Westown
Westown is a townland in the civil parish of Naul, barony of Balrothery West, Co. Dublin. Its name in Irish is An Baile Thiar.
Parcel 1769443
- Area
- 40,009 m² (4 ha, 9.89 acres)
- Buildings
- 4 buildings touch it. Their footprint covers 672 m².
- Zoning
- M2 RV - Rural Village (The Fingal Development Plan 2023 – 2029) The objective
P1 RU - Rural (The Fingal Development Plan 2023 – 2029) The objective
G4 OS - Open Space (The Fingal Development Plan 2023 – 2029) The objective - Townland
- Westown
Planning applications on this parcel
13 Aug 2025Grant permission
The development will consist of widening of the existing driveway entr
Permission · Fingal County Council, F25A/0739E
6 Feb 2024Grant permission
The development will consist of a general storage shed. A walkway / ru
Permission · Fingal County Council, F23A/0515
9 Feb 2023Refuse permission
Planning permission sought for proposed five dwelling houses (four sem
Permission · Fingal County Council, F23A/0042
9 Mar 2021Grant permission
The development will consist of the erection of 7 No. flood-lighting
Permission · Fingal County Council, F21A/0130
5 Feb 2021Invalid application due to site notice
Erection of 7 no. flood-lighting poles, 18m in height with 6 no. flood
Permission · Fingal County Council, F21A/0064
14 Nov 2019Grant permission
Construction of 6 no. four bedroom detached dwelling houses
Permission · Fingal County Council, F19A/0399
7 Aug 2019Invalid application due to site notice
Construction of 6 no. four bedroom detached dwelling houses
Permission · Fingal County Council, F19A/0349
16 Feb 2017Grant permission
The development will consist of the erection of 6 flood-lighting poles
Permission · Fingal County Council, F17A/0084
18 May 2016Grant perm. consequent to outline perm.
Permission consequent on the grant of outline permission Ref. No. F14A
Perm.consequent on grant of outline perm · Fingal County Council, F15A/0469
13 May 2011Grant permission & grant retention
The application will consist of retention for 2 no. montessori/creche
Permission and retention · Fingal County Council, F10A/0530
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.
- DU004-010002 Cross
Description
The cross at the E end of the 18th century chantry chapel at Naul built by the Hussey family in 1710 dates from the 18th/19th century. Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 14 February 2023
- DU004-042 Inn
Description
Rectangular building annotated 'Hall' on the Cassini ed. OSi 6-inch map appears to be the same structure that is depicted on Rocque's 1760 map of County Dublin and this building may have been the original 'Naul Inn'. The 1641 Deposition of Katherine Magee of Newtown recorded that on of the rebels included 'farmor Peeter Cruse of the Naall in the said Countie of Dublin gent Christofer Cruse of the same Inkeeper' (Clarke 2017, 283). A notice from the Dublin Evening Post dated Thursday 27 September 1787 recorded that 'John Tiernan, proprietor of the Naul Inn, respectfully thanks his Friends and the Public for past favours, begs leave to acquaint Gentlemen who travel the North roads, that the Naul-road (turnpike free) is now in thorough repair, that he has fitted up his House and Stables in the best manner, and will always be provided with good accomodation'. The 'Hall' is aligned on an E-W axis with the gable end facing onto the present road which leads from the village of Naul to the town of Drogheda. Attached to the N side of this building is a public house which is aligned on a N-S axis. Present remains consist of a two-storey stone-building with a gabled and slated roof. The latter was reconstructed and gables raised to give a Dutch Billy effect in the 1940s. A chimney projects outwards mid-way along the lateral N wall of the building. Formerly served as an inn (Vernacular Building Survey County Dublin 1993). The irregular layout of the two buildings the tall projecting chimney stack suggests this is a multi-period structure that may date from the late 17th or early 18th century with later alterations. See attached Rocque's 1760 Map of County Dublin See attached drawing (DU004-042000-_02) of Naul Castle and possibly Naul Inn with tall chimney stack on the lateral wall of the building with a rounded gable facing onto the road dated 1825 by James D. Harding based on sketches by Robert O'Callaghan Newenham. Clarke, A. 2017 1641 Depositions, Volume IV, Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission. Newenham, R. 1830 Picturesque views of the Antiquities of Ireland. Vol.1. London. T. and W. Boone. Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Revised by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Ian Lennon Date of revised upload: 8 March 2023
- DU004-045 Settlement cluster
Description
This record was listed in the Dublin RMP (1998) as 'Village' which refers to the medieval settlement at The Naul that was also known as the vill of Cruys or Cruicetown, named after the Cruise family. The medieval settlement was probably clustered around the castle (DU004-045002- ) and church (DU004-045004-) of Naul. The townland and parish of Naul stands in the barony of Balrothery West. In 1185 there is a reference to 'Stephen de Crues's [Cruise] vill' (McNeill 1950, 14). In 1292 after the death of Robert de Cruys of the Naul there was an inquisition into the extent of his estate which recorded that; 'there are the vill of Cruys [Cruicetown] 87 acres of arable land, held by the farmers, who yearly render 12d. an acre; their works are worth 7s. 5d. a year. The advowson of the church (DU004-045004-) of the vill of Cruys also belongs to the heirs' gift and is worth 10 marks a year' (Cal. doc. Ire. No. 1066, 467-8). The 1654-6 Civil Survey of Dublin recorded that in 1641, 'Christopher Cruse [Cruise] of Naal' an 'Irish Papist', was the owner of 250 acres of land in 'The Naal', on which stood, 'one old Castle with an old Hall covered with straw one Orchard one garden plott tenn tenem[en]ts Valued by ye Jury at one hundred & seaventy five poundes' (Simington 1945, 30). The lands of the Naul and the castle formed 'a mannor and kept Court Leet and Court Baron' (ibid.). The presence of 10 tenements in 1641 around Naul Castle (DU004-045004-), church (DU004-045004-) and mill (DU004-045002-), probably represented the medieval settlement of The Naul (An Aill / the cliff) associated with the Cruise family who built Naul Castle. See attached Rocque's 1760 Map of County Dublin the settlement of Naul (https://digitalcollections.tcd.ie/concern/works/mg74qp03f) Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 1 February 2023
- DU004-045001 Water mill - unclassified
Description
The 1654-6 Civil Survey of Dublin recorded that in 1641 on the lands of 'Peter Hussie of Westowne' there stood 'one stone house part thereof slated ye rest thereof one small Chaffe Barne w[i]th] three or foure Cottages one Corne Mill & one Tuck Mill in use worth fifteen poundes w[hi]ch Mills are in ye aforesaid towne of Nall [Naul]' (Simington 1945, 32). The 1655-6 Down Survey map of the parish of Naul shows 'Paul [Naul] Bridge' (DU004-045008-) crossing the River Elfin [Delvin], to the E of a watermill in Co. Meath in the area where Naul Park House stands today. It is possible however that the mill depicted on the Down Survey map of Naul Parish was the watermill located on the S bank of the Delvin River rather than a mill in Co. Meath. The terrier of the Down Survey Map of the Parish of Naul recorded that at; 'ye. River Elfin on w[hi]ch Stands a Mill in Repaire, in the Towneland of the Naule & a Bridge (DU004-045008-) over the Said River' (NLI Ms. 714). This was replaced by a flour mill erected by Arthur Mervyn between 1718 and 1722. The Old Mill ceased operations sometime between 1869 and 1906 and was roofless by 1934, when Oliver St. john Gogarty pondered the 'ruined .... roofless mill' in a poem he entitle The Mill at Naul. An archaeological assessment was undertaken (Licence No. 04E1261) prior to renovation. No archaeological finds or features were identified (O'Hara, 2004). See attached Down Survey Map of the Barony of Balrothery showing 'The Naule Bridg' and watermill on the 'River of Elfin' (Hib. Reg.) See attached Rocque's 1760 Map of County Dublin the settlement of Naul (https://digitalcollections.tcd.ie/concern/works/mg74qp03f) NLI Ms 714 National Library of Ireland, The parish maps of the Down Survey for the county of Dublin, attested by William Petty in 1657, copied by Daniel O'Brien, 1786-1787. Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 1 February 2023
- DU004-045002 Castle - unclassified
Description
Naul Castle originally built by the Cruise (Crues/Cruwes) family of Cruwys Morchard, Devonshire, in the late 12th or early 13th-century. The castle also known as the 'Black Castle' stands on the E edge of a ravine overlooking the Delvin River which marks the county boundary with Meath. A holy well (DU004-045003-) lies 155m to E, Naul church (DU004-045004-) and graveyard (DU004-045005-) stands 80m to S, watermill (DU004-045001-) 200m to W, bridge (DU004-045008-) and castle (ME034-010----) 165m and 330m to WNW respectively and a mill (ME034-009----) 85m to NNW. The castle siting in the Glen of the Naul was described in the early 19th century as at; 'a bend of the glen, on one of those rocky precipices, is the keep of the ancient castle of the Naul; a few yards above it is the church, and on the opposite side of the glen is Naul Park and a large corn-mill, the mill-dam being sustained by a natural ledge of rock. Westown, the seat of A. S. Hussey, Esq. is a little above the village' (Fraser 1844, 592). The cliff-edge siting of 'The Black Castle of the Naul' is now obscured by trees but the dramatic siting of the castle was captured in an engraving dated 1820 by John Greig from a drawing by George Petrie for the Excursions through Ireland (NLI, ET A415; Grose 1791, 31-2). On the 1837 ed. OSi 6-inch map a quarry is depicted immediately to the S and SE of the castle. In 1185 Stephen de Crues, held the manor of Naul, as recorded in Archbishop Alen’s Register (McNeill 1950, 14). In 1200 AD it was recorded that ‘Stephen de Cruwes [Cruwys/Cruise/Cruwys Morchard, Devonshire] gives to the K [ing] 15 marks sterling to have his land [Naul], whereof he was disseised by the K[ing].'s order. Mandate to Meyler Fitz Henry, justiciary of Ireland, to cause Stephen to have seisin of that land; and if within the time of disseisin anything has been taken therefrom, it, shall be accounted to Stephen in the 15 marks. Further mandate to Meyler Fitz Henry, that by counsel of the Barons of Ireland he inquire and certify how much land there is there, what it is worth, and what service it owes to the K[ing]. The K[ing]. until fully certified will not give Stephen his charter’ (Cal Doc Irel. No 113, 17). In 1227 it was recorded that the King had ‘taken the homage of Robert de Crus [Cruise] for half a knight’s fee in Nalle [Naul], which Stephen, his father, held of the K[ing]. in capite, and which descends to Robert by hereditary right’ (Cal Doc Irel. No 1527, 230-1). In 1292 the king commanded Walter de la Haye, escheator of Ireland to inquire into how much land Robert de Cruys of Nalle [Naul], lately deceased held at the time of his death. According to this inquisition, Robert de Cruys held at the Naul; 'certain edifices constructed with stone walls and oaken timber. They are altogether unroofed through bad keeping, and unless quickly repaired will fall for want of roofs' (Cal Doc Irel. No 1066, 467-8). The following land at The Naul belonged Robert de Cruys; 'in the carrot field, 140 acres of arable land in demesne; in the mill plain 120 acres of land, value of each acre, 12d.; in le Resk, 20 acres value of each acre, 6d.; and 13 acres of meadow, value of each acre 12d. In the mountain there are 36 acres of arable land, held by farmers who render 4d. an acre, one moiety at the feast, of the apostles Sts. Philip and James [May 1], and the other moiety at the feast of All Saints [Nov. 1]. At Lochmoyan there are 24 acres of arable land each acre is extended at 6d.; 6 acres of meadow, value, 7d. an acre; there is a mountain there containing 17 acres of pasture, extended at 6d. an acre; there is also a pasture called la Roche, useful for sheep, the profit of which they extend at ½ mark; there is also a moor useful for oxen, the profit of which they extend at 8s.; there are 8 cottiers each holding a cottage; they render in the autumn 3 days for each cottage. Geoffrey le Bret; renders 2s. for having a water course' (ibid.). The 1654-6 Civil Survey of Dublin recorded that in 1641, 'Christopher Cruse [Cruise] of Naal' an 'Irish Papist', was the owner of 250 acres of land in 'The Naal', on which stood, 'one old Castle with an old Hall covered with straw one Orchard one garden plott tenn tenem[en]ts Valued by ye Jury at one hundred & seaventy five poundes'(Simington 1945, 30). On these lands there also stood 'one open stone Quarry also a grove of Ashtrees set for ornament' (ibid.). The lands of the Naul consisted of 160 acres of arable, 10 acres of meadow, 40 acres of pasture and 40 acres of 'Mountaine and Heath', all of which belonged to Christopher Cruse of The Naul (ibid.). The lands of the Naul and the castle formed 'a mannor and kept Court Leet and Court Baron' (ibid.). The 1820 engraving by John Greig shows the E face of the rectangular shaped tower of the castle with tall chimney stack rising from the S and N walls with the E wall of a single storey high hall building running N off the NE angle. A chimney stack is visible above the top of the E wall of the hall and this may be rising from the S wall of the hall which was attached to the N face of the tower of the castle. A buttress or wall running up halfway along the centre of the E wall of the tower is still visible today. The E wall of the hall and the chimney stack no longer survive above ground, only a short projection of the E wall of the hall at the NE angle survives. A watercolour drawing in the Grose Collection of Naul Castle by Thomas Cocking dated 1791 depicts the NE angle of the castle from the river valley looking up towards the N and E walls the castle (NLI, PD 1976 TX). On this drawing the two-storey high watermill (ME034-009----) on the N side of the Delvin River in Co. Meath is depicted as an L-shaped mill with gable front facing onto the river adjacent to the road bridge crossing the river. The watercolour shows a two-storey high hall with A-shaped roof line on the N wall of the tower which appears to be cutting across an earlier window of the castle. This suggests that the roof of the hall was a later feature built against the tower which blocked up an earlier window. A possible parapet wall is depicted on the E side of the hall with a string course line indicating the start of the parapet. It is possible that the E wall of the hall was originally built as a bawn wall or curtain wall of the castle and this wall was later reused as the E wall of a hall that was added onto the E wall of the tower. An unfinished pencil and inkwash drawing of the castle dated c. 1791 from the NW side also in the Grose Collection (NLI, PD 1976 TX) shows the N face of the tower with a ground floor pointed doorway in the centre of the N wall of the tower which provided access from the single storey hall. The steeply pitched A-shaped roof line of the hall cuts across an earlier window ope and there is a window embrasure depicted in the centre of the N wall of the hall. The scar line of the destroyed W wall of the hall is shown on the NW angle of the tower. The drawing shows a first floor round-headed doorway in the centre of the W wall of the tower which was accessed by an external stone stairs. The presence of a first-floor entrance with external stairs indicates that this may be the original 13th-century first-floor doorway which gave access directly to the first floor hall of the castle (Elmes and Hewson 1975, 137). On this drawing a possible angle tower is depicted on the SW angle of the tower. This pencil drawing shows the roofline of the Hussey Chantry Chapel (DU004-045010-) with possible gable of the medieval Church (DU004-045004-) to the S and a single storey building to the SW of the castle. A plan of Naul Castle dated May 1791 shows the castle consisting of a small tower (int. dims. c. 22ft 9in./6.9m N-S x 17ft 6in./5.3m E-W) on the SE angle with hall (int. dims. c. 54ft 3in./16.5m N-S by 24ft/7.3m E-W) running off the N side of the castle standing in the SE corner of a large bawn (dims.
- DU004-045003 Ritual site - holy well
Description
A spring well at the bottom of a ravine SE of the River Delvin. Approached from an overgrown pathway. No longer venerated (Healy 1975, 16). The well is a chalybeate spring. Circa 2000, the owner capped the spring in a concrete structure (Skyvova 2005, 59). Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 29 October 2014
- DU004-045004 Church
Description
The chapel of St. Michael of the Naul (Sancti Michaelis de Nalla) stood in an elevated position in the S quadrant of a square-shaped graveyard (DU004-045005-) at the NE end of The Naul (An Aill/ the Cliff) Village (DU004-045----) with Naul Castle (Black Castle) (DU004-045002-) overlooking the Delvin River 100m to N. A possible holy well known locally as Lady Well (DU004-045003- ) lies 15m to ENE and a bridge (DU004-045008- ) crossing the Delvin River stands 220m to NW. White Castle or Snowtown Castle (ME034-010----) lies 370m to NW and a Corn Mill (ME034-009----) stands on the N side of the river 170m to N. A second watermill (DU004-045001-) at Westown lies 220m to WNW. No surface remains visible of medieval church of the Naul which was probably levelled around 1814 when the C. of I. constructed a church probably on the site of the medieval church (Healy 1975, 16). A chapel (DU004-045010-), possibly a chantry chapel was built in 1710 by the Hussey family to the S of the medieval church site. During the building of this chapel they reused the doorway and windows from the medieval church. The C. of I. church that was built in 1814 (Walsh 1888, 244) was demolished c. 1939-40 (SMR File). The C. of I. church was described as; ‘a very plain, small, and nearly square building. Its W gable is surmounted by a one-arched bell-turret. At the S stand the four unfinished walls of a chauntry’ (Walsh 1888, 244). The outline of this levelled post-1700 church is clearly visible on Digital Globe orthoimages taken between 2011-13. The medieval chapel of Naul was originally built by the Cruise family of Naul Castle which stands today in the parish of Naul, in the diocese of Dublin, the barony of Balrothery West. In the early 13th century Naul church stood in the deanery of Swords then later Garristown, in the Diocese of Dublin and formed part of the cell or manor (grange/farm) of Colp, which was part of the monastic estate of Llanthony Prima, Augustinian Priory in Monmouthshire, Wales under the patronage of Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter de Lacy in the late 12th/ early 13th century. The Delvin River marks the county boundary with Meath, the parish boundary with Clonalvy, the diocesan boundary between Dublin and Meath and the barony boundary with Duleek Upper. The townland on the N side of the Delvin River is also called the Naul. In 1185 Stephen de Crues, held the manor of Naul, as recorded in Archbishop Alen’s Register (McNeill 1950, 14). In 1200 AD it was recorded that ‘Stephen de Cruwes [Cruwys/Cruise/Cruwys Morchard, Devonshire] gives to the K [ing] 15 marks sterling to have his land [Naul], whereof he was disseised by the K[ing].'s order. Mandate to Meyler Fitz Henry, justiciary of Ireland, to cause Stephen to have seisin of that land; and if within the time of disseisin anything has been taken therefrom, it, shall be accounted to Stephen in the 15 marks. Further mandate to Meyler Fitz Henry, that by counsel of the Barons of Ireland he inquire and certify how much land there is there, what it is worth, and what service it owes to the K[ing]. The K[ing]. until fully certified will not give Stephen his charter’ (Cal Doc Irel. No 113, 17). In 1227 it was recorded that the King had ‘taken the homage of Robert de Crus [Cruise] for half a knight’s fee in Nalle [Naul], which Stephen, his father, held of the K[ing]. in capite, and which descends to Robert by hereditary right’ (Cal Doc Irel. No 1527, 230-1). In 1292 after the death of Robert de Cruys of the Naul there was an inquisition into the extent of his estate which recorded that; 'The advowson of the church (DU004-045004-) of the vill of Cruys also belongs to the heirs' gift and is worth 10 marks a year' (Cal. doc. Ire. No. 1066, 467-8). According to Ronan (1941, 24); ‘an ancient church stood near the cliff or rock (an aill) on which the old castle still stands. It was supplanted by a church built by and named after Stephen de Crues or Cruise (i.e. of the Cross; a crusader) before 1200 when it was granted with other churches in this district to the priory of Llanthony [Llanthony Prima (Mother House) and Secunda (Daughter House), Augustinian Priory of Wales and Gloucester]’. In 1211, the following churches in Ireland which were ‘formerly communally and jointly held in Ireland’ were granted to Llanthony Prima, Augustinian Priory in Monmouthshire, Wales, ‘Llanthony in Wales should have the ‘church of Naul and chapel of the vill of Ralph de Nugent [Kilsharvan ME027-009----], and in Fingal the church of Garristown, and the church of Palmerstown, and all churches which they likewise had in Delvin’ (Hogan 2006, 103). The church of Naul stood in the Gaelic territory of the O’Cathasaigh or O’Casey’s which was co-extensive with the barony of Balrothery West. The extent of Ocathesi's country is ascertained from a composition between John Archbishop of Dublin, and Galfridus Prior of Lanthony (Registrum Alani , fol. 110 a), concerning the ecclesiastical rights of terra O'Kadesi [O’Casey’s territory], in which a partition is made, and the Archbishop grants to the Prior the churches of Villa Ogari [Garristown DU003-011001-] cum capella de Palmerstown [DU007-013001-]; de Sancto Nemore [Holywood DU004-023001-] in Fingall; capella terre Regredi alias Riredi, scilicet Grathelach [the Grallagh DU007-001001-]; Ecclesia Ville Stephani de Cruys or Nalle [the Naul]’ (O’Donovan 1862, V). In 1293 the Irish Exchequer recorded a payment from Walter de la Haye, custodian of the Archdiocese of Dublin of £7 from the ‘fruits of the church of Naul’ and John Russel who paid 26s. 8d. from the same fruits, for Master Henry de Bray of Harlestone, Northamptonshire, out of the Manor of Colp [Cell of Lanthony Prima] (Cal Doc Irel. No 47, 33). The 1302-07 Ecclesiastical Taxation of Ireland recorded that in the Deanery of Swords the church of the Naul was valued at £10 per annum with the tithe valued at 20s. (Cal Doc Irel. Vol. 5, 239). Archbishop Cromer’s Register contained a petition of probable 16th-century date [c. 1519], ‘from John Caddell, and his chaplain, Dominus Donall of the diocese of Meath, to Alexander Plunket, concerning the intrusion of the Canons of Lanthony [Prima (Augustinian Priory founded by Hugh de Lacy) in Monmouthshire, Wales & Secunda (daughter-house) in Gloucester] and their Procurator into the chapel of St. Michael of the Naul (Sancti Michaelis de Nalla). That the petitioner and his predecessors had the right from time immemorial to celebrate divine service in the aforementioned chapel; that he had received tutorial letters from the Roman Court; that he had been guaranteed the protection of the Armagh Curia; and that, in spite of all these assurances, the Vicar General's two commissaries, the Prior of Louth and the Archdeacon of Armagh, had gone outside their delegated jurisdiction and set aside the tutorial letters. The present appeal asks the Vicar General to reopen the case and have justice done’ (Murray 1933, 47). The Royal Visitation of Dublin Diocese in 1615 described the building as ‘Nall Capella’ (Naul Chapel) and was described as ‘Spectans ad eandem. Idem’, the same as that of the vicarage of Hollywood [DU004-023001-] with the chapel of Grallagh [DU007-001001-] which was served by the curate Terentius Ivers and Edwardus Corbet was the lately deceased vicar (Ronan 1941, 23-4). In 1630, the Visitation of Dublin Diocese by the Protestant Archbishop, Dr. Bulkeley recorded the following details about the churches in ‘Hollywo[o]d, Grallagh and Nall [Naul]’; ‘The churches and chauncells are ruinous. The tythes are impropriat, worth .... per annum, held by the Right Honourable the Lord Vicecomte Moore. There are not above eight persons that frequent divine service in that parish. Mr. John Hyde, Mr. of Arte and preacher, is vicar of Hollywood and curate of the rest, beinge worth sixteene pownds per annum. Mass is comonly said in the howses of Mr. Cadle and Mr. Cruce [Cruise/Naul Castle]’ (
- DU004-045005 Graveyard
Description
On the S bank of the river Delvin in the village of Naul, with Naul Castle (DU004-045002-) 65m to N and possible holy well (DU004-045003-) 120m to E. Square-shaped graveyard (dims. c. 34m) enclosed by a post-1700 stone wall with entrance gate at SE corner. Modern extension to graveyard at NE. Pedestrian access to graveyard in centre of W wall with access to modern graveyard at NE. There are the upstanding remains of an 18th century chantry chapel built by the Hussey family close to the site of a medieval chapel (DU004-045001-) which was replaced by a 19th century C. of I. church in the S quadrant of the graveyard. the 19th century church was demolished c. 1940. The graveyard has been extended in recent times to the NE. The interior is raised above the surrounding ground level and falls away to the N. The oldest grave-slabs are in the W and S which are 18th-19th century in date. Graveyard surveyed in 1992 (Egan 1992). Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 14 February 2023
- DU004-045009 Bawn
Description
Possible bawn of Naul castle located on the E edge of a ravine on the S bank of the Delvin River, with holy well (DU004-045003-) 155m to E, church (DU004-045004-), graveyard (DU004-045005-) 80m to S, watermill (DU004-045001-) 200m to W, bridge (DU004-045008-) and castle (ME034-010----) 165m and 330m to WNW respectively and a mill (ME034-009----) 85m to NNW. The 1654-6 Civil Survey of Dublin recorded that in 'The Naal', there stood, 'one old Castle with an old Hall covered with straw one Orchard one garden plott tenn tenem[en]ts Valued by ye Jury at one hundred & seaventy five poundes'(Simington 1945, 30). On these lands there also stood 'one open stone Quarry also a grove of Ashtrees set for ornament' (ibid.). The possible bawn of Naul Castle also known as ‘The Black Castle’ was described by McDix (1896, 244) as follows; ‘The Castle is built close to a kind of rough angle formed by a turning in the rock or cliff, and a portion of a wall, or perhaps it might be called a buttress, projects from the north-east corner along the edge of the rock. This might, however, have been a portion of the external wall surrounding the bawn or yard. There appears, from the roof-pitch on the face of the north wall, that a building had been erected here against the Castle at a later date'. Geophysical survey (Licence no. 10R0077) was undertaken in the vicinity of Naul castle (DU004-045002-). A possible curving enclosure ditch was identified which corresponds to a possible ditch and bank identified as low earthworks. The ditch may represent an enclosing feature or bawn associated with the adjacent castle. A cluster of anomalies within the enclosing ditch may also indicate archaeological activity although no clear archaeological patterns are visible (Harrison 2010, 6). Compiled by: Christine Baker Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 21 February 2023
- DU004-045010 Chapel
Description
The 18th century chapel built by the Hussey family of Westown House stands to the S of the site of the levelled medieval church (DU004-045004-) of St. Michael of the Naul (Sancti Michaelis de Nalla) which stood in an elevated position in the S quadrant of a square-shaped graveyard (DU004-045005-). In 1814 the C. of I. built a church probably on the site of the medieval church (Healy 1975, 16) and partially on the N wall of the 18th-century chapel. The graveyard is located at the NE end of The Naul (An Aill/ the Cliff) Village (DU004-045----) with Naul Castle (Black Castle) (DU004-045002-) overlooking the Delvin River 100m to N. A possible holy well known locally as Lady Well (DU004-045003-) lies 15m to ENE and a bridge (DU004-045008- ) crossing the Delvin River stands 220m to NW. White Castle or Snowtown Castle (ME034-010----) lies 370m to NW and a Corn Mill (ME034-009----) stands on the N side of the river 170m to N. A second watermill (DU004-045001-) at Westown lies 220m to WNW. A chapel, possibly a chantry chapel was built in 1710 by the Hussey family of Westown House located 220m to the NNW. During the building of this chapel they reused the doorway and windows from the medieval church. The 1837 ed. OSi 6-inch map shows the 19th-century church and chapel standing in the S quadrant of the graveyard. The larger church was built in 1814 (Walsh 1888, 244) probably on the site of the medieval church and was demolished c. 1939-40. The 19th-century church was partially built on the footprint of the N wall of the 18th-century chapel as depicted on the 1863 ed. OSi 25-inch map. On this map it is clear that the early 19th century church was built up against the W end of the N wall of the Hussey chapel which probably resulted in the destruction of the N wall of the chapel. The outline of this levelled post-1700 church is clearly visible on Digital Globe orthoimages taken between 2011-13. Present remains consist of a small rectangular 18th-century chantry chapel (ext. dims. 5.75m N-S x 10.95m E-W; Wall T 0.65m) orientated ENE-WSW with finely executed pointed W doorway (Wth 1.07m x H 1.95m) with cable-moulding and decorative punch dressed jambs of late 16th-century appearance. The soffit of the doorway arch is dressed with alternating patterns of stone dressing, is similar to the stone dressing on the medieval doorway of All Saints Church (LI001-002003-) at Castleconnell, Co. Limerick. The interior of the chapel was lit by a transomed and mullioned four-light ogee-headed window (ext. Wth 0.93m x H 1.3m) with external hood moulding in the centre of the E gable. A twin light window (ext. Wth 0.83m) in the centre of the S wall is now missing the top of the window head. The spandrels of the unglazed ogee-headed E window are decorated with trefoil motif and the bar holes of a metal grill are visible in the window jambs. A chamfered punch-dressed jamb-stone was reused as the lower left jamb-stone of the E window on the S side, which indicates that this window was rebuilt in 1710. A second reused punch-dressed chamfered jamb-stone is visible in the external face of the fabric of the E gable, to the S of the E window at the height of the top of the window. The N wall is no longer visible as it was removed when the adjoining church was built in 1814. There is evidence of rebuilding to the N side of the W gable, which has been partially rebuilt post 1972-4, as photographs of the church from this period show the ragged edge of the gable on the N side which has been rebuilt. The pointed doorway, the E window and S window was taken from the medieval chapel and reused in the building of the chantry chapel by the Hussey family of Westown House in 1710. The inscription on the lozenge-shaped armorial plaque above the doorway in the centre of the W gable reads; ‘This Chapel and Monument was Erected by the Honourable Counte Edward Hussey of Westoune and his Lady Madam Mable Hussey Als Barnewall for theire use and posterity the Year of Our Lord God 1710’. An armorial plaque of Hussey family was inserted into the inner face of the E window embrasure. A recumbent slab in the floor the chapel marks the location of the burial vault belonging to the Hussey family. To see a 3D model of the 16th-century doorway visit https://skfb.ly/oDTYu See attached black and white photographs taken by Henry A. Wheeler of the National Monuments Service between 1972-74 Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 15 February 2023
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.
- Area
- 246.4 ha
- 609 acres
- Land parcels
- 157
- registered freehold, median 1,956 m²
- Zoning
- P1
- RU - Rural
- Planning
- 68
- applications since 2010
Land parcels
Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann
157 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Westown, from 4 m² to 249,051 m² (24.91 ha, 61.54 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 32 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
- P1RU - Rural (Agriculture)
The Fingal Development Plan 2023 – 2029, Fingal · 80 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - M2RV - Rural Village (City/Town/village Centre, central area)
The Fingal Development Plan 2023 – 2029, Fingal · 69 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - G3HA - High Amenity (Conservation, amenity or buffer space, corridor/belt, landscape)
The Fingal Development Plan 2023 – 2029, Fingal · 12 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - G4OS - Open Space (Active open space)
The Fingal Development Plan 2023 – 2029, Fingal · 11 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - P5RA - Rural Area (Mixed/general primary sector uses, including 'rural')
Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (As Varied), Meath · 7 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
16 Jul 2026Request additional information
Detached 2-storey dwelling, detached domestic garage to rear, on-site
Permission · Fingal County Council, F26A/0636E
16 Sept 2025Grant permission
The proposed development will consist of (i) the construction of 32 no
Permission · Fingal County Council, F25A/0845E
8 Sept 2025Invalid application
The proposed development will consist of (i) the construction of 32 no
Permission · Fingal County Council, F25A/0815E
13 Aug 2025Grant permission
The development will consist of widening of the existing driveway entr
Permission · Fingal County Council, F25A/0739E
6 Aug 2025Grant permission
The development will consist of the extension of operational hours for
Permission · Fingal County Council, F25A/0711E
30 Jun 2025Grant permission
We, Uisce Éireann, intend to apply for permission for development at t
Permission · Fingal County Council, F25A/0578E
19 Jun 2025Invalid application
We, Uisce Éireann, intend to apply for permission for development at t
Permission · Fingal County Council, F25A/0551E
30 Apr 2025Grant permission
The development will consist of the installation of a 30 metres lattic
Permission · Fingal County Council, F25A/0374E
15 Nov 2024Refuse permission
The proposed development will consist of the construction of 28 no. ho
Permission · Fingal County Council, F24A/1020E
26 Sept 2024Withdraw application
Planning Permission for the proposed alterations to existing 2 storey
Permission · Fingal County Council, F24A/0866E
10 Jul 2024Grant permission
Extension of operational hours for childcare facility from that grante
Permission · Fingal County Council, F24A/0615E
8 Feb 2024Grant permission
The development will consist of the following:
Permission · Fingal County Council, F23A/0236
6 Feb 2024Grant permission
The development will consist of a general storage shed. A walkway / ru
Permission · Fingal County Council, F23A/0515
8 Dec 2023Refuse permission
Planning permission for dwelling house, waste water treatment system a
Permission · Fingal County Council, F23A/0757
30 Nov 2023Grant permission & grant retention
The proposed development will comprise: (i) The addition of external c
Permission and retention · Fingal County Council, F23A/0513
16 Jun 2023Refuse permission
The proposed developement will consist of: The provision of a temporar
Permission · Fingal County Council, F23A/0341
16 Jun 2023Refuse permission & refuse retention
The proposed development will consist of alterations
Permission and retention · Fingal County Council, F23A/0342
7 Mar 2023Refuse permission
The proposed development will consist ofthe following:
Permission · Fingal County Council, F23A/0086
9 Feb 2023Refuse permission
Planning permission sought for proposed five dwelling houses (four sem
Permission · Fingal County Council, F23A/0042
14 Nov 2022Refuse permission
The development will consist of the following; The construction of sin
Permission · Fingal County Council, F22A/0633
27 Jan 2022Grant permission
The refurbishment and reuse of an existing vernacular dwelling house a
Permission · Fingal County Council, F21A/0107
8 Oct 2021Withdraw application
The development will consist of a bungalow dwelling & detached
Permission · Fingal County Council, F21A/0541
24 Sept 2021Grant permission
Construction of new single storey garage to the rear and side of the p
Permission · Fingal County Council, F21A/0514
10 Aug 2021Grant permission
Construction of new single storey extension and creation of new single
Permission · Fingal County Council, F21B/0169
21 May 2021Grant permission
Revisions to previously approved planning permission registration refe
Permission · Fingal County Council, F21A/0028
The 25 most recent of 68 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 Westown.
Recorded monuments
- DU004-004 Enclosure
Description
Located on a ridge under a crop of corn SE of the Delvin river. An aerial photograph taken in 1972 (FSI4.536/7) shows cropmarks of an enclosure (diam. c. 40m) and possible field systems radiating from the N quadrant. Not visible at ground level. Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 29 October 2014
- DU004-005 Barrow - stepped barrow
Description
This barrow is situated on a hilltop under pasture beside the Naul to Fourknocks road and near the Ford of Fyne. A circular dome-shaped mound (diam. 15m; H 2.5m) which rests on a circular earthen platform (diam.30m; H2m). (Healy 1975, 16; Scully 1972-3, 103). Slopes down steeply to north and south to circular tree-lined enclosure. marked on the OS 25" as a 'moat'. Directly to the north on the other side of the Delvin is the Fourknocks ridge. When the grass is down large stones are visible. The monument was recently surveyed by Trim Archaeology Projects Ltd., the results of which were summarised as follows; 'The monument site was enclosed by a ring of trees which formed a small plantation in a former designed landscape of Westown Demesne. Today there are trees along the boundary to the SW and there are hedgerows forming boundaries from the SE around to the north of the monument with occasional large trees along them. It is adjacent to a former Gate lodge and avenue to Westown House, constructed c.1890. A garden centre now occupies the adjacent site which is attached to the gate lodge. The monument appears to be composed of an upper mound and lower mound. The lower mound measures 23.8m in diameter and its height is 1.2m. It’s lower break of slope is recorded at 85.7m OD, while the upper break of slope measures 86.9m OD. The upper mound is located in the centre of the lower mound. It measures 10m in diameter and 1m in height. It’s shape is more bulbous than the lower mound. The lower break of slope of this mound is at 87.5 OD and the top of the mound at 89.2m OD, so the mound itself is 1.3m high. The total height of the monument is 2.5m. On top of the upper mound, two distinct features were identified in the survey. One is a circular feature measuring 4m in diameter and 0.2m in height situated just off centre on the mound. There is a dip in the centre suggesting that this upper mound may have had a shallow bank or rise on its outer edge, either an original feature or a later addition. The second feature identified is located in the centre of the first. It measures 0.5m in width and 0.2m in height and while it may be of archaeological interest, it could also be related to vegetation growth. There was no depression recorded in this mound, which, if present might have represented earlier antiquarian investigations. It is unlikely therefore, that the site was ever excavated or disturbed in the modern period. The profile of the barrow at Moat Wood appears to closely resemble the campanile form, with a distinct bulbous, flat-topped central mound form with a flaring berm and bevelled skirt around the bottom. When compared to other stepped barrows in Ireland, the distinct form of the barrow at Moat Wood would appear to better resemble the architectural characteristics of the stepped barrow’s UK counterpart, the ‘bell’ barrow, which is a more definitive morphology than that seen under the broader stepped barrow classification. Between July 25th and August 4th and the 25th and 26th August 2022, a series of geophysical surveys were undertaken over Barrow DU004-005 and on lands surrounding the monument by Earthsound Geophysics Ltd. The electromagnetic investigations of the land surrounding recorded monument barrow DU004-005---- revealed a series of relict agricultural boundaries and what may be associated cultivation furrows. The orientation of these is different than the field boundaries now, but the earliest mapping which shows field boundaries, Rocque’s map seems to indicate a similar pattern to the present, so this system is likely earlier than the 18th century. The land surrounding the recorded monument was subjected to a series of high-resolution surveys consisting of high resolution topographical and earth resistance surveys as well as lines of electric resistivity tomography and ground penetrating radar. These surveys revealed the full extent and composition of the monument. Two distinct mounds were identified. The lower mound measures c.23.8m in diameter and 1.2m in height, has a relatively flat top and is surrounded by a possible enclosure ditch and agricultural features. The upper mound has been placed on the centre of the lower and measures 10m in diameter and over 1m in height. This mound is more bulbous in formation and has no distinctive break in slope at the top. A circular expression measuring c. 4m in diameter and 0.2m in height sits on top of the upper mound. A central topographical expression measuring c.0.5 wide and 02m in height sits on top of this circular expression. The internal structure of both mounds indicates that they appear to be built on the natural topography and contain multiple separate deposition events, it was impossible to tell if they represent one building event or are two mounds built at separate times one on top of another. Surrounding this mound, a possible enclosure ditch was detected as well as evidence for agricultural processes. Adjacent to the mounds evidence for arcing ditches, pits, stone deposits and banks was detected. While some of these appear to follow or respect the alignment of the mounds and are suggestive of archaeological remains others represent agricultural boundaries' (Carroll 2022; Gimson 2022). See attached Drone photographs courtesy of Ian Lennon. Carroll, F. 2022 Conservation Study & Management Plan 2022, Moat Wood, Westown (Naul) Co. Dublin. Unpublished report by Trim Archaeology Projects Ltd. on behalf of Naul Community Council funded by the Community Monuments Fund. Gimson, H. 2022 Investigation of Barrow DU004-005- and surrounding lands, Westown, Naul, Co. Dublin Archaeological Geophysical Survey Detection Licence No. 22R0226. Unpublished report by Earthsound Geophysics on behalf of Naul Community Council funded by the Community Monuments Fund. Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 31 January 2023
- DU004-042 Inn
Description
Rectangular building annotated 'Hall' on the Cassini ed. OSi 6-inch map appears to be the same structure that is depicted on Rocque's 1760 map of County Dublin and this building may have been the original 'Naul Inn'. The 1641 Deposition of Katherine Magee of Newtown recorded that on of the rebels included 'farmor Peeter Cruse of the Naall in the said Countie of Dublin gent Christofer Cruse of the same Inkeeper' (Clarke 2017, 283). A notice from the Dublin Evening Post dated Thursday 27 September 1787 recorded that 'John Tiernan, proprietor of the Naul Inn, respectfully thanks his Friends and the Public for past favours, begs leave to acquaint Gentlemen who travel the North roads, that the Naul-road (turnpike free) is now in thorough repair, that he has fitted up his House and Stables in the best manner, and will always be provided with good accomodation'. The 'Hall' is aligned on an E-W axis with the gable end facing onto the present road which leads from the village of Naul to the town of Drogheda. Attached to the N side of this building is a public house which is aligned on a N-S axis. Present remains consist of a two-storey stone-building with a gabled and slated roof. The latter was reconstructed and gables raised to give a Dutch Billy effect in the 1940s. A chimney projects outwards mid-way along the lateral N wall of the building. Formerly served as an inn (Vernacular Building Survey County Dublin 1993). The irregular layout of the two buildings the tall projecting chimney stack suggests this is a multi-period structure that may date from the late 17th or early 18th century with later alterations. See attached Rocque's 1760 Map of County Dublin See attached drawing (DU004-042000-_02) of Naul Castle and possibly Naul Inn with tall chimney stack on the lateral wall of the building with a rounded gable facing onto the road dated 1825 by James D. Harding based on sketches by Robert O'Callaghan Newenham. Clarke, A. 2017 1641 Depositions, Volume IV, Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission. Newenham, R. 1830 Picturesque views of the Antiquities of Ireland. Vol.1. London. T. and W. Boone. Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Revised by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Ian Lennon Date of revised upload: 8 March 2023
- DU004-043001 Castle - tower house
Description
Westown House is an 18th-century mansion which incorporates portion of an earlier tower house and the ground floor of a possible hall (Knight of Glin, Griffin & Robinson Reprint 1889, 67; VBSCD 1993). The later may be the building referred to in the Civil survey (1654-6) as a stone house, which was partly slated (Simington 1945, 33). In 1993 the mansion and rear courtyard containing finely built out buildings were still in relatively good condition. The rear of the mansion and the outbuildings have since been demolished. Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Date of upload: 26 August 2011
- DU004-043002 Building
Description
Westown House is an 18th-century mansion which incorporates the ground floor of a possible hall (Knight ofGlin, Griffin & Robinson (Reprint 1889, 67; VBSCD 1993). The latter may be the building referred to in the Civil survey (1654-6) as a stone house, which was partly slated (Simington 1945, 33). In 1993 the mansion and rear courtyard containing finely built outbuildings were still in relatively good condition. The rear of the mansion and the outbuildings have since been demolished. Accessed by long grass tree-lined avenue leading westwards from Naul village. House facing north, three bay over basement. The main ground floor chamber has a broad, round arch opening in the south-east corner where an entrance down into a passageway is located, the roof of which contains brickwork and is secured with wooden joists. Rumoured to be some sort of tunnel but possibly leads to cellar/icehouse-externally to the north-west of the gable is an outer shute which possibly links the two. Area to rear of house has also been cleared-some architectural fragments stockpiled. Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 6 November 2014
- DU004-045001 Water mill - unclassified
Description
The 1654-6 Civil Survey of Dublin recorded that in 1641 on the lands of 'Peter Hussie of Westowne' there stood 'one stone house part thereof slated ye rest thereof one small Chaffe Barne w[i]th] three or foure Cottages one Corne Mill & one Tuck Mill in use worth fifteen poundes w[hi]ch Mills are in ye aforesaid towne of Nall [Naul]' (Simington 1945, 32). The 1655-6 Down Survey map of the parish of Naul shows 'Paul [Naul] Bridge' (DU004-045008-) crossing the River Elfin [Delvin], to the E of a watermill in Co. Meath in the area where Naul Park House stands today. It is possible however that the mill depicted on the Down Survey map of Naul Parish was the watermill located on the S bank of the Delvin River rather than a mill in Co. Meath. The terrier of the Down Survey Map of the Parish of Naul recorded that at; 'ye. River Elfin on w[hi]ch Stands a Mill in Repaire, in the Towneland of the Naule & a Bridge (DU004-045008-) over the Said River' (NLI Ms. 714). This was replaced by a flour mill erected by Arthur Mervyn between 1718 and 1722. The Old Mill ceased operations sometime between 1869 and 1906 and was roofless by 1934, when Oliver St. john Gogarty pondered the 'ruined .... roofless mill' in a poem he entitle The Mill at Naul. An archaeological assessment was undertaken (Licence No. 04E1261) prior to renovation. No archaeological finds or features were identified (O'Hara, 2004). See attached Down Survey Map of the Barony of Balrothery showing 'The Naule Bridg' and watermill on the 'River of Elfin' (Hib. Reg.) See attached Rocque's 1760 Map of County Dublin the settlement of Naul (https://digitalcollections.tcd.ie/concern/works/mg74qp03f) NLI Ms 714 National Library of Ireland, The parish maps of the Down Survey for the county of Dublin, attested by William Petty in 1657, copied by Daniel O'Brien, 1786-1787. Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 1 February 2023
- DU004-076 Ring-ditch
Description
Located towards the S boundary of a large arable field, c. 1.4km SSE of the Delvin River, which forms the Dublin/Meath boundary, and c. 1.1km SE of a barrow in Westown (DU004-005----). Positive cropmarks visible on Apple Maps coverage (June 2018) indicate the presence of a ring-ditch (ext. diam. c. 13m) defined by a ditch (Wth c. 2.5m). There are no clear indications of a gap through the ditch. Compiled by: Tom Condit Uploaded on: 27 April 2021
- DU004-077 Enclosure
Description
Located towards the NW boundary of an arable field. Site located c. 818m SE of the Delvin River, which forms the Dublin/Meath county boundary, and c. 601m SSE of a barrow in Westown (DU004-005----). Site bisected NW-SE by a later field boundary, now cleared (post c. 2012). Positive cropmarks visible on Apple Maps coverage (June 2018) indicate the a subcircular enclosure (ext. dims c. 38m N–S; c. 50m E–W) defined by a ditch (Wth c. 3m). There are no clear indications of a gap through the ditch. An arrangement of 3 smaller subrectilinear enclosures can be seen extending from the E perimeter of the primary enclosure. Compiled by: Tom Condit Uploaded on: 27 April
- DU004-087 Enclosure
Description
Located towards the S boundary of a large arable field, c. 1.23km SSE of the Delvin River, which forms the Dublin/Meath boundary, and c. 922m SE of a barrow in Westown (DU004-005----). Positive cropmarks visible on Apple Maps coverage (June 2018) indicate the presence of a palimpsest of subsurface features, enclosures and linear cropmarks. The main enclosure is circular in plan (ext. diam. c. 37m) defined by a ditch (Wth c. 2m). There is no clear indications of a gap through the ditch. To the N and W of the enclosure are other linear and curvilear features, some of which may form smaller associated enclosures. Compiled by: Tom Condit Uploaded on: 27 April 2021
- DU004-102 Dovecote
Description
Dovecote standing on the demesne lands of Westown House which was probably built onto a medieval tower house (DU004-043001-) located 810m to the SSW. Annotated ‘Pigeon Ho.’ on the 1837 ed. OSi 6-inch map where it is depicted as a circular shaped building standing to the W of the village of ‘The Naul’ (DU004-045----). Depicted as a circular-shaped structure on the 1863 ed. OSi 25-inch map. No surface remains visible of the dovecote on the 2013-18 MapGenie aerial image. The site of the dovecote now stands on the playing field of Clann Mhuire Gaelic Football Club Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
- DU004-106 Quarry
Description
Historic quarry located immediately E of the Delvin River which forms the county boundary with Meath and 65m SW of the 'Ford of Fine'. Small oval-shaped quarry (approx. dims. 24m N-S x 15m E-W) immediately S of lime-kiln (DU004-107----) depicted on the 1837 ed. OSi six-inch map. Annotated ‘Quarry (Disused)’ on the OSi 25-inch map. Depicted as a hachured area on the last edition of the OSi six-inch map. Visible as an area of scrubland on the 2013-18 MapGenie orthoimage. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
- DU004-107 Kiln - lime
Description
Site of lime-kiln located immediately E of the Delvin River which forms the county boundary with Meath and 60m SW of the 'Ford of Fine'. Lime-kiln depicted on the 1837 ed. OSi six-inch map where it is shown to the N of a small oval-shaped quarry (DU004-106----) and W of the public road cross the Delvin River at the Ford of Fine. Visible as an area of scrubland on the 2013-18 MapGenie orthoimage. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
- DU004-111 Quarry
Description
Small circular-shaped quarry (approx. diam. 20m) standing on the townland boundary between Westown and Curragh West depicted on the 1837 ed. OSi six-inch map. Not indicated on the last edition of the OSi six-inch map. No surface remains visible on the 2013-18 MapGenie orthoimage. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
- DU004-112 Quarry
Description
Small circular-shaped quarry (approx. diam. 34m) bisected by the townland boundary between Westown and Naul depicted on the 1837 ed. OSi six-inch map. Partially indicated on the last edition of the OSi six-inch map. Area of trees and scrubland visible on the 2013-18 MapGenie orthoimage. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
- DU004-132 Ford
Description
Fording point over the Delvin River which connects the townland of Westown, Co. Dublin with the townland of Naul, Co. Meath. Annotated ‘Ford of Fine’ on the 1837 edition of the OSi six-inch map. Crossing point over the Delvin River possibly depicted at this location on the 1655-9 Down Survey map of Clonalvy parish, Co. Meath (NLI MS 715/1). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
- DU011-165 Enclosure
Description
On a SE facing slope in tillage, a square-shaped enclosure visible as a cropmark. This monument (ext. diam. 28m NE-SW; 26 NW-SE) was first identified by Anthony Murphy on Google Earth imagery taken on the 24th of June 2018. This feature lies 65m ENE of a distinctive oval cropmark enclosure. Compiled by: Margaret Keane Uploaded on: 10 September 2020
Architectural heritage
- Catholic Church of the Nativity of Our Lady, church/chapel, 1820–1825 · Regional interest
Description
Freestanding two-bay double-height Catholic church, dated 1821, on a T-shaped plan comprising single-bay double-height nave opening into single-bay (single-bay deep) double-height transepts centred on crossing (west); single-bay single-storey flat-roofed projecting porch (west). ROOF: Pitched slate roof on a T-shaped plan with terracotta ridge tiles, coping to gables including "slated" coping to gable (east) with Cross finial to apex, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves with cast-iron downpipes. WALLS: Rendered battered walls with obelisk pinnacle-topped margined tooled cut-limestone quoins to corners (east). OPENINGS: Pointed-arch window openings including pointed-arch window opening (east) below cut-limestone diagonal date stone ("1821") with replacement timber casement windows having interlocking Y-tracery glazing bars. Pointed-arch door openings (transepts) with margined tooled cut-limestone block-and-start surrounds framing replacement glazed timber doors having sidelights below overlights. Pair of lancet window openings (west) with fixed-pane fittings having leaded stained glass panels. INTERIOR: Full-height interior with central aisle between timber pews, stepped dais to sanctuary to crossing (west) with Gothic-style reredos framing pair of stained glass memorial windows, and moulded plasterwork cornice to vaulted ceiling. SITE: Set in landscaped grounds. GENERAL: A diagonal date stone similar to the date stone on the Massey Chapel (see 11803004) is inscribed: "Hoc/Templum Domino/qui omnia serrat/Fideliurit munere structum/Revdmo J. McCartan/A.D. 1821". The church was erected under the aegis of Reverend John McCartan (1786-1832) on a site donated by Anthony Strong Hussey (1782-1859) of Westown House (Lewis 1837 II, 421). The sanctuary is lit by the Markey Memorial Windows ordered (24th February 1926) from Joshua Clarke and Sons (established 1886) of Dublin and costed at £234 including £4 for wire guards [IE TCD MS 6059, 257]. The windows depict "The Sacred Heart" and "The Immaculate Conception" and are dedicated: "TO THE GLORY OF GOD [AND] IN MEMORY OF THE MARKEY FAMILY".
- Mill (water), 1715–1825 · Regional interest
Description
Detached two-bay three-storey mill with half-attic, built 1718-22, on a T-shaped plan; two-bay full-height central return (south). In ruins, 1934. ROOF: None. WALLS: Part coursed rubble limestone walls on battered base with rough cut limestone flush quoins to corners. OPENINGS: Square-headed window openings with cut-limestone sills, and red brick block-and-start surrounds with no fittings surviving. INTERIOR: Ruin. SITE: Set in overgrown grounds. GENERAL: Erected (1718-8) by Arthur Mervyn (----) opposite the site of an earlier mill illustrated on the Down Survey (1656). Operated (8th May 1847) by James Ennis (----) and valued at £36 0s. 0d. with Anthony Strong Hussey (1782-1859) of Westown House named as the "Immediate Lessor" (Primary Valuation of Ireland). The roofless ruins inspired the poem "The Mill at Naul" (1934) by Oliver St. John Gogarty (1878-1957).
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 Westown, about 1 in 20 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
- No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Westown.
- 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
No address of the register names Westown with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Dublin.
The townland
- Name
- Westown · An Baile Thiar
- Area
- 2,463,973 m² (246.4 ha, 608.86 acres)
- Civil parish
- Naul, and its townlands
- Barony
- Balrothery West
- Electoral division
- Hollywood, the unit of the census
- Census 2022
- 1,476 people lived in 486 households in the Hollywood electoral division. 86% of households owned their home. 43% of homes were built since 2001. 6% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.
- Neighbouring townlands
- Bodingtown (Co. Meath), Cabinhill, Curragh West, Flacketstown, Hynestown, Naul (Co. Meath), Naul
- Placenames
- Westown 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.