Baurstookeen

19 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Baurstookeen, from 21 m² to 73,115 m² (7.31 ha, 18.07 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 8 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings; GeoJSON or KML.

• G1Amenity (Open space, park)
  Tipperary County Development Plan 2022_2028 Settlement Plans, Tipperary · 2 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• S5Social and Public (Mixed/general community services/facilities uses)
  Tipperary County Development Plan 2022_2028 Settlement Plans, Tipperary · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

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

• 24 Sept 2025Conditional

  the change of use from café/commercial use to residential use at ground floor and comprises a three bedroom apartment, alterations to front and rear ground floor elevations and ancillary related works

  Retention · Tipperary County Council, 2560955

• 17 Sept 2025N/a

  change of use from Café/Commercial Use to Residential Use at ground floor and comprises a three bedroom apartment, alterations to front and rear ground floor elevations and ancillary related works

  Retention · Tipperary County Council, 2560918

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

Designated sites

• Special Area of Conservation: Lower River Suir SAC 002137

Recorded monuments

• TS060-097001 Castle - tower house
  Description

  On the N side of Golden bridge where it crosses a small island in the middle of the River Suir, at the SW end of the village. The present tower house was erected in the late 15th/early 16th century, probably as a Butler stronghold to guard the pass over the River Suir. Barry (1977, 147) suggests that an earlier 12th-14th century stone castle may have occupied this location, however, archaeological excavations in 2003 and 2004 revealed the walls of a substantial 13th/14th building (TS060-097014-) 100m to the E, immediately S of the bridge, which is probably the early castle (Moran 2006, 466-7; 2007, 410). The Civil Survey (1654-6) lists ‘James Earle of Ormond’ as proprietor of ‘Goulden’ in 1640 and describes ‘Upon this lands stands a castle with a bridge uppon a pass’ (Simington 1934, vol. 2, 7). During the Rising of 1641 over 120 men, women and children were beseiged in the tower house for 11 weeks (TCD, 1641 Depositions). This is a four storey circular tower house (int. diam. 6.2m; wall T 1.85m) composed of roughly coursed limestone rubble. The tower house was still intact in 1840, the OS Letters describing it as ‘a round castle or tower about sixteen feet [4.87m] in diameter on the inside and one hundred feet [30.48m] in circumference at the base on the outside. It is about fifty feet [15.24m] high and had three floors, the uppermost of which rested on a stone arch still remaining’ (O’Flanagan 1930, vol. 1, 83 (221). Currently only the eastern half survives, including the ground to first-floor spiral stairs and portions of the second and third floors. The ground floor appears to have been vaulted. There are two cut-limestone circular gun-ports facing E and SE respectively, one of which looks out from the stairwell, and two arrow loops facing E and NE. There is a single-light ogee-headed window at third-floor level. The base of the parapet is defined by a string-course with drainage holes above. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 18 February 2013

• TS060-097002 Bridge
  Description

  Crossing the River Suir at the SW end of Golden village, this bridge continues across a small island in the river where a tower house (TS060-097001-) is located on its N side. The Civil Survey (1654-6) refers to ‘Goulden’ and describes how ‘Upon this lands stands a castle with a bridge uppon a pass’ (Simington 1934, vol. 2, 7). It is likely that much of the fabric of this bridge dates from the 15th or 16th century, though it was modified in the second half of the 18th century. An eleven arch bridge (L 82m; Wth 6m; parapet T 0.45m, H above bridge surface 1.1m) built of limestone rubble, roughly coursed, runs NE-SW for most of its length, making up six arches, then angles and broadens slightly, continuing due NW, making up five arches. Eight of the arches are four-centred and three are smaller round-headed arches, the latter in the over-flow channels at the centre and both ends. The narrow channel at the NE end of the bridge was used for the tail-race from a flour mill which is indicated on the 1st (1840) ed. 6-inch OS map 54m to the N. On the underside of each of the larger spans are corbels, on both sides of the arch, which supported the formwork for the arch construction. There are nine dressed stone cut-waters, triangular in plan, on its NW side. The caps of each of the cut-waters are rendered with concrete, as are the soffits of the arch spans. There are also a number of rectangular drain-holes in the parapet. A date-stone crudely inscribed 1761 is incorporated into the masonry of the parapet on the NW side of the bridge, near the present entrance to the tower house. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 19 February 2013

• TS060-097004 Church
  Description

  According to the OS Letters (1840) ‘The site of the original Church of Relickmurry is occupied by the modern Protestant Church at the east side of the River Suire in the Village of Golden’ (O’Flanagan 1930, vol. 1, 83 (221)). This church is located on the N side of the village and is accessed via a narrow lane from the main street. The graveyard (TS060-097009-) was traditionally known as ‘Relick Murry’ or ‘Reilig Mhuire’, which translates as Mary’s cemetery. Although this name is no longer applied to the graveyard, it is retained in the parish name. The Civil Survey (1654-6) describes how ‘The s[ai]d Gleabland is situated neare the Church of the sayd Parish fenced about with a ditch. The s[ai]d Viccar p[ro]prietor of the s[ai]d lands. It is at present wast without Imp[ro]vement’ (Simington 1934, vol. 2, 365). Within the graveyard three architectural fragments were noted which are probably from the medieval church, viz. a piece of cusped window tracery, a mullion and a portion of a rectangular window head (Farrelly and FitzPatrick 1993, 107-8). Also within the graveyard are two 13th/14th-century graveslabs (TS060-097017- and TS060-097018-). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 12 June 2013

• TS060-097005 Water mill - unclassified
  Description

  A 'Flour Mills' on a mill race with a 'Mill Pond' is depicted on the 1st (1840) ed. 6-inch OS map on the E side of the River Suir, N of the bridge at Golden. On the 1903-04 6-inch OS map the mill is depicted as 'Mill (Disused)' and it was demolished in the mid 1900s. There is no evidence that this mill pre-dates the late 18th/early 19th century. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 25 February 2013

• TS060-097008 Enclosure
  Description

  N of the village of Golden (TS060-097----), on a gentle W-facing slope in meadow. The River Suir flows N-S c. 270m to the W. A sub-rectangular platform (dims. 51m N-S; 50m E-W enclosed by a bank (H above ext. 1m; H above int. 0.27m; Wth 5m) which is best preserved in the NE quadrant. Elsewhere the bank has been almost totally flattened to the extent that the perimeter of the enclosure is unclear along the W side. The interior is slightly concave at the centre. There are indications on the CUCAP aerial photograph (ATA 51, 19 July 1967) of a bank running northward for c. 200m from the NW angle of the enclosure. Local tradition indicates that this was the site of the Williamite camp for several months in 1690. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 10 December 2012 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 20/1977).

• TS060-097009 Graveyard
  Description

  A sub-rectangular graveyard (dims. 80m roughly N-S; 68m roughly E-W) on the N side of Golden village, accessed via a narrow lane from the main street. According to the OS Letters (1840) the 'original Church of Relickmurry is occupied by the modern Protestant Church' (O’Flanagan 1930, vol. 1, 83 (221)). Apart from three fragments lying in the graveyard, there is no visible trace of the medieval church (TS060-097004-) above ground (Farrelly and FitzPatrick 1993, 107-8). However, there are two 13th/14th-century graveslabs (TS060-097017- and TS060-097018-) within the graveyard. The C of I church is orientated roughly E-W in the northern portion of the graveyard. The graveyard (TS060-097009-) was traditionally known as ‘Relick Murry’ or ‘Reilig Mhuire’ which translates as Mary’s cemetery. Although this name is no longer applied to the graveyard, it is retained in the parish name. The Civil Survey (1654-6) describes how ‘The s[ai]d Gleabland is situated neare the Church of the sayd Parish fenced about with a ditch. The s[ai]d Viccar p[ro]prietor of the s[ai]d lands. It is at present wast without Imp[ro]vement’ (Simington 1934, vol. 2, 365). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 12 June 2013

• TS060-097010 Architectural fragment
  Description

  Incorporated into the N wall of the porch of the RC church in Golden N of the main street. A semi-circular base for a limestone engaged pillar (H 0.16m; Wth at top 0.105m; Wth at base 0.17m). The mouldings suggest a 15th-century date for this fragment, the original provenance of which is unknown. It could have come from the medieval church (TS060-097004-) c. 100m to the W but it is very similar to pillar bases at Athassel Abbey, c. 2km to the S and probably came from there. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 25 February 2013

• TS060-097013 Graveslab
  Description

  Within the tower house (TS060-097001-) at Golden there is a medieval limestone graveslab (L 1.1m; Wth 0.55m) of 13th/14th-century date, reused as a staircase lintel. It is decorated with an incised unfinished cross, comprising a plain shaft and the very rudimentary beginnings of what was obviously intended as a cross head. The top and bottom of the slab are obscured where they are bonded into the side walls of the staircase so that the remains of the upper part of the design of the head and the base of the cross are not discernible. There is an almost perfectly circular three-strand spiral scored over the surface of the slab at its centre and cutting across the shaft. In addition, there are six scored intersecting circles on the dexter side of the spiral. These marks most likely represent trial pieces or blue-prints for other works. It seems that the 13th/14th century graveslab was never finished and subsequently used as a mason's layout block before finally being taken by the 15th/16th century tower house builders for reused as a lintel. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

• TS060-097016 Road - road/trackway
  Description

  In a field immediately N of the medieval church (TS060-097004-) and graveyard (TS060-097009-) on the N side of the village of Golden. A curving roadway runs roughly N-S for c. 300m, running E of a millrace which supplied a late 18th/early 19th century flour mill (TS060-097005-). The roadway was identified on an aerial photograph (CUCAP 19 July 1967 ATA 51). It consists of two denuded parallel banks, 4.55m apart, with a central ridge on the road towards the northern end. The W bank (H 0.25m; overall Wth 4.8m) is generally better preserved than the E bank (H 0.2m; overall Wth 3.8m). A small single-span hump-backed bridge (L 5.4m; Wth 2.6m) crosses the millrace near the northern terminus of the roadway, suggesting that the roadway may be of late 18th/early 19th-century date and associated with the mill. (Farrelly and FitzPatrick 1993, 112-13). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 25 February 2013 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 20/1977).

• TS060-097017 Graveslab
  Description

  In the W portion of a graveyard (TS060-097009-) associated with the medieval church of Relickmurry (TS060-097004-) which is not visible at ground level. A tapering limestone graveslab (L 0.8m; Wth at top 0.37m; Wth at base 0.3; T 0.16) with a chamfered edge (Wth 0.05m) defined by a slight horizontal groove around the base of the chamfer. The smooth face of the slab is decorated with a cross of four circles, joined by semi-circles at each cardinal point. Each circle or semi-circle on the cross, cross shaft and base consists of a double incised line. The double incised cross shaft has a circular knop below the cross head and the base consists of a trefoil composed of circles. There is no visible trace of an inscription. The form and decorative style of the graveslab suggests a 13th/14th century date. Another graveslab (TS060-097018-) of similar date lies adjacent to it. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 12 June 2013

• TS060-097018 Graveslab
  Description

  In the W portion of a graveyard (TS060-097009-) associated with the medieval church of Relickmurry (TS060-097004-) which is not visible at ground level. A tapering limestone graveslab (L 1.64m; Wth at top 0.5m; Wth at base 0.32; T 0.2) with no chamfer around the edge, though it does appear to be slightly rounded. The smooth face of the slab is decorated with a three or four armed cross with simple trefoil terminals, the cross head is within an incised circle. The slab is spawled in places and the cross is quite faint. The slab is too worn to identify whether the cross head has a southern arm. The incised cross shaft terminates with a simple trefoil. There is no visible trace of an inscription. The form and decorative style of the graveslab suggests a 13th/14th century date. There is another graveslab (TS060-097017-) of similar date adjacent to it. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 12 June 2013

Architectural heritage

• Golden Church (Relickmurry and Athassel), church/chapel, 1805–1810 · Regional interest
  Description

  Freestanding Board of First Fruits style former church, built 1807-8 on site of medieval church, now in use as private house, with four-bay nave, windowless to north elevation, and having projecting three-stage tower to west added 1815, latter with single-bay lean-to extension to south side. Closed 1981. Pitched slate roof, with cut limestone pediment detailing to west elevation of nave with acroteria. Carved limestone corbel table and frieze, crenellations and crocketed pinnacles to tower, latter over corner pilasters. Roughcast rendered rubble limestone walls, exposed to south elevation of nave, having dressed limestone string course near base of nave walls, moulded string courses between stages of tower, with plinth course to tower. Decoratively-carved blank cross loops and flat pinnacle-like details to lower stages of tower pilasters. Pointed-arch window openings with replacement windows and tooled limestone sills having brick block-and-start surrounds and voussoirs. Double round-headed window with label-moulding to ground floor of tower, having quatrefoil windows to first floor and louvered pointed windows to top stage. Pointed-arch door opening with chamfered limestone surround and having label-moulding with margined punch dressing to spandrels. Camber-headed recess over doorway. Timber battened double-leaf door with battened overdoor and having ornate strap hinges. Graveyard to site with table tombs and mausolea, one with pitched slate roof. Ashlar limestone piers with carved caps and cast-iron double-leaf gates.

• Catholic Church of the Blessed Sacrament, church/chapel, 1805–1825 · Regional interest
  Description

  Freestanding T-plan gable-fronted Catholic church, built c.1815, comprising five-bay nave, re-entrant corners between nave and three-bay transepts, latter with gable-fronted porches to ends, and having single-bay sacristy to east end with lean-to extension to south. Pitched sprocketed slate roof with rendered eaves course, metal cross finial to gable-front and rendered chimneystack to sacristy. Roughcast rendered walls with rendered plinth course and quoins. Pointed-arch windows having limestone sills and render surrounds, all with stained glass. Entrance comprising chamfered recessed centre with pointed-arch doorway with moulded render surround and timber battened double-leaf door, flanked by pointed windows. Pointed-arch doorways with timber battened doors to porches and to west ends of nave elevations. Interior has ornate marble reredos and altar, carved timber galleries to transepts and west end of nave. Pointed-arch rendered surrounds to windows and to stations of the cross. Partly-exposed timber A-frame roof with carved timber detailing to ceiling. Freestanding bellcote to south of church comprising rendered plinth with segmental-headed open-work ashlar bellcote above, having ashlar entablature and limestone cross finial. Graveyard to north. Painted chanelled rendered piers with cast-iron double-leaf gates and rendered boundary walls to site.

• Mill (water), 1810–1830 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached seven-bay multiple-storey mill, built c.1820. Hipped slate roof. Roughcast rendered walls. Square-headed window openings with timber louvres.

• Bridge, 1450–1790 · Regional interest
  Description

  Twelve-arch road bridge over fork of River Suir, built c.1500 and rebuilt c.1770. Roughly coursed rubble limestone walls with roughly dressed limestone voussoirs to segmental arches. Soffits of arches concreted. Central arch now disused. V-plan ashlar limestone cut-waters to northwest elevation. Island in middle of river has remains of tower house which defended bridge, with bronze portrait of Thomas McDonagh to front of tower house.

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

About 1 in 5 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

Susceptibility low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map.

Terrain model

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

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.

No address of the register names Baurstookeen with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Tipperary.

Name

Baurstookeen · Barr an Stuaicín

Area

133,429 m² (13.34 ha, 32.97 acres)

Civil parish

Relickmurry and Athassel, and its townlands

Barony

Clanwilliam

Electoral division

Golden, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Golden electoral division: 881 people in 314 households; 79% of households own their home; 26% of homes were built since 2001; 8% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 2% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Castlepark, Comerford's-Lot, Hoop's-Lot, Mantlehill Great, Persse's-Lot

Placenames

Baurstookeen 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.