Kilkenny Abbey

56 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Kilkenny Abbey, from 17 m² to 351,215 m² (35.12 ha, 86.79 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 27 neighbouring parcels touch it.

No zone of a development plan covers Kilkenny Abbey 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.

• 13 Aug 2026N/a

  for retention permission for partially roofed horse walking structure and domestic shed and associated siteworks, and for planning permission to construct agricultural shed and associated siteworks

  Permission · Westmeath County Council, 2660431

• 24 Apr 2026Conditional

  RETENTION permission for two domestic garages constructed at the rear of my dwelling house and all associated site works

  Retention, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2660200

• 6 Feb 2026N/a

  Retention Permission for partially roofed horse walking structure and domestic shed and associated siteworks.

  Retention · Westmeath County Council, 2660031

• 4 Nov 2025N/a

  to construct agricultural shed and associated siteworks

  Permission · Westmeath County Council, 2560536

• 23 Feb 2024Conditional

  Proposed Demolition Of Existing Horse Stables & Outhouse building. The Proposed Construction Of A Bungalow Type Extension To The Rear Of Existing Bungalow Type Dwelling House Which Is Listed As A Protected Structure/Structures On The Protected Structures List Of The Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027, i.e., RPS No.023-008 & NIAH No.15402314, Proposed Construction Of A New Detached Garage, Replacement Of An Existing Septic Tank System With An Onsite Sewerage System With Polishing Filter In Accordance With EPA Code of Practice 2021 And All Ancillary Site Works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2460049

• 11 Sept 2023Refused

  proposed demolition of existing horse stables & outhouse building. The proposed construction of a dormer type extension to the rear of existing bungalow type dwelling house which is listed as a protected structure/structures on the Protected Structures List of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027, i.e., RPS No.023-008 & NIAH No.15402314, proposed construction of a new detached garage and all ancillary site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2360298

• 17 Aug 2023N/a

  Proposed Demolition Of Existing Horse Stables & Outhouse building. The Proposed Construction Of A Dormer Type Extension To The Rear Of Existing Bungalow Type Dwelling House Which Is Listed As A Protected Structure/Structures On The Protected Structures List Of The Longford County Development Plan 2021-2027, i.e., RPS No.023-008 & NIAH No.15402314, Proposed Construction Of A New Detached Garage And All Ancillary Site Works.

  Permission · Longford County Council, 2360110

• 17 Aug 2023N/a

  proposed Demolition Of Existing Horse Stables & Outhouse building. The Proposed Construction Of A Dormer Type Extension To The Rear Of Existing Bungalow Type Dwelling House Which Is Listed As A Protected Structure/Structures On The Protected Structures List Of The Longford County Development Plan 2021-2027, i.e., RPS No.023-008 & NIAH No.15402314, Proposed Construction Of A New Detached Garage And All Ancillary Site Works

  Permission · Westmeath County Council, 2360265

• 28 Jul 2023N/a

  proposed demolition of existing horse stables & outhouse building. The proposed construction of a dormer type extension to the rear of existing bungalow type dwelling house, proposed construction of a new detached garage and all ancillary site works

  Permission · Westmeath County Council, 2360241

• 4 May 2022Conditional

  construction of 2 no. single storey extensions to the south and west elevation of existing cottage "Rose Cottage" together with all other associated site works"

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 22228

• 19 Apr 2022Conditional

  Planning permission for the following renovation works to our existing dwelling: 1) Demolish existing rear extension, side-shed extension and one external shed to rear of existing dwelling 2) Construct a new rear extension to our existing dwelling 3) Replace existing lean-to roof above storage area with an "A" frame roof 4) Construct new domestic garage on site 5) Decommission existing septic tank and install a single dwelling treatment system and percolation area and all ancillary site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 22196

• 8 Jun 2017Conditional

  Construction of a two storey type dwelling house with detached garage, entrance, boundary wall/fence, septic tank with percolation area and all ancillary site works.

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 177100

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 Kilkenny Abbey.

Recorded monuments

• WM023-025 Church
  Description

  According to Gwynn and Hadcock a monastery was founded here in the mid-sixth century by St. Canice (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 391). Medieval parish church ruins of Kilkenny depicted on the 1659 Down Survey map of Kilkenny barony (NLI, MS 723-4). In 1682 Sir Henry Piers recorded that the name west had been added to Kilkenny in order to distinguish it from the city of Kilkenny (Vallancey 1770, 81). In this year Piers wrote that in the townland of Kilkenny West there are ‘yet to be seen some reliques of an abby or monastery (WM023-026----) belonging to the Knights Templars. In this place also standeth a church in good repair’ (Ibid., 81). This reference suggests that the chapel (WM023-025002-) standing in the SE quadrant of the graveyard was the only church standing in this graveyard in 1682. Present remains consist of a 19th century Church of Ireland church, now disused & in ruinous condition standing in N quadrant of a sub-rectangular shaped graveyard (WM023-025001-). To SE of the 19th century church, within the graveyard there is a small rectangular chapel (WM023-025002-). St. Kenny's [Canice] holy well (WM023-024----) located 240m to NE, site of abbey (WM023-026----) 70m to SSE and Kilkenny Castle (WM023-023---) 100m to W. The 19th century church was described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as a 'freestanding Church of Ireland church, rebuilt c.1839 and possibly incorporating the remains of a earlier church, c.1550, comprising three-bay hall with cut stone bellcote over entrance gable (west). Now roofless and out of use. Originally had pitched natural slate roof with rasied limestone verges to either end having cut stone kneelers. Constructed of coursed limestone over dressed limestone plinth with raised dressed limestone quoins to the corners. Cut stone date plaque over main entrance reads "Erected by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners of Ireland AD 1839, Joseph Welland" '(www.buildignsofireland.ie). There is no evidence of any earlier church fabric in the existing 19th century church ruins. Architectural fragments consisting of a punch dressed quoin and a window mullion belonging to the medieval church have been reused as grave-markers to the S of the 19th century church. The medieval church site may have been replaced by the Church of Ireland church or was located elsewhere within the graveyard or that the chapel (WM023-025002-) standing in the SE quadrant of the graveyard represents the partial remains of the medieval parish church. The baptismal font (WM023-025003-) belonging to the medieval church is now located (WM023-024001-) beside St. Kenny's holy well (WM023-024----) Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 6 July 2015

• WM023-025001 Graveyard
  Description

  Situated on top of elevated grassland with good views in all directions. Holy well (WM023-024----) located 215m to NE, abbey site (WM023-026----) 30m to SSE and castle (WM023-023---) 90m to W. 19th century Church of Ireland church possibly standing on site of medieval parish church (WM023-025---) now disused and in a ruinous condition standing in N quadrant of a sub-rectangular shaped graveyard (52m N-S; 57m E-W) enclosed by a post-medieval stone wall with entrance gate and stone steps in centre of W wall. Stile located off centre to S in W wall of graveyard. To SE of 19th century church, within the graveyard there is a small rectangular chapel (WM023-025002-). The graveyard contains memorials of post-medieval date with architectural fragments of the medieval church reused as grave-markers in S quadrant. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 6 July 2015

• WM023-025002 Chapel
  Description

  Ivy-clad ruins of multi-period single cell chapel standing in SE quadrant of sub-rectangular shaped graveyard (WM023-025001-) with 19th century Church of Ireland church ruins standing on site of medieval parish church (WM023-025----). Holy well (WM023-024----) 245m to NE, abbey site (WM023-026----) 50m to SSE and castle (WM023-023----) 135m to WNW. Present remains consist of a small rectangular chapel (int. dims. 3.8m N-S; 5.2m E-W; wall T 0.9m) with barrel-vaulted roof (H 4.43m) which is entered through a round-arched punch dressed stone doorway (Wth 0.9m; H 1.57m) with hood moulding above of 17th century date in centre of W wall. The chapel is lit by a single light window set into a cut-stone semi-circular arched window embrasure in centre of E wall. The window head consists of a reused window cill inserted to form the head of the present window opening. A small wall cupboard or aumbry (dims. 0.52m x 0.42m; D 0.41m) is located off centre to E in N wall of chapel. The vaulted ceiling has good evidence of wicker centring and there are three punch dressed corbels at the springing level of the vault in the N and S walls. A single light ogee-headed window in the centre of the W wall above the doorway is the only other window. The lower part of this window has been blocked by the insertion of a cut stone plaque (H 0.48m x Wth 0.36m) which reads ''WITHIN . THIS . CHAPEL . LIETH . THE . BODY. OF . TOO . SECULAR . PRIEST . FATHER . CHRISTY . DILON . AND . FATHER . PETER . DILON . DIED . IN . THE . YEAR. 1678. C.Y. DIED 1680' with initials RN at bottom of plaque which may be the initials of the mason. A 19th century table top tomb lies in the NW corner of the chapel marking the grave of Eleanor Johnston alias Fitzgerald daughter of James Fitzgerald of Bleachlawn who died in 1817. According to this graveslab Eleanor was the granddaughter of Margaret Dillon of Kilkenny West and grand niece to the Reverend gentlemen who built this chapel. In 1682 Piers wrote that in the townland of Kilkenny West there are ‘yet to be seen some reliques of an abby or monastery belonging to the Knights Templars. In this place also standeth a church in good repair’ (Vallancey 1770, 81). This building was visited in 1981 when it was described as following; 'within the graveyard there is a small rectangular building. It is crudely built of rough stone and is overgrown with ivy etc. It has a barrel-vaulted stone roof. There is an arched doorway in the W wall. This is of cut stone. Above it is a badly damaged, small ogee-headed window set in the wall above the doorway there is a plaque bearing the date 1680, though the description is difficult to decipher. In the E wall is a large rectangular window set in an arched recess. There are corbels protruding from N & S walls on the inside. Inside the building is a tombstone in a recumbent position. It bears a number of commemorative inscriptions all from the early 19th century. It is difficult to decide exactly what the building is or its date. It certainly contains some medieval features, but some of it may have been altered in the early 19th century. On the outside of the structure and attached to the E wall there are foundations of a rectangular building, set at right angles to it. The structure is referred to as 'tomb' on the OS 6-inch map. It may have been a sort of mausoleum. On the wall of the graveyard there is a plaque to the father and brother of Oliver Goldsmith both of whom served as curates in the church' (SMR file). On the 1837 edition of the OS 6-inch map the mausoleum is depicted as as T-plan structure with the earlier building orientated on an E-W axis with a later structure or building running N-S at the E end of the barrel vaulted building. This map has the designation 'Tomb, A.D. 1678' to the right of this T-plan structure. The barrel vaulted building appears to be the 17th century tomb indicated on the OS 6-inch map. It is possible that this was a medieval barrel vaulted chapel that was converted into a mausoleum in the 17th century and later modified by the addition of a second building in the 18th or 19th centuries. This vaulted building may have formed part of the domestic range of buildings associated with the 'Abbey' (WM023-026----) located 45m to the S. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 6 July 2015

• WM023-025003 Font
  Description

  Medieval baptismal font was probably taken from medieval church site (WM023-026----) in the post-medieval period and moved down to St. Kenny's [St. Canice] holy well (WM023-024---) where it served as a possible penitential station. See WM023-024001- for description of medieval font. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 3 July 2015

• WM023-025004 Ecclesiastical enclosure
  Description

  19th century Church of Ireland church possibly standing on site of medieval parish church (WM023-025---) now disused and in a ruinous condition standing in N quadrant of a sub-rectangular shaped graveyard (WM023-025001-). To SE of 19th century church, within the graveyard there is a small rectangular chapel (WM023-025002-). The quadrantal form of the graveyard (WM023-025001-) boundary wall possibly indicates the presence of an Early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure (Swan 1988, 19). Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 9 October 2015

• WM023-026 Religious house - Fratres Cruciferi
  Description

  A house for Fratres Cruciferi was founded at Kilkenny West, NE of Athlone, c.1200, apparently by Friar Thomas Dillon, grandson of Thomas Dillon who came to Ireland in 1185 (Hadcock 1964, 130). A church (WM023-025----) and graveyard (WM023-025001-) with chapel (WM023-025003-) are located immediately to the N and Kilkenny Castle (WM023-023----) is 175m to the NW. Holy well (WM023-024----) dedicated to St. Canice 1100m to NE. According to Gwynn and Hadcock a monastery was founded here in the mid-sixth century by St. Canice (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 391). It has been mistakenly suggested that this was the priory or hospital of St. John the Baptist which was founded soon after the Conquest by the Tyrrells (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 213). In 1569 after the Dissolution of the Monasteries the Crown granted a 21 year lease to Gabriel Croftes of the ‘site of the hospital of S. John of Kylkenny, co. Westmeath, the lands of Kylkenny and Bryttas, and the tithes of Kylkenny, Walterstowne, Kylmackaron, Stonton, Kyllensaughen, Tullaghmore, Tullham, Ballynekell, Stacom, and of the burgage of Kylkenny’ (Nicholls 1994, 93). Three years later in 1569 the Crown granted Robert Dillon, chief justice of the Common Bench, the ‘site of the hospital of S. John the Baptist, of Kilkenny, (co. Westmeath), the lands of Kilkenny and Britas, and the tithes of Kilkenny, Walteristone, Kylmacarren, Stoughton alias Stonton, Killenfaughen, Tullaghmore, Tullan, Stacon and Ballenekell, possessions of the hospital’ (ibid., 173). In 1682 Piers wrote that in the townland of Kilkenny West there are ‘yet to be seen some reliques of an abby or monastery belonging to the Knights Templars. In this place also standeth a church in good repair’ (Vallancey 1770, 81). In 1795 it was recorded that ‘an abbey was founded here in the early ages; for we find that the Abbot St. Scannail died A.D. 773. A Priory or Hospital was afterwards erected in this town for Cross-bearers, or Crouched Friars, under the Invocation of St. John the Baptist. Some writers erroneously give the foundation to the family of Tyrrell; but, from the best authority, we say, that Friar Thomas, a Priest, and grandson of Sir Thomas Dillon, who came into Ireland, A.D. 1185, was the founder of this house, and lies interred here' (Seward 1795). Cogan recorded that a ‘monastery was erected here, about the middle of the sixth century, by St. Canice, which was called after him, Cill-Chainnigh, and from which the parish and barony of Kilkenny-West derive their name. After the Anglo-Norman invasion, the noble family of Dillon became possessed of vast property in this neighbourhood, and in the thirteenth century the Rev. Thomas Dillon, son to Henry Lord of Drumrany, founded at Kilkenny-West, a monastery for Cruciferi, or Crossbearers, a branch of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine, which he placed under the patronage of St. John the Baptist. From this to the period of its suppression, time of Henry VIII., the house of Dillon patronised this priory; very many of its members joined the community, and frequently were elected by the fraternity to govern the same. The prior paid one mark annually proxies to the Bishop of Meath; and, in 1335, the grand priory of Kilmainham, near Dublin, had an exempt hospital in this town, and probably in this priory. On the 2nd of May, 11th Queen Elizabeth, this monastery, and its appurtenances, with twelve messuages, and two carucates of land in Kilkenny, one carucate in Britlass, and all their tithes, were granted to Robert Dillon, in capite, at the annual rent of £22 0s. 10d.’ (Cogan 1870, 579). This site was visited in 1981 and described as 'The site is situated on the NE shoulder of a hill. There are valleys of low lying wet land to the E and N. The outline of a substantial structure can be clearly discerned on the ground. Foundation walls are clearly visible and some stretches of masonry can be made out. The principal structure is a long building running roughly E-W. The interior is sunk well below the level of the surrounding land. The foundations of side walls at N and S running E-W can be made out. These are c.1m high in places. It is c.16m long E-W by 6m wide N-S. There are traces of what appears to be a small annex at W side. To N of this building are traces of a range of structures. These consist of the foundations and outline of a large rectangular structure which is overgrown in places. Some substantial blocks of collpased masonry lie about. Traces and foundations of what appears to have been a small square building abut the main rectangular structure in its NE corner. These are somewhat overgrown. At W of main rectnagular structure there is a confised pattern of ridges and hollows. This appears to represent the remains of foundations of a number of small structures' (SMR file). Bing Maps aerial photographs taken November 2011 shows extensive earthwork remains of levelled abbey site in field immediately S of SE angle of graveyard (WM023-025002-). These earthworks appear to be enclosed by the grass covered remains of a levelled wall which forms a large rectangular enclosure around the abbey. This levelled wall may mark the outline of the levelled monastic precinct wall. Alternatively they may represent settlement earthworks belonging to the medieval settlement of Kilkenny West. Cultivation ridges of uncertain date are also visible in the aerial photographs. The low grass covered wall footings of buildings associated with the abbey can be seen standing along the W side of this large enclosure and it is possible that that barrel-vaulted chapel (WM023-025003-) standing in the SE quadrant of the adjoining graveyard (WM023-025001-) may have formed part of a range of buildings belonging to this abbey. The large and impressive architectural fragment (WM023-024004-) now lying beside the nearby holy well (WM023-024----) which formed part of the rib vaulting of the roof of the abbey is clear evidence of the impressive size of this abbey. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 6 July 2015

• WM023-027 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated on a low rise, in undulating pasture, with good views from N-E-S. Monument described in 1971 and 1977 as a subcircular-shaped area (dims. 30.3m E-W; 29.5m N-S) enclosed by a narrow grass-covered earth and stone bank well preserved from E-S-N and is reduced to a scarp from N-E. The bank has several slight disturbance gaps. There is no trace of an external fosse or entrance feature. The interior is N-facing and has traces of cultivation ridges running NE-SW. Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien. Date of upload: 24 July 2019

• WM023-029 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated on a rise, in undulating pasture, with good views in all directions. Monument described in 1971 as a subcircular-shaped area (dims. 42m N-S; 36m E-W) enclosed by an earth and stone bank reduced to a scarp from SSW-W-N and incorporated into a field boundary at NE. There are several modern disturbance gaps in the bank. A shallow external fosse is visible at SW. The original entrance way is not recognisable. The interior has a SW-facing slope and has cultivation ridges running E-W. Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien. Date of upload: 24 July 2019

Architectural heritage

• Saint Canice's Church (Kilkenny West), church/chapel, 1830–1840 · Regional interest
  Description

  Freestanding Church of Ireland church, rebuilt c.1839 and possibly incorporating the remains of a earlier church, c.1550, comprising three-bay hall with cut stone bellcote over entrance gable (west). Now roofless and out of use. Originally had pitched natural slate roof with rasied limestone verges to either end having cut stone kneelers. Constructed of coursed limestone over dressed limestone plinth with raised dressed limestone quoins to the corners. Cut stone date plaque over main entrance reads "Erected by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners of Ireland AD 1839, Joseph Welland". Round-headed windows to sides of nave and flanking doorcase to west elevation having chamfered dressed limestone surrounds and sills. Paired round-headed windows to chancel gable (east). No window fittings now insitu. Circular dressed limestone disks, each with a circular perforation to the centre, below window openings to sides of nave (north and south elevations). Central round-headed entrance to the west gable (nave) having dressed limestone surround and wrought-iron gates. Cut stone steps to front. Set back from road in own grounds with graveyard. Rubble limestone boundary walls, a pair of dressed limestone gate piers supporting a pair of iron gates, and a flight of cut stone steps to the west. Remains of a barrel-vaulted single-cell mortuary chapel, built c.1680, lies to the southeast. Located to the west of Glassan.

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).

No address of the register names Kilkenny Abbey with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Westmeath.

Name

Kilkenny Abbey

Area

1,137,585 m² (113.76 ha, 281.1 acres)

Civil parish

Kilkenny West, and its townlands

Barony

Kilkenny West

Electoral division

Auburn, the unit of the census

Neighbouring townlands

Ardnagragh (digby), Cauran, Kilkenny Lanesborough, Kilkenny West, Lisdachon, Rath

Placenames

Kilkenny Abbey on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, 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.