Marsh

Area

17,646 m² (1.76 ha, 4.36 acres)

Buildings

No building touches it.

Zoning

G3 pNHA (Arklow and Environs Local Area Plan) The objective

Townland

Marsh

Planning applications on this parcel

• 23 May 2025Refused

  demolition of 3 no. structures on site including a 2-storey habitable house (total GFA 207 sq.m) and 2 no. sheds/outbuildings (c.580 sq.m). Closures of 2 no. existing entrances onto the Kilbride Road (L-6179). Construction of a new residential development and local centre comprising: 666 no. units (578 no. semi-detached and terraced housing (100 no. 2 beds, 317 no. 3 beds, 161 no. 4 beds) and 88 no. apartments and duplex apartments (24 no. 1 beds, 51 no. 2 beds and 13 no. 3 beds)). All residential units will have associated private open space facing north/ south/ east/ west. The proposal will also include a local centre (c. 2335 sq.m) comprising a creche (c.1,095sqm) with outdoor play area, 3 no. community/medical units (c.450 sq.m), and 3 no. retail units (c.790sq.m). Building heights within the development will range from one to five storeys. The development will include streets, pedestrian/cycle links, open spaces/parks (with play areas) and will include amendments to the permitted open spaces and access road granted as part of the Phase 1/Character Area 1a development (WCC Reg. Ref.: 23/756 on the subject lands. The development will also include a public boardwalk/bridge for pedestrians and cyclists from the development across Arklow Town Marsh and the Avoca River to the Arklow Riverwalk north of Arklow Town Car Park and the Town Centre, with the bridge element (and associated works) across the Avoca River constructed atop the concrete columns (debris traps) permitted as part of the Arklow Flood Relief Scheme (Planning Ref. ABP-310368-21). All associated site development works, site reprofiling, infrastructural and drainage works, surface water attenuation and natural attenuation areas, connection to public services and utilities (including undergrounding of ESB lines), provision of substations, bin stores, bicycle stores, car and cycle parking at surface and undercroft levels, public lighting, landscaping and planting, public/communal/private open spaces and boundary treatment works. This development will form part of the designated Kilbride Action Area Plan AAP3

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2560387

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

Designated sites

• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Arklow Town Marsh 001931

Recorded monuments around it

This parcel is in the zone of notification of 8 recorded monuments.

• WI040-029 Historic town
  Description

  In 1571 the Manor of Arklow and the 'burgesses of the Earl's town of Arcloe' were required to, 'have paid the yearly rent of 3s. 4d., and some of them paid but 6d. by the year, with bearing Irish exactions as 'conyve,' livery, horsemen, horseboys, gallowglasse, kerne and kernitye with divers other impositions for every of their tenements, gardens and commodities of the accustomed commons time out of mind which to said burgesses and dwellers of said town belongeth/the said Earl, pitying the miserable estate and decay of said town and dwellers, and they complaining the same to grow of the said 'conye' and other Irish exactions, agreed that in consideration that the burgesses shall be free of the aforesaid exactions and all other impositions and all old accustomed rents, they shall pay for every of their tenements to said Earl and his heirs yearly 13s. 4d. current money of Ireland and one 'wetche' hen, and the tenants that be not burgesses shall pay a like sum and two 'wetche' hens. Every burgess shall pay to said Earl and his heirs the ancient customs heretofore paid out of timber, wood, boards, bark and fishing, and bring such wood as shall be provided for the Earl and his heirs at the waterside in their small lighters, and put the same aboard the vessel or vessels wherein it shall be transported to Dublin for the provision of the Earl and his heirs frank and free from paying anything for the lighters or men labouring in them, as heretofore they were accustomed. Every burgess and tenant shall give yearly four labourers for four days to help the reparations and building of the castle (WI040-029002-) and walls thereof, and at their own charges make strong gates, ditches and pales for the better defence of said town against rebels and evil-disposed people, and likewise workmen for the mending of the haven [WI040-029011-] of said town, and watch and ward the town orderly by day and night, and answer to the ordinary courts that shall be kept there by said Earl's seneschal or other officer appointed. Also to have a market-day once a week as the town in old time had, and the Earl to be a means to get a fair to be held there, provided the Earl shall have the custom' (Curtis 1941, No. 192, 211-2). The Urban Survey of Co. Wicklow described the historic town of Arklow known in Irish as An tInbhear Mór as follows; 'Arklow is a port town situated on the south bank of the Avoca river. It is about forty miles south of Dublin on the Wexford road. The medieval town was situated at the foot of a hill along the south bank of the river Avoca. Arklow is one of the small handful of Irish places whose name is genuinely of Scandinavian origin. The precise meaning of the name is a matter of debate. There is no doubt about the suffix "-lo", a meadow, but the prefix Ark- has not been fully explained. One suggestion is Arkell-lo "Arkell’s meadow", another is Ar-lo "river meadow". The presence of the placename, however, together with the well-known ninth century Viking burial (WI031-040----) indicates that there was a Scandinavian settlement in the vicinity. The nature of this settlement is unclear. The absence of documentary references almost certainly indicates that it was not a town but it is possible that it was some form of hamlet or fishing village, or perhaps simply a way-station on the Dublin-Bristol routes. Arklow’s beginnings as a town appear to commence with the coming of the Normans. Theobald FitzWalter was granted the manor of Arklow by Prince John in 1185 and he probably commenced to settle the area soon afterwards (Orpen 1911-20, i, 371). The property was to remain in the hands of Theobald’s descendants, the Butlers, throughout the middle ages and consequently incidental references are to be found to the town in the Ormond deeds. One of Theobald’s first actions was the foundation of a Cistercian abbey (WI040-029004-) on the "island of Arklow" (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 126: sub Abington). The presence of this monastery suggests that there no Scandinavian settlement of any size here at the time because the Cistercians preferred isolated rural locations to urban settings. In 1205 the monks were moved by Theobald to Abington (LI014-014002-), Co. Limerick, a move which probably indicates the beginnings of an Anglo-Norman urban settlement at Arklow. References are few during the middle ages, however, and it is not until 1571 that there is the first clear evidence that the settlement was actually incorporated (Curtis 1932-43, v, 211). In the fourteenth century Arklow began to come under pressure from the native Irish. The castle was captured in 1331 (Power 1981, 30) but it seems that the town survived the Gaelic resurrgence as a bastion outpost of the Pale. The sixteenth century witnessed the Butler family reasserting its interests in the manor and an important document of 1571, an agreement between the earl of Ormond and the townsmen, sheds some interesting light on the appearance of the town at that time (Curtis 1932-43, v, 211-2). It is clear that the town was in a state of dilapidation and the castle (WI040-029002-), harbour and defences are specifically mentioned as being in poor condition. The town remained loyal to the crown during the Nine Years War and it was a supporter of the Confederate cause in 1641-9. The town surrendered to Cromwell in September 1649 as his army passed through en route to Wexford. In 1700 the Butlers sold out their interest in the town and manor of Arklow to John Allen of Stillorgan an event which effectively closes the history of the medieval town' (Power 1981, 55). There may have been a harbour; a 'haven' is mentioned in a 1571 covenant, as are town defenses in the form of 'gates, ditches, and pales' (Curtis 1933-43, V, 212). Kerrigan (1995, 38) stated that in 1576, what must have been earthwork ramparts were constructed around Wicklow and Arklow. Of the medieval town only the street pattern and a portion of the castle (WI040-029002-) survive. The street plan is linear based on Main Street which runs east-west following the line of the river and has an extension at the east end towards the south. The burgage plot pattern is clearly visible on the O.S. map where narrow properties run back to the river on the north side and have what is virtually a common boundary along the south. The bridge, and Bridge Street, connecting the town with Ferrybank clearly cuts across this pattern and it is evidently a later insertion. The very name "Ferrybank" indicates that contact between the north and south banks of the Avoca was originally by ferry rather than by bridge. Narrow lanes still survive between many of the properties but it is not possible to say if any of the houses have a pre-1700 core. MARKET PLACE This is likely to have been located in Main Street. HARBOUR The presence of a harbour can be inferred from Viking times when the location at a river estuary would have been its most attractive feature. The repair of the "haven" is among the features mentioned in the 1571 covenant between the earl of Ormond and the townsmen (Curtis 1932-43, v, 212). The harbour was probably located on the east side of the town where there are still quays today. Lewis (1837, i, 60) states that, in the early nineteenth century, the harbour was accessible only to small boats because the passage was sinuous and subject to shifting sands. TOWN DEFENCES The 1571 covenant between the earl of Ormond and the burgesses of Arklow mention that the burgesses shall "at their own charges make strong gates, ditches and pales for the better defence of said town" (Curtis 1932-43, v, 211). There is no positive evidence that these defences were built and there are no surviving remains. The alignment, however, and length of the long boundary which delimits the burgage plots on the south side of Main Street suggests that some form of defence probably existed, possibly an earthen rampart and fosse' (Bradley and King 1989, 1-5)'. The above description is derived from the p

• WI040-029001 Religious house - Dominican friars
  Description

  Situated on level terrain on the S side of the town. The site of the Dominican friary founded in 1264 by Thomas Theobald FitzWalter. Portions of the church and claustral buildings survived into the mid-18th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 221). No surviving remains; the site is now a park in Arklow town with 18th- and 19th-century headstones, including samples by Denis Cullen and James Byrne, arranged around the perimeter of the high-walled square graveyard. Part of the medieval borough of Arklow (WI040-029----). In 1414 the pope granted the friary the following rights; 'Relaxation, during ten years, of years and ten quarantines of enjoined penance to penitents who on the six feasts of Our Lord, Whitsun day, the four feasts of, St. Mary the Virgin, the Nativity of St. John Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, the Invention and Exaltation Of Holy Cross and the dedication, and on All Saints, during the octaves of certain of them and the six days of Whitsun week, visit or (vel) give alms for the conservation and sustentation of the Friars Preachers' church of Holy Cross de Arclo, in the diocese of Dublin' (Cal. papal letters, 461). In 1541 after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Crown granted a 'Lease to Edmund Duffe, gent.; of the site of the priory of friars preachers of Arclow, with appurtenances. To hold for 21 years, at a rent of 20s.—' (Nicholls 1994, 22). On the 27th of January, 1541 an inquistion held at Arklow under a jury consisting of, 'Edmund Edward, Peter Waffer, Patrick Fannyng, Walter Chever, Denis Edward, Patrick Kenne, James Ower, Dermot Kelley, John McGerrer, William McMorysshe, Hugh Carpenter, and Hugh Ballagh' recorded that the Dominican House of Arklow, then listed as in Co. Wexford consisted of the following; 'All the buildings in the precinct are necessary for the farmer, and with a garden cont[aining]. 2 acr[es]., and are worth above repairs 6.s. 8.d. Vill of Arctlo [Arklow]. - 2 parks or closes cont. 3 acr.; 2.s. 3 acr. (greater measure); 2.s. A new chamber; Edmund Duff, for a term of years; value, 6.s. 8.d.; rent, a grain of corn. A messuage; Connor McKee ; 12.d., and for victuals, a quarter of beef (12.d.), 6 cakes (12.d.), 3 gallons of butter (2.s.) ; total, 5.s. A messuage; Thomas Ferrold 5.s.; do.; John Gregory 5.s. ; do.; Hugh Ballagh; 3.s. 4-d. 6 cottages, worth 12.s.; now waste by war and rebellion of the Irish called le Kavaners [Cavanaghs]. 2 vacant pieces of ground; ,2.d. Each tenant of a messuage used to give to the Friars, for their sustenance, from every brewing of beer for sale, 3½ gallons of beer worth 13.s. 4d.; this duty is not rendered now. Each gave 1 hen; 8.d. Total, 23.s. 2.d. Total of the extent, 29.s. 10.d.' (White 1943, 373). Edmund Duff [Duffy] was listed as the occupier of the 'House of Friars Preachers of Arcloo' (ibid., 374). In 1544 the friary lands were granted, 'to John Travers of Dublin, esq., in consideration of the sum of £41 of the site of the monastery of friars preachers of Arclowe, with appurtenances, county Wexford' (Nicholls 1994, 46). According to Brewer (1825-6, 332) 'on part of the site was erected a parish church, the land having been granted for that purpose by Sir Laurence Esmond, Bart. and Benjamin Mountney, Esq.; but this building falling to decay a new church has been recently erected, on a more eligible spot'. The Urban Survey of Co. Wicklow described the Dominican Friary of the Holy Cross as follows; 'This was founded in 1264 by Thomas Theobald FitzWalter and he was buried there in 1285 (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 221). It was suppressed in 1539 but parts of the church and claustral buildings survived until the mid eighteenth century (ibid.). It was located in the rectangular site marked "graveyard" on the south side of Main Street. No building remains survive. The site itself has been turned into a public park with the eighteenth and nineteenth century gravestones arranged around the walls' (Bradley and King 1989, 6). The following details were recorded by Gwynn and Hadcock (1970, 221); 'In 1414 an indulgence was granted for the conservation of the friars' church. The friary was suppressed in 1539. On 27 Jan. 1541 the jurors found that the buildings and 2-acre site were necessary for the farmer (Edmund Duffy); the possessions (then let to several tenants) included 15 acres, four messuages and six cottages, val. c. 62s., but given as 29s. 10d. because part was waste by war and rebellion of the Irish called le Kavaners: E. The buildings consisted of church and belfry, chapter-house, dorter, hall, three chambers, store, kitchen, etc.; the property was granted in 1544 to John Travers at a small rent. The ch[urch]. and priory stood almost complete in Burgo's time. Stephen O'Kelly, last representative of the order in Arklow, d[ied]. soon after 1835'. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 14 July 2021

• WI040-029002 Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle
  Description

  Between 1185-9 the Calendar of Ormond Deeds recorded that; 'John, son of Henry King of England, Lord of Ireland, with the assent of his father, grants to Theobald Walter the castle of Arklow with the vill of Arklow and all lands pertaining thereto, to hold to him and his heirs by the service of a knight's fee, for all service' (Curtis 1932, No. 17, 8). This land grant suggests that there was probably an earth and timber castle constructed before the land grant of 1185-9. This castle may have taken the form of a ringwork and the rock cut ditch to the W of the stone castle may have formed part of the defences of this earth and timber castle. The form of the stone castle constructed by Theobald Walter may have followed the outline of the ringwork castle. The manor and lordship of Arklow was originally located in the county of Carlow and in 1601 a lease between Thomas, Earl of Ormond and Captain Laurence Esmond relating to this manor stated that all 'the castles, messuages, lands, tenements, etc., belonging to the same, saving to the Earl and his heirs a place for a weir [WI040-029012-] upon the river of Arklow, also all eyries of hawks and all game ; to hold to said Laurence, his executors and assigns, for a term of thirty years at annual rent of £60. together with 12 barrels of herrings to be delivered yearly to the manor of Arklow and sent from thence to the Earl's manor of Clonmore as often as herring fishing shall happen in the haven of Arklow' (Curtis 1943, No. 7, 9). According to the terms of his lease Captain Laurence Esmond, 'shall further repair the wall or bawn of said manor where ruined, and shall buttress it with lime and stone within two years' (ibid., 10). In 1571 the 'burgesses of the Earl's town [WI040-029----] of Arcloe' were required to, 'give yearly four labourers for four days to help the reparations and building of the castle and walls thereof, and at their own charges make strong gates, ditches and pales for the better defence of said town against rebels and evil-disposed people, and likewise workmen for the mending of the haven [WI040-029011-] of said town, and watch and ward the town orderly by day and night, and answer to the ordinary courts that shall be kept there by said Earl's seneschal or other officer appointed. Also to have a market-day once a week as the town in old time had, and the Earl to be a means to get a fair to be held there, provided the Earl shall have the custom' (Curtis 1941, No. 192, 211-2). In 1543 the castle was in the possession of John Travers, Master of the King's Ordnance in Ireland and was leased from Sir James Butler Earl of Ormond with the conditions that, 'John shall defend the town [WI040-029----], manor, lordship and castle of Arklow which he holds at Present by lease for a term of years of said Earl, and shall also do the best he can to win such lordships, meases, lands, tenements, etc., belonging to said lordship, etc., or to any part Of the Earl's inheritance in Leinster from the possession of the Irish withholding the same without lawful or just title, said Earl now grants to John an annuity of £13 6s 8d Irish out of the rents, issues and profits of said lordship, to have and to hold to said John as long as he remains the Earl's tenant of that lordship' (Curtis 1937, No. 311, 256-7). In 1594 there was a reference to the 'great hall of the castle of Arklow' which was the venue for 'several complaints exhibited by sundry of the inhabitants within the lordship of Arklow unto the Earl of Ormond as concerning several wrongs, injuries and other bad dealings used by said inhabitants, very pernicious and hurtful among themselves, whereby great discontentment and disquietness ensued thereof, for want of due course to be taken for redress of such wrongs and other indirect dealings as are continually growing betwixt said inhabitants as well for titles of land, actions of debt, as otherwise/ thereupon said Earl having a circumspect care of said inhabitants, being his tenants, directed unto us his pleasure, willing us, James Grace of Rathville in county Carlow, Edmond Gall and Piers McWilliam of county Kilkenny, to repair to the lordship of Arklow, calling before us such controversies as were depending betwixt the inhabitants' (Curtis 1943, No. 7, 8-9). The Urban Survey of Co. Wicklow described Arklow Castle as follows; 'The castle was the administrative centre of the medieval manor and in view of its position, on high ground at the west end of the town (WI040-029----) overlooking the Avoca river, it possibly replaces a pre-Norman structure. The remains consist of a stretch of curtain wall and a circular corner tower built on rock outcrop and consisting of randomly coursed rubble stone. These are essentially of thirteenth century date. The tower is now three floored (8m high) but Grose’s (1795, ii, opp. p. 62) view shows that it was originally higher. There is no access to the ground or first floor and the walls of the second floor are largely missing. There is a basal batter c. 2.5m high on the north east side. The first floor has a flat lintelled opening on the east but the jambs are missing. A small section of wall with a pointed doorway and chamfered sandstone jambs and a short flight of steps (possibly leading to a wall walk) remain in the south west side of the second floor. The curtain wall, some 8m high at its western end, runs south-east from the angle tower before turning almost due south where it reduces in height from 6m to 4m. In the high section of the wall beside the tower there are two loops with sandstone jambs and above these, close to tower, there is a jamb of a large window with bar-holes for glazing. The angle at the south east appears to be largely rebuilt as does the section of wall running south from there' (Bradley and King 1989, 5-6). The castle remains were described in the 18th century as follows; 'There is little more than half of a tower remaining; it makes part of the walls that inclose the barracks. It was in former ages much contended for by the English and Irish. In 1331, it was strongly fortified and in possession of the first, when it was violently attacked by the latter; but Lord Bermingham opportunely came to its relief, and with a small party defeated the O'Tools with considerable slaughter. However the Irish a short time after became masters of it, and on the 8th of August, 1332, the English obtained and re-edified it. In 1641, the Irish surprised this castle and put all the garrison to the sword; they held it till 1649, when it, with the neighbouring fortresses, fell into the hands of Cromwell, who marched from Dublin, in September, with a design to reduce to his obedience the south-east and south parts of Ireland, which he effected in a short time. This View was taken from an original drawing by P. S. Reyley, Esq. in the collection of the Right Honourable William Conyngham [1733-1796] (Grose 1795, ii, 62)''. The drawing of Arklow Castle has been attributed to Pope Stevens Reyley (Reilly) c. 1774 who was commissioned by William Burton Conyngham (NLI PD 2097 TX; Harbison 2012, 60-1, 194). View of Arklow Castle drawn by James Stark Fleming (1890-1920) has a sketch with the date 1700 which is of unknown provenance (NLI PD 1974 TX 1 (88); Hewson 1975, 116). In 1839 Eugene O’Curry of the Ordnance Survey recorded the following details about Arklow Castle; ‘The remains of an old Castle also may be seen in this town, consisting of one ruined round tower, which appears to have stood at the northern angle of the castle; the northern side of it is down to within about 12 feet [3.65m] of the ground; the south side remains to the height of about 46 feet [14m], having a pointed door, about 10 feet [3m] from the ground, by which one lands on an arched floor, from which is an ascent to the top through the wall, by 34 stone steps. From the south and west sides of this tower lines of walls extend to a considerable distance, and the old inhabit

• WI040-029003 Church
  Description

  The church of Arklow in the diocese of Dublin was mentioned in 1279 when it was held by 'Fremund called Lebrun, papal chaplain and the dean and chapter of St Patrick’s elected Master William de Conreria, papal chaplain' (Cal. papal letters, 457). In 1283 the Calendar of Ormond Deeds recorded the following about Arklow Church; 'Acknowledgment by John de Kerdyfe, clerk, (if having received by the land of Ralph Cossin, bailiff of Sir Theobald le Botiller, of Thuk, ten marks in which Sir Theobald was bound to de Kerdyfe's lord, Fromund le Brun, for tithes of sheaves of the church of Arclo [Arklow]' (Curtis 1932, No. 265, 105). In 1289 the King ordered 'Protection in Ireland for 5 years for Richard of Baluncheville, parson of the churches of Blauncheville, Dovenachmore, Clonhussell, and Arclo, remaining by licence in England' (Cal. doc. Ire., No. 540, 243). The 1302-06 Ecclesiastical taxation of the bishopric of Dublin valued the 'The church of Arklow, with the chapel’ , in the Deanery of Arklow, at £4 per annum with the tenth value of 8s. (Cal. doc. Ire., 241). The Visitation of Dublin Diocese in 1630 described the site as follows; 'The church of Arklow wants some covering. The chauncel is in good repair, only it wants ornaments within. The great tithes are impropriate, worth about £40 per annum. Mr Balthazar Fox is vicar there, whose vicarage is set for £17 per annum, out of which he allows to one Nicholas Whyte, curate there, £5 sterling per annum' (Anon. 1869, 163). The Urban Survey of Co. Wicklow described the parish church of St Mary as follows; 'The medieval parish church was located on the north side of Main Street. No remains survive above ground today and the site has been turned into a small public park with a series of eighteenth and nineteenth century tombstones arranged around the wall' (Bradley and King 1989, 6). The site of the medieval church of St Mary on the N side of Main Street; marked as 'Grave Yard' on the 1838 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Not visible at ground level; the rectangular graveyard (dims. 29m E-W; 23m N-S) has been made into a public park and the 18th- and 19th-century headstones, including examples by Denis Cullen, have been arranged around the perimeter. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 14 July 2021

• WI040-029004 Religious house - Cistercian monks
  Description

  Situated on low-lying marshy ground in Arklow Town. Probably the site of a Cistercian Abbey, granted by Theobold Walter to the Cistercians of Furness, but possibly only in existence for a short period (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 126). It was part of the medieval borough of Arklow (WI040-029----). Human skeletons in what appear to have been lintelled graves or long cists were found on the site prior to 1927 at the site marked 'Site of Grave Yard' on the 1838 OS 6-inch map. A trapezoidal tombstone, possibly of medieval date, was also found and was located at Shelton Abbey (Ronan 1927, 103). The site is now occupied by houses. The Urban Survey of Co. Wicklow described the Cistercian Abbey site as follows; 'Before 1204 Theobald Walter granted the island of Arklow to the Cistercians of Furness (Lancashire) for the foundation an abbey but in 1205 he transferred the monks to a new monastery at Abington, County Limerick (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 126). Presumably the Cistercians established some form of temporary church but it is not clear what happened to it after 1205. O’Curry (O.S. Letters: Wicklow) noted that "an ancient graveyard with the site of a church was found on the north side of the Bridge of Arklow in a sandbank in Ferrybank townland in this [Kilbride] parish. Several graves containing’ skeletons were found here, which were covered with large flags, the sides being built with stones of various sizes and forms. The surface of the place is still covered over with human bones. A tombstone now lying at Lord Wicklow’s farmhouse [Sheldon Abbey] was found here a few years ago which is 6 feet long, 2 feet broad at one end and 1 foot 8 inches at the other and 7 inches thick in the centre along the whole length, whilst the edges on each side are but 3 inches in thickness" (Ronan 1927, 103-4, note 9). This church site has been identified by O’Curry and Ronan with the site of the Cistercian Abbey. The description of the abbey as being founded on an "island" and the discovery of this graveyard in a sandbank supports this view' (Bradley and King 1989, 7). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 30 June 2021

• WI040-029007 Graveyard
  Description

  The site of the medieval church of St Mary on the N side of Main Street; marked as 'Grave Yard' on the 1838 OS 6-inch map. Not visible at ground level; the rectangular graveyard (dims. 29m E-W; 23m N-S) has been made into a public park and the 18th- and 19th-century headstones, including examples by Denis Cullen, have been arranged around the perimeter. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 19 September 2013

• WI040-029008 Graveyard
  Description

  Situated on low-lying marshy ground in Arklow Town. Probably the site of a Cistercian Abbey (WI040-029004-), granted by Theobold Walter to the Cistercians of Furness, but possibly only in existence for a short period (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 126). It was part of the medieval borough of Arklow (WI040-029----). Human skeletons in what appear to have been lintelled graves or long cists were found on the site prior to 1927 at the site marked 'Site of Grave Yard' on the 1838 OS 6-inch map. A trapezoidal tombstone, possibly of medieval date, was also found and was located at Shelton Abbey (Ronan 1927, 103). The site is now occupied by houses. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 19 September 2013

• WI040-029009 Graveyard
  Description

  Situated on level terrain on the S side of the town. The site of the Dominican friary (WI040-029001-) founded in 1264 by Thomas Theobald FitzWalter. Portions of the church and claustral buildings survived into the mid-18th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 221). No surviving remains; the site is now a park in Arklow town with 18th- and 19th-century headstones, including samples by Denis Cullen and James Byrne, arranged around the perimeter of the high-walled square graveyard. Part of the medieval borough of Arklow (WI040-029----). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 19 September 2013

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

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, low (inferred).

Terrain model

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_3351 (ZIP).

Flooding

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

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

Download this parcel as DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its neighbours and buildings, for a drawing program. GeoJSON, in WGS 84, suits a map, and KML opens in Google Earth.

Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. A parcel is the land of a title, not an address. The owner's name is in the Land Registry of Tailte Éireann: a copy of the folio can be ordered on landdirect.ie, for a fee.