Newtown

1,756 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Newtown, from 0 m² to 55,070 m² (5.51 ha, 13.61 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 114 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.

• R2Existing Residential (Existing residential)
  Limerick Development Plan 2022-2028, Limerick · 1,571 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R1New Residential (New/proposed residential)
  Limerick Development Plan 2022-2028, Limerick · 53 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G5Open Space and Recreation (Mixed/general 'green'/recreation/conservation, other)
  Limerick Development Plan 2022-2028, Limerick · 30 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• S5Education and Community Facilities (Mixed/general community services/facilities uses)
  Limerick Development Plan 2022-2028, Limerick · 14 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• M3Local Centre (District, neighbourhood centre)
  Limerick Development Plan 2022-2028, Limerick · 4 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G3Special Control Area (Conservation, amenity or buffer space, corridor/belt, landscape)
  Limerick Development Plan 2022-2028, Limerick · 2 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• P1Agriculture
  Limerick Development Plan 2022-2028, Limerick · 2 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

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

The national planning file did not answer. Try again later.

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 Newtown.

Recorded monuments

• LI005-111 Excavation - miscellaneous
  Description

  On gently undulating former flat pasture in advance of the construction of the Kylemore Housing estate. Other contemporary prehistoric archaeological sites have been discovered on the Limerick Southern Ring Road that forms the SE boundary of the site (Bermingham et al. 2013), such as a cremation pit (LI006-092005-) 600m to NE and a fulacht fia (LI005-105----) 300m to SW. The archaeological excavations in Newtown were carried out by Linda Lynch (2008) under licence No. 07E0934 across 5 areas (overall dims. 75m E-W X 100m N-S). The results of the excavations recorded numerous features which included ‘a large spread of pits, post-holes, stake-holes and cremation burials. These were excavated at the end of 2007 (www.excavations.ie 2007 Site No. 1099; Lynch 2010, 290). The pits and post-/stake-holes were particularly concentrated in one area, with outliers of human cremation burials/spreads and a hearth with associated stake-holes. The latter appears to represent the repeated use of a spit over the fire. Another possible hearth, with associated stake -holes, was located near the centre of the main concentration of pits and post-holes. Only one structure was identified within these features. This was a five -post structure, with four post-holes forming a square plan with a fifth post-hole centrally placed. The plan of the structure was very regular, with the corner post-holes located between 2.4m and 2.5m from each other. A number of the pits had stake-holes in the bases or immediately adjacent to them, suggesting the possible use of marker-posts. Indeed, no definite structure could be determined from the large post-pits that were excavated, which suggests that these may also have functioned as marker-posts. No finds were recovered from any of the features. Flecks of cremated bone were found in a number of pits’ (www.excavations.ie 2008 Site No. 765; Lynch 2011, 226). A single ‘pit contained a relatively significant amount of immediately identifiable human cremated bone. A number of features were found to truncate others. This, in conjunction with the repeated use of spits over fires, indicates that the site had a certain longevity. However, as yet it is not possible to determine what features are contemporary and whether the site was in use over one long phase or intermittently over a much longer period. Indeed the function(s) of the site may have changed also over time’. Further analysis of the cremated human bone and charcoal are anticipated. Compiled by: Edmond O'Donovan Date of upload: 21 July 2020

• LI006-034 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  On level pasture within the grounds of Monaleen GAA Club at Peafield 130m SW of the M7 motorway. Depicted on the 1840 ed. OS 6-inch map as a circular enclosure 50m N of its actual location. Described in 1840 as 'Lisheen Fort' consisting of a 'small circular fort, about 150 links [30m] in diameter. It is partly defaced by cultivation' (OSNB Kilmurry Parish, 1165). The site description is based upon the 1897 OS 25-inch map and aerial photography, site consists of a circular shaped area (approx. int. diam. 30m) enclosed by a bank and external fosse overgrown with trees and scrub (external diam. 46m) with entrance gap at SSE. The S and W sides of the monument have been incorporated into historic and modern field boundaries. Monument visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 22/09/2007 as a tree-covered earthwork with an access road into the GAA club grounds located to the immediate E and N of the monument. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 22 July 2020

• LI006-086 Hut site
  Description

  Hut sites stood on dry sandy soil on the leeward side of a low hill that were excavated prior to the construction of the section of the M7 known as the Limerick Southern Ring Road. Two fulacht fia (LI006-087001----/-087002-) lie 150m to the east. Initially identified as a scatter of flint and numerous pits in fields 24/25 during the archaeological testing and monitoring of the Limerick Southern Ring Road by Tony Cummins (Cummins 2001). Two hut sites described as Newtown B was excavated under Licence No. 01E0056 ext. by Avril Hayes, the results were summarised as following; 'a circular hut site (diam. 7m) composed of post- and stake-holes, a cluster of stake-holes and a curvilinear feature, all of which had been truncated by a series of ridges and furrows. All of the features were overlain by topsoil and were cut into the natural subsoil. A number of isolated features were excavated in the same field.’ (www.excavations.ie 2001:788 ; Hayes 2001) Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date upload: 15 June 2020

• LI006-087001 Fulacht fia
  Description

  Fulacht fia that was excavated prior to the construction of the section of the M7 known as the Limerick Southern Ring Road. Identified during the archaeological monitoring of the Limerick Southern Ring Road. Hut site (LI006-086----) 150m to the west, fulacht fia (LI006-087002----) c.20m to the east (Hayes 2001). Described as Newtown D, the fulacht fia was excavated under Licence No. 01E0056ext. by Avril Hayes, the results were summarised as following; ‘It consisted of a moderately loose dark blackish brown sandy silt composed mainly of angular fragments of burnt stone. The deposit measured 15.5m east–west by 18.4m and was 0.4m in depth. The uppermost fulacht fiadh material was heavily disturbed and was dragged across the site. It was cut by two furrows. A large pit was located under the fulacht fiadh material to the north of the western example. It was subcircular in shape and contained four fills. It measured 5.6m by 4.5m and was 2m deep. This pit may have been the area in which the trough was located. The basal fill consisted of a series of randomly arranged planks and branches which may have formed the lining of the trough but which were subsequently obscured by a dump of material and collapse from the side of the pit. Fragments of animal bone were recovered from the basal fill.’ (www.excavations.ie 2001:788; Hayes 2001, 83). Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 15 June 2020

• LI006-087002 Fulacht fia
  Description

  Fulacht fia that was excavated prior to the construction of the section of the M7 known as the Limerick Southern Ring Road. Identified as a fulacht fia during archaeological testing and monitoring of the Limerick Southern Ring Road. Hut site (LI006-086----) 150m to the west, fulacht fia (LI006-087001----) c. 20m to the west (Hayes 2001). Excavated in 2001 under Licence No. 01E0056 ext. by Avril Hayes, the monument consisted of a low mound of fulacht material (dims. 18.4m N-S 15.5m E-W, D 0.4m), and continued beyond the line of the road to the south (www.excavations.ie 2001:788; Hayes 2001, 83). Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 15 June 2020

• LI006-092001 Enclosure
  Description

  Enclosure (Newtown E) excavated prior to the construction of the M7 National Road. Archaeological material initially identified during test trenching carried out under Licence No. 00E0853 in advance of the Limerick Southern Ring-Road Project (Hayes 2000). The results of the testing recorded numerous features and ‘surface finds of Bronze Age funerary pottery and a fragment of an Early Christian glass armlet’ (www.excavations.ie 2001:787; Hayes 2001, 241). Excavations in 2001 by Frank Coyne under Licence No. 01E0214 revealed the remains of a sub-rectangular enclosure, 25m west of a second enclosure (LI006-092006-), 2 hut sites (LI006-092003-/-092004-), Cremation pit (LI006-092005-) and other miscellaneous features (LI006-092002-)(www.excavations.ie 2001:79; Coyne 2003, 242, Coyne 2001). The results of the excavated enclosure listed as Newtown E, were summarised as following; 'part of a sub-rectangular enclosure, defined by an L-shaped ditch in the north and west (Dims. 15.5 N-S x 27.3m E-W, D. 1.32m), disturbance by machine activity and a field boundary in the east; it was not fully excavated as it continued beyond the line of the road to the south' (Coyne 2001, 115). Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 16 June 2020

• LI006-092002 Excavation - miscellaneous
  Description

  Miscellaneous features excavated prior to the construction of the M7 National Road. An area initially identified in field 8 during archaeological test trenching carried out under Licence No. 00E0853 in advance of the Limerick Southern Ring-Road Project (www.excavations.ie 2001:787; Hayes 2003, 241; Hayes 2000). Located adjacent to an enclosure (LI006-092001-), a second enclosure (LI006-092006-), 2 hut sites (LI006-092003-/-092004-) and a cremation pit (LI006-092005-). The site was excavated by Frank Coyne under Licence No. 01E0214, the results were summarised as follows: ‘A number of burnt features uncovered at this site have been tentatively associated with the Bronze Age horizon. A deposit of burnt mound material, probably the remains of a fulacht fiadh, had been cut through by a ditch feature. This ditch may be associated with the early medieval occupation of the site (see below). The function of this burnt mound material, however, is unclear as it appears to have been contained within a deep pit, as the level of fire-cracked stone extended below the base of the ditch cut. A nearby fill of burnt mound material in a large pit produced sherds of pottery, probably of Bronze Age date. A cluster of round pits was also recorded to the east of the main area of activity. These averaged 1m in diameter and attained a depth of up to 0.5m. It has been suggested that these enigmatic features may be roasting-pits. It is not clear at this stage to which phase these features belong’ (www.excavations.ie 2001:791, Coyne 2001). Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 16 June 2020

• LI006-092003 Hut site
  Description

  Hut site excavated prior to the construction of the M7 National Road. An area initially identified in field 8 during archaeological test trenching carried out under licence no. 00E0853 in advance of the Limerick Southern Ring-Road Project (www.excavations.ie 2001:787, Hayes 2000). Located adjacent to an enclosure (LI006-092001-), hut site (LI006-092004-), cremation pit (LI006-092005-) and second enclosure (LI006-092006-). Described as Structure A the site was excavated by Frank Coyne under Licence No. 01E0214, the results were summarised as follows: ‘Two structures were excavated to the north of the cremation pits. Both were composed of a combination of post-holes and slot-trenches. The more coherent of the two, Structure A, was rectangular or U-shaped in plan and measured 8m north-east/south-west by 5m. A hearth-like feature was identified in the interior, while a pit, also in the interior, produced fragments of pottery believed to be Bronze Age coarse ware. A large number of stake-holes in the interior may be evidence of a movable screen (www.excavations.ie 2001:791, Coyne 2003, 242). Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 16 June 2020

• LI006-092004 Hut site
  Description

  Hut Site excavated prior to the construction of the M7 National Road. An area initially identified in field 8 during archaeological test trenching carried out under licence no. 00E0853 in advance of the Limerick Southern Ring-Road Project (www.excavations.ie 2001:787; Hayes 2003, 241). Located adjacent to an enclosure (LI006-092001-), hut site (LI006-092003-), cremation pit (LI006-092005-), enclosure (LI006-092006-) and miscellaneous features (LI006-092002-). The site was excavated by Frank Coyne under Licence No. 01E0214, the results were summarised as follows: ‘ This site, Structure B, again consisted of a combination of post-holes and slot-trench. It measured 8m north-west/south-east and was at least 3.5m wide. It also had a U-shaped or rectangular plan’ (www.excavations.ie 2001:791, Coyne 2003, 242). Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 16 June 2020

• LI006-092005 Cremation pit
  Description

  Cremation pit excavated prior to the construction of the M7 National Road. An area initially identified in field 8 during archaeological test trenching carried out under licence no. 00E0853 in advance of the Limerick Southern Ring-Road Project (Hayes 2001). Located adjacent to 2 Enclosures (LI006-092001-/-092006-), 2 hut sites (LI006-092003-/-092004-), Cremation pit (LI006-092005-), and other miscellaneous features (LI006-092002-). The results of the testing recorded finds of Bronze Age funerary pottery and a fragment of an Early Christian glass armlet (www.excavations.ie 2001:787; Hayes 2000, Hayes 2003, 241). The cremation was located in the south east quadrant of the enclosure (LI006-092006-) and excavated by Frank Coyne under Licence No. 01E0214, the results were summarised as following; ‘The first phase is centred around an early Bronze Age cemetery. Fragments of at least seven funerary pots were recovered, including one almost complete example of a vase urn. A quantity of cremated bone was also associated with these pots, which contained the remains of at least three individuals, two adults and a child (Linda Lynch, osteoarchaeologist, pers. comm.). No grave-goods were associated with these vessels’ (www.excavations.ie 2001:79; Coyne 2003, 242). Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 16 June 2020

• LI006-092006 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Enclosure excavated prior to the construction of the M7 National Road. Archaeological material initially identified during test trenching carried out under Licence No. 00E0853 in advance of the Limerick Southern Ring-Road Project (Hayes 2000). The results of the testing recorded numerous features and ‘surface finds of Bronze Age funerary pottery and a fragment of an Early Christian glass armlet’ (www.excavations.ie 2001:787; Hayes 2003 241). Excavations in 2001 by Frank Coyne under Licence No. 01E0214 revealed the subtriangular enclosure, 25m east of another enclosure (LI006-092001-), 2 hut sites (LI006-092003-/-092004-), Cremation pit (LI006-092005-) and other miscellaneous features (LI006-092002-). Described as Newtown A, the results of the excavation were summarized as following; ‘The largest feature of this site was a large subtriangular enclosure, with a 5m-wide causewayed entrance to the east. The ditch was V-shaped in profile and averaged 3m in width. It was surrounded from east to north by a shallow trench, identified as a palisade trench, which averaged 0.5m in width. All features in the interior were uncovered immediately below the topsoil, and very little stratigraphy was in evidence. No bank was discovered, and it is likely that it was backfilled into the ditch. This enclosure has maximum dimensions of 40m north–south by 50m. A series of post-holes and a slot-trench around the causeway may represent an entrance feature, such as a wooden gate or tower. This ditch enclosed a large figure-of-eight structure, measuring 10m north–south by 9m, with a probable entrance opening to the east. This structure was of slot-trench construction, with a cluster of internal post-holes in the southern side. An iron knife, hone stones and part of a blue glass armlet were recovered from the slot-trench. Similar glass armlets have been found at Irish high-status sites such as Lagore crannog, as well as Carraig Áille, Lough Gur, Co. Limerick. Two glass beads were recovered from pits in the interior of the house, the more impressive of the two being a green glass example with herringbone decoration in yellow paste or enamel. This bead is similar to one recovered at Reask, Co. Kerry. This type of bead appears to be of Irish manufacture and may date from the second half of the first millennium AD. However, in the northern portion of the slot-trench the top of a human skull, a thumbnail flint scraper and animal teeth were recovered. Several modern drainage features were also excavated within the enclosure, as well as several pits, which did not contain any diagnostic artefacts or charcoal. A second circular structure, 5m in diameter, of slot-trench construction, was also excavated to the north of the figure-of-eight house. It did not produce any artefacts or charcoal, so it is unclear to which phase of activity this belongs’ (www.excavations.ie 2001:79; Coyne 2001, 242). Radiocarbon dates indicate that the main activity dates from the 8th to 10th century; ‘A charcoal sample from the slot-trench of the figure-of-eight house yielded a date of AD 700-1015 (Beta 182313), while a post-hole containing a hone stone produced a date of AD795-1280 (Beta 182314). Charcoal from the basal fill of the ditch was dated to AD 795-1030 (Beta 182317), while an upper fill, probably dating from the final levelling of the site, produced a date of AD 1010-1300 (Beta 182323)’ (Coyne and Collins 2003, 19). The sub-triangular shape of this monument is similar in morphology to the ringfort (LI012-056----) in the townland of Islandduane, Co. Limerick. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 16 June 2020

• LI006-096 Fulacht fia
  Description

  Fulacht fia that was excavated prior to the construction of the section of the M7 known as the Limerick Southern Ring Road. A multi period site (LI006-092----) lies c. 127m to the west. Identified during the archaeological monitoring of topsoil stripping and described ‘as a spread of burnt soil, shattered stone and charcoal c. 20m in diameter in the centre of the road take’ (Connolly 2001). The site was excavated by Michael Connolly under Licence No. 01E0406 and the results were summarised as following; ‘Excavation showed that the burnt spread represented the remains of a crescentic mound of burnt material surrounding a natural depression, which appears to have been used as the trough. A shallow, circular area of fire-reddened subsoil, 2.5m in diameter, was excavated 3.6m south-west of the main burnt spread. An arrangement of four post-holes was excavated around the fire-reddened spread, and an argument could be made concerning their possible function as the supports for a cooking-spit over the fire. No artefacts were recovered from the site.’ (www.excavations.ie 2001:790; Connolly 2003, 241). Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 16 June 2020

Architectural heritage

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

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 Newtown, about 1 in 10 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. Parts of the land are made ground.

Terrain model

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_1021 (ZIP).

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 Newtown with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Limerick.

Name

Newtown · An Baile Nua

Area

1,850,616 m² (185.06 ha, 457.3 acres)

Civil parish

Kilmurray, and its townlands

Barony

Clanwilliam

Electoral division

Ballysimon, the unit of the census

Census 2022

16,540 people lived in 5,566 households in the Ballysimon electoral division. 59% of households owned their home. 52% of homes were built since 2001. 4% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballyclogh, Ballysimon, Kilbane, Killonan, Milltown, Newcastle, Peafield, Rivers

Placenames

Newtown 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.