Portlick

78 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Portlick, from 51 m² to 156,989 m² (15.7 ha, 38.79 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 32 neighbouring parcels touch it.

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

No zone of a development plan covers Portlick 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.

• 22 Aug 2026N/a

  Outline permission for the construction of a new dwelling, domestic garage, proprietary effluent treatment system & polishing filter, new road entrance, and all ancillary site works

  Outline permission · Westmeath County Council, 2660443

• 6 Dec 2025Conditional

  development which will consist of the reconfiguration of the internal layout of our existing house. Extension to the front, side and rear of the existing dwelling. Amendments to windows to side and rear, Omit existing chimney. All associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2560604

• 29 May 2025Conditional

  Portlick Castle is a protected structure listed under Westmeath County Council RPS 022-026 (Tower House and Castle) and 022-027 (outbuildings and coach house) and recorded under NIAH Reg No. 15402212 (Castle). Portlick Castle is also a Recorder Monument with SMR No. WM022-045. Permission is sought for a formal change of use of the previously converted private residence into a Guest House/Function Venue, with 12 number existing bedrooms with en-suites within the castle and coach house, commercial kitchen, dining room, breakfast room, bar and lounge, toilets, stores and associated site works. Retention Permission is sought for the following works undertaken since 2020: (i) completed replacement to the Tower Roof at increased roof pitch with Blue Bangor slate covering and new dormer to back elevation as access to viewing balcony behind parapet and roof lights to front elevation replicating positions on removed roof (ii) repair of existing timber windows, replacement of decayed timber window and door heads with concrete lintels (iii) removal of existing rotten and damaged timber windows with timber framed replacements (iv) removal of cement based render to middle section of front elevation and reinstatement of hood mouldings based on historic photos to same, removal of cement based pointing to external stone elevations and replacement with lime based mortar, repairs to various damaged stone window cills, heads and reveals, stone waterspouts and other associated damaged stone wall elements, (v) removal of internal wall dry lining systems exposing original stone masonry and replacement of lime plaster in some areas, (vi) part sub division of upper levels (with en-suites) (vii) exposure and re-pointing of bare rubble walls, partial completion of new internal stud walls, and floors to upper levels(viii) replacement of concrete floors at ground level and in the ‘Great Hall’ at first floor with limecrete floors and underfloor heating, (ix) opening up works throughout the structure and removal of damaged and decayed internal drylining, joinery including skirting boards, door frames and doors, architraves, dado rails and picture rails, repairs to all internal timber floors, walls and ceilings, (x) alterations to the non-historic rear and side extensions including removal of blockwork castellations, fitting of new windows in existing openings, and creation of new window openings (xi) alterations to the coach house involving removal of sand cement render, window and do

  Permission · Westmeath County Council, 2560266

• 20 Mar 2025Conditional

  development which will consist of the construction of a single storey dwelling and a domestic garage and a waste water treatment system and a site entrance and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2560118

• 13 Feb 2025N/a

  Retention Permission for completed essential repair works to the Tower Roof consisting of the removal of non-historic fibre cement roof slates and replacement with Blue Bangor slate covering on repaired and replaced roof timbers at slightly increased roof pitch complete with new dormer roof design on back elevation (Northwest facing) including door and side light access to parapet area, replacement of existing dormer windows and roof gutter system, removal of cement based plaster to front elevation (south east facing) and mortar pointing to all other external stone elevations of existing external walls and replacement with Lime based mortar including repairs to various damaged stone window cills, heads and reveals, stone waterspouts and other associated damaged stone wall elements, removal of all internal concrete floors (at ground floor level and first floor level in Great Hall) and replacement with Limecrete floors and underfloor heating systems. Also, retention permission for repair and replacement of existing timber windows and refurb of others with new and repaired timber casement openings and glass together with repairs to decayed timber window and door heads with concrete lintels, the removal of damaged and rotten internal wall dry lining systems and replacement of same with limecrete plaster finish to repaired walls, replacement of damaged and decayed internal joinery including skirting boards, door frames and doors, architraves, dado rails and picture rails, repairs to all internal timber floors, walls and ceilings together with all associated site works. The facility has an existing functioning waste water treatment system (WWTS) and percolation area and a potable water supply from an existing well. Planning permission is also sought for revised internal room layouts for all 8 bedrooms including essential repairs and revised en-suite bathrooms and toilets off each bedroom, revised commercial kitchen layout and function rooms. The Castle is to be used as a private residence and as a public guest/function venue and will host small weddings and similar type functions. Permission is sought for a bar, a bar licence and internal refurb works to the existing function rooms, lounges, toilets and existing structures to the rear (north west facing elevation) including existing roads, car parking areas, fences, boundaries, landscaping and all existing associated site works

  Retention · Westmeath County Council, 2560043

• 4 Oct 2024Refused

  construction of a single dwelling house, domestic garage and treatment system with percolation area and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2460372

• 8 Jul 2022Conditional

  to demolish existing rear extension and to construct extensions and alterations to existing house together with the installation of new domestic sewage treatment plant and associated siteworks.

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 22358

• 29 Apr 2022Conditional

  consisting of proposed new rear extension to existing house with alterations. Proposed demolition of existing fuel shed and alterations to existing barn. Proposed decommission of existing septic tank and replacement with new waste treatment system and percolation area. Proposed new domestic shed and ancillary works for above

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 22220

• 27 Feb 2019Conditional

  Extension of existing recreational building to provide additional dressing rooms and shower areas and all associated site works

  Permission · Westmeath County Council, 197044

• 4 Sept 2018N/a

  Retention permission for works consisting of new roof structure to accommodate extra living accommodation to my dwelling house.

  Retention · Westmeath County Council, 187167

• 4 Apr 2017Conditional

  The construction of a single storey dwelling circa 160m2, garage, package wastewater treatment system and polishing filter together with all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 177054

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: Lough Ree SAC 000440
• Special Protection Area: Lough Ree SPA 004064
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Lough Ree 000440

Recorded monuments

• WM022-014 Graveyard
  Description

  Situated on a low rise of ground 60m NE of Rinardoo Bay on the E shoreline of Lough Ree with a stream marking the townland boundary with Killinure immediately to S. Depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map as a roughly D-shaped 'Grave Yard' (approx. dims. 58m N-S x 66m E-W) standing in the S quadrant of a field called the 'Church Park' with motte castle (WM022-015----) immediately to S. On the 184 map a tomb is shown located in the S quadrant of the graveyard. This graveyard appears to have been built in the bailey of the motte castle (WM022--015---) which in turn may have been built on the site of an early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure (WM022-014002-). A church building (WM022-014003-) now levelled may have stood inside the graveyard. On the revised 1914 ed. OS 6-inch map a smaller rectangular shaped burial ground (approx. dims. 21m N-S x 16m E-W) belonging to the Smyth family of Portlick Castle is depicted standing in the centre of the D-shaped graveyard. This drystone walled burial ground belonging to the Smyth family incorporates architectural fragments of a late medieval building possibly from a church which stood inside the earlier graveyard. An early Christian cross-slab (WM022-014004-) now housed in the National Museum of Ireland was recently discovered in the fabric of this burial ground wall (Reilly 2016, 113). A possible bullaun stone (WM022-016---) and cross (WM022-017----) are located 120m and 165m respectively to the S. The confiscated Dillon estate of Portlick Castle amounting to 356 acres was granted to Thomas Keightly, a member of the Privy Council of Ireland who sold the lands of Portlick, Whinnings, Cartron and ⅓ of the Great Island to William Palmer of Dublin. In 1703 Reverend Robert Smyth of Dublin purchased the lands of Portlick Castle amounting to 190 acres (Sheehan 1978, 68). The Ordnance Survey Name Books recorded the following about Portlick graveyard, it stated that ‘this is a very old burial ground & it is about 3 chains [60m] wide by 330 links [66m]. In it stands a tomb’ (OSNB No. 5, 22). A recent inspection of the graveyard by Reilly (2016, 119) also uncovered fragments of two rotary quern stones. The fragments, consisting of a portion of an upper and a lower quernstone, both of red sandstone conglomerate, were found lying near the enclosing earthen bank SW of the graveyard wall about 3m apart. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 31 July 2017

• WM022-014001 Ecclesiastical enclosure
  Description

  Situated on a low rise of ground 60m NE of Rinardoo Bay on the E shoreline of Lough Ree with a stream marking the townland boundary with Killinure immediately to S. Depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map as a roughly D-shaped 'Grave Yard' (approx. dims. 58m N-S x 66m E-W) standing in the S quadrant of a field called the 'Church Park' with motte castle (WM022-015----) immediately to S. On the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map a tomb is shown located in the S quadrant of the graveyard. This graveyard appears to have been built in the bailey of the motte castle (WM022--015---) which in turn may have been built on the site of an early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure (WM022-014002-). A church building (WM022-014003-) now levelled may have stood inside the graveyard. On the revised 1914 ed. OS 6-inch map a smaller rectangular shaped burial ground belonging to the Smyth family of Portlick Castle (WM022-045----) is depicted standing in the centre of the D-shaped graveyard. This drystone walled burial ground belonging to the Smyth family incorporates architectural fragments of a late medieval building possibly from a church which stood inside the earlier graveyard. An early Christian cross-slab (WM022-014004-) now housed in the National Museum of Ireland was recently discovered in the fabric of this burial ground wall (Reilly 2016, 113). A possible bullaun stone (WM022-016---) and cross (WM022-017----) are located 120m and 165m respectively to the S. The confiscated Dillon estate of Portlick Castle amounting to 356 acres was granted to Thomas Keightly, a member of the Privy Council of Ireland who sold the lands of Portlick, Whinnings, Cartron and ⅓ of the Great Island to William Palmer of Dublin. In 1703 Reverend Robert Smyth of Dublin purchased the lands of Portlick Castle amounting to 190 acres (Sheehan 1978, 68). Listed by Swan (1988, 31) as possible site of an Early Christian ecclesiastical site with possible ecclesiastical enclosure, bullaun stone (WM022-016----) 100m to the S and the presence of an early Christian cross-slab (WM022-003----) now lost which was discovered in 1976. A graveyard (WM022-014----) is located inside the bailey of a motte castle (WM022-015----) located immediately to S. The curving ditch of the bailey to the N and E may indicate re-use of an Early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure. An early Christian cross-slab (WM022-014003-) has been recently discovered inside the graveyard along with cut stone fragments of a late medieval building possibly a church (Reilly 2016, 113,-6). The possible ecclesiastical enclosure was described by Reilly (2016, 114) as following; 'The nineteenth-century burial ground contains seven burial plots in a north-south alignment and is surrounded by a rectangular drystone wall, which is in turn surrounded by a larger enclosure. Although depicted as a wall on the later OS maps, the larger enclosure is in fact a bank of earth and stone that is roughly oval in shape. It encloses an area measuring c. 70m east-west by c. 60m north-south'. Reilly also uncovered fragments of two rotary quern stones. The fragments, consisting of a portion of an upper and a lower quernstone, both of red sandstone conglomerate, were found lying near the enclosing earthen bank SW of the graveyard wall about 3m apart. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of Upload: 29 July 2017

• WM022-014002 Church
  Description

  Situated on a low rise of ground 60m NE of Rinardoo Bay on the E shoreline of Lough Ree with a stream marking the townland boundary with Killinure immediately to S. Depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map as a roughly D-shaped 'Grave Yard' (approx. dims. 58m N-S x 66m E-W) standing in the S quadrant of a field called the 'Church Park' with motte castle (WM022-015----) immediately to S. On the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map a tomb is shown located in the S quadrant of the graveyard. This graveyard appears to have been built in the bailey of the motte castle (WM022--015---) which in turn may have been built on the site of an early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure (WM022-014002-). A church building (WM022-014003-) now levelled may have stood inside the graveyard. On the revised 1914 ed. OS 6-inch map a smaller rectangular shaped burial ground belonging to the Smyth family of Portlick Castle (WM022-045----) is depicted standing in the centre of the D-shaped graveyard. This drystone walled burial ground belonging to the Smyth family incorporates architectural fragments of a late medieval building possibly from a church which stood inside the earlier graveyard. An early Christian cross-slab (WM022-014004-) now housed in the National Museum of Ireland was recently discovered in the fabric of this burial ground wall (Reilly 2016, 113). A possible bullaun stone (WM022-016---) and cross (WM022-017----) are located 120m and 165m respectively to the S. The confiscated Dillon estate of Portlick Castle amounting to 356 acres was granted to Thomas Keightly, a member of the Privy Council of Ireland who sold the lands of Portlick, Whinnings, Cartron and ⅓ of the Great Island to William Palmer of Dublin. In 1703 Reverend Robert Smyth of Dublin purchased the lands of Portlick Castle amounting to 190 acres (Sheehan 1978, 68). Listed by Swan (1988, 31) as possible site of an early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure surrounding a graveyard (WM022-014----) located inside the bailey of a motte castle (WM022-015----) standing immediately to S. An early Christian cross-slab (WM022-014003-) has been recently discovered inside the private graveyard of the Smyth family along with cut stone fragments of a late medieval building possibly a church (Reilly 2016, 113,-6). In 1976 Mr Billy English discovered an early Christian cross-slab (WM022-003----) in the wall of an orchard located approx. 220m to NNW. This cross-slab which is now missing may have originally come from the graveyard (WM022-014----). Mr. Billy English recorded a local tradition that there was an early Christian church in the townland of Portlick (Fanning and Ó hÉailidhe 1980, 19). According to Reilly (2016, 114) the tradition of an ancient church at Portlick is also recorded in the history of the Smyths of Portlick Castle, which noted that most of family, `are buried in a private cemetery formed around the ruins of an ancient chapel in front of Portlick Castle (WM022-012----)' (Hayward 1950, 165).' This description identifies the Smyth family graveyard (WM022-014----) as the actual site of the ancient church as remembered in local tradition. Graveyard wall containign architectural fragments of a late medieval building described by Reilly (2016, 116) as following 'Although most of the rectangular graveyard wall is constructed of coarse local limestone, there are traces of masonry from an older structure incorporated into it. Field inspection has recorded over twenty squared or finely dressed stones mixed in among the stones of the wall. Roughly half of these are identifiable as architectural fragments. Lying flat on the top of the wall in the north-east comer, the lower part of a small splayed window aperture of early date can be seen, and nearby are three small pieces of window surround of the same dimensions that must have formed part of the window opening. On the north-west wall the ruins of the entrance gate to the nineteenth-century cemetery can be seen between two pillars. The pillars are made from a number of squared and dressed stones but the eastern pillar also includes two large blocks with a well cut pattern of arcades and rows repeated on both of them. On the south-west corner, there is a long squared fragment with a chamfered edge and raised triangular stop identical to those found in late Medieval door jambs. Built into the west-facing wall, there is a small fragment of an arch, and another pointed lancet arch fragment built into the inner face of the same wall. Most of the southern part of the wall is inaccessible due to a fallen beech tree'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 29 July 2017

• WM022-014003 Cross-slab
  Description

  Situated on a low rise of ground 60m NE of Rinardoo Bay on the E shoreline of Lough Ree with a stream marking the townland boundary with Killinure immediately to S. Depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map as a roughly D-shaped 'Grave Yard' standing in the S quadrant of a field called the 'Church Park' with motte castle (WM022-015----) immediately to S. On the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map a tomb is shown located in the S quadrant of the graveyard. This graveyard appears to have been built in the bailey of the motte castle (WM022--015---) which in turn may have been built on the site of an early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure (WM022-014002-). A church building (WM022-014003-) now levelled may have stood inside the graveyard. On the revised 1914 ed. OS 6-inch map a smaller rectangular shaped burial ground belonging to the Smyth family of Portlick Castle (WM022-045----) is depicted standing in the centre of the D-shaped graveyard. This drystone walled burial ground belonging to the Smyth family incorporates architectural fragments of a late medieval building possibly from a church which stood inside the earlier graveyard. An early Christian cross-slab (WM022-014004-) now housed in the National Museum of Ireland was recently discovered in the fabric of this burial ground wall (Reilly 2016, 113). A possible bullaun stone (WM022-016---) and cross (WM022-017----) are located 120m and 165m respectively to the S. Early Christian cross-slab used as a building stone in the wall of the Smyth family burial ground (WM022-014----) which was discovered in 2009 (Reilly 2016, 113). Described by Reilly (2016, 118) as following; 'One stone in particular stood out from the others in the north-west corner of this wall. The stone, a slab of pale yellow sandstone located near the top of the wall, differed from those surrounding it in colour and texture. Lying loosely on top of it were some grey limestone pieces that were removed for closer inspection. On lifting the stone and turning it over it was revealed to be the upper half of a previously unknown Early Christian cross-slab with a fine cross and a partial inscription pecked into it. The surviving portion is roughly triangular in shape and measures approx 40cm x 40cm x 11 cm thick (NMI Acquisitions 2009:184). The Portlick cross-slab is of Clonmacnoise type, belonging to O Floinn's `Type B' category, which date from the later ninth century to the end of the tenth century. Type B cross-slabs are characterised by a Latin cross with a central circular expansion and semicircular terminals that are sometimes looped'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 29 July 2017

• WM022-015 Castle - motte and bailey
  Description

  National Monument No. 624. Situated on a low rise of ground 60m NE of Rinardoo Bay on the E shoreline of Lough Ree with a stream marking the townland boundary with Killinure immediately to S. Depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map as a roughly D-shaped 'Grave Yard' standing in the S quadrant of a field called the 'Church Park' with motte castle (WM022-015----) immediately to S. On the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map a tomb is shown located in the S quadrant of the graveyard. This graveyard appears to have been built in the bailey of the motte castle (WM022--015---) which in turn may have been built on the site of an early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure (WM022-014002-). A church building (WM022-014003-) now levelled may have stood inside the graveyard. On the revised 1914 ed. OS 6-inch map a smaller rectangular shaped burial ground belonging to the Smyth family of Portlick Castle (WM022-045----) is depicted standing in the centre of the D-shaped graveyard. This drystone walled burial ground belonging to the Smyth family incorporates architectural fragments of a late medieval building possibly from a church which stood inside the earlier graveyard. An early Christian cross-slab (WM022-014004-) now housed in the National Museum of Ireland was recently discovered in the fabric of this burial ground wall (Reilly 2016, 113). A possible bullaun stone (WM022-016---) and cross (WM022-017----) are located 120m and 165m respectively to the S. Described in 1978 as following; ‘The steep-sided earthen mound is surrounded by a wide rather deep fosse. There are traces of earthen banks on the outer lip of this fosse on the N-E-S. The mound is somewhat low for a motte particularly as one approaches it from the E. There is a large depression probably the result of quarrying on top. There is no visible trace of a bailey though the old graveyard (WM022-014---) which adjoins the motte on the NE may have destroyed such a feature. The graveyard was a private burial ground attached to Portlick Castle (WM022-045----). No trace of an entrance or access to the top of the motte. Located on a low natural rise near lakeshore in good pasture land’ (SMR File 05/07/1978). A second report in 1971 described the monument as a ‘high steep circular earthen mound (top diam. 13.7m N-S; 14.4m E-W; H 2-3m) surrounded by a wide deep U-shaped fosse (ext. D.1-1.5m) with slight remains of an earthen bank on its upper edge. There is a large depression in the centre of the top of the motte. The counterscarp bank is visible from NE-E-S-WSW and in a very vague form elsewhere. A relatively modern bank contacts it on the WSW. There is no visible trace of a bailey’ (SMR File 11/10/1971). A third report in 1978 recorded that ‘to the North of the motte adjoining the bank which encircles the motte is a large irregular enclosure roughly triangular in shape and bounded by a wide bank of earth and stones. There are slight stony outcrops in the northern and NW parts of this enclosure. In the centre of this enclosure is a small subrectangular walled burial ground (WM022-014---), apparently a private burial place for the residents of nearby Portlick Castle (WM022-045----). Seven gravestones of 19th c. – 20th c. date are visible. Some low banks extend outwards from the enclosure and run into the nearby field banks. Nearby on the lakeshore is a rectangular socket stone of a cross (WM022-017----) and large boulder with a double bullaun (WM022-016----) in it’ (SMR File 09/06/1978). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 26 January 2016

• WM022-045 Castle - tower house
  Description

  Multi-period castle originally built by the Dillon family and extended over the centuries. Castle stands 125m S of Portlick Bay on the E shoreline of Lough Ree. A place-name marked 'Togher' is depicted 100m N of the castle on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map, with Rabbit Warren depicted 60m to NNE. On this map an area called 'Church Park' is depicted 270m to the S. This park contains the remains of a graveyard (WM022-014----), a possible church site (WM022-014002-), possible early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure (WM022-014002-), an early Christian cross-slab (WM022-014003-) and a motte and bailey castle (WM022--015---). An early Christian cross-slab (WM022-003----) now lost but recorded in 1976 as built into S wall of orchard 180m S of Portlick Castle may have originally come from the graveyard in the 'Church Park'. According to Walsh (1915, 86) 'The barony of Kilkenny West was granted to the Dillon family in the twelfth century. The modern family is descended from Henry de Lion who arrived in Ireland in 1185 at the behest of King John. He built his house and chapel at Drumraney and in the centuries that followed the Dillions founded a number of castles and tower houses in the barony of Kilkenny West. Most of them are no longer extant except for Portlick Castle'. In 1608 King James I confirmed ownership of 'the manor, castle, and lands of Portlicke, with 2 cart.[rons] in Enoyne, Aghnemony, and Lisloghnan, with the fishing belonging and adjoining to the castle of Portlicke' to Sir Theobald Dillon of Kilfaughny (Cal. pat. rolls Ire., Jas I, 124-5). The medieval castle of Portlick is shown on the 1654-7 Down Survey map of Kilkenny West barony where it is depicted as a tower house type fortification with one and a half storey high house attached to E side of tower (NLI, MS 723-4). Tall chimney stacks are shown rising above the roof line of the house. The castle is depicted in a similar fashion on the Down Survey map of Bunowen parish where the estate lands are shown as consisting of 190 acres of land in Portlick and a cartron of land amounting to 125 acres in Whinning. The terrier of the Down Survey map of Bunowen parish stated that ‘on Portlicke Standes a Castle’ and that Garratt Dillon, an Irish papist was the owner of the castle and lands of Portlicke. Garratt Dillon was also listed as the owner of 204 acres of lands in the adjoining townland of Liskilling [Lissakillen North & South] and 98 acres of ‘Red Bog’ also in Liskilling (ibid.). Portlick Castle was the residence of the Dillon family until 1696 when its resident Garret Dillon was declared attainted and his property was confiscated by the Williamite government. The confiscated estate measuring 356 acres was granted to Thomas Keightly, a member of the Privy Council of Ireland who sold the lands of Portlick, Whinnings, Cartron and ⅓ of the Great Island to William Palmer of Dublin. In 1703 Reverend Robert Smyth of Dublin purchased the lands of Portlick Castle amounting to 190 acres (Sheehan 1978, 68). The estate was sold by the Smyth family in 1954 (ibid.). Portlick Castle was described by Bence-Jones (1978, 233) as following; ‘An old keep with a battlemented later wing. In the nineteenth century, the seat of Robert Ralph Smyth and then of his nephew, Robert Wolfe Smyth’. The castle was described by Casey and Rowan (1993, 303) as following; ‘The back of the Portlick Castle shows the Dillon tower house as a severe rectangular block adjoined by a plain Georgian range, two storeys by seven bays. The tower, probably fifteenth century, is of impressive bulk. Four storeys high, it incorporates within a regular plan four projected corner towers. These appear on the exterior only as the thinnest of loops with small first and second floor mullion windows in the central block, giving a harsh defensive character to the castle. The Georgian wing added by the Smyths is gabled and rough-cast, with sash windows on both floors and a centrally placed staircase. About 1860 further changes were made to the castle by Robert Ralph Smyth, who added a large castellated block across the front of the Georgian wing. Portlick's entrance front now reads as two towers joined by a low two bay Georgian link. The new "tower" is a two storey rubble block with stepped battlements and large mullioned windows divided into the traditional late Georgian proportions of a Wyatt window. The original tower has a machicolation chute projecting above the original entrance and many small mullioned windows which appear to have been added during the Victorian rebuild’. The castle was described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage [NIAH] as following: ‘Three-bay four-storey late medieval tower house, built c.1500, with later seven-bay two-storey extension added to the southwest, c.1800, and a two-bay two-storey castellated block added to the southwest corner of this extension, c.1865. Extension, c.1990, to the northeast end. Now in use as an hotel. Pitched natural slate roofs hidden behind raised parapets with Irish-style battlements. Machicolation chute to northwest face of tower house at third and fourth floor level, above original entrance. Rendered chimneystacks with terracotta chimneypots. Tower house constructed of rubble limestone and rendered finish to later Georgian wing, c.1800. Later castellated extension constructed using snecked limestone with cut limestone trim, including projecting string courses with corbels. Square-headed openings with cut stone mullions and loop hole openings to tower house, square-headed openings to later Georgian wing with replacement windows. Square-headed window openings with dressed stone surrounds, cut stone mullions and hoodmouldings to castellated wing having replacement timber casement windows. Round-headed doorcase with timber sheeted door to northwest face of tower house, square-headed doorcase with cut stone surround to north face of c.1865 extension with modern timber door. An imposing and impressive late-medieval tower house with a number of later nineteenth century castellated extensions, which retain their early form, character and a great deal of the original fabric. It represents an excellent example of the continued use of a large-scale structure from the medieval period, illustrating changing architectural tastes and styles over a four hundred year period. The c. 1865 extension was added following a fire in 1861, which destroyed much of the interior of the existing castle. The tower house was originally constructed c.1500 by the Dillion Family who lived here until 1696, when it was taken over by the Crown and granted to Thomas Keightly, a member of King William's privy council in Ireland. It was sold, c.1700, to William Palmer of Dublin, who promptly sold it on to the Smyth Family, of Barbavilla House (15400813) near Collinstown, who remained in ownership of Portlick Castle into the twentieth century’ (http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=WM&regno=15402212)

Architectural heritage

• Portlick Castle, castle/fortified house, 1450–1870 · Regional interest
  Description

  Three-bay four-storey late medieval tower house, built c.1500, with later seven-bay two-storey extension added to the southwest, c.1800, and a two-bay two-storey castellated block added to the southwest corner of this extension, c.1865. Extension, c.1990, to the northeast end. Now in use as an hotel. Pitched natural slate roofs hidden behind raised parapets with Irish-style battlements. Machicolation chute to northwest face of tower house at third and fourth floor level, above original entrance. Rendered chimneystacks with terracotta chimneypots. Tower house constructed of rubble limestone and rendered finish to later Georgian wing, c.1800. Later castellated extension constructed using snecked limestone with cut limestone trim, including projecting string courses with corbels. Square-headed openings with cut stone mullions and loop hole openings to tower house, square-headed openings to later Georgian wing with replacement windows. Square-headed window openings with dressed stone surrounds, cut stone mullions and hoodmouldings to castellated wing having replacement timber casement windows. Round-headed doorcase with timber sheeted door to northwest face of tower house, square-headed doorcase with cut stone surround to north face of c.1865 extension with modern timber door. Extensive complex of single and two-storey rubble limestone outbuildings arranged around a central courtyard to the south (15402213). Detached multi-bay single-storey former coach house and stables to the south. Portlick Castle is located in extensive mature grounds on a peninsula jutting out into Lough Ree from the east shores. Main entrance gates to the east.

• Portlick Castle, stables, farmyard complex, 1780–1820 · Regional interest
  Description

  Complex of outbuildings to the rear of Portlick Castle (15402212), built c.1800. Comprises a complex of single-storey outbuildings arranged around a central courtyard having a two-storey section to the centre of the west facing range, now ruinous and out of use, and a detached single-storey former coach house/stables to the south, now in use as a house. Pitched and hipped natural slate roofs with brick chimneystacks and modern skylights. Brick eaves course, brick dressings to the openings and cast-iron rainwater goods to courtyard of outbuildings. Constructed of rubble limestone with roughcast render over to detached former coach house. Square-headed openings with remains of timber fittings and segmental-headed carriage arches to complex of outbuildings, now mostly blocked up. Square-headed openings and a segmental-headed carriage arch to former coach house having hoodmouldings over. Replacement timber casement windows to openings. Rubble limestone boundary walls to site.

• Portlick Church (Bunown), church/chapel, 1820–1825 · Regional interest
  Description

  Freestanding Church of Ireland church, built in 1822, comprising two-bay hall with attached three-stage tower on square-plan to the northwest with a raised parapet with English-style crenellations and corner pinnacles. Shallow chancel attached to the southeast end. Pitched natural slate roof with raised limestone verges to gable ends and cast-iron rainwater goods. Constructed of rubble limestone with roughcast render over to hall. Cut stone plinth to base and cut stone detailing to tower including projecting string courses. Pointed-arched window openings to west elevation and to chancel gable with cut stone surrounds, cut stone sills and replacement timber casement windows. Blind pointed-arch recesses with cut stone surrounds to east elevation. Pointed-arched openings to belfry with cut stone surrounds and timber louvred vents. Pointed arched doorcase to tower. Set back from road in extensive mature grounds and surrounded by a graveyard having early cast-iron and carved stone grave markers. Cast-iron railings to a number of the graves. Rubble limestone boundary wall to the east with main entrance to the southeast end of boundary wall having rubble limestone gate piers on square-plan supporting wrought-iron double gates. Located to the northwest 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 Portlick with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Westmeath.

Name

Portlick · Port Lice

Area

1,545,824 m² (154.58 ha, 381.98 acres)

Civil parish

Bunown, and its townlands

Barony

Kilkenny West

Electoral division

Killinure, the unit of the census

Neighbouring townlands

Glebe, Killeenmore, Killinure North, Lissakillen North, Lissatunny, Tonagh, Whinning

Placenames

Portlick 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.