Kellsborough

Area

349 m²

Buildings

1 building touches it. Its footprint covers 137 m².

Zoning

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

Townland

Kellsborough

Planning applications on this parcel

• 18 Sept 2026N/a

  for development. The development will consist of the extension of the Kells Village Loop Walk through the construction of a 30m long ramped section of boardwalk on the mill tail race island, a 10m span pedestrian bridge over the mill tail race, a new path along the north bank of the Kings River, removal of substructure associated with unfinished development of 4nr. houses, fencing and all associated site works. A Natura Impact Statement has been prepared and submitted to the Planning Authority with the application

  Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2660604

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

Designated sites

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

Recorded monuments around it

This parcel is in the zone of notification of 49 recorded monuments.

• KK027-029 Historic town
  Description

  The town of Kells and the Augustinian Priory were founded in 1193 by Geoffry fitz Robert de Monte Marisco (Killanin and Duignan 1967, 314). The town was granted a borough charter in 1211-16 but there are appear to be no murage grants (Thomas 1992, vol. 2, 243-4). The privileges granted to the burgesses of Kells by his foundation charter were further augmented by subsequent charters granted by his sons and successors to Kells, William and John de Monte Mauriso (Carrigan 1905, vol. 4, 53-4). The town suffered numerous assaults from the late 13th into 14th century. In 1252 the town was burned by William de Bermingham, in 1316 it was taken by Edward Bruce and in 1327 it was again burned by the de Berminghams, this time with the Geraldines (Carrigan 1905, vol. 4, 54; Killanin and Duignan 1967, 314). In 1346 the town, formerly the property of Eustace le Poer, was granted to Walter de Bermingham when the former was hanged for treason (Carrigan 1905, vol. 4, 54). The town may originally have been centred on the motte (KK027-029001-). On the Down Survey map (1655-8) and area called ‘Common Green’ is depicted between the present RC church and the Augustinian Priory. Recent aerial photographs (Simon Dowling, 14 December 2013; http://aerialarchaeology.blogspot.ie/2013/09/kells-priory-co-kilkenny.html) have shown earthworks which appear to indicate the remains of a borough S of the priory, in the fields immediately S and SW of the medieval parish church (KK027-029009-) which was incorporated in a later, now ruinous, C of I church. The earthworks consist of boundaries running roughly E-W, probably denoting burgage plots, with a roadway running roughly N-S through the middle. The boundaries on the E side of the roadway have been truncated by a modern public road running N-S. A market cross base (KK027-029012-) is located at the N end of these earthworks. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 19 March 2014

• KK027-029001 Castle - motte and bailey
  Description

  On top of a glacial deposit on a flat island with Kings River c. 80m to N-NE and a steam which flows from Kings River to the W and runs 20m S of the motte and bailey before rejoining Kings River to the SE. The bailey is raised above the island, which is probably liable to flood. The ground around the base of the bailey was formerly marshy but has been reclaimed (Ó Drisceoil 2006, 262). There are good views E and W along valley floor, but otherwise the view is impeded by rising ground to N and S of the rivers. The motte was probably built by Geoffrey FitzRoberts in 1192-3 when he founded the town of Kells and would have been well positioned to control the river crossing (Empey 1984, 36). Defence does not appear to be the primary concern for this motte, though it is constructed on an island and is surrounded by marshland, rather it was to form the caput or focus for FitzRobert’s settlement. As Empey (ibid.) points out, ‘the availability of suitable sufficient arable land for demesne lands, the proximity of a river for the manorial mill, seigniorial fishing rights, and communications’ would all have been important considerations which were fulfilled by this siting. The motte is mentioned in two early 13th-century charters, where it is referred to as a ‘castelli’. In the charter c. 1204-06 to the Augustinian Priory (TS027-029004-), which lies c. 500m to the SE, FitzRobert grants the canons all the fisheries between his mill and the gate of the castle or motte. In the town charter of Kells, c. 1211-12, probably by Geoffery’s son William, he grants the burgesses of Kells common pasture of the small island around the castle of Kells, as far as, ‘fossatum gardini mei et castelli mei’, which translates as either a fosse or earthwork around his garden, meaning bailey, and his castle (Carrigan 1905, vol. 4, 53; Empey 1984, 36-7). The OS Letters (O’Flanagan 1930, vol. 2, 70-71) describe the motte as being, ‘about thirty two feet [9.75m] in diameter at the top and sixty feet [c. 18m] above the level of the fields’. Orpen (1909, 328) gives a more realistic height of 30 feet [9m] for the motte and also notes that, 'the existence of a fosse can be traced outside [the bailey] in places'. The motte occupies the E side of the bailey. Most of the motte was destroyed in the 1980s. Only a portion of the NE (top dims. 6m x 9m; surviving H above bailey 1.2m) and smaller portion of the SE (max. top dim. c. 5m) survives, which suggests the original total top diameter was c. 15m. The mound was built on top of an existing glacial deposit of gravel (H 6m) by heaping up mixed subsoil and gravels (H 5m) on top of the original soil level (Barry et al. 1984, 161), giving an overall height of 11m. It was a classic pudding-bowl shape, with steep sides and a flat top (see photograph in Orpen 1909, 325). The bailey extends westward from the motte, running from the SW quadrant of the motte and presumably from the N-NW quadrant, though this area has been levelled. The bailey is formed by a raised platform defined by scarp (H 1.85m; Wth 3-5.2m) from W-N. The SE and SW perimeters of the bailey are defined by a later bawn wall (KK027-029003-). It is possible that the outer defences of the motte extended eastward and that these were cut through by the public road. Immediately E of the pubic road there are the remains of a mound, possibly an outer bank (dims. top 8m E-W; c. 40m N-S; H 1.9m above the road; 4.5m above ext. to W). Buildings are indicated adjacent to the road on the N side of this mound on both the 1st and 2nd ed. 6-inch OS maps and this area is currently occupied by a Scout’s Hall. A bank (L 38m) runs southeastward from the SE side of the mound. The ground level within the bailey slopes to the NW and is undulating. The edge in the NE quadrant has been destroyed, probably when the T-plan church was built. National Monument No. 626 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 15 November 2017

• KK027-029002 Castle - unclassified
  Description

  On top of a glacial deposit on a flat island with Kings River c. 80m to N-NE and a steam which flows from Kings River to the W and runs 20m S of the motte and bailey (KK027-029001-) before rejoining Kings River to the SE. The bailey is raised above the island, which is probably liable to flood. The ground around the base of the bailey was formerly marshy but has been reclaimed (Ó Drisceoil 2006, 262). There are good views E and W along valley floor, but otherwise the view is impeded by rising ground to N and S of the rivers. The bawn follows the perimeter of an earlier bailey which adjoins a motte (KK027-029001-). The motte and bailey was probably built by Geoffrey FitzRoberts in 1192-3 when he founded the town of Kells (Empey 1984, 36). Early 13th-century references to the ‘castelli’ at Kells are likely to relate to the castle on the motte which was probably timber (ibid, 36-7). An inquisition of 1621 mentions the ‘fortilagium’ of Kells which may relate to the bawn (ibid., 37). The FitzRobert lordship ended c. 1308-1312, passing to a succession of absentee lords in the 14th century, including le Poers, Berminghams and Prestons and then in the 15th century to Thomas Butler, prior of Kilmainham and his heirs and in the 16th and 17th centuries to the Viscounts Mountgarret (ibid.). The ground level within the bailey/bawn slopes to the NW and is undulating, with a number of low mounds and hollows. There is no visible trace at ground level within the bawn of a masonry castle (KK027-029002-), which may have been built contemporaneously with the bawn. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 16 November 2017

• KK027-029003 Bawn
  Description

  On top of a glacial deposit on a flat island with Kings River c. 80m to N-NE and a steam which flows from Kings River to the W and runs 20m S of the motte and bailey (KK027-029001-) before rejoining Kings River to the SE. The bailey is raised above the island, which is probably liable to flood. The ground around the base of the bailey was formerly marshy but has been reclaimed (Ó Drisceoil 2006, 262). There are good views E and W along valley floor, but otherwise the view is impeded by rising ground to N and S of the rivers. The bawn follows the perimeter of an earlier bailey which adjoins a motte. The motte and bailey was probably built by Geoffrey FitzRoberts in 1192-3 when he founded the town of Kells (Empey 1984, 36). Early 13th-century references to the ‘castelli’ at Kells are likely to relate to the castle on the motte which was probably timber (ibid, 36-7). An inquisition of 1621 mentions the ‘fortilagium’ of Kells which may relate to the bawn (ibid., 37). The FitzRobert lordship ended c. 1308-1312, passing to a succession of absentee lords in the 14th century, including le Poers, Berminghams and Prestons and then in the 15th century to Thomas Butler, prior of Kilmainham and his heirs and in the 16th and 17th centuries to the Viscounts Mountgarret (ibid.). The bailey extends westward from the motte, running from the SW quadrant of the motte and presumably from the N-NW quadrant, though this area has been levelled. The bailey is formed by a raised platform defined by scarp (H 1.85m; Wth 3-5.2m) from W-N. The SE and SW perimeters of the bailey are defined by a later bawn wall. The bawn wall (H 4-5m; Wth 0.85-0.9m), built of roughly coursed limestone rubble, survives in two lengths. The section in the SE quadrant runs WNW-ESE (L 8.4m) before turning ENE-WSW (L 11.5m), the remaining length of wall between this wall and the motte is a more modern wall. There is a gap of 21m between the SE and SW section of wall. The SW wall changes direction several times to follow the perimeter of the bailey. The most southerly section (L 11.7m) incorporates the gable of a later building. This gable projects externally (L 1.63m) from the bawn wall and is not keyed into the bawn wall which appears to have been broken out to accommodate the building. An opening has been broken through the gable at ground-floor level. At first-floor level there are three narrow loops (H c. 1m; Wth 0.8-0.9m) within slightly splayed embrasures. The first-floor was vaulted over, though only the lower portion of the vault survives spring from the side walls (L 0.9m surviving internally). This building may be that referred to on the 1st ed. 6-inch OS map as 'Site of Gaol'. At a distance of 1.7m E of this building the bawn wall turns NW-SE (L14.5m) before turning N-S (L 5.2m). The wall is broken off at after this point. In the short section of N-S wall at this angle a crude broken out doorway had been broken through. There are put-log holes all along the wall, visible both internally and externally. The ground level within the bailey/bawn slopes to the NW and is undulating. There is no visible trace at ground within the bawn of a masonry castle (KK027-029002-), which may have been built contemporaneously with the bawn. The edge in the NE quadrant has been destroyed, probably when the T-plan church was built. The wall which currently runs along the NE quadrant is relatively modern Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 16 November 2017

• KK027-029004 Religious house - Augustinian canons
  Description

  In low-lying terrain on what was formerly an island, with the Kings River flowing along the N side and a channel forming the S side. The later walled and turreted extension lies S of the channel. The foundation lies immediately N of an early medieval church (KK027-009----) dedicated to St Kieran of Sighir with the possible remains of an ecclesiastical enclosure (Clyne 2007, 19). The medieval town of Kells (KK027-029----) is located c. 400m to the E. According to Gwynn and Hadcock (1988, 181), in 1183 Geoffry fitz Robert founded a small collegiate establishment in the church of St. Keran of Kenlis, in honour of St. Mary, for four secular priests before bringing over four Augustinian canons from Bodmin Priory, Cornwall at a later date. However, Empey (2007, 1-3) argues that a foundation date of 1193 seems more likely as the land was granted to Geoffrey fitz Robert by William Marshal, who had only gained possession of Leinster in 1192. One of the four canons from Bodmin, Hugh de Rous, became the prior and also became the first Anglo-Norman bishop of Ossory in 1202 (ibid. 4). Over the next three centuries the priory’s fortunes where entwined with those of the neighbouring town. Kells was burnt by William de Bermingham in 1252, the area was devastated by the Bruce invasion in 1317 and Kells sacked by the Fitzgeralds of Desmond ten years later in 1327 (Gwynn and Hadcock 1988, 181; Empey 2007, 5). It would appear that local families were heavily invested in the fortunes of the priory, particularly the Lahys, Tobins and Whites. Empey (ibid. 6-7) relates how two members of the Lahy, or Lacy, family from the Ballytobin area, John and Thomas respectively, occupied the priorship from 1427 for nineteen years and from 1492 to 1508. Nicholas White, who was unlawful prior from c. 1446 to 1469, fought off an episcopal challenge for the priory from the bishop of Emly, despite the latter having papal support (ibid.). Following White’s death another local man, Nicholas Jon, was elected prior by the canons who were ‘not in ignorance’ of the bishop’s right (ibid.). Jon was succeeded by Edmund Stapleton who in 1471 informed the pope that ‘divine worship in the said priory is neglected’, and then by John Karne who was elected in 1474 and eventually legalised his position (ibid.). The walled enclosure at Kells priory dates to the later 15th century, between 1450 and 1475 (ibid. 7-8). Two documents dated to the later 15th century explicitly mention the prior’s ‘vill’, the term ‘villa prioris’ being used at this period to indicated the incastellated enclosure adjoining the S side of the priory (ibid.). The ‘vill’ is described as being separate from the adjacent town and also reference is made to the towers which appear to have served a residential function (ibid. 8). The enclosed area itself appears to have functioned as a bawn, chiefly designed to protect tenants and cattle of the adjoining demesne and grange in time of disturbance (ibid.). Following the dissolution of the priory in 1540, it was found that the ‘the priory church had been parochial from time immemorial and that all other buildings were necessary for the farmer’ (Gwynn and Hadcock 1988, 181). The last prior, Nicholas Tobin, retained the rectory of Kells and two canons were granted pensions (Empey 2007, 6; Gwynn and Hadcock 1988, 181). The lands and possessions of the priory were granted to James, Earl of Ormond (ibid.). In 1603 an estate, included the monastic remains, was granted to Margaret Fitzgerald, the countess of Ormond and it is her name which appears on the Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Kells as proprietor in 1640 (Empey 2007, 8). The Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Kells shows the walled priory divided into two precincts (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin). A detailed survey of the complex was carried out by Tietzsch-Tyler (1993) and archaeological excavations were carried out over several seasons by Thomas Fanning (1972-5, 1980) and Miriam Clyne (1996) (Clyne 2007). The upstanding remains consist of the church with the claustral range to the S and the precinct walls, built of roughly coursed limestone rubble with some sandstone, though the latter was used primarily for architectural details in the 13th century. The chancel was completed before 1218 as Hugh de Rous was buried there (Clyne 2007, 491). Clyne (ibid.) suggests that in fact the entire original church may have been constructed by this date as, ‘the nave was extended and an aisle built before the cloister arcade was erected, probably c. 1225-50 (ibid.). The original church was cruciform in plan, with a chancel and aisleless nave and transepts extending from the crossing, each with a chapel extending eastward. Upstanding remains from this first phase are visible within the surviving fabric, as described by Clyne (ibid.), ‘the original openings, in early Gothic style, are in dressed sandstone and mouldings are limited to chamfers. The best-preserved feature is the archway to the south transept. A matching archway leading to the north transept stood opposite. The nave had three doorways – this number of entrances was required to cater for the canons and the laity who attended the church. There were opposing doorways at the western end and the base for the north doorway was revealed on excavation…The doorway at the eastern end of the cloister was the main entrance for the canons’. Only one window survives, a lancet window in the S wall of the nave, though none of its architectural details survive (ibid.). The church roof was timber covered with slates and decorative green-glazed ceramic ridge tiles (ibid.). By the mid-13th century the nave had been lengthened and a tower and aisle constructed on the N side when the nave was enlarged (ibid. 496). The original N wall of the church was replaced by a four-bay arcade (ibid.). It is likely that the S doorway was rebuilt at this time with roll and hollow mouldings replacing the chamfered mouldings of the original doorway (ibid.). Clyne (ibid.) suggests that the NW tower may have been a two-storey belfry originally before being rebuilt in the 15th century. Excavation showed that before the end of the 14th-century the tower roof and interior were destroyed by fire as well as the W end of the nave (ibid. 497). In the second half of the 13th century the chancel was extended eastward (ibid. 501). It was lit by an E window, now broken out, consisted of five graded lights, with the roll-mouldings and chamfers of the edge of the embrasure surviving, and a three tall lancets with edge roll-mouldings in the S wall (ibid. 502). Two of these lancets were blocked up in the 15th century and only the jamb of the third survives (ibid. 49). There are four segmental-headed tomb niches in the chancel, two in the N and S walls respectively. The limestone engaged columns on either side have bases with half-round mouldings and capitals carved with botanical motifs on rounded abaci similar to those found at the medieval parish church at Gowran (KK020-060006-) which has been dated to from c. 1260 to 1275 (Stalley 1971, 75-80; Barry 1985, 42-3; Clyne 2007, 49). The interior had a smooth plaster finish and was decorated with a false ashlar masonry pattern in red paint (ibid.). Plaster in the S transept and in the reveal of one of the blocked 13th-century lancets in the S wall of the chancel had traces of deep red and black paint while two of the tomb niches in the chancel were painted orange, with the suggestion of painted figures found of fragments of plaster (ibid. 502). Probably contemporary with the chancel extension was the building of a Lady Chapel immediately N of the chancel (ibid. 50). To facilitate this the original E wall of the side chapel of the N transept was demolished and the chapel extended (ibid.). A doorway provides access between the chancel to the Lady Chapel and its surround is shared with a poorly preserved conjoined sedillia and piscina in the S wall. Part of the round-head

• KK027-029005 Graveslab
  Description

  One of a large number of graveslabs (KK027-029005-; KK027-029015-, KK027-029016-, KK027-029021- to KK027-029051-) found at Kells Priory for Augustinian canons (KK027-029004-) which have been described and catalogued by Higgins (2007, 453-67). An unusually small undecorated tapering slab (L c. 0.85m; Wth at top c. 0.3m; Wth at base c. 0.25m) with no visible decoration. The surface is dressed with carefully executed pock tooling which Higgins suggests could have provided a key for gesso and paint. Stylistically the graveslab dates to the 13th/14th century. The underside of the slab was subsequently hollowed out when the slab was reused as a slop-stone in the priory kitchens. The slab, intact when drawn in 1980, was subsequently broken into numerous pieces as a result of vandalisation. (Higgins 2007, cat. no. 1, 459, fig. 7.1:1). Ref.: Higgins, J. 2007 The medieval funerary monuments. In M. Clyne, (ed.), Kells Priory, Co. Kilkenny: archaeological excavations by T. Fanning & M. Clyne, 453-67. Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Dublin. See attached: KK027-029005-_01 Illustration in Higgins, J. 2007 The medieval funerary monuments. In M. Clyne, (ed.), Kells Priory, Co. Kilkenny: archaeological excavations by T. Fanning & M. Clyne, 453-67. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 24 May 2023

• KK027-029006 Water mill - unclassified
  Description

  At the SE angle of the monastic precinct of Kells Priory (KK027-029004-). Indicated on the 1st (1839) ed. OS 6-inch map as a ‘Mill (in ruins)’ and also appears to be indicated on the Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Kells, Co. Kilkenny (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin). A mill associated with the Augustinian Priory is mentioned in the foundation charter in the Ormond Deeds, which dates to c. 1204-06, whereby Geoffrey FitzRobert grants that the Priory, 'may enclose and make the said fisheries and their mill ponds in my land beneath my mill towards the north wheresoever they wish or are able, and their mills wherever they are beneath the church of St. Mary I grant and confirm to them. And whoever of my men shall wish to do so shall fully and freely grind in their mills, nor shall it be lawful to any of my men to bring to law those who wish to grind there' (Curtis 1932, vol. 1, 15, deed 30). Several water mills are listed in 1541 as part of the former property of the Priory following the dissolution of the monastery, one possibly within the precinct and it also mentions that it is the duty of the tenants to, 'find a man for cleaning the water-mill when necessary' (White 1943, 188-9). Clyne (2007, 35) suggests that there was a watermill at this location since the 13th century, with the stream which ran along the outside the S wall of the precinct doubling as both a moat and a millrace. In the 15th century the mill became incorporated in the southern walled enclosure, known as the prior’s vill. The N end of the building (int. Wth 6.65m) is built of, ‘random coursing, using unhewn and roughly squared stones. There are squared quoins on both corners. The east wall (extant L 4.5m) is best preserved and the segmental arch beneath, spanning the millrace, has roughly squared voussoirs’ (ibid. 36). Clyne (ibid.) notes that as the building straddles the mill-stream, this may indicate that it used a horizontal wheel. See attached: KK027-029006-_01 extract from the Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Kells, Co. Kilkenny (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin) Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 22 May 2023

• KK027-029008 Road - road/trackway
  Description

  This road gave access to and from the Augustinian Priory at Kells (KK027-029004-). It ran from the present public road to the fortified entrance in the E wall of the outer court and from an entrance in the W wall of the same court towards the motte (KK027-029001-) at Kells (pers. comm. Con Manning, February 1993; Farrelly et al. 1993, 173). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 22 May 2023

• KK027-029009 Church
  Description

  Within a roughly rectangular graveyard (KK027-029010-). Kells priory (KK027-029004-) lies c. 120m to the N and the medieval settlement of Kells lies to the NW and S of the church. Portion of an effigial tomb (KK027-029011-) has been inserted in the external face graveyard wall, at the S end of the W wall. Graves (1866, 492) notes that the, ‘parish church of St. Kieran of Kells was in existence before Geoffrey De Marisco founded a monastery here, in the year 1183, in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This we learn from the fact recorded in the “Registrum Caenobii S. Mariae de Kenlis,” viz., that, because there were not any Canons Regular then to be found in Ireland, De Marisco appointed the four priests who officiated in the church of St. Kieran of Kells to discharge to the office of Canons in the newly founded monastery until he was able to provide himself with others (“Monast. Anglican.,” p. 1142). The rectory of St. Kieran of Kells must have been about this time appropriated to the monastery. It appears to be so appropriated in the Confirmation Charter granted by Henry IV., on the 8th of February, in the thirteenth year of his reign; wherein, amongst other possessions, the King confirms the Prior and Convent of the Blessed Mary of Kells in Ossory in the right, title, and possession which they have in the church of St. Kieran, otherwise called the chapel of their said founder (“Rot. Pat. 13 Hen. IV.,” 53). The rectory remained appropriate to the monks till the dissolution of the Priory, when it was found by inquisition to be part of their possessions (“Monast. Hibern.,” p. 365). Clyne (2007, 19-20) suggests that the pre-Anglo-Norman church of St Kieran stood where the ruinous church now stands and that it was at the centre of an early medieval ecclesiastical enclosure (KK027-029019-). Clyne (ibid. 20), noted that carved and worked sandstone blocks were reused in the post-medieval fabric of St Kieran’s and that there are two fragments with chevron and lozenge motifs, originally from a doorway, chancel arch or window, incorporated into the exterior jamb of a N window (second from W). Carrigan (1905, vol. 4, 56) describes the, ‘old parish church of Kells’ as being, ‘used as a Protestant place of worship till about 1850, when it was deserted; it is now a ruin. The eastern portion of the building is modern. The western end, the walls of which are fully three feet [0.91m] thick, dates from before the Reformation; as all its characteristic features have, however, been destroyed, it is now impossible to form any idea of its exact date’. He notes that, ‘Down to the Norman Invasion, St. Kieran, of Saighir, was patron of Kells parish and parish church; soon after the old patron was laid aside, and both parish and church were dedicated to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross’ (ibid.). Following the dissolution of the monastery the prior, Nicholas Tobin, became the curate of Kells in the parish church of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Clyne 2007, 512; Fiants vol. 1, 20 no. 139). Clyne (ibid.) suggests that, at least initially, the nave of the priory church was used as the parish church. This is based on the extents of the monasteries following the dissolution in 1540 which lists the church and cemetery of the Priory of Kells and states that, 'this church has from time immemorial been the parish church (White 1943, 188). However, at some point, perhaps in the 17th century it was decided to reuse St Kieran’s church and certainly in 1668 it was in use at the union of parishes (ibid., footnote 1). Alterations in red brick were carried out in the windows and a bellcote was built above the W gable in the 17th or 18th century (ibid.). The church was in use until a new church, St Mary’s, was built in 1844, c. 150m to the ESE and on the opposite side of the road (ibid.). The W wall of the graveyard runs N and S from the W gable of the church. The external W gable is composed of roughly coursed rubble with cut-stone quoins visible at the SW angle, though much of the stonework on the external gable is obscured by render. The church (overall ext. dims. c. 26m E-W; chancel c. 8.7m; c. 10m N-S at W end; c. 8m at the E end) is accessed via stone steps which lead up to a round-headed doorway in the centre of the W gable. This gable is surmounted by a single wide bellcote, with round-headed ope. The top of the rectangular bellcote has a decorative finish with a low central and flanking piers, the central one being surmounted by a pyramidal finial. The external face of the S wall is heavily ivy clad. Reference: Graves, Rev. J. 1864-6 Proceedings and papers. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 8, 491-2. See attached: KK027-029009-_01 External W gable of church Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 May 2023

• KK027-029010 Graveyard
  Description

  A roughly rectangular graveyard (dims. c. 27m N-S; c. 43m E-W) associated with the parish church of St Kieran of Kells (KK027-029009-). Kells priory (KK027-029004-) lies c. 120m to the N and the medieval settlement of Kells lies to the NW and S of the church. Portion of an effigial tomb (KK027-029011-) has been inserted in the external face of the graveyard wall, at the S end of the W wall. The graveyard, which is bounded by a stone wall, extends N and E of the church, with a small portion to the S. The wall runs N and S from the W gable of the church, with external steps giving access to the door of the church. The public road runs E-W outside the S wall. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 May 2023

And 39 more.

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands on this parcel.

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

Ground and risks

Radon

At the centre of this parcel, about 1 in 5 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as low, partly inferred.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of this parcel.

Flooding

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

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

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

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