Dunbell Big

135 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Dunbell Big, from 16 m² to 473,407 m² (47.34 ha, 116.98 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 35 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland as DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings, or as GeoJSON or KML.

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

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

• 13 Mar 2026Conditional

  for: (A) Proposed single storey & storey and a half, side and rear extension to existing storey and a half style detached dwelling. (B) Proposed single storey detached garage. Including all associated site works.

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2660144

• 17 Nov 2025Refused

  for: office unit with access ramp (17.3sqm), vehicular entrance from public road (L2632-37) with associated entrance gate and piers, front boundary timber post and wire fencing; connection to existing wastewater treatment system, drainage; and all associated and ancillary works

  Retention · Kilkenny County Council, 2560733

• 24 Feb 2025Conditional

  for retention for extensions to the rear of the existing dwelling and retention of Septic Tank and Percolation area and all associated site works

  Retention · Kilkenny County Council, 2560078

• 15 Mar 2024Conditional

  PERMISSION for development at The Old School House, Dunbell Big, Co. Kilkenny. R95 E6TT. This application will consist of permission to retain the following: 1. Change of use Old School to domestic dwelling house, 2. Ground floor and first floor extensions to dwelling house, 3. Septic tank and percolation area, 4. Vehicular entrance, 5. Domestic sheds and all associated site works.

  Retention · Kilkenny County Council, 2460133

• 27 Feb 2024N/a

  for extensions to the rear of the existing dwelling and all associated site works

  Retention · Kilkenny County Council, 2460091

• 19 Dec 2023Refused

  for the proposed erection of a detached dwelling containing two levels of accommodation and providing five bedrooms, a combined kitchen / dining / living room, a television room and an outdoor terrace, as well as ancillary bathroom, hallway, pantry, cloakroom and toilet accommodation, the construction of three detached stable blocks, each containing six no. internal horse cubicles as well as agricultural storage facilities, the creation of a new vehicular entrance to the site along with an internal driveway which serves the new house and the stable buildings, the provision of a domestic wastewater treatment system and equestrian wastewater storage facilities (for effluent which will ultimately be transported off-site), the drilling of a well for both residential and equestrian purposes, the relocation of an existing overhead electricity supply cable and all associated site works including changes to the land levels on the site and landscaping

  Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 2360593

• 28 Nov 2023Conditional

  to construct a slatted cubicle house and a slatted cubicle house extension together with their associated underground slurry storage tanks, concrete yards, and site works. In addition, planning permission is sought to construct a slatted soiled water storage tank, all

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2360544

• 29 Sept 2023Conditional

  for alterations to our existing dwelling to include provision of new first floor windows, front entrance enclosure, partial demolition of existing kitchen area, a new two storey extension, plus all associated site works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2360430

• 20 Jul 2023Conditional

  for alterations and extension to existing dwelling, conversion of existing domestic garage to habitable accommodation, new waste water treatment system plus all associated site works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 23177

• 24 Feb 2023Conditional

  for the construction of a new slatted shed and associated site works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2355

• 14 Feb 2023Conditional

  for a change in design to that previously approved under the Planning Register Number P22/393, dated 25th November 2022, for a new family dwelling including an integral granny annexe and a separate garage/carport, with an onsite WWTS and percolation area, a bored well, a new splayed site entrance and closure of the existing entrance together with new tree and hedge planting and landscaped works as indicated on the application drawings

  Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 2333

• 22 Jul 2022Conditional

  the development will consist/consists of: Laying of underground 38kV medium voltage electrical cables with associated ducting, 7 no. joint bays, with associated communication chambers and ancillary development within the R172, L2646, L2631, L67062 and L2633 public roads and private lands South of the R172. The cable will run for a distance of 5,710m. Approximately 4890 metres of this will be within the public road and approximately 820 metres of cabling will be on private lands located South of the R172 and on lands of the permitted Clashwilliam Solar Farm. The cable will transverse under the Irish Rail Railway within the townland of Highrath and the M9 motorway in the townland of Roughfield through trenchless Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) methods. The underground cable is intended to connect the permitted 38kV substation in Clashwilliam Solar Farm, in Smithstown townland, with the Kilkenny 110kV ESB substation, in Scart townland. The solar farm and 38kV substation were granted permission by Kilkenny County Council pursuant to Planning Registration Reference 20897). Permission is sought for a period of 10 years. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted to the Planning Authority with this Application.

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 22487

• 27 Jun 2022Conditional

  for the erection of a dwelling house and domestic garage/store with treatment system and soil polishing filter, permission to upgrade sewerage facilities to the neighbouring property and all associated site works at

  Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 22414

• 16 Jun 2022Conditional

  on this site to build a new family dwelling including integral garage and granny annexe, with an onsite WWTS and percolation area, a bored well, a new splayed site entrance and closure of the existing entrance, together with new tree and hedge planting and landscape works as indicated on the application drawings

  Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 22393

• 14 Sept 2021Conditional

  to retain as follows: 1. extension to the rear of existing dwelling house, 2. two domestic storage sheds and all associated site works

  Retention · Kilkenny County Council, 21771

• 2 Jul 2021Conditional

  for development. The development will consist of a two storey dwelling house, garage, waste water treatment system, new site entrance and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 21571

• 16 Jun 2021N/a

  for development. The development will consist of a two storey dwelling house, garage, waste water treatment system, new site entrance and all associated site works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 21527

• 8 Jun 2021Refused

  for the erection of a dwelling house and domestic garage/store with treatment system and soil polishing filter and all associates site works

  Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 21498

• 21 Aug 2019Conditional

  for the erection of a dwelling house and domestic garage/ store with treatment system and soil polishing filter and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 19595

• 15 Apr 2019Conditional

  to construct a milking parlour, dairy and plant room, with associated collecting yard and underground slatted tank, meal bin and all associated site works and in addition to construct a cubicle house with an underground slatted tank, feed passages and all associated site works

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 19252

• 2 Apr 2019Refused

  for the erection of a dwelling house and domestic garage/store with treatment system & soil polishing filter and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 19207

• 24 Jul 2018Conditional

  to erect a single storey extension together with associated site works to side of our existing house located at

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 18495

• 29 Mar 2018Conditional

  to construct a new cubicle shed for dairy cows, with underground slatted slurry storage along with all associated site works at

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 18204

• 30 May 2017Unconditional

  Extension of Duration of Planning Permission in Planning Register P.11/421

  Extension of duration · Kilkenny County Council, 17353

• 28 Feb 2017Conditional

  for the erection of a dwelling house and domestic garage/store with treatment system and soil polishing filter and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 17119

The 25 most recent of 27 applications.

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

Designated sites

• Special Area of Conservation: River Barrow and River Nore SAC 002162
• Special Protection Area: River Nore SPA 004233

Recorded monuments

• KK020-051 Enclosure
  Description

  A circular enclosure (diam. c. 20m), identified as the cropmark of a fosse on an aerial photograph (CUCAP AVL078, 15 July 1968), with a suggestion of an outer concentric fosse. This enclosure is not indicated on the 1st (1839) ed. OS 6-inch map or the 1900 revision, suggesting it may have been reduced to such an extent by then that it was not surveyed. Prim (1872-3, 225) published a map showing the distribution of raths in Dunbel townland, including one, ‘A’ which he describes as, ‘Rath on Prospect farm, nearly obliterated'. This may be the enclosure Prim is referring to as ‘A’, though the map is quite accurate and if the locations are correct, ‘A’ would be situated c. 180m to the SW (KK024-159----). One of two other enclosures (KK024-013001-; KK024-013002-) located c. 150m to the S and identified as cropmarks is also a possible candidate for Prim’s enclosure ‘A’. See attached aerial photographs: KK020-051----_01 CUCAP AVL078, 15 July 1968 KK020-051----_02 Prim's map of 1872-3, 225 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 December 2020

• KK020-053 Enclosure
  Description

  Indicated on the 1st (1839) ed. OS 6-inch map as a circular enclosure (diam. c. 36m), immediately W of a small farmyard, with a field boundary running NW-SW near the SW edge. On the 1900 revision of the OS 6-inch map only a portion of the NE perimeter of the enclosure is indicated, suggesting the monument had been largely levelled. A bungalow was erected within the interior of the monument in c. 1980. The NE bank of the enclosure is upstanding. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 December 2020

• KK020-054 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  On the NW side of a hillock, in undulating terrain. On the 1st (1839) ed. OS 6-inch map a small crescent-shaped gravel pit is indicated at the base of the enclosure from S to NW. On the 1900 revision the quarry been enlarged, running from the SE to the NNE sector, curving externally. A roughly circular flat area (diam. 34m E-W) enclosed by a gravelly bank. The interior slopes slightly from WSW-ENE. There is a boulder-lined entrance (Wth 3m) in the E sector. The bank is slightly defaced on the E side. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 December 2020

• KK020-123 Enclosure
  Description

  In tillage. A roughly circular enclosure (diam. c. 28m), defined by a fosse which is visible as a cropmark on satellite imagery (Apple Maps), identified and reported by Jean-Charles Caillère. See attached imagery: KK020-123----_01 Apple Maps Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 June 2023

• KK024-003 Enclosure
  Description

  Overlooking the River Nore which flows NW-SE c. 90m to the W and c. 30m S of a stream which flows NE-SW into the Nore. Indicated on the 1st (1839) ed. OS 6-inch map as an oval enclosure (dims. c. 54m N-S; c. 42m E-W) with a band of trees planted between the enclosure and both the stream and the river. On the 1899-1902 revision of the OS 6-inch map the enclosure and the trees are not depicted. Satellite imagery (viewed on the 14 September 2021) indicates scrubby overgrowth where the enclosure is located and a working quarry encroaching immediately SE of the monument. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 14 September 2021

• KK024-010001 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In the 19th century a number of the enclosures in Dunbell Big were excavated (Prim 1852-3, 119-27; 1853-5, 397-408). Prim (1852-3, 120-26) states that, ‘At a distance of two or three fields from the great rath [KK024-016---- = E]’, there are three other enclosures [KK024-010001- = D; KK024-011---- = C; KK024-012---- =B based on Prim’s map 1872-3, 225], ‘situated each about four hundred feet [c. 122m] from the other…One of these enclosures was levelled and tilled, without being trenched, a considerable time since. A second was partially trenched in the month of May, 1842, for the purpose of spreading out on the surrounding land, as a manure, the material of which it was composed, a rich black clay largely impregnated with organic remains. The third rath has now been subjected to the same process [‘trenched’ and levelled] for a similar purpose, and thus each of these three forts is now nearly obliterated’. In the third enclosure several artefacts were uncovered as well as an, ‘enormous quantity of bones of animals was everywhere met with. These chiefly consist of remains of deer, oxen, horses, swine, the calf and domestic fowl, the two first being the most numerous…The largest quantity of bones was found in the inner fosse…However, bones were found in thick layers all through the central mound of the rath to the depth of a couple of feet from the surface. The cooking places, in which the flesh of these animals was dressed for use, were also found. They consisted of eight or ten small pits, circular in form, and not of greater diameter than a foot and a-half, or depth than two feet. Each was quite full of charcoal, burned stones, and charred bones. Some of the deposits of ashes were as white as turf ashes, whilst there was also remains of wood not entirely consumed. Fragments of a substance, resembling slag or clinkers, were also found in some of these pits, which appeared to have been used as furnaces wherein were forged the rude iron implements of which specimens turned up. These cooking pits and furnaces were not faced with stones, but were simply dug in the floor of the rath’. Amongst the finds there were portions of nine querns, one of which was decorated with ‘concentric mouldings’; hone stones; ‘piles of round pebbles’; ‘small flat, rounded stones, pierced in the centre’; ‘circlets of black slate and jet’; bone objects including pins and beads and a comb; a bronze pin and two fibulae; a small iron square bell and other iron objects including a fibula, an axe-head, knife blades, a chisel, a small reaping-hook and a horse-shoe and a few fragments of ‘very coarse baked and glazed pottery’. In a subsequent article, Prim (1853-3, 402) mentions that, ‘no further traces of pottery ware of any kind have been discovered in any of the Dunbel raths since 1852, when I had only to report the finding of a few small fragments of a single vessel’. On an aerial photograph (CUCAP ATA014, 19 July 1967) the ringfort is visible as a roughly circular cropmark and appears to be defined by two closely spaced fosses. Between September 1990 and January 1991 remote sensing and trial trenching was carried out (Cassidy 1990, 38-9). It was established that the enclosure was oval (overall dims. 50m E-W) with a causeway entrance and was defined by a bank and an external rock-cut fosse (Wth 4m; D c. 2m) which was V-shaped in section (ibid.). The fosse contained rubble fill, interpreted as remnants of the original bank, as well as redeposited soil and animal bone and, in the lower fill, a barrel-lock key of probable 8th-10th century date (ibid.). Internally five 3m squares were opened revealing a hearth fill in the SW area and some post-hole features in the N and NW (ibid. 39). Also uncovered was the foundation trench of a 6m square structure (KK024-010006-) and a 6.5m circular structure (KK024-010007-), both of which respect one another (ibid.). Associated finds included an iron ringed pin, a bronze ring, large quantities of slag and stone objects (Cassidy 1991, 20). Pre-dating the ringfort were two prehistoric burials (KK024-010005-; KK024-010008-) (ibid.). Prehistoric finds from various excavated areas included worked flint and chert (ibid.). The monument has since been completely quarried out. See attached: KK024-010001- aerial photograph (CUCAP ATA014, 19 July 1967) KK024-010002- Prim's map 1872-3, 225 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 9 November 2021

• KK024-010002 Souterrain
  Description

  In the 19th century a number of the enclosures in Dunbell Big were excavated (Prim 1852-3, 119-27; 1853-5, 397-408). Prim (1853-5, 403) describes a souterrain which was found in one of the excavated ringforts (KK024-010001- based on Prim’s map of 1872-3, 225 where this enclosure is annotated ‘D. The rath in which the Oghams were found; nearly obliterated). According to Prim (1853-5, 403), ‘On the north-east side [of the enclosure] there was an aperture in the inner face of the outer embankment, opening on the fosse which surrounds the central mound of the rath. This was formed by three flat-stones, two serving as sides, with one at top, the height being 2 feet 4 inches, by 1 foot 8 inches in width, and at first sight it had all the appearance of a “creep” forming the entrance to a cave; it was, however, obvious that it narrowed inwards so quickly and to so great a degree, that the human body could not be forced forward more than three or four feet, for the passage soon assumed the dimensions of a small sewer. By excavating about it, we quickly found that its entire length was but 13 feet 6 inches, and that it terminated abruptly, without leading to any chamber, or leaving any indication of the purpose for which it was constructed. Its course was parallel with the embankment, so that, independent of its having no vent, it could not have been intended as a sewer to carry off water from the fosse’. Two ogham stones (KK024-010003-; KK024-010004-) were found near the entrance to souterrain, to the NNE (ibid.). The monument has since been completely quarried out. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 9 November 2021

• KK024-010003 Ogham stone
  Description

  Prim (1872-3, 225) published a map of the raths in Dunbell, with one of the enclosures (KK024-010001-), annotated ‘D’ and described as, ‘the rath in which the Oghams were found’. Prim (1853-5, 403) records that two ogham stones (KK024-010003-; KK024-010004-) were found near the entrance to a souterrain (KK024-010002-), to the NNE, ‘standing nearly upright, but both inclining outwards from the mound of the rath’. The ringfort was being levelled at the time of discovery and according to Prim (ibid.), ‘the workmen said that the stones were so large that they were in the way, and, therefore, they had borrowed a sledge-hammer and smashed them to pieces’. The fragments, described as a ‘purplish-grey’ sandstone, were recovered and reconstructed and the ‘original dimensions’ of ‘No. 1’ were given as ‘length, 5½ feet [1.67m]; width, in the middle, 2 feet [0.61m], tapering at either end to 11½ inches [0.3m] (ibid.). It was broken into six pieces, and as the inscription only ran along the verge of three of these, we deemed it unnecessary to preserve more than those three fragments, making the present dimensions, as it appears in the Society’s Museum, 5½ feet [1.67m] in length, and 11½ inches [0.3m] square throughout. The inscription, of which there are only a very few scores defaced, runs from one end to the other, and if the stone was originally placed in a standing position, some portion of the inscription must have been, of necessity, covered by the earth’ (ibid., 404-5). The pieces are now in the National Museum of Ireland (DU018-402----; DU018-403----). According to Macalister (1945, 34-5, no. 29) the first stone measured ‘6 feet 3 inches x 1 foot 1 inch x 0 foot 11 inches’ and was inscribed on one angle. The inscription was read by Macalister (ibid.) and, with a little less certainty, by McManus (1997, 66) as: BRAN[I]TTAS M[A]QI DUCR[I]DDA. See attached sketch from Prim 1853-5, 397-408 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly and Nora White Date of revised upload: 9 November 2021

• KK024-010004 Ogham stone
  Description

  Prim (1872-3, 225) published a map of the raths in Dunbell, with one of the enclosures (KK024-010001-), annotated ‘D’ and described as, ‘the rath in which the Oghams were found’. Prim (1853-5, 403) records that two ogham stones (KK024-010003-; KK024-010004-) were found near the entrance to a souterrain (KK024-010002-), to the NNE, ‘standing nearly upright, but both inclining outwards from the mound of the rath’. The ringfort was being levelled at the time of discovery and according to Prim (ibid.), ‘the workmen said that the stones were so large that they were in the way, and, therefore, they had borrowed a sledge-hammer and smashed them to pieces’. The fragments, described as a ‘purplish-grey’ sandstone, were recovered and reconstructed (ibid. 404-5). According to Prim (ibid. 405), ‘No. 2 had suffered far greater injury than the first. Some of the fragments were minute in the extreme, and portions had been literally pulverized, so that it was impossible to recover them. We, however, obtained no fewer than forty-four pieces…The stone, thus reconstructed, measures, in length, 6 feet 3½ inches [1.9m]; in width 1 foot 1 inch [0.32m] at one end, narrowing to 11 inches [0.28m], to where there is a step within 8½ inches [0.22m] of the top, at which point the width decreases to 7½ inches [0.19m]. The depth is 11 inches [0.28m] at one end, gradually diminishing to 8 inches [0.21m] at the other. The inscription commences at 1 foot 10 inches [0.56m] from the larger end and extends to the other extremity. The frequent occurrence of the fractures has injured the scores in serveral, and obliterated them in a few places. The pieces are now in the National Museum of Ireland (DU018-402----; DU018-403----). The inscription was read by Macalister (1945, 35, no. 30) and McManus (1997, 65) as: NAVALL[O] AVVI GENITTAC . . . . See attached sketch in Prim 1853-5, 397-408 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly and Nora White Date of revised upload: 9 November 2021

• KK024-010005 Burial
  Description

  Between September 1990 and January 1991 remote sensing and trial trenching was carried out at a ringfort (KK024-010001-) in Dunbell Big (Cassidy 1990, 38-9; Cassidy 1991, 18-20). A pit-burial was uncovered under the S wall of an early medieval house (KK024-010006-) (Cassidy 1991, 20). According to Cassidy (1991, 20), ‘The pit was filled with rubble which showed signs of burning and at its bottom was a badly crushed Bronze Age Food Vessel containing and surrounded by burnt bone…it would appear to belong to the period c. 2000-1500 BC…the vessel was decorated with unusual vertically applied stripped decoration’. A cist burial (KK024-010008-) was uncovered 0.4m to the S (ibid.). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 9 November 2021

• KK024-010006 House - early medieval
  Description

  Between September 1990 and January 1991 remote sensing and trial trenching was carried out at a ringfort (KK024-010001-) in Dunbell Big (Cassidy 1990, 38-9; Cassidy 1991, 18-20). Excavations in the interior uncovered the foundation trench of a 6m square structure (Cassidy 1990, 39). According to Cassidy (1991, 19), ‘The square house had wall foundation trenches cut into bedrock and therefore most of its outline survived. The walls appear to have been wattle-built as suggested by the presence of evenly spaced posthole bases (c. 50cm apart) and the recovery in the foundation trenches of some charcoal pieces c. 2-3cm in diameter which may have been the remains of wattle. There would appear to have been an entrance midway along the east wall where the foundation gully was interrupted. Internally s substantial post-pit suggests a centrally supported roof, perhaps pyramidal in style, its apex supported by the central post and the corner supports resting on the four corners of the house walls. There were other postholes inside the house which may have acted as the base for a trestle-framed internal roof support, but even then the use of the central post still seems unlikely…Other internal features include evidence of a hearth area to the north-east and some pit remains. Preliminary assessment of radiocarbon dates for the square house suggest a date in the eight century AD’. A circular structure (KK024-010007-) was uncovered immediately to the S (ibid. 19-20). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 9 November 2021

• KK024-010007 Structure
  Description

  Between September 1990 and January 1991 remote sensing and trial trenching was carried out at a ringfort (KK024-010001-) in Dunbell Big (Cassidy 1990, 38-9; Cassidy 1991, 18-20). Excavations in the interior uncovered the remains of a circular structure (Cassidy 1990, 39). According to Cassidy (1991, 19-20), this circular structure, ‘had a porched east entrance. It was 6m in diameter and was probably wattle-built as traces of posthole remains were found in the foundation trench. There were no features surviving inside the house and the absence of a hearth area in particular leads to speculation on the function of the building’. A square house (KK024-010006-) was uncovered immediately to the N and the excavator suggested that, ‘the structure is sited alongside the square house yet does not overlap or interfere with it. This might suggest contemporaneity’ (ibid. 20). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 9 November 2021

• KK024-010008 Cist
  Description

  Between September 1990 and January 1991 remote sensing and trial trenching was carried out at a ringfort (KK024-010001-) in Dunbell Big (Cassidy 1990, 38-9; Cassidy 1991, 18-20). A pit-burial (KK024-010005-) with crushed food vessel was uncovered 0.4m to the N of the cist burial, under the foundations of an early medieval house (KK024-010006-) (ibid.). The cist burial is described by Cassidy (1991, 20) as being, ‘contained in a well-built cist sealed with two capstones. The cist fill was mainly a reddish loam and lying at its base was an intact Food Vessel containing and surrounded by burnt bone. This Food Vessel may belong to a slightly more recent era than the crushed one and had relatively simple incised decoration’, suggesting a date range of 2000-1500 BC. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 9 November 2021

• KK024-011 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Currently located on what is effectively a peninsula within a large quarry. A circular ringfort (diam. c. 48m; overall diam. on OS map c. 68m) indicated on the 1st (1840) ed. OS 6-inch map and on the 1899-1902 revision and visible on satellite imagery with an external fosse. An aerial photograph (CUCAP ATA014, 19 July 1967; ASW036, 17 July 1967) shows that this is a trivallate ringfort, with two additional outer concentric fosses visible as cropmarks. In the 19th century a number of the enclosures in Dunbell Big were excavated (Prim 1852-3, 119-27; 1853-5, 397-408). Prim (1852-3, 120-26) states that, ‘At a distance of two or three fields from the great rath [KK024-016---- = E]’, there are three other enclosures [KK024-010001- = D; KK024-011---- = C; KK024-012---- =B based on Prim’s map 1872-3, 225], ‘situated each about four hundred feet [c. 122m] from the other…One of these enclosures was levelled and tilled, without being trenched, a considerable time since. A second was partially trenched in the month of May, 1842, for the purpose of spreading out on the surrounding land, as a manure, the material of which it was composed, a rich black clay largely impregnated with organic remains. The third rath has now been subjected to the same process [‘trenched’ and levelled] for a similar purpose, and thus each of these three forts is now nearly obliterated’. In the third enclosure several artefacts were uncovered as well as an, ‘enormous quantity of bones of animals was everywhere met with. These chiefly consist of remains of deer, oxen, horses, swine, the calf and domestic fowl, the two first being the most numerous…The largest quantity of bones was found in the inner fosse…However, bones were found in thick layers all through the central mound of the rath to the depth of a couple of feet from the surface. The cooking places, in which the flesh of these animals was dressed for use, were also found. They consisted of eight or ten small pits, circular in form, and not of greater diameter than a foot and a-half, or depth than two feet. Each was quite full of charcoal, burned stones, and charred bones. Some of the deposits of ashes were as white as turf ashes, whilst there was also remains of wood not entirely consumed. Fragments of a substance, resembling slag or clinkers, were also found in some of these pits, which appeared to have been used as furnaces wherein were forged the rude iron implements of which specimens turned up. These cooking pits and furnaces were not faced with stones, but were simply dug in the floor of the rath’. Amongst the finds there were portions of nine querns, one of which was decorated with ‘concentric mouldings’; hone stones; ‘piles of round pebbles’; ‘small flat, rounded stones, pierced in the centre’; ‘circlets of black slate and jet’; bone objects including pins and beads and a comb; a bronze pin and two fibulae; a small iron square bell and other iron objects including a fibula, an axe-head, knife blades, a chisel, a small reaping-hook and a horse-shoe and a few fragments of ‘very coarse baked and glazed pottery’. In a subsequent article, Prim (1853-3, 402) mentions that, ‘no further traces of pottery ware of any kind have been discovered in any of the Dunbel raths since 1852, when I had only to report the finding of a few small fragments of a single vessel’. An enclosure (KK024-010001-) c. 110m to the WSW, another (KK024-012----) c. 140m to the ESE and another (KK024-014----) c. 200m to the S, have been completely quarried out. See attached: KK024-011----_01 aerial photograph (CUCAP ATA014, 19 July 1967) KK024-011----_02 aerial photograph (CUCAP ASW036, 17 July 1967) KK024-011----_03 aerial photograph (CUCAP BGG093, 16 July 1971) KK024-011----_04 Prim's map 1872-3, 225 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 9 November 2021

• KK024-012 Enclosure
  Description

  A circular enclosure indicated as ‘B’ on a map published by Prim in 1872-3 and described as one of two, ‘raths on Mr. White’s farm; nearly obliterated (1872-3, 225). In the 19th century a number of the enclosures in Dunbell Big were excavated (Prim 1852-3, 119-27; 1853-5, 397-408). Prim (1852-3, 120-26) states that, ‘At a distance of two or three fields from the great rath [KK024-016---- = E]’, there are three other enclosures [KK024-010001- = D; KK024-011---- = C; KK024-012---- =B based on Prim’s map 1872-3, 225], ‘situated each about four hundred feet [c. 122m] from the other…One of these enclosures was levelled and tilled, without being trenched, a considerable time since. A second was partially trenched in the month of May, 1842, for the purpose of spreading out on the surrounding land, as a manure, the material of which it was composed, a rich black clay largely impregnated with organic remains. The third rath has now been subjected to the same process [‘trenched’ and levelled] for a similar purpose, and thus each of these three forts is now nearly obliterated’. In the third enclosure several artefacts were uncovered as well as an, ‘enormous quantity of bones of animals was everywhere met with. These chiefly consist of remains of deer, oxen, horses, swine, the calf and domestic fowl, the two first being the most numerous…The largest quantity of bones was found in the inner fosse…However, bones were found in thick layers all through the central mound of the rath to the depth of a couple of feet from the surface. The cooking places, in which the flesh of these animals was dressed for use, were also found. They consisted of eight or ten small pits, circular in form, and not of greater diameter than a foot and a-half, or depth than two feet. Each was quite full of charcoal, burned stones, and charred bones. Some of the deposits of ashes were as white as turf ashes, whilst there was also remains of wood not entirely consumed. Fragments of a substance, resembling slag or clinkers, were also found in some of these pits, which appeared to have been used as furnaces wherein were forged the rude iron implements of which specimens turned up. These cooking pits and furnaces were not faced with stones, but were simply dug in the floor of the rath’. Amongst the finds there were portions of nine querns, one of which was decorated with ‘concentric mouldings’; hone stones; ‘piles of round pebbles’; ‘small flat, rounded stones, pierced in the centre’; ‘circlets of black slate and jet’; bone objects including pins and beads and a comb; a bronze pin and two fibulae; a small iron square bell and other iron objects including a fibula, an axe-head, knife blades, a chisel, a small reaping-hook and a horse-shoe and a few fragments of ‘very coarse baked and glazed pottery’. In a subsequent article, Prim (1853-3, 402) mentions that, ‘no further traces of pottery ware of any kind have been discovered in any of the Dunbel raths since 1852, when I had only to report the finding of a few small fragments of a single vessel’. There are several ringforts/enclosures in the vicinity, a ringfort (KK024-011----) c. 140m to the WNW; another (KK024-010001-) c. 280m to the W and another (KK024-014----) c. 200m to the SSW and two enclosures (KK024-013001-; KK024-013002-) c. 170m to the N. This monument has been completely quarried out, as have KK024-010001- and KK024-014----. See attached: KK024-012----_01 Prim's map 1872-3, 225 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 9 November 2021

• KK024-013001 Enclosure
  Description

  A roughly square enclosure (dims. c. 35m NE-SW) identified as the cropmark of a fosse on an aerial photograph (CUCAP BGG093, 16 July 1971). Another, slightly larger, sub-square enclosure (KK024-013002-), also identified as a cropmark on the same aerial photograph, is located immediately to the SE, and appears to be conjoined with it at the SE corner. There are a number of enclosures in the vicinity, including KK024-051---- c. 170m to the N; KK024-159---- c. 110m to the WNW; KK024-010001- c. 330m to the SW; KK024-011---- c. 170m to the SW and KK024-012---- c. 160m to the SSE. See attached: KK024-013001-_01 aerial photograph (CUCAP BGG093, 16 July 1971) Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 November 2021

• KK024-013002 Enclosure
  Description

  A sub-square enclosure (dims. c. 45m NE-SW) identified as the cropmark of a fosse on an aerial photograph (CUCAP BGG093, 16 July 1971). Another, slightly smaller, roughly square enclosure (KK024-013001-), also identified as a cropmark on the same aerial photograph, is located immediately to the NW, and appears to be conjoined with it at the NW angle. There are a number of enclosures in the vicinity, including KK024-051---- c. 170m to the N; KK024-159---- c. 110m to the WNW; KK024-010001- c. 330m to the SW; KK024-011---- c. 170m to the SW and KK024-012---- c. 160m to the SSE. See attached: KK024-013002-_01 aerial photograph (CUCAP BGG093, 16 July 1971) Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 November 2021

• KK024-014 Enclosure
  Description

  Indicated on the 1st (1840) ed. OS 6-inch map as a circular enclosure (diam. c. 40m) but not shown on the 1899-1902 revision of this map. It is visible as a sub-circular enclosure defined by a fosse on an aerial photograph (CUCAP ASW038, 17 July 1967). The monument was archaeologically excavated in1972 (License No. E000108) prior to its removal by quarrying (Foley 1972, 17; Foley 2006, 5-22). It was situated, ‘on the eastern tip of a ridge of dolomite, on the 210ft contour, with extensive views of the surrounding countryside and part of the Nore valley’ (ibid. 5). The enclosure (overall diam. 56m) was defined by a rock-cut V-shaped fosse (overall Wth 5m; Wth at base 03m; D 2m) with no evidence of a bank (Foley 2006, 10, 18). The fosse appears to have been deliberately backfilled with loosely packed stones and finds included portion of an amber bead, fragment of a lignite bangle and a hone stone (ibid. 10). Though the monument had been levelled there were still the remains of a possible occupation layer with, ‘scattered patches of bright red, intensely burnt, earth’, as well as two intersecting arcs of post-holes or post-pits, a possible hearth and pits (ibid. 13). The excavator suggested an early medieval date for this enclosure based on the artefact assemblage and the monument’s similarity to an excavated ringfort (KK024-010001-) c. 290m to the NW, (ibid. 18). Other monuments in the vicinity include an enclosure (KK024-012----) c. 200m to the NE also quarried out and a ringfort (KK024-011----) c. 220m to the NNE. See attached: KK024-014----_01 aerial photograph (CUCAP ASW038, 17 July 1967) Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 November 2021

• KK024-015 Enclosure
  Description

  In the 19th century a number of the enclosures in Dunbell Big were excavated (Prim 1852-3, 119-27; 1853-5, 397-408). Prim (1872-3, 225) produced a map titled, ‘Map showing position of raths at Dunbel, Co. Kilkenny’ indicating enclosures in Dunbell Big. A multivallate ringfort (KK024-016----) is indicated as ‘E’, with a univallate enclosure, indicated as ‘F’ in the field immediately to the W and c. 30m W of the multivallate ringfort. Prim’s map includes some enclosure which are indicated on the 1st (1840) ed. OS 6-inch map and excludes others, however, the map does appear to be drawn accurately which suggests that there was an upstanding enclosure at this location. This univallate enclosure is not indicated on the 1st (1840) or subsequent (1899-1902) ed. OS 6-inch map, nor is it visible on satellite imagery. Another enclosure (KK024-018----) is indicated on the 1st ed. OS 6-inch map c. 250m to the SW. See attached: KK024-015---- Prim's map of 1872-3, 225 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 November 2021

• KK024-016 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Heavily overgrown with trees and scrub. There is a deep large quarry c. 20m to the E. Indicated on the 1st (1840) ed. OS 6-inch map and on the 1899-1902 revision as a multivallate enclosure (int. diam. c. 40m; overall diam. c. 75m) defined by two concentric banks. Another enclosure identified by Prim (1872-3, 225) is located c. 30m to the W and another bivallate enclosure (KK024-018----) is located c. 140m to the S. See attached: KK024-016----_01 aerial photograph (CUCAP ASW037, 17 July 1967) KK024-016----_02 GB89.Q.30, 13 July 1989 KK024-016----_03 Prim’s map of 1872-3, 225 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 November 2021

• KK024-017 Enclosure
  Description

  In pasture with a deep large quarry c. 50m to the W and extending into the field c. 40m to the N. A ringfort (KK024-016----) is located c. 200m to the W and another enclosure (KK024-015----) is located immediately beyond the latter, another enclosure (KK024-018----) is located c. 270m to the SW. A sub-square enclosure (diam. c. 50m) with two curvilinear and two straight-sides and rounded angles identified as a cropmark on an aerial photograph (CUCAP ATA015, 19 July 1967; CUCAP BGG094, 16 July 1971). The monument is not indicated on the 1st (1840) ed. OS 6-inch map or on the 1899-1902 revision, nor is it visible on satellite imagery. See attached: KK024-017----_01 aerial photograph (CUCAP ATA015, 19 July 1967) KK024-017----_02 aerial photograph (CUCAP BGG094, 16 July 1971) Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 November 2021

• KK024-018 Enclosure
  Description

  An oval enclosure (dims. c. 39m NE-SW; c. 32m NW-SE) is indicated on the 1st (1840) ed. OS 6-inch map but not on the subsequent 1899-1902 revision. A multivallate ringfort (KK024-016----) is located c. 140m to the N and, according to Prim (1872-3, 225), there is an enclosure c. 250m to the NW. An aerial photograph (GB89.Q.30, 13 July 1989) shows the N half of the monument as a cropmark (diam. c. 40m NE-SW), defined by two closely spaced fosses. A field boundary runs NE-SW through the centre. S of the field boundary the monument is largely obscured under dense vegetation. An associated field system (KK024-122----) surrounding the enclosure is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. See attached: KK024-018----_01 aerial photograph (GB89.Q.30, 13 July 1989) Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 November 2021

• KK024-019 Enclosure
  Description

  In tillage. An oval enclosure (dims. c. 38m N-S; c. 30m E-W) indicated on the 1st (1840) ed. OS 6-inch map but not on the revision of 1899-1902. Satellite imagery (Digitalglobe, viewed 10 November 2021) shows a trackway running roughly E-W across the N portion of the monument. An enclosure (KK024-018----) with associated field system (KK024-122----) is located c. 250m to the NNE. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 November 2021

• KK024-116 Deer park
  Description

  A letter, dated February 1871, from Richard Whyte to John Prim was published in the Old Kilkenny Review (1966, 61-2). The original letter, which had been torn in places with some parts missing, mentions a deer park near Bennettsbridge, 'I heard my father tell that he heard old people say that at the time of the review at B. Bridge (1708) when canon were fired a lot of goats and sheep that.....(torn) in the "deer park" happened....(torn) the time to be standing in the shade of the walls - it was summer time it seems - soon as they heard the thunder of the cannon began in their fright to jump and at each spring cleared the wall, till they were exhausted or until the firing had ceased. By the way by whom was that interminable deer park wall built?'. The deer park is not indicated on the 1st (1839) ed. OS 6-inch map or on the 1899-1902 revision. The extent of the deer park was outlined by Dan Bryan on an extract from the OS 6-inch map revision, much of the northern portion of which has since been quarried out (OPW correspondence). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 19 October 2021

• KK024-122 Field system
  Description

  An aerial photograph (GB96.FW.17, 20 July 1996) shows cropmarks of three conjoined enclosures, each defined by a fosse, adjoining the southern edge of a plough-levelled enclosure (KK024-018----). Two of the enclosures are curvilinear; one is rectilinear. These enclosures probably represent a field system associated with the ringfort. See attached: KK024-122----_01 aerial photograph (GB96.FW.17, 20 July 1996) Compiled by: Dr. Gillian Barrett for the Archaeological Survey of Ireland Date of upload: 17 January 2012

• KK024-129 House - Bronze Age
  Description

  On level ground in pasture on the plateau of a gentle rise. Excavated in 2007 in advance of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford road improvement scheme (Licence no. E3853). A circular house (diam. 5m) represented by six post-holes in a semicircular arrangement with enclosing curvilinear ditches that may have been drip gullies. A modern field boundary cut through the centre of the remains in an NE-SW direction. An oblong pit to the S of the house may represent an entrance porch. A post-hole and pit were located in the interior but their function is unknown. A number of pits were identified outside the enclosing gully and may have been waste pits. One pit contained sherds of a middle Bronze Age domestic vessel. Charcoal from one of the ditches yielded a radiocarbon date of 1606-1439 cal BC (UBA-131067). (Whitty 2010, 248, no. 937; Whitty and Coughlan 2012) Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 6 December 2013

• KK024-159 Enclosure
  Description

  A circular enclosure indicated as ‘A’ on a map published by Prim in 1872-3 and described as, 'Rath on Prospect farm, nearly obliterated (1872-3, 225). Though this enclosure is not indicated on the 1st (1840) ed. OS 6-inch map or the 1899-1902 revision, nor is it visible on satellite imagery, Prim's map does appear to be drawn accurately which suggests that there was an upstanding enclosure at this location. It is, however, also possible that Prim was referring to one of the two enclosures (KK024-013001-; KK024-013002-), identified as cropmarks in 1971, which are located c. 100m to the SE or to another enclosure (KK020-051----) also identified as a cropmark c. 180m to the NE. See attached: KK024-159---- Prim's map of 1872-3, 225 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 November 2021

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Dunbell Big.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

At the centre of the townland of Dunbell Big, 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 moderately high, moderately low, low, partly inferred.

Terrain model

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_2226 (ZIP).

Flooding

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

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

No address of the register names Dunbell Big with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Kilkenny.

Name

Dunbell Big · Dún Bile Mór

Area

5,262,577 m² (526.26 ha, 1,300.41 acres)

Civil parish

Dunbell, and its townlands

Barony

Gowran

Electoral division

Dunbell, the unit of the census

Census 2022

525 people lived in 192 households in the Dunbell electoral division. 93% of households owned their home. 21% of homes were built since 2001. 6% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Abbeygrove, Annfield, Bennettsbridge, Bishopslough West, Carran, Dunbell Little, Holdenstown, Kilferagh, Maddockstown, Rathgarvan or Clifden, Roughfield, Sheastown

Placenames

Dunbell Big 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.