post-medieval pottery, a wide range of iron objects, and an Irish halfpenny dating to the late 17th century. Also uncovered were the skeletons of 31 individuals, 'of which 'the majority were young children and babies' (ibid.). This latter suggests the presence of a burial ground for unbaptised children (killeen)' (www.excavations.ie). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 13 May 2020

• LI010-108 Enclosure
  Description

  In level terrain, recently planted with trees. No visible surface trace of site depicted as roughly rectangular hachured area (c. 25m E-W; c. 25m N-S) on 1841 OS 6-inch map, but not shown on 1923 OS 6-inch map. Listed by Barry as a moated site (Barry 1981, 83; site no. 1). Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Aughinish East.

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 Aughinish East, 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 high, moderately low, low, partly inferred. Parts of the land are made ground and water.

Terrain model

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_460 (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 Aughinish East with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Limerick.

Name

Aughinish East · Eachinis Thoir

Area

2,271,850 m² (227.19 ha, 561.39 acres)

Civil parish

Robertstown, and its townlands

Barony

Shanid

Electoral division

Aughinish, the unit of the census

Census 2022

252 people lived in 78 households in the Aughinish electoral division. 91% of households owned their home. 21% of homes were built since 2001. 2% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 2% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Aughinish West

Placenames

Aughinish East 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.