Churchtown
Churchtown is a townland in the civil parish of Newcastle, barony of Glenquin, Co. Limerick. Its name in Irish is Baile an Teampaill.
Parcel 1670020
- Area
- 233 m²
- Buildings
- 3 buildings touch it. Their footprint covers 125 m².
- Zoning
- R2 Existing Residential (Newcastle West Local Area Plan 2023-2029) The objective
- Townland
- Churchtown
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 5 recorded monuments.
- LI036-067001 Historic town
Description
The Urban Survey of Limerick (Bradley et. al. 1989, 199) recorded the following about the historic town of Newcastle; 'Newcastlewest is located on the Limerick to Tralee road beside the Arra river in the south west of the county. There is a tradition that it was the site of a house built by the Knights Templars in 1184 (Lewis 1837, ii, 425; Westropp 1906-7, 232) but since the Normans had not even succeeded in penetrating into Limerick at this stage it can be dismissed as unfounded (see Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 330). The founders of Newcastlewest appear to have been the Geraldines who were already established in this area by 1215 (Westropp 1909, 43) and who held the castle as one of their principal strongholds until the fall of the Desmonds in 1584. The extent of the settlement in the vicinity of the castle is unknown but a rental of 1297-8 indicates that there was a hundred court here, from which it has been inferred that it was the site of a medieval borough (38 RDKPRI, 40; Graham 1977). The evidence is not altogether clear, however, but the settlement has been included here for the sake of consistency with the borough lists prepared by Graham and Martin. The south quay is mentioned in the sixteenth century when it was known as 'Shradegower' while another street was known as 'Shradenetona' (Westropp 1909, 57-8). Despite these references, however, the medieval street pattern is unknown. The present town plan with its centrally placed Square is evidentially of post-medieval origin. In 1586 the manor of Newcastle was described as ; ‘The site of the manor and castle [LI036-067002-] of Castelno alias Newcastle, which is built near the river Ewgarro [Arra] which runs into the river Deele and so on to the Shannon, with divers yards gardens and orchards, situate in the vill and parish of Castellno and containing 7 acres. Of these one parcel called Owlorde or the great orchard contains 4 acres, another called Gardenmoore or the great garden contains 1 rood, and other waste buildings and land contain 2 acres 3 roods: in all 7 acres. Divers parcels of land &c. belonging to said manor and castle parcels of the demesne lands of'said manor called the Earl's free land situate in the vill and parish of Castellno or the vill and parish of Monaghe Adare, and nor or late in the tenure or occupation of David oge Hubbart late constable of the castle of Castellno, viz:— Dowaley to En Parrick - Dowalley ½ quarter, Srade y Gurran being a street or waste parcel with tenements and gardens, Farren Merlen 20 acres, Clashymarla, Clashnaglogh, Ballyn Robert Roo 20 acres, LLohaduff 20 acres, Gorty Glegan, Tullagh Alym, Fearentynna, the vill and land of En Parrick or the park 20 acres, all which premises are in the vill and parish of Castellno. A street in Newcastell called Shradegower [Goat Street] with a tenement yard, orchard, and 8 gardens and with certain lands adjacent to the tenement. Said premises belong to said manor and castle, are parcel of the demesne lands called the Earl's free land as aforesaid, are situate in the parish of Monaghe Adare, now or late in the tenure of Edmund mcEgowre and contain 10 acres. A water mill [LI036-067003-] called Molten mcEgower built on a part or parcel of said street belonging, situate and in the tenure of said Edmund as aforesaid. Another street called Shrade netona with a tenement and two gardens and certain lands to the tenement belonging and adjacent. Said premises belong to the manor and castle aforesaid are parcel of the demesne lands as aforesaid, are situate in the parish of Castellno: now or late in the tenure or occupation of Edmund oge Gygheheyne and contain 10 acres. A parcel of land called Eanagh belonging to the manor and castle aforesaid, parcel of the demesne lands as aforesaid situate in the parish of Castellno and containing 9 acres. A water mill [LI036-067005-] called Mollyn A Cloghey alias the castle mill belonging to the manor and castle aforesaid, parcel of the demesne lands of the manor as aforesaid, situate in the parish of Castellno and now or late in the tenure or occupation of David oge Hubbert late constable of said Castle. A street called Garden y Lackagh with a tenement and 6 gardens, belonging to said manor and castle, parcel of the demesne lands of the manor as aforesaid, situate in the parish of Castellno and now or late in the tenure or occupation of Adarrey O Dowre. Another street called Garden ne hvnnev with a tenement and 6 gardens, similar in all respects to Garden y Lackagh except that it is in the parish of Monaghe Adare and now or late in the tenure or occupation of Ea mcDonnogho’ (Murphy 2013, 104-5). In 1654-56 the lands of Newcastle which were then in the possession of Colonel Francis Courtney were described in the Civil Survey of Limerick as containing; ‘a Castle a Bawne and other houses and stone worckes, having a markett once a weeke, a fayre once in a yeare an orchard on it, the benefit of a river running by the Castle; & the same with the severall houses tenem[en]ts and gardens thereunto belonging mearing on the South w[i]th Shraide Igower [Goat Street]’ (Simington 1938, 253) Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 20 May 2019
- LI036-067002 Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle
Description
National monuments No. 636 & 582. Desmond Hall described in the Urban Survey (Bradley et. al. 1989, 201-08) as following; "An account of the castle in the Desmond Roll of 1583-6 gives a good description of it: 'One great castle, built of square plan, a chief house of the said late Earl of Desmond ... having at each angle of the same a round tower, with various places and chambers in each tower. And there is at the south corner, on the western side of the said castle at the south part, a high square tower or peel, built for defence within the walls of the said castle. And also there were within the walls of the said castle many buildings - namely, a large hall, a large room and an excellent chamber; one garden, and in the same two fish ponds, all of which buildings are ruined and waste' (Westropp 1909, 56-7) The castle, all sections of which are very ruined except the Desmond Hall, stands on a raised level area on the north side of the Arra river. It was built of roughly coursed rubble limestone and consisted of a large rectangular bawn with corner towers, a 'peel' tower, two two/three floored houses on the south, the great hall on the south east and the Desmond Hall on the north east. The enclosing bawn wall only survives in places along the south, where it is crennelated and has gun-loops, and along the east; elsewhere it is missing. At the extreme south-west there is a D-shaped turret, battered at the base and probably originally of two floors. It is now c. 4m high and contains one chamber with a narrow splayed slit to the east and a twin-light window with multi-cusped lights and rectangular hood-moulding with hollow spandrels. There is a similar single light window on the west. The chamber has been re-used as a kiln. To the east there is a circular tower which was originally three floored with basal batter but has been altered substantially internally. The only original features would appear to be one splay of an embrasure opening to the south-west at ground floor level and a loop to the north on the first floor. It would appear to have had a spiral stairs and a beehive shaped roof with wicker centering. The 'peel' tower is c. 11m high and had five floors with wall walk above. It has a pointed barrel vault over the 2nd floor while the remaining wooden floors are missing. The ground floor is largely filled with debris but access appears to have been from the north with internal stairs to the first floor which also connected with the building to the east. Access to the third floor above the barrel vault was possible only from the east and from there to the upper floors by a narrow spiral stairs (now blocked) in the north wall. The building to the east of the 'Peel' tower may have been contemporary with it as there is no sign of a break in the masonry on the north wall. The surviving remains are of one floor although Westropp suggested that it was three floored because be could see a roof line in the east wall of the tower but this is covered in ivy now. Two long barrel vaulted chambers orientated east-west remain on the ground floor; the walls do not survive above the vaults. The chambers have round vaults with wicker-work centering. The wall between the vaults is pierced by four low rounded arches - three of which are now blocked. The west end has been sub-divided into small chambers. Originally the north vault was lit by at least three narrow slits set in widely splaying embrasures while the south wall was probably similarly lit but only one is intact. Through the latter embrasure there is a vaulted chamber, divided by modern walls, between the south wall of this building and the outer bawn wall. It is lit by narrow slits in the bawn wall. The existence of a first floor is clear from the presence of a chimney breast and a pointed doorway opening into the tower together with a door in the south-east corner to the circular tower. To the east of the vaulted structure there was another two floored building which is completely gone except for a short stretch of the south wall c. 4m high. However, it is clear from features in the west wall of the above building that this building also had two barrel vaults orientated east-west at ground level which was lit by similar loops set in deep embrasures in the south wall. The first floor had a fireplace in the centre of the west wall and there was an opening on the north side of the chimney. The Great Hall This is located near the south side of the castle enclosure and is in poor condition. It consists of a single storied rectangular hall, oriented east-west with no evident internal divisions. The north and south walls survive to full height of c. 4.5m with wall-walk and parapet c. 1.4m high above this; the west wall is covered in ivy but seems to have a rather bluntly pointed gable c. 8m high while the east gable is missing. The masonry is of roughly coursed limestone rubble -no quoins are visible at present but there is a great deal of modern alteration. There is an external basal batter 1.65m high and 35cm wide on the south wall and on the south part of the east wall. The east wall for the most part stands only to a height of 1.25m rising to 3.5m at the north end; above this is a modern gable c. 7.5m high. In the centre of the wall is a large modern rectangular opening which partly cuts through an original ope with chamfered limestone jambs and sill; a similar ope now blocked with chamfered jambs and sill is located north of the modern opening. The south wall has four large windows; that at the west end is missing most of its external mouldings - replaced by a modern pointed arch - but where they survive they are of limestone, chamfered with a glazing groove. Part of a transom survives on the west jamb. The mouldings of the east jambs extend down to ground level, but those of the west jamb are replaced by the quoins of the batter 1.2m above ground (one side appears to be altered). The window is splayed with a round rear arch with double hollow chamfered mouldings which extend to ground level where they end in foliate sprays. The second and fourth windows from the west are rather broad twin-light double cusped pointed windows with an hexagonal shaped light above. The jambs are of limestone (although there is some sandstone in the second from the west) and chamfered with glazing grooves. The sills which are 2m above the ground are actually transoms suggesting that they may originally have extended below this or were possibly altered when the batter was added. Internally one is completely blocked up and the other much altered. The third window from the west is a twin-light cusped pointed window with chamfered limestone jambs and sill with glazing grooves. The heads of the arches, the mullion and sill have no groove and so seem to have been inserted later. It probably had a pointed rear arch now hidden by modern alterations. The wall-walk of the south wall was supported internally by dressed corbels some of which survive at the west end. The west wall has a splayed rectangular doorway, probably modern and now blocked, at the south end and a large externally blocked ope, probably a window, lacking its rear arch. Externally this is a single light cusped ogee-headed window with hollow spandrels and hollow chamfered limestone jambs. At the north end of the west wall at a higher level is a single light rectangular window with chamfered limestone jambs. The north wall has two large opes at the west end; that to the west was similar to the twin-light in the south wall although lacking its mullion and the tracery above. However, it clearly extended right down to ground level where there is a chamfered sill. It has a pointed rear arch with hollow chamfered mouldings, springing from small moulded capitals with cable ornament on engaged filleted shafts reaching to the ground. The ope to the east is now occupied by a modern doorway but may have been a similar window. Further east is a twin-light cusped pointed window
- LI036-067004 Church
Description
The precise location of the medieval parish church in the historic town of Newscatleswest is uncertain. On the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map the building now known as Desmond Hall is annotated 'Church (in ruins)' with the C of I church immediately to N. Westropp suggested that the C of I Church was built on the site of the medieval parish church. The Urban Survey of Limerick (Bradley et. al. 1989, 208) recorded the following about the parish church of Newcastle; 'Westropp (1904-05, 406) notes that the church was destroyed in the early 14th century but whether this was the church close to the castle (LI036-067002-) or that in Churchtown (LI036-024001-) is unclear. By 1401 the church, apparently at Churchtown, was in good condition and was dedicated to St. David (ibid). It is mentioned again in the seventeenth century as being sited near St. David’s well (LI036-187----). There is a re-used window head with cusps, moulding over a well in the castle garden; fragments surround a well on the external bawn can be found around the ornamental pond to the castle wall'. According to Westropp (1904-5, 208) 'There were two churches, one of late seventeenth century at Churchtown, near St. David's Well. The I. C. church "is on the site of the other," Order to change churches of Newcastle and Monagay to Newcastle, 1775 (L.M.H., pt. v., p. 176). The modern church was built, 1777, by W., Viscount Courtenay, who granted the site'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 20 May 2019
- LI036-211001 Country house
Description
A test excavation by Kenneth Wiggins (00E0342) ‘was carried out on 24 May 2000 along the southern side of the Ballygowan Spring Water plant, where a large new extension was proposed. Four cuttings were opened by mechanical excavator. These did not reveal any archaeological material. The development proceeded, and all ground disturbance was monitored, between 12 June and 12 July 2000. No archaeological features were revealed, although a well was discovered, which would have been associated with Cullenagh House (now demolished), which may have been built at the end of the 17th century.’ The above description is posted on the web at the following internet address: http://www.excavations.ie/ (accessed 24 August 2012). This is the record for the 17th century house. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 24 August 2012
- LI036-211002 Well
Description
A test excavation by Kenneth Wiggins (00E0342) ‘was carried out on 24 May 2000 along the southern side of the Ballygowan Spring Water plant, where a large new extension was proposed. Four cuttings were opened by mechanical excavator. These did not reveal any archaeological material. The development proceeded, and all ground disturbance was monitored, between 12 June and 12 July 2000. No archaeological features were revealed, although a well was discovered, which would have been associated with Cullenagh House (now demolished), which may have been built at the end of the 17th century.’ The above description is posted on the web at the following internet address: http://www.excavations.ie/ (accessed 24 August 2012). This is the record for the well. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 24 August 2012
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 gives no landslide susceptibility class here. Parts of the land are made ground.
- Terrain model
- LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_438 (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.
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.
- Area
- 225.1 ha
- 556 acres
- Land parcels
- 254
- registered freehold, median 429 m²
- Zoning
- R2
- Existing Residential
- Planning
- 41
- applications since 2010
Land parcels
Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann
254 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Churchtown, from 12 m² to 521,146 m² (52.11 ha, 128.78 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 62 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.
Zoning
Development plans, national zoning
- R2Existing Residential (Existing residential)
Newcastle West Local Area Plan 2023-2029, Limerick · 133 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - R1New Residential (New/proposed residential)
Newcastle West Local Area Plan 2023-2029, Limerick · 30 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - C2.1Enterprise and Employment (Industrial, enterprise, employment)
Newcastle West Local Area Plan 2023-2029, Limerick · 22 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - S5Education and Community (Mixed/general community services/facilities uses)
Newcastle West Local Area Plan 2023-2029, Limerick · 12 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - P1Agriculture
Newcastle West Local Area Plan 2023-2029, Limerick · 9 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - G5Open Space and Recreation (Mixed/general 'green'/recreation/conservation, other)
Newcastle West Local Area Plan 2023-2029, Limerick · 8 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - M3Local Centre (District, neighbourhood centre)
Newcastle West Local Area Plan 2023-2029, Limerick · 3 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - N3.4Utilities (Other gas and electricity uses)
Newcastle West Local Area Plan 2023-2029, Limerick · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - C5Tourism Related Development (Tourism and related)
Newcastle West Local Area Plan 2023-2029, Limerick · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - M2Town Centre (City/Town/village Centre, central area)
Newcastle West Local Area Plan 2023-2029, Limerick · 1 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
26 Feb 2026Conditional
demolition of the existing 2 storey dwelling on the eastern side of Dooley’s Supervalu Supermarket and to construct a new 2 storey building consisting of 1 No. Cafe Unit at ground floor level, 1 No. 4 bedroom apartment at first floor level, shopfront with signage on the South Eastern Elevation, bin storage area on the North Western Elevation and associated site works
Permission · Limerick County Council, 2660209
28 Jan 2026N/a
revising the site boundary for the construction of an extension to the Northern end of the existing car park comprising of 70 new car park spaces, the provision of new public lighting, 2.4m high palisade fence, Trolley Bays, Bulk and standard DRS Units, 4 No EV charging Car Park spaces, drainage and all associated site works
Permission · Limerick County Council, 2660075
1 Dec 2025Conditional
an existing rear extension and permission for the construction of a first floor rear extension and all ancillary site works
Retention · Limerick County Council, 25387
9 May 2025Conditional
(a) demolition of existing single storey and (b) construction of a two-storey replacement dwelling, with connections to existing utilities and all ancillary site works
Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 2560427
10 Apr 2025Conditional
a Two Storey Domestic Dwelling, Entrance Gates & Piers, Septic Tank System and Percolation Area and connections to all existing services on her land
Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 2560318
29 Oct 2024Conditional
the construction of a second purpose built pre-school/after school facility with associated ancillary spaces, with connection to existing services. Permission is also sought for an all-weather pitch with a ball wall; for provision of the ball stop nets to the all-weather pitch [at 12 metres in height]; with all associated site works
Permission · Limerick County Council, 24422
25 Sept 2024Conditional
existing side extension and alteration to front facade of house namely change of design of bay window all at my property
Retention · Limerick County Council, 2460954
17 Jul 2024N/a
the construction of a second purpose built pre-school/after school facility with associated ancillary spaces, with connection to existing services. Permission is also sought for an all-weather pitch with a ball wall; for provision of the ball stop nets to the all-weather pitch [at 12 metres in height]; with all associated site works
Permission · Limerick County Council, 24293
14 Jun 2024Conditional
the construction of a new industrial building; comprising of an enclosed workshop, along with open side machinery, a plant and vehicle storage area, including works to common boundary and all associated site development works at our facility
Permission · Limerick County Council, 2460590
14 Nov 2023Conditional
the construction of 14 residential units in total comprising of seven no. two-storey terraced town houses and seven no. single-storey terraced bungalows, demolition and removal of existing unfinished foundations, and associated site works
Permission, 14 homes · Limerick County Council, 2360826
9 Nov 2023N/a
the proposed development that will consist of: The construction of a services building at the Limerick Greenway Hub @ Newcastle West for commercial, community and tourism use. The building will include bike hire, coffee dock, toilets, store and services. Works to include all site development works for the building including utilities, landscaping and public realm around the building. This proposal is a continuation of the previously approved Part 8 Planning for a carpark, Ref No. 228019. In accordance with Article 120(1)(b)(i) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, the Local Authority has carried out a screening for environmental impact assessment of the proposal. Having regard to the information specified under Schedule 7A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, and based on an examination of the nature, size and location of the development, it is determined that there is no likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development
Permission · Limerick County Council, 238015
24 Oct 2023Conditional
the demolition of the existing dwelling house and outbuildings, construction of a new replacement dwelling house, upgrade and utilise existing vehicular entrance, upgrade existing onsite effluent disposal system with all associated site works
Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 2360775
3 Apr 2023Conditional
the carry out the following amendments to previously granted permission (Reference No. 21/593): (i) construct a Stores Area at First floor level over part of the Ground Floor of the new permitted Extension. The proposed First floor Store will be within the permitted building envelope. (i) omit the new glazed Entrance Lobby on Bishop Street and retain the existing glazed Lobby and all associated signage and site works
Permission · Limerick County Council, 23191
5 Oct 2022Conditional
the construction of the Limerick Greenway Hub @ Newcastle West. The proposed development will include provision of a public plaza, space for temporary bike hire facilities, car parking spaces, universal access parking, electric vehicle charging points, coach and mini bus parking facilities, additional public realm elements including benches, bins, bike stands, bike repair station, and finally the provision of a new signalized pedestrian and cycle crossing point on Station Road which will provide a safe connection from the existing Bishops Court trail to the Greenway Hub
Permission · Limerick County Council, 228019
29 Jul 2022Conditional
the construction of a residential development of one detached, sixteen semi-detached and forty terraced two-storey dwelling houses, thirty six apartments in six three-storey blocks and all associated site works, including access from Station Road
Permission, 57 homes · Limerick County Council, 22840
21 Dec 2021Conditional
construction of extensions and carry out elevational alterations to existing two storey dwelling, widen existing entrance and all ancillary site works
Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 211795
29 Oct 2021Conditional
demolition of front wall of fire damaged cottages and the construction of 2 no. semi-detached houses with separate side gates for rear access with separate connections to all existing services
Permission, 2 homes · Limerick County Council, 211508
29 Sept 2021Conditional
the erection of a 36m high lattice support structure carrying antennas and dishes together with associated ground-based equipment containers all enclosed in security fencing
Permission · Limerick County Council, 211355
6 Sept 2021Conditional
erection of a 30m high monopole telecommunications support structure together with antennas, dishes and associated telecommunications equipment all enclosed in security fencing
Permission · Limerick County Council, 211246
4 May 2021Conditional
the construction of a new single storey extension at the rear of the existing Supermarket building for retail use and storage use at ground floor level, part of which will have a goods intake area with lift at 1.17m above finished floor level, relocation of the existing plant equipment at the rear of the existing Supermarket building to the roof of the new extension, change of use of the existing Supermarket goods intake area, cold rooms, offices, stores area, plant room and baler room at ground level to Supermarket retail area, construction of new enclosed goods intake yard to the new extension in part of the existing Northern car park, carry out alterations to the Eastern elevation of the existing Supermarket building and all associated signage and site works
Permission · Limerick County Council, 21593
1 Apr 2021Conditional
amendments to previously permitted development, planning reg. ref. 19/395. The proposed modifications consist of an extra storey at third floor level; the relocation of Domestic & Clinical Waste into a detached single storey building to the rear of the main building; a new access lobby to the front(East) elevation; the change of 6no. of windows to doors at ground floor level; modifications to the position and size of the windows to the four elevations; modifications to the landscaping design including an additional 50no. car parking spaces
Permission · Limerick County Council, 21401
15 Dec 2020Conditional
demolition of existing dwelling house and outbuildings, construction of a new replacement dwelling house & detached domestic garage, upgrade and utilise existing vehicular entrance, upgrade existing onsite effluent disposal system with all associated site works
Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 201348
2 Nov 2020N/a
the construction of a bungalow style dwelling, entrance, driveway, wastewater treatment system with eco-flo filter and all ancillary site works
Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 201125
27 Oct 2020Conditional
construction of extensions and carry out elevational alterations to existing two storey dwelling, widen existing entrance and all ancillary site works
Permission · Limerick County Council, 201091
15 Oct 2020N/a
the construction of a new car park at Station Road comprising 50 carparking spaces, associated surface lining, drainage, lighting and green area. The car park will provide amenity for the users of the Great Southern Greenway Limerick
Permission · Limerick County Council, 208005
The 25 most recent of 41 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 Churchtown.
Recorded monuments
- LI036-018 Ringfort - rath
Description
In pasture, on slight W-facing slope. Circular area (29.9m N-S; 27.4m E-W) defined by a scarped edge (H 0.7m; Wth 1.1m), with external fosse (D 0.4m; Wth 1.9m) NW->SW. Enclosing element is partially levelled SW->NW, and debris from this levelling is dumped on scarp at NW and SW. A field boundary runs along top of scarp NW->SW; other field boundaries abut this at NW, NW, SE and SW. Interior surface is undulating, dry and under pasture. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011
- LI036-019 Ringfort - rath
Description
In level pasture. Monument, depicted on 1924 OS 6-inch map as an embanked circular enclosure (diam. c. 30m), has been levelled. No trace of monument evident when inspected. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011
- LI036-020 Ringfort - rath
Description
In undulating pasture. Circular area (28.4m N-S; 31.1m E-W) enclosed by earthen bank (int. H 0.6m; ext. H 1.2m) E->NW and defined by scarped edge (H 1.2m; Wth 1.5m) NW->E. Interior slopes slightly down to NE, and is under pasture. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011 See attached ASI aerial photograph ASIAP – taken on 04/03/2006.
- LI036-021 Ringfort - rath
Description
In level pasture. Circular area (26.9m N-S; 26.4m E-W) enclosed by two concentric earthen banks, with intermediate fosse (Wth 2.3m) SSE->E. Internal bank (int. H 0.55m; ext. H 2m) has gap (Wth 2m) at SE. External bank (int. H 2m; ext. H 1.7m) survives SSE->E. Field boundary encircles enclosure, 1m from base of external bank, NNE->NNW. Farm trackway runs 5m outside base of external bank NNW->NNE. Interior level and under rough grazing. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011 See attached ASI aerial photographs ASIAP – taken on 04/03/2006.
- LI036-022 Ringfort - rath
Description
In level pasture, on crest of broad low ridge. Monument, depicted on 1924 OS 6-inch map as embanked circular enclosure (diam. c. 35m), has been levelled. No trace of monument evident when inspected though area has many irregular undulations. Disused railway track truncates line of fosse at S. Field boundaries in vicinity of site have been removed. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011 See attached ASI aerial photographs ASIAP – taken on 04/03/2006.
- LI036-024001 Church
Description
In centre of graveyard (LI036-024002-). Only W end of church now stands consisting of W gable (Wth 7.4m), W end of N wall (L 10.1m) and W end of S wall (L 8.7m); walls stand to full height except most of S wall which is reduced to a few courses. Built of random rubble limestone; walls partially overgrown with ivy. Interior walls thickly coated with plaster; interior overgrown with elder and nettles. W gable has two central doors, one directly above the other, and there is a window ope in N wall; all three show plaster scars for wooden frames. Inside top of N wall thickened by 45-degree inset. Atop W gable is stump of bellcot. Against outside of W gable are remains of a gabled porch. Area once occupied by E end of church now filled with 18th and 19th century burial vaults, one of these a classical limestone Mausoleum. Flat limestone slab in NW corner of surviving portion of church, has date of 1705. O'Donovan (OSL Vol. 2, 16) considered this ruin 'not more than 150 years old', i.e. remains of late 17th-century C of I church which was replaced by new church on different site in 1777 (Westropp 1904-5, 406). Not enough of structure survives to date it accurately on architectural grounds, though surviving features not incompatible with late-17th century date. However, core of church could be late-medieval though its position outside the medieval town walls (LI036-07001-) make it unlikely location for such a church. Westropp (1904-5, 406) recorded the following details about Newcastle; 'Novo Castro, 1291; Manor mill, worth 6s. 8d., and vicarage, 100s., in 1298 (C.S.P.L, vol. iv., p. 256); church destroyed in war, 1302; castle and manor, Novi castri de O'Conello, 1306 (Plea R., p.841); Stephen de Clynton, parson,1326 (Mem. R., 29, No. 586); church dedicated to St. David, March 1, 1410; in good condition, 1615; Castleno, alias Newcastle, on the stream of Owgarry, 1586 (Peyton, p. 154) Caislen nua, 1579 (A.F.M.). The manor was worth 60s. on death of Maurice, Earl of Desmond, 1358 (Cal. Dublin Cas., p. 256). Fabric - There were two churches, one of late seventeenth century at Churchtown, near St. David's "Well. The I. C. church "is on the site of the other," Order to change churches of Newcastle and Monagay to Newcastle, 1775 (L.M.H., pt. v., p. 176). The modern church was built, 1777, by W., Viscount Courtenay, who granted the site. Monument - Robert, son of Francis Lloyd, of Carnarvon, died 1714. The castle [LI036-067002-) is an alleged templary, founded 1184'. Church ruins described in the Urban Survey of Limerick (Bradley et. al. 1989, 208-09) as following; 'This very ruined church to the north-west of the town (LI036-07001-) on high ground is enclosed within a rectangular graveyard. It consisted of a nave and chancel with a two floored porch (?modern) built onto the west end, and it is built of roughly coursed mixed rubble. The chancel which appears to be the earliest part of the church is now only represented by overgrown footings. The north wall of the nave still has internally projecting stone supports for a roof and one splay of a window but is otherwise featureless as is the south wall which is c.2m high above internal ground level. The west gable has evidence for a gallery or loft with a door opening into each level and there is a suggestion of a bellcote above'. See attached ground plan of church taken from Urban Survey of Co. Limerick. Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 20 May 2019
- LI036-024002 Graveyard
Description
On gentle S-facing slope, c. 750 NNW of Newcastle West (LI036-067001-); on W side of road. Large, roughly rectangular graveyard (c. 100m N-S; c. 80m E-W), still in use and neatly maintained. South-of-centre is ruin of parish church (LI036-024001-) of Newcastle West, the E end of which is overlain by 18th and 19th century burial vaults including classical limestone Mausoleum. Scatter of 19th-century chest tombs to s of church. Numerous headstones, mostly 19th and 20th century (latter to N of church), but earliest headstone noted dated to 1770s. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011
- LI036-025 Ringfort - rath
Description
In level pasture. Circular area (24.2m N-S; 24.5m E-W) defined by a scarped edge (H 1.15m; Wth 1.7m) with an external fosse (D 0.4m; Wth 4.75m). Causeway entrance (Wth 1.7m) at N. Intermittent stone revetting at base of scarped on W side. A ring of mature deciduous trees grow along outer edge of fosse. Interior is level and covered by overgrowth. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011
- LI036-207 Enclosure
Description
In pasture, on gentle W-facing slope. Roughky D-shaped area (12m N-S; 14m E-W) defined by scarped edge (H 0.4m; Wth 3.7m) which is more pronounced at S (H 0.9m; Wth 5.5m) and straightens along W side. External fosse (D 0.4m; Wth 8.4m) evident NW-NE, ESE-SE and S-WSW, but crossed by shallow dry gulley SE-S. Possible causeway across scarp at NW. Interior, under pasture, slopes down gently to E. Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 26 August 2011
Architectural heritage
- Water pump, 1870–1910 · Regional interest
Description
Freestanding cast-iron water hydrant, installed c. 1890. Having moulded pedestal with maker's stamp and bucket stand, fluted shaft, banded neck and spout and fluted cap with handle. Located within enclosed paved area with dressed limestone enclosing walls with square profile piers.
- Churchtown House, country house, 1760–1800 · Regional interest
Description
Detached L-plan three-bay two-storey house, built c. 1780, with extension to rear (north-west). Hipped slate roof with rendered chimneystacks, cast-iron rainwater goods and oversailing eaves with timber brackets. Rendered walls throughout. Square-headed window opening with tooled limestone sills and six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Elliptical-headed door opening to front (south-east) elevation, having double-leaf timber panelled doors flanked by timber pilasters and stained glass sidelights having cut limestone sills, surmounted by petal fanlight, opening to cut limestone step. Multiple-bay two-storey outbuilding to rear with pitched slate roof and red brick chimneystack. Rubble stone walls. Square-headed and segmental-headed openings with red brick voussoirs and timber battened fittings to upper floor. Cast-iron piers to entrance to west of site with replacement steel gate. Set within own grounds.
- Bridge, 1860–1870 · Regional interest
Description
Single-arch road bridge, built c. 1865, spanning the former Rathkeale to Newcastle West extension. Comprising round-headed arch having rusticated limestone voussoirs and dressed stone soffits springing from rusticated limestone piers with rusticated impost blocks. Snecked rusticated limestone spandrels surmounted by rusticated limestone parapet walls with coping and stringcourses. Splayed snecked rusticated limestone abutments projecting from sides (east, west) having rusticated limestone coping and capping. Tarmac road over bridge. Bridge forms part of the former Limerick to Tralee Railway line which now forms part of the Southern Trail.
- Dooally Bridge, bridge, 1820–1860 · Regional interest
Description
Freestanding triple-arch humpback road bridge, built c. 1840, spanning the River Dooally. Elliptical-headed arches having tooled stone voussoirs and dressed stone soffits springing from dressed piers with recent render skirting to base. Rendered V-cutwaters to north elevation. Rubble stone spandrels surmounted by rubble stone parapet wall with rubble stone coping. Tarmac road over bridge.
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
- At the centre of the townland of Churchtown, 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. Parts of the land are made ground.
- Terrain model
- LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_438 (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.
Homes sold
Property Price Register
- Churchtown, Newcastle West11 sales
The townland
- Name
- Churchtown · Baile an Teampaill
- Area
- 2,251,188 m² (225.12 ha, 556.28 acres)
- Civil parish
- Newcastle, and its townlands
- Barony
- Glenquin
- Electoral division
- Newcastle Rural, the unit of the census
- Census 2022
- 2,491 people lived in 875 households in the Newcastle Rural electoral division. 68% of households owned their home. 53% of homes were built since 2001. 6% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 1% were holiday homes.
- Neighbouring townlands
- Ashgrove, Ballinena, Ballylahiff, Castle Demesne, Cullenagh, Dooally, Doocatteen, Dungeeha, Garranekeevan, Gortboy
- Placenames
- Churchtown 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.