Ballysheehan

21 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Ballysheehan, from 122 m² to 494,469 m² (49.45 ha, 122.19 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 22 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 Ballysheehan 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.

No planning application touches the townland of Ballysheehan in the national file, which goes back to 2010.

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 Ballysheehan.

Recorded monuments

• TS053-042001 Church
  Description

  In grassland at the N end of a low N-S gravel ridge with good views in all directions and a stream running N-S 30m to the W. There is a motte and bailey (TS053-042002-) 100m to the S of the church and a deserted medieval village (TS053-042003-) 130m to the E of the church. The townland name of Ballysheehan is derived from the Irish baile Ui Shiodhchain meaning O'Sheehans Town (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 1, 105). The lands of Ballysheehan were valued at 10 pounds per annum and the church was escheated to the crown, in right of the Templars (Wood 1906-07, 369). In the 15th century there are several incidences of the church of Ballysheehan being in the ecclesiastical courts, the ruling inevitably being against Ballysheehan (O'Donovan and Duffy 2002, 35). Located in the N quadrant of a large rectangular graveyard (TS053-042004-). A long rectangular ivy-clad fortified church (int. dims. excluding tower 6m N-S; 17.5m E-W; wall T 0.9m) built with roughly coursed limestone rubble with a four storey high tower (ext. dims. 10.4m N-S; 5.6m E-W; wall T 0.9m) at the W end of the church (ext. dims. 8.6m N-S at E end and 10.4m at W end; 25.8m E-W), accessed from the interior of the church via a doorway (Wth 1m) in the N wall, W of centre near the NW angle of the church. This doorway gives access to a lobby area which is protected by an overhead murder-hole. From this lobby the tower itself is accessed. The tower is divided by a cross-wall running E-W which creates a small chamber (int. dims. 1.75m N-S; 4.35m E-W) orienated E-W at the N end of the tower which has a barrel-vaulted roof over the ground floor. From this chamber the main ground-floor room (int. dims. 6m N-S; 4m E-W) is accessed, all floors over the main chambers being of wood. Every floor has a large square-shaped chamber to the S of the dividing wall and a small rectangular chamber orientated E-W to the N of the dividing wall. The church itself is accessed from a destroyed doorway (Wth 2.7m) located W of centre in the S wall near the SW angle of the church. According to the OS letters there were four windows in the S wall of the church, two of which were destroyed (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 1, 106). There is evidence of two blocked-up two-light windows in the S wall, that nearest the E gable has pointed trefoil heads, this wall also has a single-light window with sandstone surrounds. There is a pointed trefoil-headed piscina with credence above in the S wall near the SE angle of the church, with a semi-circular arched niche for a sedilia or wall tomb (Wth 1.67m; D 0.2m) immediately to W. Two small rectangular wall niches (dims. 0.45m 0.45m x 0.45m) appear to have been inserted into the S wall E of centre, just W of the semi-circular niche. A stone altar of possible medieval date in the E window embrasure is crudely covered by a corrugated structure. There is a two-light window in the centre of the E gable, with interesting aumbrys (int. dims. 1.15m N-S x 0.75m E-W) in the N and S embrasures of this window, both of which were accessed via a doorway with rebated limestone surrounds. Each of these cupboards had a shelf which divided the compartments into an upper and lower section, and may have been used for safekeeping of sacred vessels and important items belonging to the church. A blocked-up window and blocked-up doorway are both E of centre in the N wall. The doorway appears to have given access to a lintelled two-storey mural passage (int. dims. 1.75m N-S; 17m E-W) running parallel to the N wall of the church, from which the lobby of the tower house could be accessed. At the E end of this mural passage there are the possible remains of a destroyed stairs which gave access to the upper floor of this passage. From here the murder-hole, and also the second floor of the tower house, could be accessed. There is a buttress up against external face of the N wall near the NE angle of the church. A corbel with a grotesque head carved on the underside is visible on the S wall at the SE angle of the church where the roof meets the side wall of the church gable. There was a second decorated corbel on the N face of the NE angle but this is now missing. A later dividing wall built at a distance of 8m from the inner face of the W wall of church, which cuts across the two-light window in the centre of the S wall, may have been inserted when burials were placed inside the church. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• TS053-042002 Castle - motte and bailey
  Description

  In grassland on top of a low gravel ridge running N-S at with good views in all directions, deserted medieval village (TS053-042003-) 200m to NE, fortified church (TS053-042001-) 100m to N and graveyard (TS053-042004-) 80m to N and stream 30m to W. The motte is situated at the S end of this ridge which falls naturally to the W down to the stream and low lying wet marshy land. In 1953 the point of an iron spike, fragment of an iron horse-shoe and five sherds of medieval potery were found in the hummocky field near the motte and bailey (NMI Reg. No. 1953:9-15). Small low flat topped conical mound (H 3-4m; top diam. 13m N-S; 8m E-W; base diam 24m N-S; 20m E-W) with possible bailey area to N at base of mound now defined by a slight rise of ground which is barely visible enclosing a D-shaped area between motte and church and graveyard to N. Small quarry at base of motte on N side with possible wall footings of structure or wall running N-S from base of mound at N. No other features visible. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• TS053-042003 Settlement deserted - medieval
  Description

  It would appear from historical sources that Ballysheehan was a sub-manor of Ardmayle and an extent of 1305 states that John, son and heir of William Hackett, held land in Ballysheehan (O'Donovan and Duffy 2002, 34). An extent of the same year for Ballysheehan states that there are no buildings there of any profit, but mentions two mills (ibid., 34-5). Located in flat grassland with good views in all directions motte and bailey (TS053-042002-) 200m to SW, fortified church (TS053-042001-) 130m to W and graveyard (TS053-042004-) 110m to W. Visible earthworks extended eastward 110m from the graveyard wall and covered an area measuring 300m N-S (ibid. 39). In 1999, during the redevelopment of the stud farm, these earthworks, which possibly represents the remains of a deserted medieval village, were partially buried in topsoil to make the land safe for livestock (Purcell and Gowan 2000, 283). A digital terrain model of the earthworks, prior to this, revealed several features, a sub-rectangular earthwork (TS053-042005-), a circular enclosure (TS053-042006-), a mill or fish pond (TS053-042007-)and 3 low circular mounds (TS053-042008-; TS053-042009-; TS053-042010-) which may be ring-ditches or the remains of feeding troughs (O'Donovan and Duffy 2002, 39). In 1953 the point of an iron spike, fragment of an iron horse-shoe and five sherds of medieval potery were found in the hummocky field near the motte and bailey (NMI Reg. No. 1953:9-15) Earthworks to the N and E of the church (TS053-042003-) and graveyard (TS053-042004) show up on aerial photographs (CUCAP 1967, ATA 64; CUCAP 1971, BGO 11) may be the remains of a deserted settlement associated with Ballysheehan church (TS053-042001-). The townland name of Ballysheehan is derived from the Irish baile Ui Shiodhchain meaning O'Sheehans Town (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 1, 105). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• TS053-042004 Graveyard
  Description

  In grassland at N end of low N-S gravel ridge with good views in all directions, motte and bailey (TS053-042002-) 80m to S, deserted medieval village (TS053-042003-) 110m to E and fortified church (TS053-042001-) in N quadrant of graveyard. Stream 20m to W of graveyard and ground falls away naturally and quite steeply down to the stream to the W of the graveyard. Large rectangular graveyard (dims. 74m N-S; 45m E-W) with entrance gate and coffin stand to S, many interesting 18th and 19th-century memorials inside graveyard, interior of graveyard follows slope of hill with church on top of rise in N quadrant of graveyard. The majority of memorials are located to the W, S and E of the church. No other features visible. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• TS053-042006 Enclosure
  Description

  In flat grassland. Motte and bailey (TS053-042002-) c. 90m to SW, fortified church and graveyard (TS053-042001-; TS053-042004-) 120m to NW. Visible earthworks (TS053-042003-) extended eastward from the graveyard wall. It would appear from historical sources that Ballysheehan was a sub-manor of Ardmayle and an extent of 1305 states that John, son and heir of William Hackett, held land in Ballysheehan (O'Donovan and Duffy 2002, 34). An extent of the same year for Ballysheehan states that there are no buildings there of any profit, but mentions two mills (ibid., 34-5). In 1999, during the redevelopment of the stud farm, these earthworks, which possibly represents the remains of a deserted medieval village, were partially buried in topsoil to make the land safe for livestock (Purcell and Gowen 2000, 283). A digital terrain model of the earthworks, prior to this, revealed several features including a sub-rectangular earthwork (TS053-042005-) 25m E of the eastern graveyard boundary wall and a possible circular enclosure (diam. 25m) 25m S of this earthwork. Earthworks to the N and E of the church and graveyard show up on aerial photographs (CUCAP 1967, ATA 64; CUCAP 1971, BGO 11). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• TS053-042008 Barrow - ditch barrow
  Description

  In flat grassland. In 1999, during the redevelopment of the stud farm, these earthworks, which possibly represents the remains of a deserted medieval village, were partially buried in topsoil to make the land safe for livestock (Purcell and Gowen 2000, 283). A digital terrain model of the earthworks, prior to this, revealed several features including three circular mounds (diam. 5-6m) which appear as 'shallow ring ditches' and may be barrows or 'residual features from circular feeding troughs' (O'Donovan and Duffy 2002, 39-40). Earthworks to the S which appear on aerial photographs (CUCAP 1967, ATA 64; CUCAP 1971, BGO 11) appear to be the remains of a medieval deserted settlement (TS053-042003-). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• TS053-042009 Barrow - ditch barrow
  Description

  In flat grassland. Motte and bailey (TS053-042002-) 200m to SW, fortified church (TS053-042001-) 130m to W and graveyard (TS053-042004-) 25m to W. Visible earthworks (TS053-042003-) extended eastward from the graveyard wall. In 1999, during the redevelopment of the stud farm, these earthworks, which possibly represents the remains of a deserted medieval village, were partially buried in topsoil to make the land safe for livestock (Purcell 2000, 283). A digital terrain model of the earthworks, prior to this, revealed several features including three circular mounds (diam. 5-6m) which appear as 'shallow ring ditches' and may be barrows or 'residual features from circular feeding troughs' (O'Donovan and Duffy 2003, 39-40). Earthworks to the N and E of the church and graveyard show up on aerial photographs (CUCAP 1967, ATA 64; CUCAP 1971, BGO 11). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• TS053-042010 Barrow - ditch barrow
  Description

  In flat grassland. Motte and bailey (TS053-042002-) 200m to SW, fortified church (TS053-042001-) 130m to W and graveyard (TS053-042004-) 25m to W. Visible earthworks (TS053-042003-) extended eastward from the graveyard wall. In 1999, during the redevelopment of the stud farm, these earthworks, which possibly represents the remains of a deserted medieval village, were partially buried in topsoil to make the land safe for livestock (Purcell and Gowen 2000, 283). A digital terrain model of the earthworks, prior to this, revealed several features including three circular mounds (diam. 5-6m) which appear as 'shallow ring ditches' and may be barrows or 'residual features from circular feeding troughs' (O'Donovan and Duffy 2002, 39-40). Earthworks to the N and E of the church and graveyard show up on aerial photographs (CUCAP 1967, ATA 64; CUCAP 1971, BGO 11). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• TS053-043 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  On top of a low rise of ground in grassland with good views in all directions. Barely visible remains of a levelled ringfort consisting of a circular area (approx. int. diam. 30m N-S) defined by a low rise of ground (Wth 3m) and vegetation mark. A sketch plan and sections drawn in 1953 show the monument as a roughly circular area defined by scarp and enclosed by an outer fosse which varies in width (overall dims. 180ft [c. 55m] N-S; 258ft [c. 78m] E-W (OS Field Memorandums). It appears as a large circular enclosure on aerial photograph taken in 1971 (CUCAP BGO 12). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• TS053-062 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  On flat grassland with good views in all directions. On the first ed. OS 6-inch map there is a pigeon house located immediately to the N of the possible ringfort. This pigeon house is not indicated on the latest ed. OS 6-inch map and is no longer visible. Barely visible outline of a levelled possible ringfort consisting of a slight rise of ground or degraded bank (top Wth 6m; base Wth 10m; ext. H 0.4m; int. H 0.3m) visible along its E quadrant only on top of which are planted two lime trees, elsewhere the bank is barely visible as a low rise of ground enclosing a circular area (approx. int. diam. 31m N-S; overall diam. 50m N-S). Indicated as a cropmark of a multivallate enclosure on aerial photographs taken in July 1971 (CUCAP BGO 14, 15, S. 593/4). Monument levelled before 1971. It is described by O'Donovan (O'Donovan and Duffy 2002, 36-7) as a ring-barrow (diam. 46m) which 'consists of an externally ditched enclosure defined by a flattened 8m wide bank and an internal ditch that measures 3-4m wide and 0.40m deep. The externally ditched enclosure surrounds a central ring barrow. The ring barrow consists of a low flat mound 8m in diameter surrounded by a 0.30m deep, 2m wide ditch. A level concentric 6m wide platform surrounds the central barrow inside the externally ditched enclosure. A possible 5m wide entrance feature is located in the northeast corner of the outer enclosure. Two large trees are present on the northern external bank. The bank survives to a greater level at this point, indicating that the monument has been considerably denuded; however, it is still clearly visible on the ground'. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• TS053-063 Enclosure
  Description

  On flat grassland with good views in all directions. No surface remains visible. Monument depicted as a small circular enclosure on aerial photogrpahy taken in 1971 (CUCAP, BGO 14). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

Architectural heritage

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

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 Ballysheehan, 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 moderately low, low, partly inferred.

Terrain model

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

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 Ballysheehan with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Tipperary.

Name

Ballysheehan · Baile Uí Shíocháin

Area

1,637,324 m² (163.73 ha, 404.59 acres)

Civil parish

Ballysheehan, and its townlands

Barony

Middlethird

Electoral division

Nodstown, the unit of the census

Census 2022

622 people lived in 209 households in the Nodstown electoral division. 87% of households owned their home. 36% of homes were built since 2001. 7% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballinree, Ballykelly, Farranavarra, Garryard, Gortmakellis, Grangebeg, Thurlesbeg

Placenames

Ballysheehan 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.