Moystown Demesne

68 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Moystown Demesne, from 44 m² to 153,850 m² (15.39 ha, 38.02 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 21 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 Moystown Demesne 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.

• 7 Jul 2026Conditional

  1) the removal of damaged and unsafe vegetation along the eastern roadside boundary adjacent to the regional road, R357. 2) the exterior finishes of the indoor sports hall as was constructed under pl ref 23/60099

  Retention · Offaly County Council, 2660359

• 4 Dec 2025Conditional

  domestic sheds and all associated site works

  Retention · Offaly County Council, 2560619

• 5 Sept 2023Conditional

  demolition of an existing storage shed, basketball court and wall ball area, decommission the existing septic tank and construct a new indoor sports hall (8.932m) and septic tank with percolation area and all associated site works

  Permission · Offaly County Council, 2360099

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 Shannon Callows SAC 000216
• Special Protection Area: Middle Shannon Callows SPA 004096
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: River Shannon Callows 000216

Recorded monuments

• OF022-002 Walled garden
  Description

  Walled orchard associated with nearby Moystown House of 18th century date, depicted as a circular enclosure on the first edition of the OS 6-inch map and decribed as a 'fort' in the OS letters (O'Flanagan 1927, vol. 2, 50). Most likely to be a designed landscape feature associated with Moystown House. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF022-003001 Castle - unclassified
  Description

  Not visible at ground level. Mac Coghlan castle demolished in 1548. Described in 1942 as 'the ruins are very insignificant and are very overgrown with weeds and bushes. A very well preserved moat surrounds the former castle' (ITA Survey 1942). This moat appears to have formed the defensive feature of the bawn (OF022-003002-) of Moystown Castle. (Cooke 1875, 335-6; O' Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 58) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 29 December 2011

• OF022-003002 Bawn
  Description

  Not visible at ground level. Mac Coghlan castle (OF022-003001-) demolished in 1548. Described in 1942 as 'the ruins are very insignificant and are very overgrown with weeds and bushes. A very well preserved moat surrounds the former castle' (ITA Survey 1942). This moat appears to have formed the enclosing feature of the bawn of Moystown Castle. This moat defended a square-shaped bawn as indicated on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map with castle (OF022-003001-) located in S quadrant of the bawn. The moat has been filled in since 1942 and today the outline of the bawn area is barely visible as a low earthwork. (Cooke 1875, 335-6; O' Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 58) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 29 December 2011

• OF022-004 Church
  Description

  Early Christian monastery known as Teach Sáráin [Tisaran/House of Saran] founded by Sárán, son of Brógán of the Dál gCais of Thomond in the seventh century (Ó Riain 2011, 547-8; ITA Survey 1942). In 1942 it was recorded that the feastday of St Saran was not remembered locally, although there was a pattern held at Tisaran until the early years of the last century (ibid.). Situated on a natural rise on low-lying land with N bank of River Brosna 350m to SSE, St. Sarans holy well (OF022-005---) lies 670 to NE. The church has been partially rebuilt by a local community scheme which altered the fabric and the original layout of the church. There is evidence of dressed stones from several periods in the new walls which consists of window jambs etc. Present remains consist of a divided nave (ext. dims. 6.7m N-S; 16.9m E-W; wall T 0.9m) and chancel (ext. dims. 7.1m E-W; 6.7m N-S) structure however this division is of recent origin and does not appear to be original. The E gable no longer survives above ground, a late medieval pointed doorway with chamfered and finely punch dressed jambs is visible in the W end of the S wall and appears to have been inserted into an earlier window embrasure which was blocked up as a result. Two wall niches at the E end of the N and S walls. It is unclear if the church was originally divided into a nave and chancel before the restoration scheme started. The stonework suggests that this was an early medieval church which was altered in the 16th/17th-century via the insertion of a pointed doorway. There are several ogee headed windows lying on the ground with several decorated spandrels at the W end of the church interior. Medieval church ruins described in 1942 as following; ‘The ruins of the church measure about 80 ft. [24.4m] in length but one section of this ruins seems to be of much later date than the other. This section forms a rectangular building: Length 40 ft. [12.2m], Breadth 20 [6m] and the wall at their highest point being about 18 ft. [5.5m] high. No section of roof remains. A massive arched doorway occupies the East end of this building: Height 15 ft. [4.6m], Breadth, 10 ft. [3m]. This is just a plain arch, the top portion being composed of brick. In the south west corner is a small cut stone window or doorway of the Gothic type. Height from base to point of arch is 4½ ft. [1.4m] but the bottom is only 1ft. [0.3m] away from the present floor. I believe it was used as a doorway. Local people say that this building was in use early in the last century and there is a divergence of opinion as to whether it was a place of Catholic or Protestant worship. The graveyard is used still and a curious custom prevails which would lead one to believe that their section of the building was really a protestant Church. When Funerals enter the graveyard they avoid entering the more modern section of the ruins but the coffin is deposited on the ruins of the older building and left there for a few moments. The older ruins form a continuation of the present building but there is nothing to be seen except mounds of earth and grass covered stonework which form the shape of a building. Graveyard is in very bad state being very much overgrown with grass and weeds and large trees cover the ruins and major portion of the burial ground’ (ITA Survey). Early 17th-century chest-tomb (OF022-004002-) located immediately W of the church ruins. Graveyard (OF022-004001-) contains 18th/19th-century headstones and is enclosed by a modern stone wall. Early Christian cross-slab (OF022-004003-) recorded by Crawford (1913, 262-5) is now located inside High St. RC church near Belmont village. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 28 February 2019

• OF022-004001 Graveyard
  Description

  Early Christian monastery known as Teach Sáráin [Tisaran/House of Saran] founded by Sárán, son of Brógán of the Dál gCais of Thomond in the seventh century (Ó Riain 2011, 547-8; ITA Survey 1942). Medieval church ruins (OF022-004----) stands in SE quadrant of square-shaped graveyard (approx. dims. 50m N-S x 51m E-W) that is enclosed by a post-1700 stone wall with entrance gate at NW corner. Graveyard contains 18th/19th-century headstones. 17th century chest-tomb (OF022-004002-) in graveyard to W of church ruins. Early Christian cross-slab (OF022-004003-) recorded by Crawford (1913, 262-5) is now located inside High St. RC church near Belmont village. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 28 February 2019

• OF022-004002 Tomb - chest tomb
  Description

  Early Christian monastery known as Teach Sáráin [Tisaran/House of Saran] founded by Sárán, son of Brógán of the Dál gCais of Thomond in the seventh century (Ó Riain 2011, 547-8; ITA Survey 1942). Situated on a natural rise on low-lying land with N bank of River Brosna 350m to SSE. Graveyard (OF022-004001-) contains 18th/19th-century headstones and is enclosed by a post 1700 stone wall. Early 17th-century chest-tomb (OF022-004002-) belonging to Father Stephen Daly located immediately W of the church (OF022-004----). The surface of the badly damaged tablet covering the chest tomb is decorated with a floriated cross rising from a foliated base containing an encircled cross. The English inscription in Gothic script also known as Blackletter or Old English is carved in false relief and runs around the edge of the tablet framing the floriated cross. The date 1619 is clearly visible at the base of the floriated cross. The initials M D have been carved into the S face of the side panel of the chest tomb. Midway along the incised shaft of the floriated cross there is a broad knop represented by three deep grooves. This cross probably represents the Pastoral Staff of the Capuchin monk who is buried beneath this tomb. According to a modern commemorative limestone plaque that has been inserted into the wall above the chest tomb the tomb marked the grave of Father Stephen Daly who was born in Tisaran in 1575 and was the first Capuchin sent to Ireland from Belgium in 1615. He became the first Superior of the Capuchin Mission in Ireland. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 28 February 2019

• OF022-004003 Cross-slab
  Description

  Early Christian monastery known as Teach Sáráin [Tisaran/House of Saran] founded by Sárán, son of Brógán of the Dál gCais of Thomond in the seventh century (Ó Riain 2011, 547-8; ITA Survey 1942). Situated on a natural rise on low-lying land with N bank of River Brosna 350m to SSE. Graveyard (OF022-004001-) contains 18th/19th-century headstones and is enclosed by a post-1700 stone wall. Early Christian cross-slab (OF022-004003-) recorded by Crawford (1913, 262-5) that was moved from Tisaran graveyard and is now located inside High St. RC church (OF014-052----) near Belmont village. Cross-slab described by Crawford as, 'A small slab incised with a double-line ringed cross. Immediately below the shaft is a small circle. The inscription or do bran runs across the top and down the sinister side' (Crawford 1913, 265). Recorded by Macalister as following; 'Slab, 2 feet 4 inches [0.71m] x 1 foot 1 inch [0.33m] x 0 foot 7 inches [0.17m], bearing a wheel-cross with a circle added to the lower terminal. Inscription on top and sinister side 'or do bran'. In the oval sinkings in the contours of the cross there appears to have been originally extremely fine patterns of interlacement, in minuteness recalling manuscript work. They are, however, too much weathered to be restored with any approach to certainty. The stone, which was lying in the old cemetery in this parish, has now been transferred safely to the modern church' (Macalister 1949, vol. 2, 78). Macalister, R. 1949, 78, Plate XLII drawing Incomplete Information See attached drawing of cross-slab taken from Macalister 1949, No. 869 The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 28 February 2019

• OF022-004004 Ecclesiastical enclosure
  Description

  Early Christian monastery known as Teach Sáráin [Tisaran/House of Saran] founded by Sárán, son of Brógán of the Dál gCais of Thomond in the seventh century (Ó Riain 2011, 547-8; ITA Survey 1942). Situated on a natural rise on low-lying land with N bank of River Brosna 300m to S. Medieval church ruins (OF022-004----) and graveyard (OF022-004001-) stand in N quadrant of possible ecclesiastical enclosure (approx. diam. 130m) the faint outline of which is visible on aerial photographs. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 28 February 2019

• OF022-005 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  Situated on flat low-lying land with river Brosna 160m to the S and Tisaran Church (OF022-004---) 690m to SW. Holy well associated with Sárán who founded a monastery known as Teach Sáráin [Tisaran/House of Saran] in the seventh century (Ó Riain 2011, 547-8; ITA Survey 1942). In 1942 it was recorded that the feastday of St Saran was not remembered locally, although there was a pattern held at Tisaran until the early years of the last century (ibid.). The feastday of Sárán fell on the 20th of January (Ó Riain 2011, 547-8). Present remains consist of an uncovered circular dry stone well (diam 1m; D 1m) now disused and dried up with no evidence of any votive offerings associated with the well. (O' Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 58) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 28 February 2019

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Moystown Demesne.

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 Moystown Demesne, about 1 in 10 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as low, partly inferred. Parts of the land are water.

Terrain model

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_1584 (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 Moystown Demesne with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Offaly.

Name

Moystown Demesne · Maigh Eistean

Area

2,373,116 m² (237.31 ha, 586.41 acres)

Civil parish

Tisaran, and its townlands

Barony

Garrycastle

Electoral division

Huntston, the unit of the census

Census 2022

393 people lived in 136 households in the Huntston electoral division. 92% of households owned their home. 26% of homes were built since 2001. 12% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 1% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Clonony Beg, Clonony More, Deerpark, Fearaghalee, Huntston, Lisclooney

Placenames

Moystown Demesne 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.