Ballygrennan

108 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Ballygrennan, from 21 m² to 256,573 m² (25.66 ha, 63.4 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 32 neighbouring parcels touch it.

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

• R2Existing Residential (Existing residential)
  Limerick Development Plan 2022-2028, Limerick · 9 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G5Open Space & Recreation (Mixed/general 'green'/recreation/conservation, other)
  Limerick Development Plan 2022-2028, Limerick · 3 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R1New Residential (New/proposed residential)
  Limerick Development Plan 2022-2028, Limerick · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

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

• 7 Sept 2026N/a

  amendments to an approved development at Ballygrennan, Bruff, Co. Limerick. Previous planning ref no. 23/60794. 1. Amendments to previously approved houses numbers 1-30, 35-42 and 47-74 (types A, A1, A2, B/B1, C/C1, D/D3, F/F1, G/G1, H/H1, J/J1 K and K1). 2. Change of house type for numbers 31-34 and 43-46 (type E/E1 Elderly/senior living units) , 3. Amendments to road and finish floor levels, 4. Minor amendments to boundaries and landscaping and all associated site works

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 2661035

• 14 Dec 2023Conditional

  the (a) construction of a new first floor extension over existing entrance porch, (b) construction of a new rear extension onto existing dwelling house, (c) elevation changes and internal alterations to existing dwelling house and all associated site works. Height = 7.759m

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 2360935

• 1 Nov 2023Conditional

  the development that comprises (i) 74 no. residential units including (a) 9 no. 4 bed detached units; (b) 3 no. 3 bed detached units; (c) 42 no. 3 bed semi-detached units; (d) 6 no. 3 bed terrace units; (e) 6 no. 2 bed terrace units; and (f) 8 no. 3 bed semi-detached Elderly / Senior Living units (ii) significant open space area incorporating children’s playground; (iii) new estate road with access off the R512 incorporating footpath and cyclepath; (iv) new pedestrian crossing on the R512; (v) upgrade to exisitng pedestrian crossing serving the school; (vi) car parking and bicycle stands; and (vii) all associated site works including attenuation tank and surface water outfall to the Morningstar River

  Permission, 74 homes · Limerick County Council, 2360794

• 1 Nov 2023Conditional

  the construction of 5 dwelling houses, access off existing estate road, connection to existing services, extension to existing landscaped/amenity areas, provision of river walk and all ancillary site works

  Permission, 5 homes · Limerick County Council, 2360796

• 2 Oct 2023N/a

  the development that comprises (i) 74 no. residential units including (a) 9 no. 4 bed detached units; (b) 3 no. 3 bed detached units; (c) 42 no. 3 bed semi-detached units; (d) 6 no. 3 bed terrace units; (e) 6 no. 2 bed terrace units; and (f) 8 no. 3 bed semi-detached Elderly / Senior Living units (ii) significant open space area incorporating children’s playground; (iii) new estate road with access off the R512 incorporating footpath and cyclepath; (iv) new pedestrian crossing on the R512; (v) upgrade to exisitng pedestrian crossing serving the school; (vi) car parking and bicycle stands; and (vii) all associated site works including attenuation tank and surface water outfall to the Morningstar River

  Permission, 74 homes · Limerick County Council, 2360717

• 28 Jan 2023Conditional

  the relocation of the existing vehicular entrance serving existing dwelling house together with all associated site works

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 2360032

• 31 Aug 2022Conditional

  the change of house type & garage type under previously permitted governing planning permission reference number 22/139 together with all associated site works

  Permission, 2 homes · Limerick County Council, 22946

• 9 Feb 2022Conditional

  the construction of a dwelling house, garage, domestic waste water treatment system with polishing filter and shared vehicular entrance, together with all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 22139

• 2 Feb 2022Conditional

  the construction of a vehicular entrance, dwelling house, garage domestic waste water treatment system with polishing filter together with all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 22107

• 10 Dec 2020N/a

  construction of a dwelling house, access of existing estate road, connection to existing services, extension to existing landscaping/amenity areas, provision of river walk and all ancillary site works

  Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 201315

• 23 Nov 2020Conditional

  construction of two storey and single storey extensions to the side and rear of dwelling, alterations and reconstruction of parts of existing dwelling including removal of rear chimney and all associated site works

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 201210

• 2 Jul 2018N/a

  alterations to existing house and to construct a two-storey extension to house

  Permission · Limerick County Council, 18669

• 5 May 2017Conditional

  construction of a new dwelling house, detached garage, site entrance, waste water treatment system, percolation area, and all associated site works

  Permission, 2 homes · Limerick County Council, 17398

• 24 Apr 2017Conditional

  refurbishment of an existing cottage and construction of an extension to the rear of cottage including new wastewater treatment unit and associated percolation area. Works to include relocation of existing vehicular entrance

  Permission, 1 home · Limerick County Council, 17365

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

Designated sites

No designated site (Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Natural Heritage Area or proposed one) touches the townland of Ballygrennan.

Recorded monuments

• LI032-116 Church
  Description

  The ruins of Ballygrennan Church standing on the S die of the Morningstar River in the parish of Uregare was described in 1840 as following; 'in the vicinity of the Town of Bruff, are the ruins of an old Church said traditionally to have been built by George Evans who came to Ireland with Prince William and who occupied the Castle of Ballygrennan (LI040-007----). The present length of this Church from east to west is nineteen feet three inches (5.8m) and its breadth twenty one feet [6.4m], but the west gable as well as the upper portion of the north wall seems a more modern erection. The entire building indeed, has a comparatively modern appearance. On the east gable there is a large pointed window, now nearly filled up with stone work. On the west gable, the upper part of which is broken, there is a round-arched doorway seven feet high [2.1m] by three feet seven inches [2.2m]. On the north wall near the east end there is a quadrangular doorway, now filled up with masonry except a small portion of the upper part on the east side, where this stone work is broken. The walls of this Church are about seventeen feet high [5.2m], two feet seven and a half inches [0.7m] in thickness and built externally of regular sized stones cemented with lime and sand mortar. The internal part of the building is composed principally of brickwork. The eastern end is enclosed to a certain height as a burial place belonging to the Evans family; there are no persons interred here now except members of this family' (OSL, 38-9). Westropp (1904-5, 432) recorded the following details about Ballygrennan Church; 'A late church said to have been built by George Evans after 1690. It is 19 feet 3 inches [5.8m] by 21 feet [6.4m] ; had a pointed east window, an oblong south window, and a round-arched south door (OSL, 8, p. 107). See attached drawing of north church doorway taken from OS letters Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 26 April 2019

• LI039-047 Field system
  Description

  In reclaimed pasture, immediately E of townland boundaries with Ballinlee and Ballinlee North, an enclosure (LI039-045----) lies 100m to N. Not marked on OSi historic maps. Possible site (Site No. 039141) identified as a series of linear cropmarks in a large field during examination of aerial photographs (BGE 1/50000 2543) taken 03/11/1984 on the Bórd Gáis Éireann Curraleigh West-Limerick gas pipeline. No surface remains visible of possible field system on OSi orthophoto taken between 2005-12 and on Google Earth orthoimage dated 20/09/2020. See attached aerial photograph from Bórd Gáis Éireann Curraleigh West-Limerick gas pipeline (BGE 1/50000 2543). Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 7 April 2021

• LI039-050 Standing stone
  Description

  In pasture, 20m N of the R512, 116m NE of townland boundary with Tynacocka. Enclosures (LI039-116/001002-) lie 195m to the NE. Not marked on OSi historic maps. Identified during work associated with the Bórd Gáis Éireann Curraleigh West-Limerick gas pipeline. Excavated by Barra Ó Donnabháin in 1986 (Ó Donnabháin 1986, 23) and summarised as following; ‘During the fencing of the corridor the stone remained 3m from the fence line. A 4m x 4m cutting opened around the stone revealed a very narrow socket covered by modern pebble packing to counteract erosion by cattle. The socket was only 12cm wider than the stone at its widest point and was 45cm deep. Topsoil was exceptionally thin on this site and a thin layer of mixed soil beneath it, found in most of the area opened, yielded a small yellow glass bead. Other finds were all of relatively modern date.’ Ó Donnabháin recorded that the stone was ‘long and thin, and is very neatly quarried’ and stated that it may be modern scratching stone (Gowen 1988, 142). Post-1700 standing stone probably erected as a livestock scratching post visible on Google Earth orthoimages. See attached Google earth orthoimage taken 28/06/2018 Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 8 April 2021

• LI039-116 Earthwork
  Description

  In pasture within the demesne lands of Ballygrennan Castle (LI040-007----) located 1km to E. Enclosure (LI040-001002-) lies 25m to E. Not marked on OSi historic maps. Identified as a possible circular-shaped enclosure during examination of aerial photographs (BGE 1/50000 2545 Site No 040265) taken 03/11/1984 on the Bórd Gáis Éireann Curraleigh West-Limerick gas pipeline. No surface remains visible on OSi orthophoto taken between 2005-12. Visible as a circular depression on Google Earth orthoimage dated 20/09/2020. See attached aerial photograph from Bórd Gáis Éireann Curraleigh West-Limerick gas pipeline (BGE 1/50000 2543) with earthwork labelled 040265 and Google Earth orthoimages. Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 6 May 2021

• LI040-001002 Earthwork
  Description

  In pasture on the demesne lands of Ballygrennan Castle (LI040-007----) located 1km to E. Earthwork (LI039-116----) lies 25m to W. Not marked on OSi historic maps. Identified as a possible circular-shaped cropmark during examination of aerial photographs (BGE 1/50000 2545, Site No 040264) taken 03/11/1984 on Bórd Gáis Éireann gas pipeline. No surface remains visible on OSi orthophoto taken between 2005-12 or on Google Earth orthoimages. See attached aerial photograph from Bórd Gáis Éireann gas pipeline (BGE 1/5000 2545) and Google Earth orthoimages. Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 13 May 2021

• LI040-002 Earthwork
  Description

  In pasture 25m E of R512. Enclosure (LI040-003----) lies to immediate N. Not marked on OSi historic maps. Identified as a circular-shaped enclosure during examination of aerial photographs (BGE 1/5000 2544 Site No 040266) taken 03/11/1984 on the Bórd Gáis Éireann gas pipeline. No surface remains visible on OSi orthophoto taken between 2005-12 or on Google Earth orthoimage dated 20/09/2020 with the area truncated by field boundary running roughly E-W and a dwelling house is located to SE. See attached aerial photograph from Bórd Gáis Éireann Curraleigh gas pipeline (Site No 040266) and Google Earth orthoimages. Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 13 May 2021

• LI040-003 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  In pasture 25m E of R512. Enclosure (LI040-002----) lies to immediate S. Depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map as a raised circular-shaped area (diam. 39m). Not indicated on 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map which suggests that the earthwork was levelled between these map dates. Identified as a circular-shaped platform during examination of aerial photographs (BGE 1/5000 2544 Site No 040075) taken 03/11/1984 on the Bórd Gáis Éireann gas pipeline. No surface remains visible on OSi orthophoto taken between 2005-12. Faint outline of levelled earthwork visible on Google Earth orthoimage dated 20/09/2020. See attached aerial photograph from Bórd Gáis Éireann gas pipeline (Site No. 040075) and Google Earth orthoimages. Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 13 May 2021

• LI040-005 Cremation pit
  Description

  In pasture, 45m N of a road that marks townland boundary with Goat Island. Group of three cremation pits identified as (BGE 2/29/1) during work associated with the Bórd Gáis Éireann Curraleigh-Limerick gas pipeline (Gowen 1988, 106-07). Described by Gowen (1988, 106-7) as 'the pits occurred within 5m of each other and had a maximum depth of just 4cm. They measured 40-50cm in diameter and were filled with a black silty clay containing very fine fragments of burnt none'. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 20 May 2021

• LI040-006001 Field system
  Description

  In pasture, immediately N of road that marks townland boundary with Goat Island and 90m NE of townland boundary with Uregare. Site of Uregare Church (LI040-043----) 300m to SW. Field system with three corn-drying kilns (LI040-006003-/005-), metal working site (LI040-006007) and miscellaneous features (LI040-006006-). Not marked on OSi historic maps. Field system (Site No. 040262) consisting of a series of small adjoining square shaped fields identified during examination of Bórd Gáis Éireann aerial photographs (BGE 2553) taken 03/11/1984 on the Bórd Gáis Éireann gas pipeline. Area inside field system partially excavated during monitoring of topsoil-stripping by Emmet Byrnes (Licence 02E0368) the results of which were summarised as follows; ‘The site was recorded in the SMR as an earthwork (40:6), and during the monitoring of topsoil-stripping a series of features, charcoal-rich material and in situ burning were noted, extending over an area of c. 100 by 30m. The excavation, which took place between 6 April and 17 September 2002, revealed a variety of features associated with medieval rural settlement. Five spatially differentiated phases of activity were identified across the site. The earliest phase was represented by a series of intercutting gullies and ditches, which in one area formed a subrectangular enclosure consistent with a small field system’ (Byrnes 2004, 301). No surface remains visible on Digital Globe orthoimage taken between 2011-13. Faint trace of field system visible as linear cropmarks on Google Earth orthoimages. See attached aerial photographs from Bórd Gáis Éireann gas pipeline with field system marked 040262 and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 20 May 2021

• LI040-006002 Cultivation ridges
  Description

  In pasture, immediately N of road that marks townland boundary with Goat Island and 90m NE of townland boundary with Uregare. Site of Uregare Church (LI040-043----) 300m to SW. Field system (LI040-006001-) with three corn-drying kilns (LI040-006003-/005-), metal working site (LI040-006007) and miscellaneous features (LI040-006006-). Not marked on OSi historic maps. Field system (Site No. 040262) consisting of a series of small adjoining square shaped fields identified during examination of Bórd Gáis Éireann aerial photographs (BGE 2553) taken 03/11/1984 on the Bórd Gáis Éireann gas pipeline. Area inside field system partially excavated during monitoring of topsoil-stripping by Emmet Byrnes (Licence 02E0368) the results of which were summarised as follows; ‘The site was recorded in the SMR as an earthwork (40:6), and during the monitoring of topsoil-stripping a series of features, charcoal-rich material and in situ burning were noted, extending over an area of c. 100 by 30m. The excavation, which took place between 6 April and 17 September 2002, revealed a variety of features associated with medieval rural settlement. Five spatially differentiated phases of activity were identified across the site. The earliest phase was represented by a series of intercutting gullies and ditches, which in one area formed a subrectangular enclosure consistent with a small field system’ (Byrnes 2004, 301). Cultivation ridges are part of the field system and is listed in the HEV as LI040-006001-. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 20 May 2021

• LI040-006003 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  In pasture, immediately N of road that marks townland boundary with Goat Island and 90m NE of townland boundary with Uregare. Site of Uregare Church (LI040-003----) 300m to SW. One of three corn-drying kilns (LI040-006004/005-) located inside a medieval field system (LI040-006001-) identified during monitoring of topsoil-stripping and excavated by Emmet Byrnes under Licence 02E0368, the results of which were summarised as follows; ‘Three unusual corn-drying kilns represented the third phase of activity. The kilns, which were earth-dug oval features 2.7–5.5m long, 1.2–2m wide and 0.22–0.27m deep, were partly lined with stone flags along the sides and base but had no defined flue. Carbonised grains, provisionally identified as bread wheat and barley, were recovered from all three features’ (Byrnes 2004, 301). Monument has been fully excavated and is not visible on aerial images. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 20 May 2021

• LI040-006004 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  In pasture, immediately N of road that marks townland boundary with Goat Island and 90m NE of townland boundary with Uregare. Site of Uregare Church (LI040-003----) 300m to SW. One of three corn-drying kilns (LI040-006003/005-) standing inside a medieval field system (LI040-006001-) identified during monitoring of topsoil-stripping and excavated by Emmet Byrnes under Licence 02E0368, the results of which were summarised as follows; ‘Three unusual corn-drying kilns represented the third phase of activity. The kilns, which were earth-dug oval features 2.7–5.5m long, 1.2–2m wide and 0.22–0.27m deep, were partly lined with stone flags along the sides and base but had no defined flue. Carbonised grains, provisionally identified as bread wheat and barley, were recovered from all three features’ (Byrnes 2004, 301). Monument has been fully excavated and is not visible on aerial images. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 20 May 2021

• LI040-006005 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  In pasture, immediately N of road that marks townland boundary with Goat Island and 90m NE of townland boundary with Uregare. Site of Uregare Church (LI040-003----) 300m to SW. One of three corn-drying kilns (LI040-006003/004-) standing inside a medieval field system (LI040-006001-) identified during monitoring of topsoil-stripping and excavated by Emmet Byrnes under Licence 02E0368, the results of which were summarised as follows; ‘Three unusual corn-drying kilns represented the third phase of activity. The kilns, which were earth-dug oval features 2.7–5.5m long, 1.2–2m wide and 0.22–0.27m deep, were partly lined with stone flags along the sides and base but had no defined flue. Carbonised grains, provisionally identified as bread wheat and barley, were recovered from all three features’ (Byrnes 2004, 301). Monument has been fully excavated and is not visible on aerial images. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 20 May 2021

• LI040-006006 Excavation - miscellaneous
  Description

  In pasture, immediately N of road that marks townland boundary with Goat Island and 90m NE of townland boundary with Uregare. One of a group of excavated features; field system (LI040-006001-), cultivation ridges (LI040-006002-), three corn-drying kilns (LI040-006003-/004-), a metal working site (LI040-006007) and a cremation pit (LI040-005----). Not marked on OSi historic maps. Pits identified during monitoring of topsoil-stripping on the Bord Gáis Éireann Pipeline to the West project (Section 3: Gort to Goatisland) and excavated by Emmet Byrnes under Licence 02E0368, the results of which were summarised as follows; ‘The fourth phase was represented by 22 irregular oval pits, in what appears to have been a naturally waterlogged area. The pits measured 0.4–1.7m in diameter and were 0.06–0.5m deep, filled with substantial volumes of carbonised grain, provisionally identified as bread wheat’ (Byrnes 2004, 301). Monument has been fully excavated and is not visible on aerial images. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 20 May 2021

• LI040-006007 Metalworking site
  Description

  In pasture, immediately N of road that marks townland boundary with Goat Island and 90m NE of townland boundary with Uregare. Metalworking site identified during monitoring of topsoil-stripping on the Bord Gáis Éireann Pipeline to the West project (Section 3: Gort to Goatisland) and excavated by Emmet Byrnes (Licence 02E0368) the results of which were summarised as follows; ‘The fifth phase of activity was associated with metalworking. In an area to the north of the small subrectangular enclosure, over sixteen oval pits were excavated. They measured 0.2–0.8m in diameter and had rounded bases, in places partly oxidised. Small fragments of slag were recovered from the fill of several of them, and one produced an intact furnace base. A hearth, two areas of cobbling and a series of post- and stake-holes were also associated with these features’ (Byrnes 2004, 301). Monument has been fully excavated and is not visible on aerial images. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 22 May 2021

• LI040-007 Castle - tower house
  Description

  Situated in flat pasture 1.1km SSE of the village of Bruff, Ballygrennan Church (LI032-116----) 990m to NNW and the Morningstar River 760m to N. Site of Uregare Church (LI040-043----) 1.3km to the SSW. Ballygrennan Castle described by the Ordnance Survey as 'this castle is said to have been built in the year 1400. It was besieged and taken in the time of Cromwell and is now in a ruinous state' (OSNB Uregare Parish, 1699). A more detailed description of the castle was given in the Ordnance Survey Letters which recorded the following; 'The main building measures sixteen feet two inches [5m] in breadth (inside) and twenty five and a half feet [7.8m] in length exclusive of a circular staircase situated in the south west corner and a set of small apartments to the north of this staircase and in the north wast corner of the Castle . The second floor is destroyed; the third is arched. There was another floor over this, but it is now destroyed. The staircase at present goes no higher than the level of the second floor. The windows are for the most part quadrangular and divided into quadrangular compartments. The, walls are about fifty feet [15.25m] high, two feet, ten and a half inches [0.87m] in thickness, embattled and built of small stones. This main building is surrounded by a very extensive range of strong and old looking buildings in ruins' (OSL Uregare Parish, 38). A drawing of the main tower of Ballygrennan Castle dating from 1840 shows the tower standing to full height with angle machicolation and tall chimney stacks rising above the battlements (NLI,PD 1975 TX 5 (41)). Oblique aerial photograph taken 21/07/1967 shows range of buildings standing inside bawn and single storey house oustie bawn to W (CUCAP ATD036). The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that James Fox of Ballygrennan an Irish Papist was in possession of 'a Castle an orchard and a fishing weare [LI040-295----] out of repayre Due to the Earle of Kildare seventeene shillings and six pence p[er] ann[um] chiefrye' (Simington 1938, 133). Westropp (1906-7, 171-2) recorded the following details about Ballygrennan Castle; '1583 Part of the C[astle]. of Ballegrynan was held by W. ffoxe; it lay in Pubblebuskagh (Inq. Exch., 14; Peyton, p. 206). Gerald, Earl of Kildare, and his ancestors had held it (Inq. Exch., 13). Jas. Fox held Castellynam, Ballygrynan C[astle], and other lands (Des. R., 3 b). 1621 It was granted to Dr. J. Metcalf and G. Jones (Pat. R.). 1657 Jas. Fox held Ballygrenan C[astle], orchard, and fishing-weir out of repair. It was sold to G. Evans (C.S., xxiv., p. 20 ; D.S.A., 42 ; B.D., p. 71). Confirmed to Evans, 1667. Fabric - It is a late sixteenth-century house. The main wing is 16 feet [4.87m] by 25½ feet [7.8m] inside, with a circular staircase turret to the south west and small apartments to the north. The second floor is broken, the third vaulted, the next broken. The stairs are gone above the second floor. The windows are rectangular and mullioned ; the walls 3 feet [0.9m] thick, 50 feet [15.2m] high and embattled ; extensive outbuildings and a court with an outer gate remain. The main wing has bartizans at the opposite angles; and, like the other buildings, has tall chimneys (O.S.L., 8, p. 105). There is a view in "Limerick Field Journal," vol. i. Fitzgerald, in 1827, describes it as "a very fine and noble building, surrounded with ramparts"(vol. iii, p. 322). Ballygrennan Castle is depicted as a tower house like structure on the 17th century Down Survey map of Coshma Barony (Hib. Reg.) and the Down Survey of Uregar parish (NLI, Ms. 718). The terrier of the Down Survey parish map recorded that 'upon Ballygrenane stands a Castle' which in 1640 stood on lands belonging to James Fox who is listed as an 'Irish Papist' (ibid.). Described by Fitzgerald (1826, 322-3) as 'a very fine and noble building, surrounded with ramparts and battlements: it surrendered without resistance to Cromwell's forces. Mr. Evans after obtaining this property, materially improved the whole of the district in which it lay'. According to Leask (1973, 122) this castle had an extensive walled bawn with a high, centrally placed tower of 16th-century date, with two courtyards bordered by high-gabled and chimneyed houses of later date'. Classified by Donnelly (1999, 37) as a Type 5 tower house which is a type of castle characterised by 'a rectangular floor plan each of which is unique to an individual site, though each building had architectural features which placed them firmly within the Irish Gothic tower house tradition' (ibid., 22). According to Salter (2004, 65); 'The earls of Kildare are said to have had a castle here but the existing tower may date from after 1583, when Ballygrennan was granted to William ffox. It measures 13.6m by 8m and has two levels below a vault and two lofty upper storeys with large two and three-light windows with hoodmoulds and transoms. Most of the parapet surrounding a fifth storey attic still remains, with square bartizans on the NE and SW corners. The only part to have a battered base is the part of the west end wall adjoining the wide spiral staircase (now destroyed) in the SW corner. The entrance, now destroyed, faced south beside the staircase. Of a house of c. 1600-20 added on this side there remain only the south end wall with a wing extending east of it and most of a wing projecting west adjoining the SW corner of the older tower. Walls were soon added to enclose a small back court with its own doorway west of the house and a SW corner bartizan, and a bawn 20m square was laid out to the east of the house. The ffox family seem to have lost Ballygrennan in 1621 , although they had recovered it by 1657. By then a large outer bawn 38m long by 26m wide had been added on the north side. It has a gateway facing north and corbels for a SE corner bartizan. Doorways were broken through from the lower levels of the tower to give access to an outbuilding filling the west end of this outer bawn, perhaps an addition by the Evans family, to whom the castle was sold in the 1660s. Fireplaces on the upper level suggest it was a stableblock with accommodation for grooms and servants above'. On Saturday 11 September 1690, the Journal of John Stevens gave the following account of Ballygrennan Castle; 'This morning we marched back three miles to Bruff, and with us the Horse Guards and Duke of Tyrconnel's Regiment of Horse. These last encamped in the gardens of a great house near Bruff belonging to one Evans, which, being very large and built after the manner of a castle with large stone walls and battlements, had been burnt by our army: the place was called Ballygrennan. All the Foot and the Horse Guards quartered in the town, which being but small they were much thronged, and to straighten our quarters a house accidentally took fire, and the wind being very high burnt down five or six others that contained a considerable number of men. All the morning whilst we were drawn up on the hill and marched, there continued a most violent storm of wind and rain, which cleared up when we came to Bruff but it fatigued us extremely on the march. All the country about Bruff is very pleasant, being a large valley and good land well peopled and improved. The town is small and has nothing in it worth observing. There was corn and cattle enough, plenty of cabbages in the gardens, and what was the great support of the people and soldiers, large fields of potatoes, yielding prodigious quantities of them, and all little enough considering the vast consumption, for they often serve instead of bread, and the soldiers would be feeding on them all the day’ (Murray 1912, 190). Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 29 October 2020

• LI040-007001 Bawn
  Description

  Ballygrennan Castle (LI040-007----) and bawn described in 1840 as following; 'The main building measures sixteen feet two inches [5m] in breadth (inside) and twenty five and a half feet [7.8m] in length exclusive of a circular staircase situated in the south west corner and a set of small apartments to the north of this staircase and in the north wast corner of the Castle . The second floor is destroyed; the third is arched. There was another floor over this, but it is now destroyed. The staircase at present goes no higher than the level of the second floor. The windows are for the most part quadrangular and divided into quadrangular compartments. The, walls are about fifty feet [15.25m] high, two feet, ten and a half inches [0.87m] in thickness, embattled and built of small stones. This main building is surrounded by a very extensive range of strong and old looking buildings in ruins' (OSL Uregare Parish, 38). A drawing of the castle from 1840 shows the bawn with angle machicolation and single storey house running off external face of W wall and gables of 17th century houses inside the bawn entered through a round-arched doorway in bawn wall (NLI PD 1975 TX 5 (40)). Westropp (1906-7, 171-2) recorded the following details about Ballygrennan Castle; 'It is a late sixteenth-century house. The main wing is 16 feet [4.87m] by 25½ feet [7.8m] inside, with a circular staircase turret to the south west and small apartments to the north. The second floor is broken, the third vaulted, the next broken. The stairs are gone above the second floor. The windows are rectangular and mullioned ; the walls 3 feet [0.9m] thick, 50 feet [15.2m] high and embattled ; extensive outbuildings and a court with an outer gate remain. The main wing has bartizans at the opposite angles; and, like the other buildings, has tall chimneys (O.S.L., 8, p. 105). There is a view in "Limerick Field Journal," vol. i. Fitzgerald, in 1827, describes it as "a very fine and noble building, surrounded with ramparts"(vol. iii, p. 322). Described by Fitzgerald (1826, 322-3) as 'a very fine and noble building, surrounded with ramparts and battlements: it surrendered without resistance to Cromwell's forces. Mr. Evans after obtaining this property, materially improved the whole of the district in which it lay'. According to Leask (1973, 122) this castle had an extensive walled bawn [LI040-007001-] with a high, centrally placed tower of 16th-century date, with two courtyards bordered by high-gabled and chimneyed houses [LI040-007002-] of later date'. On Saturday 11 September 1690, the Journal of John Stevens gave the following account of Ballygrennan Castle; 'This morning we marched back three miles to Bruff, and with us the Horse Guards and Duke of Tyrconnel's Regiment of Horse. These last encamped in the gardens of a great house near Bruff belonging to one Evans, which, being very large and built after the manner of a castle with large stone walls and battlements, had been burnt by our army: the place was called Ballygrennan. All the Foot and the Horse Guards quartered in the town, which being but small they were much thronged, and to straighten our quarters a house accidentally took fire, and the wind being very high burnt down five or six others that contained a considerable number of men. All the morning whilst we were drawn up on the hill and marched, there continued a most violent storm of wind and rain, which cleared up when we came to Bruff but it fatigued us extremely on the march. All the country about Bruff is very pleasant, being a large valley and good land well peopled and improved. The town is small and has nothing in it worth observing. There was corn and cattle enough, plenty of cabbages in the gardens, and what was the great support of the people and soldiers, large fields of potatoes, yielding prodigious quantities of them, and all little enough considering the vast consumption, for they often serve instead of bread, and the soldiers would be feeding on them all the day’ (Murray 1912, 190). According to Salter (2004, 65); 'The earls of Kildare are said to have had a castle here but the existing tower may date from after 1583, when Ballygrennan was granted to William ffox. It measures 13.6m by 8m and has two levels below a vault and two lofty upper storeys with large two and three-light windows with hoodmoulds and transoms. Most of the parapet surrounding a fifth storey attic still remains, with square bartizans on the NE and SW corners. The only part to have a battered base is the part of the west end wall adjoining the wide spiral staircase (now destroyed) in the SW corner. The entrance, now destroyed, faced south beside the staircase. Of a house of c. 1600-20 added on this side there remain only the south end wall with a wing extending east of it and most of a wing projecting west adjoining the SW corner of the older tower. Walls were soon added to enclose a small back court with its own doorway west of the house and a SW corner bartizan, and a bawn 20m square was laid out to the east of the house. The ffox family seem to have lost Ballygrennan in 1621 , although they had recovered it by 1657. By then a large outer bawn 38m long by 26m wide had been added on the north side. It has a gateway facing north and corbels for a SE corner bartizan. Doorways were broken through from the lower levels of the tower to give access to an outbuilding filling the west end of this outer bawn, perhaps an addition by the Evans family, to whom the castle was sold in the 1660s. Fireplaces on the upper level suggest it was a stableblock with accommodation for grooms and servants above'. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 29 October 2020

• LI040-007002 House - 17th century
  Description

  Early 17th century house built onto the W wall of a bawn (LI040-007001-) belonging to 16th century Ballygrennan Castle (LI040-007----) the tower of which stands a few metres to NE. Described by Leask (1973, 122) as 'this castle had an extensive walled bawn with a high, centrally placed tower of 16th-century date, with two courtyards bordered by high-gabled and chimneyed houses of later date'. Early 17th century house described by Salter (2004, 65) as, 'a house of c. 1600-20 added on this side there remain only the south end wall with a wing extending east of it and most of a wing projecting west adjoining the SW corner of the older tower. Walls were soon added to enclose a small back court with its own doorway west of the house and a SW corner bartizan, and a bawn 20m square was laid out to the east of the house. The ffox family seem to have lost Ballygrennan in 1621 , although they had recovered it by 1657. By then a large outer bawn 38m long by 26m wide had been added on the north side. It has a gateway facing north and corbels for a SE corner bartizan. Doorways were broken through from the lower levels of the tower to give access to an outbuilding filling the west end of this outer bawn, perhaps an addition by the Evans family, to whom the castle was sold in the 1660s. Fireplaces on the upper level suggest it was a stableblock with accommodation for grooms and servants above'. On Saturday 11 September 1690, the Journal of John Stevens gave the following account of Ballygrennan Castle; 'This morning we marched back three miles to Bruff, and with us the Horse Guards and Duke of Tyrconnel's Regiment of Horse. These last encamped in the gardens of a great house near Bruff belonging to one Evans, which, being very large and built after the manner of a castle with large stone walls and battlements, had been burnt by our army: the place was called Ballygrennan. All the Foot and the Horse Guards quartered in the town, which being but small they were much thronged, and to straighten our quarters a house accidentally took fire, and the wind being very high burnt down five or six others that contained a considerable number of men. All the morning whilst we were drawn up on the hill and marched, there continued a most violent storm of wind and rain, which cleared up when we came to Bruff but it fatigued us extremely on the march. All the country about Bruff is very pleasant, being a large valley and good land well peopled and improved. The town is small and has nothing in it worth observing. There was corn and cattle enough, plenty of cabbages in the gardens, and what was the great support of the people and soldiers, large fields of potatoes, yielding prodigious quantities of them, and all little enough considering the vast consumption, for they often serve instead of bread, and the soldiers would be feeding on them all the day’ (Murray 1912, 190). Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 29 October 2020

• LI040-149 Enclosure
  Description

  In pasture, an enclosure (LI040-266----) lies 30m to the E. Not marked on OSi historic maps. Possible circular feature identified during examination of aerial photographs (BGE 1/10,000, 83) taken 03/11/1984 on Bórd Gáis Éireann gas pipeline. No surface remains visible on Digital Globe orthoimage taken 2011-12 or on Google Earth orthoimages. See attached Google Earth orthoimages. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 4 June 2021

• LI040-153 Enclosure
  Description

  In improved wet pasture, liable to flood, within a meandering loop on the S side of the Morningstar River, which also marks a townland boundary with Ardykeohane. Not depicted on OSi historic maps. Identified as a possible enclosure by the SMR from analysis of 1:10,0000 Bórd Gáis Éireann Curraghleigh West-Limerick gas pipeline aerial photograph (BGE No. 60). The precise location and nature of this monument cannot be confirmed without access to the aerial photograph which is missing from the paper file (SMR File). Monument is not visible on OSi orthoimages taken 2005-2012, or on Digital Globe orthoimages taken 2011-2013 or on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimage Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 10 November 2020

• LI040-195001 Barrow - unclassified
  Description

  In reclaimed pasture, possible (LI040-195002-) lies 8m to the SW. Identified as a small circular cropmark of a possible ring-barrow by the Bruff aerial photographic survey in 1986 (Bruff 41.02; AP 5/2068). Faint trace of circular cropmark (diam. c. 5m) visible on Digital Globe orthoimage taken between 2011-13. Linear cropmarks running N-S and E-W to the N and E of the possible barrow represent relic post-1700 field boundaries depicted on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Linear cropmarks throughout the field would appear to represent drainage channels. No surface remains visible on Google Earth orthoimages. See attached Bruff survey image showing cropmark labelled Bruff 41.02 and Google Earth orthoimage. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 24 June 2021

• LI040-195002 Barrow - unclassified
  Description

  In reclaimed pasture, possible barrow (LI040-195001-) lies 8m to the NE. Identified as a small circular cropmark of a possible ring-barrow by the Bruff aerial photographic survey in 1986 (Bruff 41.01; AP 5/2068). No surface remains visible on te Digital Globe orthoimage taken between 2011-13 and on Google Earth orthoimages. See attached Bruff survey image showing cropmark labelled Bruff 41.01. and Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 24 June 2021

• LI040-251 Enclosure
  Description

  Identified on aerial photograph (Bruff Survey: Map 40, Bruff 135: AP 5/2123). Described by Doody (2008, 137) as a 'oval ditched enclosure, c. 140m E-W x 80m N-S'; the morphology of this enclosure indicates that it may be Bronze Age in date (ibid.). Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 11 November 2013

• LI040-266 Earthwork
  Description

  In pasture, 110m SE of the Morningstar River that forms townland boundary with Ardykeohane, an enclosure (LI040-149----) lies 30m to the W. Not marked on OSi historic maps. Circular cropmark identified by the Bruff aerial photographic survey in 1986 (Bruff 126.01 & 126.02, AP 5/2069). No surface remains visible on Digital Globe orthoimage taken 2011-13 or on Google Earth orthoimages. See attached Bruff photograph labelled 126.01 & 126.02 and Google Earth orthoimages. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 6 July 2021

Architectural heritage

• Bridge, 1800–1840 · Regional interest
  Description

  Double-arch limestone bridge over the River Morningstar, built c. 1820, with roughly dressed walls with rubble cappings. Cut plinths with V-cutwater to east elevation. Dressed voussoirs to segmental-headed arches.

• Inglenook East, hotel, 1790–1810 · Regional interest
  Description

  End-of-terrace three-bay two-storey former hotel, built c. 1800, with pitched slate roof with rendered chimneystacks and cast-iron rainwater goods. Lined-and-ruled rendered walls. Square-headed openings having painted stone sills and replacement uPVC windows. Round-headed opening with cobweb fanlight over timber panelled door.

• Riverview House, hotel, 1790–1810 · Regional interest
  Description

  Terraced five-bay two-storey former hotel, built c. 1800, having later cast-iron portico to front (north) elevation. Pitched slate roof having rendered chimneystacks and cast-iron rainwater goods. Lined-and-ruled rendered walls. Square-headed openings with limestone sills and six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Those to ground floor having cast-iron sill guards. Round-headed opening with cobweb fanlight over timber panelled door having flanking timber pilasters with ornate carved consoles having floral motifs and beading. Two-storey section to rear with slate roof and timber sash windows. Cast-iron bootscraper to entrance.

• Inglenook West, hotel, 1790–1810 · Regional interest
  Description

  End-of-terrace two-bay two-storey former hotel, built c. 1800, with three-bay single-storey extension to west. Pitched slate roof with rendered chimneystack, render eaves course and cast-iron rainwater goods. Hipped slate roof to extension. Rendered walls. Square-headed openings having limestone sills and six-over-six pane timber casement windows. Those to ground floor having cast-iron sill guards. Square-headed opening with glazed overlight over timber panelled door. Square-headed door opening to west elevation.

• Bridge, 1800–1840 · Regional interest
  Description

  Four-arch limestone road bridge over the River Morningstar, built c. 1820, with dressed walls with cast-iron ties and roughly dressed parapet walls. Cut voussoirs to the round-headed arches. V-cutwater to east elevation.

• Vent pipe, 1890–1910 · Regional interest
  Description

  Freestanding cast-iron vent pipe, c. 1900, comprising fluted pedestal with moulded necking, and cylindrical shaft having a sawtooth profiled parapet. Now in disuse.

• Adelaide House, school, 1830–1850 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay two-storey former Church of Ireland school, begun in 1843 and opened in 1845, and now in use as a house. Comprising recent portico and projecting gabled end bays to north (front) elevation, gabled return to south (rear) elevation. Pitched slate roof with render chimneystacks, cast-iron rainwater goods and render eaves course. Timber strap work to gables, front elevation. Roughcast rendered walls to first floor front elevation, rendered walls to ground floor having render plinth course and stringcourse. Rubble limestone walls to rear and side elevations. Square-headed openings with painted stone sills, render hoodmouldings and replacement uPVC windows. Square-headed openings to rear having red brick block-and-start surrounds having limestone sills and replacement uPVC windows. Square-headed opening to return with brick block-and-start surround, limestone sill and quarry glazed window. Square-headed opening with glazed overlight over timber panelled door having flanking sidelights. Limestone threshold to entrance. Pair of cut limestone chamfered monolith piers to south with carved caps, plinth and double-leaf cast-iron gates. Spear-headed cast-iron railings to site set in limestone boundary walls having limestone copings

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

About 1 in 10 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

Susceptibility low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Ballygrennan.

Flooding

The flood maps of the Office of Public Works: floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency; Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland; both 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.

• Ballygrennan, Bruff5 sales

Name

Ballygrennan · Baile Uí Dhroighneáin

Area

2,821,220 m² (282.12 ha, 697.14 acres)

Civil parish

Uregare, and its townlands

Barony

Coshma

Electoral division

Bruff, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Bruff electoral division: 1,460 people in 542 households; 73% of households own their home; 28% of homes were built since 2001; 10% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 1% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ardykeohane, Ballinlee, Ballinlee North, Ballyvulhane, Brackvoan, Bruff, Goatisland, Meadagh, Tynacocka, Uregare

Placenames

Ballygrennan 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.