Killarecastle

52 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Killarecastle, from 57 m² to 756,875 m² (75.69 ha, 187.03 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 37 neighbouring parcels touch it.

No zone of a development plan covers Killarecastle 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.

• 16 Mar 2026Conditional

  change of plans previously granted planning reference No. 25/60504 and new location of existing entrance onto public road and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2660123

• 15 Oct 2025Conditional

  to extend/amend existing house. The extension will be at first floor level with the replacement of the existing roof. The application will also include an upgrade to existing effluent treatment system, a new domestic garage, minor elevation changes and all associated site works and drainage.

  Permission · Westmeath County Council, 2560504

• 7 Mar 2024Conditional

  single storey extension to the southern side of existing dwelling, alterations to existing dwelling & internal modifications to create a multi-generational home and all ancillary site services

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2460070

• 20 Feb 2024Conditional

  construction of a slatted shed with concrete area’s with all ancillary site works

  Permission · Westmeath County Council, 2460041

• 28 Nov 2022Conditional

  a) demolition of existing detached shed and rear and side extensions to the existing single storey dwelling , b) addition of new two storey rear extension and a new single storey gable extension and modification to the existing house, c) new single storey garage, d) decommissioning of the existing septic tank system and the installation of a new effluent treatment system and polishing filter and e) all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 22551

• 11 Aug 2021N/a

  a) Demolition of existing detached shed and rear and side extensions to the existing single-storey dwelling b) Addition of new two-storey rear extension and a new single-storey gable extension and alterations to the existing house and c) New single-storey garage and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 21449

• 12 Feb 2021Refused

  a) Demolition of existing detached shed and rear and side extensions to the existing dwelling b) Addition of new 152sqm two-storey rear extension and a new 23sqm single-storey gable extension and modification to the existing house and c) new 55sqm single-storey garage and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2163

• 26 Jan 2021N/a

  Demolition of existing shed, rear and side extensions and replacement with new extensions to an existing single storey dwelling comprising a new 152sqm two-storey rear extension and a new 23sqm single storey extension to the gable and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2127

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 Killarecastle.

Recorded monuments

• WM024-044 Enclosure - large enclosure
  Description

  Situated in fairly low-lying, rough pasture with moderate views in all directions. A cist (WM024-045----) lies c. 125m to SE. Monument described in 1971 and 1977 as a large, oval-shaped area enclosed by a well-preserved bank, a short section of an intervening fosse and outer bank. The inner earth and stone bank is high and steep on the exterior but rises only slightly above the interior. A short portion of shallow fosse is visible at S and there is a low outer bank beyond this which cuts across the fosse and into the base of the enclosure bank. It is unclear if this is an original feature. There are vague traces of a possible structure adjoining the exterior of the scarp at SW. The interior rises gently from the perimeter to the centre and is divided by internal banks. There are rocky outcrops and cultivation ridges in the S and W quadrants. In the E quadrant, inside the bank, is a potential house site, however this is ill-defined and inconclusive. The N quadrant has linear banks running N-S towards the centre. Outline of monument and internal divisions clearly visible on oblique aerial photographs taken 12/09/1966 (CUCAP AOY091/092/099). See attached plan of enclosure surveyed and drawn by the ASI Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien. Date of upload: 12 August 2019

• WM024-045 Cist
  Description

  Situated in a gently rounded gravelly knoll, in tillage. An enclosure (WM024-044----) lies c. 125m to NW. Monument described as a subsurface feature which was the subject of full excavation by John Sheehan in 1982, revealing a cist burial approx. 0.2-0.3m below the present ground surface: This is a short, slightly wedge-shaped stone-lined grave (Wth at N end 0.57m; Wth at S end 0.68m; L 0.8m N-S; D 0.55m) containing human remains. It was discovered when the capstone was dislodged during ploughing, exposing a void beneath. It is defined by a single piece of limestone on each of the four sides. Behind each of these side stones were horizontally laid stones designed to relieve the weight of the capstone and were further strengthened by the placing of cushion stones at each corner. The capstone was a limestone flag (dims. 1.3m N-S; 1m E-W; T 0.2m) which was found ex-situ after its recent exposure. The contents of the cist appear to have been disturbed prior to this, sometime in the post-medieval period. The cist had been constructed in an oval pit (max. Wth 1.8m E-W; D 0.75-0.85m) which had been excavated from a gravelly subsoil. Several larger stones had been backfilled into the pit to provide support to the side stones of the cist. There was no prepared floor i.e. paving or clay. The upper layer of the pit was disturbed during the recent exposure and contained several human bones. The lower layer was more consolidated and contained more human remains which were primarily intact. In the lower fill there were several small quartz pebbles, 17 rim and body sherds of Bronze Age pottery and one sherd of 17th century Cistercian ware. Excavation of the pit revealed a single waste piece of white, patinated flint flake. Analysis of the human remains by Professor C.A. Erskine, Department of Anatomy at Trinity College Dublin revealed that these were of two individuals. One was an adult male and the other of a child of indeterminate sex. Pottery analysis identified that the pot was of the Bowl Tradition of the Early Bronze Age. Despite only 25% of the whole pot surviving, there were enough rim sherds to confirm an overall rim diameter of 0.14m. See attached plan and cross-section of the cist and pit surveyed and drawn during the excavation by J. Sheehan in 1982. Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien. Date of upload: 12 August 2019

• WM024-046 Cist
  Description

  Situated in pasture. According to Ó Ríordáin (1965, 223-5, Fig. 1), excavation of the monument revealed a Bronze Age cist-burial containing a food vessel and a small quantity of bone. Lucas (1968, 120-1) described that the food vessel was found in an inverted position in a small stone-lined cist along with the bone during the course of bulldozing operations. Waddell (1970, 135) describes the cist as the short rectangular type containing a Bowl type food vessel and cremated bone. Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien. Date of upload: 12 July 2019

• WM024-047 Standing stone
  Description

  Described in 1978 as following; ‘The stone has recently been uprooted & it now lies on its face inside the field fence. The overall length of the stone is approx. 2.95m. The original length above ground was approx. 2.05m. The overall width at the widest point was 1.3m. The stone stood on the western side of a gentle slope with fairly wide views in all directions. Nothing was found when the stone was uprooted’ (SMR File 02/05/1978). Stone described by N W English as measuring 2.1m high, 1.26m wide at ground level, 0.46m thick being greatest thickness at ground level (SMR File English Slide No. 254). Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 10 March 2016

• WM024-049001 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  On a slight natural rise of ground surrounded by low-lying countryside which is poorly drained in places. Nearby monuments include, site of stone castle (WM024-049003-) to NNE, motte and bailey castle (WM024-053----) 230m to ESE, Killare church (WM024-057----) and graveyard (WM024-057002-) 410m to SE, St. Bridget’s holy well (WM024-054002-) and St. Bridget’s Church (WM024-054001-) 150m to S. Post medieval corn mill 350m to ENE and mill pond 140m to SE. Present remains consist of a circular-shaped enclosure (diam. 41m N-S; 41m E-W) with uneven interior rising slightly towards the centre which is enclosed by a poorly preserved earth and stone bank mainly reduced to a scarp with good evidence of internal stone revetment or facing of bank where large boulders have been utilised. There are no surface remains visible of an external fosse. Entrance gap (Wth 1.8m) at SE which has evidence of stone facing on both sides of entrance. A large L-shaped depression inside the ringfort may be the remains of a quarried out souterrain or may be just the remains of post-medieval quarrying activity. Small stones are visible in the upcast mounds flanking this L-shaped hollow. Surrounding the ringfort are the grass covered remains of a well preserved field system (WM024-049002-) including a complex of slight banks, house foundations etc. To the NE of the ringfort is a grass-covered mound of collapsed mortar masonry which appears to be the remains of a castle (WM029-049003-) that is depicted on the 1656-59 Down Survey map of Killare parish. Adjoining the ringfort on the SW side is an irregularly shaped enclosure or annexe defined by a low earth and stone bank, a second smaller enclosure appears to run off the larger annexe. The ringfort and adjacent enclosures are standing inside a large field system defined by low earth and stone banks which are well defined to the W of the ringfort. Two hut sites are visible incorporated into the bank of the field system in the NE quadrant. There are a number of long stretches of field banks to the N and S of the ringfort which represent the remains of this once extensive field system. To the N and NE of the field system in close proximity to the castle site (WM024-049003-) are the remains of a series of earthworks which appear to be related to the castle site rather than the field system. Bing Maps aerial photograph taken November 2011 shows clearly the ringfort with associated field system and castle site with associated earthworks to N and NE of ringfort. See attached Bing Maps aerial photograph showing ringfort, field system and castle site with associated earthworks to N and NE of ringfort. See attached plan of castle (WM029-049003-), ringfort (WM024-049001-) , field system (WM024-049001-) surveyed by the National Monuments Service in 1985. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 22 July 2014 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 4/1986).

• WM024-049002 Field system
  Description

  On a slight natural rise of ground surrounded by low-lying countryside which is poorly drained in places. Nearby monuments include, site of stone castle (WM024-049003-) to NNE, motte and bailey castle (WM024-053----) 230m to ESE, Killare church (WM024-057----) and graveyard (WM024-057002-) 410m to SE, St. Bridget’s holy well (WM024-054002-) and St. Bridget’s Church (WM024-054001-) 150m to S. Post medieval corn mill 350m to ENE and mill pond 140m to SE. Present remains consist of a circular-shaped ringfort (WM024-049001-) from which radiates a well preserved field system (WM024-049002-) including a complex of slight banks, house foundations etc. To the NE of the ringfort is a grass-covered mound of collapsed mortar masonry which marks the site of a levelled castle (WM029-049003-). Adjoining the ringfort on the SW side is an irregularly shaped enclosure or annexe defined by a low earth and stone bank, a second smaller enclosure appears to run off the larger annexe. The ringfort and adjacent enclosures are standing inside a large field system defined by low earth and stone banks which are well defined to the W of the ringfort. Two hut sites are visible incorporated into the bank of the field system in the NE quadrant. There are a number of long stretches of field banks to the N and S of the ringfort which represent the remains of this once extensive field system. To the N and NE of the field system in close proximity to the castle site (WM024-049003-) are the remains of a series of earthworks which appear to be related to the castle site rather than the field system. Bing Maps aerial photograph taken November 2011 shows clearly the ringfort with associated field system and castle site with associated earthworks to N and NE of ringfort. See attached Bing Maps aerial photograph showing ringfort, field system and castle site with associated earthworks to N and NE of ringfort. See attached plan of castle (WM029-049003-), ringfort (WM024-049001-) , field system (WM024-049001-) surveyed by the National Monuments Service in 1985. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 23 July 2014 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 4/1986).

• WM024-049003 Castle - unclassified
  Description

  On a slight natural rise of ground surrounded by low-lying countryside which is poorly drained in places. Nearby monuments include, ringfort (WM024-049001-) and field system (WM024-049002-) immediately to SW, motte and bailey castle (WM024-053----) 240m to ESE, Killare church (WM024-057----) and graveyard (WM024-057002-) 440m to SE, St. Bridget’s holy well (WM024-054002-) and St. Bridget’s Church (WM024-054001-) 150m to S. Post medieval corn mill 300m to ENE and mill pond 240m to SSW. This stone castle is depicted on the 1656-9 Down Survey map of Killare parish (NLI MS 723-4). The terrier of the Down Survey recorded that in 1640 these lands belonged to the Earl of Kildare. On the 1656-9 Down Survey map of Killare parish (NLI MS 723-4) the castle is depicted standing beside a medieval road which appears to be running through the field between the castle and St. Bridget’s Church (WM024-054001-). A section of this road depicted on the Down Survey map follows the current line of the Ballymore-Mullingar road (R390). On the Down Survey map this road turns N towards Gibstown at the present crossroads at Killare. Present remains consist of a grass-covered mound of collapsed rubble which represents the remains of a castle depicted on the 1656-59 Down Survey map of Killare parish (NLI MS 723-4). The castle ruins are standing in the NW quadrant of a complex of low grass covered earthworks which represent the remains of a possible road (WM024-049004-) represented by a linear earthwork running NW-SE which runs past the castle site immediately to the SW, a group of hut sites are located to the W of the castle site along with the wall footings of a long rectangular building aligned NE-SW. The castle appears to be standing inside a possible bawn area (WM024-049005-) defined by a poorly preserved earth and stone bank which appears to form a roughly rectnagular-shaped enclosure around the levelled castle site. Other earthworks in this field to the SW represent the remains of a field system (WM024-049002-) associated with a ringfort (WM024-049001-). A disused quarry is located immediately E of the castle site and some of these earthworks in close proximity to the castle may be related to the quarry. The castle site is marked by a mound (H 3m) of collapsed rubble with traces of wall facing visible in places. To the N of this mound there are the low grass-covered wall footings of a sub-rectangular enclosure which may be the remains of a levelled bawn. The wall footings of three hut sites can be seen inside this sub-rectangular enclosure. To the S of the mound are a complex group of short and long stretches of bank some of which suggest the outlines of houses or small enclosures but in general these remains are so fragmented that interpretation of these earthworks is difficult. It is possible that these earthworks concentrated around the castle site may represent the remains of a clustered settlement and road. Bing Maps aerial photograph taken November 2011 shows clearly the ringfort with associated field system and castle site with associated earthworks to N and NE of ringfort. See attached Bing Maps aerial photograph showing ringfort, field system and castle site with associated earthworks to N and NE of ringfort. See attached plan of castle (WM029-049003-), ringfort (WM024-049001-) , field system (WM024-049001-) surveyed by the National Monuments Service in 1985. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 23 July 2014 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 4/1986).

• WM024-049004 Building
  Description

  On a slight natural rise of ground surrounded by low-lying countryside which is poorly drained in places. Nearby monuments include, site of stone castle (WM024-049003-), ringfort (WM024-049001-) and field system (WM024-049002-) immediately to SW, motte and bailey castle (WM024-053----) 240m to ESE, Killare church (WM024-057----) and graveyard (WM024-057002-) 440m to SE, St. Bridget’s holy well (WM024-054002-) and St. Bridget’s Church (WM024-054001-) 150m to S. Post medieval corn mill 300m to ENE and mill pond 240m to SSW. Present remains consist of a grass-covered wall footings of a long rectangular building aligned NE-SW to the W of a levelled castle (WM024-049003-) depicted on the 1656-59 Down Survey map of Killare parish (NLI MS 723-4). The castle ruins are standing in the NW quadrant of a complex of low grass covered earthworks which represent the remains of a possible road (WM024-049004-) represented by a linear earthwork running NW-SE which runs past the castle site immediately to the SW, a group of hut sites are located to the W of the castle site along with the wall footings of a long rectangular building aligned NE-SW. Other earthworks in this field to the SW represent the remains of a field system (WM024-049002-) associated with a ringfort (WM024-049001-). A disused quarry is located immediately E of the castle site and some of these earthworks in close proximity to the castle may be related to the quarry. Bing Maps aerial photograph taken November 2011 shows clearly the outline of the building to the N of the ringfort (WM024-049001-) and W of the castle site. See attached Bing Maps aerial photograph showing ringfort, field system and castle site with associated earthworks to N and NE of ringfort. See attached plan of castle (WM029-049003-), ringfort (WM024-049001-) , field system (WM024-049001-) and building surveyed by the National Monuments Service in 1985. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 23 July 2014 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 4/1986).

• WM024-049005 Bawn
  Description

  On a slight natural rise of ground surrounded by low-lying countryside which is poorly drained in places. Nearby monuments include, ringfort (WM024-049001-) and field system (WM024-049002-) immediately to SW, motte and bailey castle (WM024-053----) 240m to ESE, Killare church (WM024-057----) and graveyard (WM024-057002-) 440m to SE, St. Bridget’s holy well (WM024-054002-) and St. Bridget’s Church (WM024-054001-) 150m to S. Post medieval corn mill 300m to ENE and mill pond 240m to SSW. Present remains consist of a castle site (WM024-049003-) depicted on the 1656-59 Down Survey map of Killare parish (NLI MS 723-4). The castle ruins are standing in the NW quadrant of a complex of low grass covered earthworks which represent the remains of a possible road (WM024-049004-) represented by a linear earthwork running NW-SE which runs past the castle site immediately to the SW, a group of hut sites are located to the W of the castle site along with the wall footings of a long rectangular building (WM024-049004-) aligned NE-SW. The castle appears to be standing inside a possible bawn area (WM024-049005-) defined by a poorly preserved earth and stone bank which appears to form a roughly rectnagular-shaped enclosure around the levelled castle site. Other earthworks in this field to the SW represent the remains of a field system (WM024-049002-) associated with a ringfort (WM024-049001-). A disused quarry is located immediately E of the castle site and some of these earthworks in close proximity to the castle may be related to the quarry. To the N of the castle site there are the low grass-covered wall footings of a sub-rectangular enclosure which may be the remains of a levelled bawn. The wall footings of three hut sites can be seen inside this sub-rectangular enclosure. To the S of the mound are a complex group of short and long stretches of bank some of which suggest the outlines of houses or small enclosures but in general these remains are so fragmented that interpretation of these earthworks is difficult. It is possible that these earthworks concentrated around the castle site may represent the remains of a clustered settlement and road. Bing Maps aerial photograph taken November 2011 shows clearly the ringfort with associated field system and castle site with associated earthworks to N and NE of ringfort. See attached Bing Maps aerial photograph showing ringfort, field system, castle site and possible bawn with associated earthworks to N and NE of ringfort. See attached plan of castle (WM029-049003-), poassible bawn, ringfort (WM024-049001-) , field system (WM024-049001-) surveyed by the National Monuments Service in 1985. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 23 July 2014 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 4/1986).

• WM024-052 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated on a gentle SE-facing slope, in pasture with good views to NNW and SSE. Monument described in 1971 as a roughly circular-shaped area (diam. 26.4m) enclosed by a low earth and stone bank visible from SSE-S-W-N-NE, reduced to a scarp from SSE-S-SSW, disturbed in places and has been removed from NE-E-SSE. A possible entrance gap (Wth at top 1.9m; basal Wth 0.8m) in the bank at SW is defined on the SE side by two stones set on edge. The interior has a slight NNW-facing slope. Outline of monument visible on oblique aerial photograph (CUCAP AOY067) taken 12/07/1966. Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien. Date of upload: 12 August 2019

• WM024-053 Castle - motte and bailey
  Description

  In 1184 the Annals of the Four Masters recorded that a ‘castle was erected by the English at Killare’ (O’Donovan 1856, 63). According to Giraldus Cambrensis the ‘castellum de kilair’ [castle of Killare] was built by Hugh de Lacy in 1182 (AU, 203). This castle originally marked the principal seat of the De Lacy lordship in Westmeath until its destruction in 1187 (Orpen 1911-20, ii, 81). In 1187 the Annals of the Four Masters recorded that the ‘castle of Killare, which was in possession of the English, was burned and demolished by Conor Moinmoy [O’Conor] and Melaghlin Beg’ (O’Donovan 1856, 79). The motte castle (WM024-004----) of Ballymore Lough Sewdy located 6km to the NW replaced Killare as the principal seat of the Norman lordship in Westmeath (Orpen 1911-20, ii, 81). A stone castle is depicted in the vicinity of the motte and bailey castle on the 1656-9 Down Survey map of Killare parish (NLI MS 723-4). The remains of this stone castle (WM024-049003-) appear to be located in the field immediately NNE of a ringfort (WM024-049001-) and associated field system (WM024-049002-) 230m to the NW. Motte depicted standing in 'Moat Park' on an estate map dating from 1828 (NLI, MS 21 F. 48 (024) ). Motte and bailey castle situated on low-lying poorly-drained land with good views in all directions. Motte and bailey castle situated 80m N of the Ballymore-Mullingar road with the Hill of Ushnagh/Uisneach 1.1km to the NE. On the 1656-9 Down Survey map of Killare parish (NLI MS 723-4) the medieval church (WM024-057----) and its glebe land are depicted S of a medieval road running E-W. The Anglo-Norman motte & bailey castle appears to have been located immediately N of this medieval road. This section of road depicted on the Down Survey map follows the current line of the Ballymore-Mullingar road (R390). On the Down Survey map this road turns N towards Gibstown at the present crossroads at Killare. This road runs past a stone castle (WM024-049003-) depicted on the Down Survey map. Nearby monuments include Killare church (WM024-057----) and graveyard (WM024-057001-) 190m to S, St. Bridget’s Church (WM024-054001-) and holy well (WM024-054002-) 210m to W, ringfort (WM024-049001-) and field system (WM029-049002-) 230m to NW. Post medieval corn mill 250m to N and mill race located in field 70m to the NNW and mill-pond in field 100m to W. Present remains consist of a high steep-sided flat-topped circular mound the base of which is enclosed by a wide deep fosse, with remains of a counterscarp external bank. Remains of a D-shaped bailey area on E side of motte which is enclosed by slight remains of a low poorly preserved earthen bank mainly reduced to a scarp. The S side of the bailey is obscured by a modern fence which intersects the base of the motte on the S. The external bank enclosing the base of the motte has been modified in recent times and there are modern gaps in the bank of the bailey. On the W side of the motte a few metres W of the external bank are the low grass-covered wall footings of a rectangular structure (dims. approx. 20m NW-SE x 9m NE-SW). A possible entrance gap marks the doorway of this structure can be seen at the SE end of the NE side wall. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 18 July 2014

• WM024-054001 Church
  Description

  Medieval church ruins known locally as ‘Temple Brigid’ (Woods 1907, 248). It has been suggested that this church may have been originally dedicated to St. Aodh [Hugh] (Ó Riain 2011, 67). However the nearby church (WM024-057----) to the SE is traditionally believed to be the site of St. Aodh's Church. Killare (Cill Áir/Fháir) also known as Ballyhugh (Nicholls 1994, vol. 3, 343) was founded in the late 6th century by Áed [Hugh] mac Bricc who built three churches at Killare, these were St. Aedh's Church (WM024-057----), Temple Brigid and 'aula' [hall/court] of St. Brigid (WM024-054003-) (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 392). Situated on low undulating poorly drained land, with stream 20m to E and the Hill of Ushnagh/Uisneach 1.4km to NE. An area of marsh land which acted as a millpond is located immediately to the NE of the church. Nearby monuments include field ringfort (WM029-049001-), field system (WM024-049002-) and possible castle site (WM024-049003-) in field immediately to N, St. Brigid’s holy well (WM024-054002-) with motte & bailey castle (WM024-053----) 10m and 250m to E respectively, Killare church (WM024-057----) and graveyard (WM024-057001-) 300m to SE and ringfort (WM024-052----) 400m to SW. Post-medieval corn mill with mill-race 480m to NE as depicted on the OS 6-inch map. This church was located beside a medieval roadway which ran to the N of the church as depicted on the 1656-9 Down Survey map of Killare parish (NLI MS 723-4). On this map a roadway is depicted in the field to the N of the church running towards the stone castle (WM024-049003-) of Killare. Annotated 'Ch. Ruin' standing beside a well on an estate map dating from 1828 (NLI, MS 21 F. 48 (024) ). According to Lewis (1837, 126) a ‘religious house was founded here at a very early period, and subsequently became the head of a small see, of which St. Aid [Aodh of Ráith Aodha/Hugh of Rahugh] is said to have been bishop in 588’. Aodh of Rahugh (WM038-041----) was also the patron of the churches as Killare (Ceall Áir) and Slieve League (DG090-004001-), Co. Donegal (Ó Riain 2011, 66). Aodh was son of Cormac Breac of the Cinéal Fiachach of Moycashel, his mother was Eithne of the Múscraighe Tíre in Ormond [North Tipperary] (ibid., 66-7). Aodh was reputedly born in the townland of Killare. The ninth-century Life of Brighid of Kildare mentions that Aodh cured Brighid who is currently the patron saint of Killare and whose holy well is located to the E of a small church (ibid.) Aodh’s feastday is traditionally celebrated on the 10th of November but was also commemorated on the 28th of February, 4th of May and 16th of November (ibid., 68). These church ruins were known locally as St. Brigid’s Church. Described in the 19th century as ‘the old church (WM024-057---) measures sixty feet (18.3m) by twenty (6m). About twenty or thirty perches north-east of Killare are the ruins of St. Bridget’s Chapel; length, thirty-nine feet (11.9m) by nineteen (5.8m). Two ash trees spread their branches over the site of the altar. St. Bridget’s Well (WM024-054002-) is still pointed out, shaded by an ash tree, and is still an object of reverence’ (Cogan 1867, 494). According to Colgan, ‘there were three churches at Killare, the first dedicated to St. Aedh was parochial (WM024-057----), the next was called Temple Brigid, and the third the Court of St. Brigid (WM024-054003-)’ (Woods 1907, 249). Colgan also recorded that ‘there was also three fountains or wells, the water of which uniting miraculously together turned a neighbouring mill. One of the wells was dedicated to St. Aedh, the second to St. Brigid, and the third very probably to St. Conran [Cuman]’ (ibid.). Present remains consist of the poorly preserved ruins of an ivy-covered single-cell undivided rectangular church which is currently fenced off. The walls of the church are built with coursed rubble with undressed corner stones. The SE corner of the E gable is the best preserved wall of the church but is currently covered in ivy making detailed examination impossible. The N and S walls of the church stand to a height of c. 1m, while the W wall stands 5 courses high approx. height of c. 1.5m. Opposing gaps in the N and S walls located off centre to W mark the position of opposing doorways. No architectural features visible in the W wall. Low grass-covered wall footings of possible buildings of unknown date can be seen in the field to the S and W of the church. No evidence of any graveyard or any sign of burials in the vicinity of the church. Remains of a mill-stone have been incorporated into rockery belonging to nearby holy well. Cut stone architectural fragments belonging to the medieval church have been reused as features in the landscaped surrounds of St. Brigid’s holy well (WM024-054002-). These fragments include the remains of a late medieval ogee-headed window along with other chamfered stones. Described in 1837 as a ‘ruin of very great antiquity, with a well dedicated to St. Bridget’ (Lewis 1837, 126). A black and white photograph of the church then known as ‘St Brigid’s Church’ shows the condition of the E gable of the church which at the time was partially upstanding with a large tree growing up in the centre of the church (Woods 1907, 248-9). A pile of stones at the base of the gable marks the collapse of the N end of this gable. It has been suggested that the curve in the townland boundary 160m to the NE of the church represents the remains of a possible ecclesiastical enclosure (Swan 1988, 22). However the presence of a mill pond in this area and the lack of a cropmark in the adjoining field suggests that the curve in the townland boundary does not represent the remains of an ecclesiastical enclosure. Monument recorded by the Archaeological Survey of Ireland in 1976 and described as following; ‘The church (int. dims. 12m E-W; 6m N-S; wall T 0.9m) remains consist of the low wall footings and foundations. These are built of well selected stone with good cornerstones. There are door openings in the N & S walls at the W end. These have dressed jambs, the opening in the N wall has a rebate and that on the S a chamfer. There is much collapse within and outside small modern altercations have been added to one of the walls to form a rockery arrangement. Portion of the S wall stands to same height as also the E gable. The well (WM024-054002-) is directly to E of the church.’ (SMR File 20/04/1976). See attached B/W photo showing condition of church c. 1907, taken from Woods, J. (ed.) 1907 The Annals of Westmeath. See attached plan of earthworks to N of church and holy well surveyed by Archaeological Survey of Ireland (SMR File). Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 18 July 2014 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 4/1986).

• WM024-054002 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  Holy well dedicated to St. Brigid, marked on OS 6-inch map as ‘Bride’s Well’. Medieval church ruins (WM024-054001-) known locally as 'Temple Brigid' or 'St. Brigid's Church' (Woods 1907, 248-9) located 10m to W, possible ecclesiastical building (WM024-054003-) 30m to SW. Nearby ringfort (WM024-049001-), field system (WM024-049002-), and site of stone castle (WM024-049003-) in field 150m N of well. Anglo-Norman motte and bailey castle (WM024-053---) 210m to E and Killare Church (WM024-057----) 290m to SE. Area of marsh land located immediately NE of holy well appears to have been a mill-pond for the Corn Mill located 470m to the NE. This mill-pond is depicted on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map. This holy well appears to have been one of three holy wells (WM024-054004-; WM024-054005-) in this townland. Annotated 'Well' and shown standing beside a 'Ch. Ruin' on an estate map dating from 1828 (NLI, MS 21 F. 48 (024) ). Present remains consist of a large pool of water enclosed by low circular stone wall with statue of St. Brigid dating from 1929 standing inside stone canopy on N side overlooking steps leading down to well. On NE side of the pool of water there is an opening or water outlet which feeds into the mill-pond to the NE. A large tree is located beside statue of St. Brigid. Stone steps on W side lead down to the water of the well. Votive offerings have been deposited at the feet of the statue standing inside this stone canopy. Architectural fragments including the chamfered jamb stones of the church window have been reused as pillar stones in the landscaped surroundings of the holy well, fragment of a late medieval ogee-headed window has also been reused in the surrounding landscaping. Remains of a circular-shaped rotary quernstone/millstone has been incorporated into the rockery located at the base of the tree to the W of the holy well. Described in 1837 as a ‘ruin (WM024-054001-) of very great antiquity, with a well dedicated to St. Bridget’ (Lewis 1837, 126). In the late 19th century the site was described as ‘St. Bridget’s Well (WM024-054002-) is still pointed out, shaded by an ash tree, and is still an object of reverence’ (Cogan 1867, 494). The Annals of Westmeath (Woods 1907, 248) recorded that its ‘principal attraction is St. Bridget’s Well, which is constantly visited by pious pilgrims-sometimes from remote parts of the country’. According to Colgan, ‘there were three churches at Killare, the first dedicated to St. Aedh was parochial (WM024-057----), the next was called Temple Brigid (WM024-054001-), and the third the Court of St. Brigid (WM024-054003-)’ (Woods 1907, 249). Colgan also recorded that ‘there was also three fountains or wells, the water of which uniting miraculously together turned a neighbouring mill. One of the wells was dedicated to St. Aedh, the second to St. Brigid, and the third very probably to St. Conran [Cuman]’ (ibid.). According to Colgan one of these wells was called 'Tobur na b-fear' or the 'Men's Well' (Plummer 1910, xvii). Monument recorded by the Archaeological Survey of Ireland in 1976 and described as following; ‘The well is directly to E of the church (WM024-054001-). It is wide and deep with a stone built (modern) surround built in a circular manner. Large ash tree overhanging well’ (SMR File 20/04/1976). Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 18 July 2014 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 4/1986).

• WM024-054003 Building
  Description

  Killare was founded by Aedh Mac Bricc who built three churches at Killare, these were St. Aedh's Church (WM024-057----), Temple Brigid (WM024-054001-) and 'aula' [hall/court] of St. Brigid' (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 392). 18m to the S of St. Bridget’s Church (WM024-054001-) are the grass-covered wall footings of a small building aligned E-W which may be the remains of an ecclesiastical building. This structure is aligned along the same axis as St. Bridget’s Church. It is possible that this building may be the ‘Hall or Court of St. Brigid’. According to Colgan writing in the 17th century, ‘there were three churches at Killare, the first dedicated to St. Aedh was parochial (WM024-057----), the next was called Temple Brigid (WM024-054001-), and the third the Court of St. Brigid’ (Woods 1907, 249). See attached plan of church, holy well and possible ecclesiastical building surveyed by National Monuments Service in 1985. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 23 July 2014 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 4/1986).

• WM024-054004 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  Spring well now contained within modern concrete pump house may mark the location of one of three holy wells recorded by Colgan in the 17th century. St. Brigid’s holy well (WM024-054002-), St. Brigid’s Church (WM024-054001-) and a building (WM024-054003-) which may have been known in the 17th century as the Court of St. Brigid are located 80m to W. A possible third holy well (WM024-054005-) lies in the field 78m to SSW. Mill pond belonging to nearby corn mill located in field immediately to N. Writing in the 17th century, Franciscan friar, John Colgan recorded that ‘there was also three fountains or wells, the water of which uniting miraculously together turned a neighbouring mill. One of the wells was dedicated to St. Aedh, the second to St. Brigid, and the third very probably to St. Conran [Cuman]’ (Woods 1907, 249). According to Colgan one of these wells was also called 'Tobur na b-fear' or the Men's Well' (Plummer 1910, xvii). Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 28 July 2014

• WM024-054005 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  Spring well now contained within modern concrete pump house may mark the location of one of three holy wells recorded by Colgan in the 17th century. St. Brigid’s holy well (WM024-054002-), St. Brigid’s Church (WM024-054001-) and a building (WM024-054003-) which may have been known in the 17th century as the Court of St. Brigid are located 90m to NW. A possible third holy well (WM024-054004-) lies in the field 78m to NNE. Writing in the 17th century, Franciscan friar, John Colgan recorded that ‘there was also three fountains or wells, the water of which uniting miraculously together turned a neighbouring mill. One of the wells was dedicated to St. Aedh, the second to St. Brigid, and the third very probably to St. Conran [Cuman]’ (Woods 1907, 249). According to Colgan one of these wells was also called 'Tobur na b-fear' or the Men's Well' (Plummer 1910, xvii). Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 28 July 2014

• WM024-054006 Ecclesiastical enclosure
  Description

  Killare (Cill Áir/Fháir) also known as Ballyhugh (Nicholls 1994, vol. 3, 343) was founded in the late 6th century by Áed [Hugh] mac Bricc who built three churches at Killare, these were St. Aedh's Church (WM024-057----), Temple Brigid and 'aula' [hall/court] of St. Brigid (WM024-054003-) (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 392). The curving townland boundary to the NE of medieval church ruins (WM024-054001-) possibly indicates the presence of an Early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure (Swan 1988, 22). Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 12 October 2015

Architectural heritage

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

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 Killarecastle with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Westmeath.

Name

Killarecastle

Area

2,058,280 m² (205.83 ha, 508.61 acres)

Civil parish

Killare, and its townlands

Barony

Rathconrath

Electoral division

Killare, the unit of the census

Neighbouring townlands

Ardbrennan, Ballinive, Clonboy Or Ballinacor, Clonownmore, Gibstown, Kellybrook, Killarechurch, Killeenbrack, Rackavra, Rathskeagh Lower, Rathskeagh Upper

Placenames

Killarecastle 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.