Kells
Kells is a townland in the civil parish of Kells, barony of Kells, Co. Kilkenny. Its name in Irish is Ceanannas.
Parcel 5536701
- Area
- 114 m²
- Buildings
- No building touches it.
- 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
- Kells
Planning applications on this parcel
No planning application touches this parcel 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 this parcel.
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.
- 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.
- Area
- 255.6 ha
- 632 acres
- Land parcels
- 163
- registered freehold, median 1,007 m²
- Zoning
- —
- not in a zoned settlement
- Planning
- 22
- applications since 2010
Land parcels
Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann
163 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Kells, from 5 m² to 362,306 m² (36.23 ha, 89.53 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 53 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.
Zoning
Development plans, national zoning
No zone of a development plan covers Kells 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.
Planning applications
Sites that touch the townland, newest first
27 Mar 2026Conditional
for: (A)The partial demolition of existing walls to the sides and rear of the property including the enlargement of existing window openings. (B) The subsequent construction of a new single storey extension to the rear of the property, new window opening to the side of the property and new rooflight to the front of the property. (C) Elevation treatments including replacement of all existing windows and doors, new facias and soffits and all associated site works
Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2660179
26 Nov 2025Unconditional
of Planning Permission Reference P20/632
Extension of duration · Kilkenny County Council, 25126
16 Sept 2024Conditional
of 1) Extension to rear as built. 2) conservatory to front of dwelling, 3) Attic conversion for storage and all associated site works
Retention · Kilkenny County Council, 2460439
25 Jan 2023Conditional
for alterations to my existing dwelling and the construction of a two-storey extension to the side of my existing dwelling to include the provision of a new two storey family flat and all associated site works
Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 2360031
29 Jul 2022Conditional
for development. The development will consist of (a) the partial demolition of the existing dwelling to the side and rear (b) elevational treatment to replace all existing external windows and doors (c) the construction of a new single storey extension to the rear and side of the existing house including internal alterations to the ground and first floors and all associated site works
Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 22497
15 Jul 2022N/a
for development. The development will consist of the replacement of all existing external windows and doors, and the construction of a new single storey extension to the rear and side of the existing house, including internal alterations to the ground and first floors and associated drainage works
Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 22469
24 May 2022Conditional
is hereby sought for domestic garage as constructed and all associated site works
Retention · Kilkenny County Council, 22335
1 Dec 2021Conditional
for the construction of a cattle underpass, slatted effluent tank and all associated works at
Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 21979
15 Mar 2021Conditional
for a proposed new storey and a half side extension with a storey and a half link corridor, proposed second storey rear extension. Proposed single storey rear kitchen extension, Proposed single storey vehicular garage, connection to proposed storm water soakaways, connection to existing foul water treatment system and associated site works
Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 21182
25 Sept 2020Conditional
for the (1) material change of use and subdivision of an existing dwelling into 4 no. 1 bedroom semi-independent living units, (2) modifications to the existing dwelling elevations, (3) relocation of the existing vehicular entrance and internal access driveway, (4) provison of 8 no. car parking spaces, (5) subdivision of the existing garden to provide private open space for each semi-independent living unit, (6) connection to existing services and all ancillary site development works
Permission, 4 homes · Kilkenny County Council, 20632
3 Apr 2020Conditional
to construct a dwelling house, sewerage treatment system and percolation area, including all necessary site works
Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 20213
11 Oct 2019Conditional
for the (1) material change of use and subdivision of an existing dwelling into 3 no. 1 bedroom semi-independent living units (2) modifications to the existing dwelling elevations (3) material change of use of the existing garage into a 1 bedroom semi-independent living unit complete with a single storey extension (4) modifications to the existing garage elevations (5) alterations to existing internal access driveway (6) provision of 8 no. car parking spaces (7) subdivision of the existing garden to provide private open space to each semi-independent living unit (8) connection to existing services and all ancillary site development works, all
Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 19752
12 Jul 2019Conditional
permission for retention of garage and alterations to site boundary, including site works at
Retention · Kilkenny County Council, 19483
23 Apr 2019Conditional
to construct a single storey extension to the rear of dwelling including all associated site works
Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 19271
26 Feb 2019Refused
to construct a dwelling house, sewerage treatment system and percolation area, including all necessary site works
Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 19105
3 Aug 2018Conditional
for construction of two storey dwelling, domestic garage, entrance, foul effluent treatment system and percolation area and all associated site works at
Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 18520
3 Aug 2018Conditional
to construct a detached garage for a motorhome at
Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 18523
25 Jul 2018Conditional
for the demolition of an existing single storey sunroom at rear of existing dwelling, for construction of single storey extension to the rear of existing dwelling, internal and external modifications and all associated site development works at
Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 18499
14 May 2018Conditional
to construct a (i) cubicle shed incorporating slatted tanks (ii) over ground slurry tower and all associated site works. Permission for retention of (i) Walled Drafting Yard (ii) Walled collecting yard is also required
Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 18306
22 Dec 2017N/a
to build a two storey four bedroom residential dwelling, with detached outhouses for domestic use, wastewater treatment system with percolation area and all associated site works
Permission, 3 homes · Kilkenny County Council, 17872
20 Dec 2017Conditional
to demolish an existing single storey dwelling, attached garage and shed and permission to construct a new single storey dwelling in its place and all associated site works on our lands
Permission, 1 home · Kilkenny County Council, 17849
10 Mar 2017Conditional
for development of a 30,000 sq ft shed to be erected at premises
Permission · Kilkenny County Council, 17147
Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.
Nature and heritage
Designated sites and recorded monuments
Designated sites
- Special Area of Conservation: River Barrow and River Nore SAC 002162
- Special Protection Area: River Nore SPA 004233
Recorded monuments
- KK027-029012 Cross - Market cross
Description
According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 4, 55-6), the market cross at Kells, ‘stood originally on the roadside, opposite the gateway leading to Bosheen na gcorp, that is, the bosheen [local word for boreen] that formerly led from the public road down to the Priory [KK027-029004-] and Priory graveyard. It was removed thence to the south corner of the field in which its pedestal now lies. Later on it was again removed to its present position, which is only a few yards distant from the spot on which it was first set up many centuries ago. The cross itself is missing, and the time and manner of its disappearance are unknown. What is now called “the Cross,” merely consists of a great circular stone, wide and thick, in the centre of which is fixed an ornamental cut-stone pedestal, with a socket cut into the top surface for the reception of the cross’. The circular base (diam. c. 1.5m; H 0.22m), which may be a reused millstone, has a circular socket in the centre into which a circular limestone pedestal (diam. c. 0.66m; H above base 0.31m) has been fitted. The lower portion of this pedestal (H 0.12m) is slightly wider than the upper portion by c. 0.06m. Heather King noted faint traces of arcading on the upper portion, which would be suggestive of a 13th-century date (pers. comm. 1993) (Farrelly et al. 1993, 174). See attached photograph: KK027-029012-_01 Urban Archaeological Survey, 25 September 1992 KK027-029012-_02 Google Street View, imagery date September 2019 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 May 2023
- KK027-029013 Bridge
Description
Crossing the Kings River N of the village of Kells and c. 60m N of the motte and bailey (KK027-029001-). A bridge is depicted at this location on the Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Kells, Co. Kilkenny (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin). The roughly coursed limestone bridge (L c. 60m) runs NNE-SSW, with the upstream side to the W. The present bridge is clearly a two-phase construction. This earlier phase is to the W and consists of 8 round-headed arches with a further flood arch to the S. The bridge was widened in the 18th century, with three large elliptical-headed arches overlapping the central arches of the earlier bridge, while the two outer arches are flush with the original arches. The voussoirs of the earlier bridge are roughly cut but are all similar in size while those on the later upstream side are well cut and have a projecting keystone. There are cut waters between each of the upstream arches, up to springing level of the arches. The S end of this side of the bridge, within the field, is supported by three large buttresses. There are less substantial pyramidal buttresses on the downstream piers. The early phase has been dated to c. 1725 and the rebuild to c. 1775 (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage; http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=KK®no=12315002; viewed 16 November 2017). The present earlier phase of the bridge may incorporate masonry from the bridge depicted here in the 17th century. See attached: KK027-029013-_01 extract from Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Kells, Co. Kilkenny (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin) Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 16 November 2017
- KK027-042 Ritual site - holy well
Description
A holy well located c. 365m NNE of St Bridget's Church, Kilree (KK027-044001-). According to the OS Letters (1839), 'It springs from under a remarkable rock situated to the right of the road as you go from Kells to Kilree. Stations were performed and a Pattern was held at this well not many years since on St. Bridget's Day, the 1st of February' (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 2, 62 (20)). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 4 April 2023
Architectural heritage
- School master's house, 1865–1870 · Regional interest
Description
Detached three-bay single-storey school master's house with half-dormer attic, built 1868, on a rectangular plan. Renovated, 1972. Pitched slate roof with clay ridge tiles, red brick Running bond chimney stacks having stepped capping supporting terracotta pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods retaining cast-iron downpipe. Part creeper- or ivy-covered repointed rubble stone walls originally rendered with hammered limestone flush quoins to corners. Square-headed central door opening with threshold, and repointed red brick voussoirs framing timber boarded door having overlight. Square-headed window openings in camber- or segmental-headed recesses with cut-limestone sills, and repointed red brick voussoirs framing pivot fittings having cast-iron lattice glazing bars. Street fronted.
- Kells House, farm house, 1700–1839 · Regional interest
Description
Detached five-bay two-storey farmhouse, extant 1839, on a T-shaped plan with single-bay (single- or two-bay deep) two-storey double-pile central return (west). Hipped slate roof on a T-shaped plan centred on pitched double-pile (M-profile) slate roof (west), clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stacks having stepped capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta octagonal pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered red brick header bond eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered rendered walls; rendered slate hung surface finish to side (south) elevation. Square-headed central door opening with cut-limestone threshold, and concealed dressings framing timber panelled double doors having overlight. Square-headed window openings with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and concealed dressings framing one-over-one timber sash windows having exposed sash boxes. Set in landscaped grounds with piers to perimeter having shallow pyramidal capping supporting wrought iron "farm gate".
- Bridge, 1765–1785 · Regional interest
Description
Five-arch rubble stone road bridge over flood plain, c.1775. Random rubble stone walls with squared rubble stone rounded coping to parapets. Series of five round arches (arranged in groups of three (north) and two (south)) with cut-limestone voussoirs, and squared rubble stone soffits having remains of render over. Sited spanning flood plain.
- Water pump, 1865–1885 · Regional interest
Description
Freestanding cast-iron waterpump, c.1875, on a corner site comprising banded cylindrical shaft with raised detailing to necking, polygonal head over having foliate detailing to spout, 'cow tail' curvilinear handle with open finial, and fluted ogee-dome capping having finial. Road fronted on a corner site.
- House, 1790–1810 · Regional interest
Description
Detached three-bay single-storey thatched cottage with dormer attic, c.1800, with entrance windbreak to left, and single-bay single-storey lower outbuilding end bay to right. Extended, c.1900, comprising two-bay two-storey end bay to left. Part reroofed, c.1950. Pitched roof with water reed thatch having rope work to ridge, rendered chimney stack having red brick saw tooth-detailed course, rendered coping, and cast-iron rainwater goods. Pitched roof to outbuilding end bay with replacement corrugated-iron, c.1950, iron ridge, and no rainwater goods. Hipped and pitched slate roof to end bay with clay ridge tiles, and no rainwater goods on rendered eaves. Painted roughcast walls over random rubble stone construction with sections of mud wall construction, and painted rendered, ruled and lined walls to windbreak. Square-headed window openings with cut-stone sills, and two-over-two timber sash windows (some having wrought iron bars) having some three-over-three timber sash windows. Square-headed door opening with glazed timber panelled door. Interior with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Set back from line of road in own grounds on a wedge-shaped site with painted fine roughcast boundary wall to perimeter of site having rendered rounded coping.
- Farm house, 1800–1839 · Regional interest
Description
Detached three-bay two-storey farmhouse, extant 1839, on a rectangular plan; three-bay two-storey rear (east) elevation. Hipped slate roof with pressed or rolled iron ridges, paired rendered central chimney stacks having concrete capping, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Fine roughcast walls. Segmental-headed central door opening approached by two cut-limestone steps with concealed dressings framing replacement timber panelled double doors having oversailing fanlight. Square-headed window openings with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six (ground floor) or three-over-six (first floor) timber sash windows without horns. Square-headed window openings to rear (east) elevation centred on segmental-headed window opening (first floor), drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six timber sash windows without horns centred on six-over-six timber sash window without horn having fanlight. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters. Set in landscaped grounds with fine roughcast piers to perimeter having shallow pyramidal capping supporting flat iron double gates.
- Kells Lodge, farm house, 1740–1760 · Regional interest
Description
Detached five-bay two-storey farmhouse, c.1750, on an L-shaped plan possibly originally thatched with single-bay single-storey end bay to right, and two-bay single-storey return to south. Renovated, c.1900, with single-bay single-storey gabled projecting porch added. Refenestrated. Now in use as guesthouse. Pitched slate roofs (gabled to porch) with clay ridge tiles, red brick Running bond chimney stack having stringcourse, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves. Unpainted roughcast lime rendered walls over random rubble limestone construction. Square-headed window openings with no sills, concealed red brick dressings with some having rubble limestone voussoirs, and replacement uPVC casement windows retaining one two-over-two timber sash window having wrought iron bars. Round-headed door opening with replacement tongue-and-groove timber panelled door having overlight. Set back from road in own grounds. (ii) Detached five-bay single-storey stable outbuilding with half-attic, pre-1840, to south. Reroofed. Pitched roof with replacement corrugated-iron, iron ridge, and iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves. Part painted lime rendered walls over random rubble limestone construction. Square-headed window openings with no sills, timber lintels, and timber fittings. Square-headed door openings with timber lintels, and timber boarded doors having some timber boarded half-doors. (iii) Detached four-bay single-storey stable outbuilding, pre-1840, to south. Pitched slate roof with clay ridge tiles, and iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves. Painted (limewashed) random rubble limestone walls. Square-headed door openings with timber lintels, and timber boarded half-doors.
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, landslides, flooding
- Radon
- At the centre of the townland of Kells, 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 Kells.
- 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.
Homes sold
Property Price Register
No address of the register names Kells with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Kilkenny.
The townland
- Name
- Kells · Ceanannas
- Area
- 2,555,694 m² (255.57 ha, 631.53 acres)
- Civil parish
- Kells, and its townlands
- Barony
- Kells
- Electoral division
- Kells, the unit of the census
- Census 2022
- 681 people lived in 230 households in the Kells electoral division. 85% of households owned their home. 40% of homes were built since 2001. 9% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 3% were holiday homes.
- Neighbouring townlands
- Barronsknock, Garrynamann Lower, Glebe, Goodwinsgarden, Haggard, Kellsborough, Kilree, Laghtbrack, Rathduff (Madden), Rathduff Upper
- Placenames
- Kells 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.