Grassyard

Area

6,862 m² (0.69 ha, 1.7 acres)

Buildings

No building touches it.

Zoning

C6 Industrial/Commercial/Warehousing (LONGFORD COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021-2027) The objective
R2 Residential (LONGFORD COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021-2027) The objective

Townland

Grassyard

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 10 recorded monuments.

• LF010-055 Historic town
  Description

  In rolling pasture. The Granard area was granted to Hugh de Lacy by King Henry II in 1172 as part of his lordship of Meath (Mills and McEnery 1916, 177). It was subsequently granted to Richard de Tuit who built a motte and bailey castle (LF010-080001-) in 1199 (Orpen 1911, 20, ii, 89; ALC; AI). The borough may have been established shortly after the foundation of the motte but the earliest direct reference to its existence is a late-14th-century reference to the burgage lands of the vill of Granard (Otway-Ruthven 1968b, 411 no. 51). After de Tuit died in 1211 it was returned to Walter de Lacy (Cal. doc. Ire., 95). When he died in 1241 Granard passed into the hands of absentee landlords (Otway-Ruthven 1968b, 410-11). This area was ravaged by the forces of Edward Bruce during his invasion of 1315-18 (Ann. Conn., sub 1315). This event, combined with the inability of the de Verdons to produce a male heir, natural hardships and the calamities of the early 14th century probably presaged the decline of the borough. The area passed into the control of the Gaelic Irish Uí Ferghail sept in the 15th century. The leader of one branch, William Ó Fearghail, built a castle (LF010-080004-) in 1405 (Ó hInnse 1947, 175). A native Irish market developed in the 15th century (Stat. Ire. 12-22 Edw. IV, 819-21). Irish control lasted until the 1580s when the manor of Granard was leased first to Roger Radford and then, after the end of the Nine Years War, to Sir Francis Shane (Nicholls 1994, vol. 2, 746; Morrin 1862, 251; Pat. rolls Ire., Jas I, 489-500). Urban development proper at Granard only began with a series of grants to Francis Aungier, baron of Longford in 1608 and 1620 (Cal. pat. rolls Ire., Jas I, 348, 452). The existing streetscape has a linear street plan and consists of two streets: Main Street and Barrack Street. About halfway along its length Main Street broadens, indicating that it functioned as the market place. No upstanding remains predating the 18th century are evident within the town, apart from St Patrick's (C of I) church (LF010-055001-), which may date to the 17th century (Bradley et al. 1985, 19-20). The precise location of the Anglo-Norman borough has not been identified. It was believed that it was located in Granardkill (see LF010-078001-) but archaeological research excavations carried out here between 2002 and 2004 indicated that these remains probably date to the late 16th and 17th centuries. No evidence to support an Anglo-Norman date for the settlement was recovered (O’Conor and Dillon 2002, 123; O’Conor 2006, 319; pers. comm. K. O’Conor). It is now thought that the borough was sited close to the W of the motte and bailey (LF010-080001-), in Moatfield, at the SW end of the 17th-century town (O’Conor and de Meulemeester 2007, 91; pers. comm. K. O’Conor). Archaeological test excavations carried out in 1999, c. 45m to the ESE of the motte and bailey, yielded no archaeological features, finds or deposits (Delaney 2000, 181). Likewise, nothing of archaeological significance was found during monitoring of ground disturbance on Main Street in 2004 and 2005 (Finn 2007, 251; 2008, 252) and in test excavations at the old schoolhouse at the SW end of the town, off Church Street (Delaney 2008, 252). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 September 2013

• LF010-055001 Church
  Description

  Off the top of a low but prominent hill at the SW end of Granard town (LF010-055----) and 100m to the N of the motte and bailey (LF010-080001-). Granted to St Patrick by Coirpre’s sons (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 386). During the Anglo-Norman period Richard de Tuite and his heirs were patrons of the parish church at Granard, which was known in 1401 as 'St Patrick's’ (Cal. papal letters 1904, vol. 5, 350) but by 1410 the dedication had changed and it was known as ‘the church of St. Mary alias St. Patrick, Granard’ (Cal. papal letters 1904, vol. 6, 234). Its precise location has not been identified. The present church (C of I), dedicated to St Patrick, may have been built on or close to its site. This church may incorporate an earlier church that was ‘coveval with the seventeenth refoundation of the town (Bradley et al. 1985, 19-20). Alternatively, the medieval parish church may have been located in Granardkille – see LF010-078002-. (Casey and Rowan 1993, 306) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 4 June 2013

• LF010-055002 Graveyard
  Description

  Associated with a church (LF010-055001-), which lies in its N half. This subrectangular graveyard (71m N-S; 70m E-W) is enclosed by a stone wall. Access is via a wrought-iron gate in the SE corner. Memorials date to the 18th and 19th centuries. Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan, Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 4 June 2013

• LF010-056 Castle - ringwork
  Description

  At the SE end of a hillock, surrounded by marshy wet terrain from E-S-W, c. 90m to the S of the properties facing onto the main street of the medieval borough of Granard (LF010-055----) and 500m E of the motte and bailey (LF010-080001-) and possible medieval church (LF010-055001-). A raised almost circular area (c. 50m E-W; c. 48m N-S; H 1-1.8m) enclosed from SE-SSE-S and from SW-W-N by a bank of earth and stone (Wth 3m; H 0.2-1.8m) and elsewhere defined by a scarp (H 1 1.8m). The remains of a berm (Wth 6m; D 0.15m) from SW-W appear to indicate that the hillock was cut into and levelled to create the raised platform. There is no evidence of any enclosing fosse or of the original entrance. A livestock gap is visible in the S half. The wetland siting of this monument is atypical of a ringfort. Its location in the centre of the possible medieval borough suggests that it may be the site of an Anglo-Norman manor house or the fortified residence of a high-status family of the borough. However, it is very similar morphologically to the excavated ringfort (RO022-114003-) and tower house (LF022-114011-) at Tulsk, county Roscommon (Brady 2011, 309-10). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 28 March 2012

• LF010-080001 Castle - motte and bailey
  Description

  National Monument No. 263. On top of a hill in pasture with impressive panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and overlooking the historic town of Granard (LF010-055----) c. 220m to the NE. Built within a hillfort (LF010-080002-) (Bradley et al. 1985, 18), it was constructed by Richard de Tuit in 1199 in order to suppress the O'Reilly's of S Breffny and as a frontier castle on the NW border of the Anglo-Norman lordship of Meath (Orpen 1911, vol. 2, 90, 128). In 1210 King John stayed here during his campaign against Hugh de Lacy (Orpen ibid., 262; Bradley et al. 1985, 15). It is the most likely location of the inauguration site (LF010-080003-) of the O'Farrells (Bán) (Bradley et al. ibid., 16; Fitzpatrick 2004, 21-2). The monument comprises a high, subcircular, steep-sided mound (H c. 9-11m; dims. at base c. 50m ENE-WSW; c. 40m NNW-SSE) with a large D-shaped bailey (c. 150m ENE-WSW; c. 50m NNW-SSE) adjoining it from ESE-S-WSW; there is no fosse separating them. Upon the relatively level summit (27m NNW-SSE; 22m ENE-WSW), which is c. 4m above the level of the bailey, are an OS trigonometrical station and a statue of St Patrick, erected in June 1932. The ‘foundations of a shell wall round the top of the motte, and of a small round tower in the centre’ were noted in the early 20th century (Armitage 1912, 338-9): there is no visible trace of any of these features. A grotto was built into the N side of the monument in 1925 in the course of which a large quantity of stone was removed (using explosives) (SMR file). From WSW-N-ENE the base of the motte is encircled by a wide, deep, steep-sided, rock-cut fosse (Wth 10.5m; D 3.5m) with a wide, high, steep-sided external bank (Wth 8m; H 2.9m). The bailey is defined by the remains of an inner bank of earth and stone, a wide, deep, intervening fosse (Wth c. 12m) and a wide, high outer bank (Wth c. 10m; H c. 2m). The fragmentary remains of a later castle (LF010-080004-) are visible in the SE face of the motte. A medieval church (LF010-055001-) and graveyard (LF010-055002-) lie c. 100m to the N. (Westropp 1904, 323-4; Kearney 1969, 18-23; English 1971, 152; O'Donovan 2003, 31; Burns and Grier 2002, 144-5) Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan Date of upload: 17 April 2012

• LF010-080002 Hillfort
  Description

  National Monument No. 263. On a prominent hill c. 200m to the SW of Granard town (LF010-055----). The summit of the hill is occupied by a motte and bailey (LF010-080001-). It has been suggested that the latter may have been constructed within a much-larger, pre-existing enclosure, perhaps a hillfort or monastic enclosure (Bradley et al. 1985, 18; K. O’Conor pers. comm.). The enclosure, a large oval-shaped area (c. 220m NNW–SSE; c. 170m ENE–WSW), is evident on aerial photographs (Photographic Unit, NMS) and the 1837 and 1914 editions of the OS 6-inch map. From NNW–N–SSE its footprint can be traced in the curvilinear circuit of a series of field boundaries that also serve as townland boundaries. From SSE–S–WNW it survives as a bank of earth and stone (Wth 5.9m; H 1-2.1m) at the outer edge of the fosse at the base of the bailey. It is best preserved at SW. This bank may mark the re-use of the original enclosing element by the builders of the motte and bailey. The motte at Granard was probably the inauguration site for the Ó Fearghaill Bán from the 14th to the 16th centuries (LF010-080003-). Recently described in the Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland as following; 'Possible contour fort positioned on the summit of prominent hill, overlooking Granard town and River Rhine. Summit of hill is occupied by a Medieval motte and bailey castle. The hillfort surrounds these later features and has a total site foot print of 1.8ha. Univallate for the entire circuit with a possible out-turned entrance to the NW. The later features on the hilltop are likely to have destroyed or masked features that may be contemporary with the hillfort. Rampart survives well at SW. The majority of the enclosing elements are incorporated into curvilinear field systems to the N, E and S. The interior is under pasture. Forestry abuts the enclosing elements to the N. First map depiction in first edition Ordnance Survey mapping. More detailed earthwork survey in second edition Ordnance Survey maps. The enclosing elements might relate to a Medieval motte and bailey castle and outworks, although the enclosed area is much bigger than an average monument of this type. Hillfort located in townland of Moatfield. The enclosing elements at the N and NE form the townland boundary between Moatfield and Granard. Rathcronan townland abuts the enclosing elements to the E. S and SE sections of enclosing features act as the townland boundary between Moatfield and Teemore. Medieval motte and bailey castle. This has largely disturbed the interior of the earlier hillfort. No visible surface features contemporary with the hillfort.' (http://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/IR0688.html) Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 6 February 2020

• LF010-080003 Inauguration site
  Description

  National Monument No. 263. The motte and bailey (LF010-080001-) is almost certainly the location of the inauguration place of O’Farrall clan (Bradley et al. 1985, 16; FitzPatrick 2004, 209). In 1475 Seán Ó Fearghail, Chief of Annaly, died here immediately after his inauguration feast and he was subsequently buried at the Cistercian abbey (LF011-036001-) in Abbeylara (Farrell 1891, 24). In 1489 the Lord Justice of Ireland divided the chieftainship of Annaly between the sons of Seán and the sons of Cathal (Farrell 1891, 24). Following the division of the sept and lands c. 1516, the O’Farralls (Bán) held the lordship of N Annaly, an area corresponding to the N and E of the modern county Longford (FitzPatrick 2004, 209), and retained the motte and bailey, Ráith Granaird (Granard), as their inauguration site. (Westropp 1904, 323-4; Kearney 1969, 18-23; English 1971, 152; Anon. 2002b, 144-5) Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan, Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 April 2012

• LF010-080004 Castle - unclassified
  Description

  National Monument No. 263. William Ó Fearghail (O’Farrell) is recorded as having built a ‘castle’ at Granard in 1405 (Ó hInnse 1947, 175). This castle was taken by English forces in 1420 who soon after abandoned it. The annals note that O’Farrell ‘demolished it for fear of their occupying it again’ (Ann. Conn., 455). A castle at Granard is mentioned in grants to Francis Shane in 1593 (Cal. pat. rolls Ire., Eliz.) and in 1608 (Pat. rolls Ire., Jas I, 499-500), and this is probably the same castle that is noted in the list of lands surrendered to the Crown in 1619 (ibid., 452). An early 17th-century map of Granard barony (BL, Cotton MS Augustus I.i.47) depicts a castle standing on top of the hill at Granard in the area where the motte and bailey (LF010-080001-) are located. Some remains clearly survived into the 19th century as O’Donovan records: that ‘It is said that this moat was opened about fifty years ago, and that the arched vaults of a castle were found within it, built of beautiful square stones, which were well cemented with lime and sand mortar’ (AFM vol. 3, 388-9). The grass-covered remains of this castle can still be seen at the base of the SE side of the motte where a short stretch of walling, 2–3 courses high, has been recorded (Bradley et al. 1985, 18). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 April 2012

• LF010-132 Excavation - miscellaneous
  Description

  Circa 32m to the SE of a hilltop enclosure (LF010-080----). An extensive programme of archaeological trenching undertaken in 2006, in advance of a large housing development at Granard, revealed a series of three possible post-holes contained within an area 2m x 2m. Two of the post-holes (diam. 0.2m and 0.45m) were suboval in plan and one (diam. 0.13m) was subcircular. All were filled with homogenous mid-brown silty clay clearly discernible from the surrounding boulder clay. No dating material was obtained (Moore and Kiernan 2007, 34; Moore 2010, 304). Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan Date of upload: 25 February 2013

• LF010-138 Battlefield
  Description

  The Battle of Granard took place on 5th September, 1798, the same day that the French Army was attacked at Collooney, Co. Sligo. The battlefield site is located in and around the town of Granard, Co. Longford. The town is well established on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey maps, with churches, schools, a police barracks, post office and a dispensary.

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

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

Landslides

Susceptibility low, on the 1:50,000 map.

Terrain model

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

Flooding

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

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

Download this parcel: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its neighbours and buildings, for a drawing program; GeoJSON, in WGS 84, for a map; KML, for 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.