Quarry

Area

4,063,714 m² (406.37 ha, 1,004.17 acres)

Buildings

20 buildings touch it, 7,365 m² on the ground

Zoning

No zone of a development plan covers it in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply.

Townland

Quarry

Planning applications on this parcel

• 8 Aug 2025Conditional

  for retained development, and for proposed development and change of use, all at Knockdrin Castle and within its curtilage (a Protected Structure – RPS Ref: 012-022), a site of circa. 10.48 hectares. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) accompanies this application. The development for which retention is sought comprises: 1. The restoration and refurbishment of Knockdrin Castle (a Protected Structure – RPS Ref: 012-022), including 12 no. guest bedrooms, ground floor dining area, bar, ballroom and kitchen. 2. The retention of replacement kitchen windows to the rear of the building and replacement of modern conservatory extension to the east side of the building. 3. Retention of drainage services, water supply services, wastewater services (100PE concrete sewage treatment system discharging to 165 sqm percolation area), utilities, and fire safety services associated with the above restoration and refurbishment works. 4. Works to the Knockdrin Castle entrance gates & lodges (North & South – Protected Structures – RPS Ref: 012-020 & 012-021 respectively), as include the provision of new entrance gates. The proposed development for which permission is sought comprises: 1. Proposed change of use of Knockdrin Castle from residential to an events and hospitality venue as incorporates dining and overnight accommodation. 2. Proposed use of existing vehicular access points to the R394 as comprise the Knockdrin Castle gate lodge, south (a Protected Structure – RPS Ref: 012-021) and secondary, north entrance gateway (a Protected Structure – RPS Ref: 012-020) to serve the development. 3. Proposed partial realignment of existing wall adjacent to the secondary, north entrance gateway (a Protected Structure – RPS Ref: 012-020) for the provision of improved sightlines. 4. Proposed enhancements to internal access roads, as includes continuation of existing access route to front curtilage of Knockdrin Castle, and all associated vehicular and pedestrian wayfinding signage. 5. Proposed provision of 74 no. car parking spaces (including 4 no. accessible parking spaces) and 2 no. coach parking spaces to serve the operational and customer needs of the development. 6. Proposed enclosed waste storage area in the internal courtyard of Knockdrin Castle. 7. Proposed hard and soft landscaping works, as include the restoration and enhancement of formal gardens, pedestrian footpaths, enhanced reception area to front curtilages of Knockdrin Castle, and proposed external lighting.

  Retention · Westmeath County Council, 2560402

• 3 Jul 2019Conditional

  retention for the existing grain storage shed and permission for an extension to the existing grain storage shed and all ancillary site services, Ballinagall House, stable buildings and their environs are a protected structure.

  Retention · Westmeath County Council, 196185

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

Designated sites

• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Lough Sheever Fen/Slevin's Lough Complex 000690

Recorded monuments around it

This parcel is in the zone of notification of 7 recorded monuments.

• WM012-139 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated on NE facing slope of a gently rising hill in undulating grassland. This monument is situated on the demesne lands of Knockdrin Castle (WM012-176----) in an area of formal tree planting, and it is likely that the ringfort was reused as a tree-ring in the post 1700 period. The road which marks the townland boundary with Kilmaglish is less than 5m to the W. A slightly raised sub-circular shaped area (approx. diam. 30m N-S; 32m E-W) enclosed by a poorly preserved earthen bank and a shallow external fosse that is best preserved from NNE-E-SE. The interior slopes slightly from SW-NE and contains several beech and oak trees. See attached profile of monument surveyed and drawn by the ASI. Compiled by: Frank Coyne and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 6 March 2018

• WM012-175 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated on W facing slope of an undulating ridge in a plantation of trees on Knockdrin Demesne. A circular shaped area (approx. diam. 28m NW-SE) enclosed by an earthen bank and a well preserved external fosse. The bank and fosse have been levelled at E. There is an entrance gap (Wth 2.4m) at SSW. The interior slopes gently to W. Compiled by: Frank Coyne and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 9 March 2018

• WM012-176 Castle - tower house
  Description

  The townland of Knockdrin was formerly known as Monelea as depicted on the 1655-9 Down Survey map of Rathconnell parish (NLI, MS 723-4). In 1641 the lands of Monelea belonged to Andrew Tuite who is listed in the Down Survey as an 'Irish Papist'. A medieval castle is depicted standing beside a medieval roadway close to the River Gaine in the N quadrant of the townland. This places the castle in the general vicinity of the 19th century Knockdrin Castle. Situated in the SE corner of a walled orchard/garden 100m NE of Knockdrin Castle which was built in the 19th century. A rectangular tower (dims. 7.5m; 5m; max. H 9m) the walls of which are pierced with a number of narrow windows opes with brick surrounds in the S wall. Not certain whether this is the remains of a medieval tower house that has been modified or a 19th century Gothick style tower built in the style of a medieval tower house. A second castle (WM012-178----) marked on the OS map in this townland 980m to SE appears to be the remains of an 18th/19th century icehouse. Compiled by: Frank Coyne and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 9 March 2018

• WM012-177 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated on a small hillock in undulating grassland, with restricted views. A raised circular-shaped area (approx. diam. 50m N-S; 48m E-W) enclosed by a poorly preserved earth and stone bank (H 0.2m) that has been levelled at NE. A field fence running N-S and drain intersects the perimeter of the monument at W. Outline of levelled monument clearly visible on Digital Globe aerial photograph taken November 2011. Compiled by: Frank Coyne and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 9 March 2018

• WM012-178 Icehouse
  Description

  The townland of Knockdrin was formerly known as Monelea as depicted on the 1655-9 Down Survey map of Rathconnell parish (NLI, MS 723-4). In 1641 the lands of Monelea belonged to Andrew Tuite who is listed in the Down Survey as an 'Irish Papist'. A medieval castle is depicted standing beside a medieval roadway close to the River Gaine in the N quadrant of the townland. Situated on a ridge in trees in Knockdrin Demesne. A circular-shaped mound (H. 1m) with a central rectangular hollow, roughly lined with stones (diam. 7.8m N-S; 5.8m E-W). Possibly the remains of an ice house or folly. Mistakenly recorded on the revised 1911 ed. OS map as the ruins of a castle. See attached profile of monument surveyed and drawn by the ASI. Compiled by: Frank Coyne and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 9 March 2018

• WM012-183 Barrow - mound barrow
  Description

  Situated in forestry plantation on Knockdrin Demesne. Monument depicted on Larkin's 1808 map of Co. Westmeath. Described in 1980 by the ASI as 'a wide low mound of earth and stones, surrounded by remains of a wide shallow fosse. The mound was approx. 2m in heights and measures approx. 18m in diam. The surface is uneven the result of fairly recent disturbance. The top is wide and flat with a slight modern depression in the centre. Sited on the summit of a hill OD 555', with wide views of the surrounding countryside' (ASI File 03/03/1980). Surveyed in 2012 and described by McGuinness (2012, 28) as following: ‘Large circular mound (Diam. 24.5m N-S x 24.5m E-W) with low, rounded profile, capped by a trigonometrical station (168m OD), in coniferous plantation on flattish summit of prominent hill of Knockdrin.   Site is well-preserved but covered with mature fir trees, several stumps of larger, much older trees, and a thick, springy layer of pine needles; a slight depression near centre of mound may indicate a collapsed chamber.   Height of mound above surrounding ground ranges from 1.7m on SE side to 2m on SW side.   Given its size and location, this may be a passage-tomb, although it is unclear whether it is composed primarily of earth or stone, and no kerbstones or other diagnostic features are visible.   Frewin Hill (WM011-133----) would be visible across Lough Owel to W but for trees'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by David McGuinness. Date of upload: 23 February 2015

• WM012-184 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated on Knockdrin hill surrounded by forestry in Knockdrin Demesne. A large sub-circular circular shaped area (approx. diam. 50m N-S; 43m E-W) enclosed by a low earthen bank and a shallow external fosse. The perimeter has been dug away at SW, SE and NE, and the fosse has been infilled at N. The interior rises towards the centre and has been planted with coniferous trees. Compiled by: Frank Coyne and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 12 March 2018

Architectural heritage

• Knockdrin Castle, gate lodge, 1840–1880 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay single-storey gate lodge, built c.1860, with canted bay window to east end of north elevation. Now in use as a private dwelling. Hipped natural slate roof with overhanging eaves and central rendered chimneystack. Constructed of snecked cut limestone with square-headed window openings with timber casement windows. Square-headed timber panelled door to centre. Set back from roads adjacent to former back gates serving Knockdrin Castle (15401222). Gates (15401220) and former estate wall adjacent to west.

• Knockdrin Castle, demesne walls/gates/railings, 1750–1770 · Regional interest
  Description

  Gateway serving back entrance to Knockdrin Castle, built c.1760 and moved and rebuilt c.1860, comprising pair of ashlar limestone gate piers on square plan with ashlar capstones over and projecting ashlar limestone gate brackets with scroll detail over to inside faces. Gates now missing. Set into rubble limestone estate wall adjacent to main Mullingar to Castlepollard road.

• Knockdrin Castle, gate lodge, 1850–1870 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached Gothic Revival gate lodge and gateway, built c.1860, comprising central pointed segmental-headed headed carriage arch with battlemented and machicolated three-storey tower on octagonal plan to west and a battlemented turret on square plan to the east. Pointed segmental-headed pedestrian entrance to the east. Cast-iron double gates to centre and cast-iron gate to pedestrian entrance. Constructed of cut limestone (almost snecked) over chamfered limestone plinth with extensive ashlar and cut limestone trim, including projecting string courses, machicolations and battlemented parapet. Carved stone coat of arms of Levinge Family over carriage arch to centre. Square-headed window openings, some paired with stone mullions, with chamfered ashlar surrounds and hoodmouldings over. Windows now blocked. Located adjacent to main Mullingar to Castlepollard road and to the south west of Knockdrin Castle.

• Knockdrin Castle, house, 1810–1820 · National interest
  Description

  Detached Gothic Revival castle on complicated plan, built c.1815. Comprises symmetrical three-storey block to south end with four-storey towers on square-plan flanking central entrance (west facing) and octagonal turrets to corners, a two-storey screen wall to the north with clasping buttresses and crenellated pinnacles over adjoining a two-storey gate house with corner turrets on irregular plan to north. Three-storey canted bay window to south face of main block, overlooking garden. Constructed of coursed rubble limestone with extensive cut limestone and ashlar limestone trim. Roofs hidden behind English style battlemented parapets with machicolations. Cast-iron and lead rainwater goods, some lead hoppers have Levinge coat of arms. Square-headed and pointed-windows with timber sliding sash windows with Gothic Perpendicular-style tracery and timber mullions. Timber shutters with Gothic Perpendicular mouldings to interior. Loop hole openings to turrets. Tudor Gothic doorcase to centre of main block with studded timber double doors, flanked by side lights with leaded glass and Gothic Perpendicular tracery. Gothic fanlight over with timber tracery and stained glass panels. Triple-light windows with Gothic intersecting tracery above doorcase to first and second floors, both set in recessed Tudor Gothic arches. Set back from the road in mature grounds with extensive complex of outbuildings to rear.

• Knockdrin Castle, garden structure misc, 1810–1830 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay single-storey Gothic Revival loggia\summerhouse, built c.1820, comprising central Tudor pointed carriage arch flanked by pointed-arched pedestrian arches to either side. Constructed of ashlar limestone with ashlar limestone detailing including four buttresses surmounted by ashlar pinnacles. Located a short distance to the east of Knockdrin Castle within the formal garden grounds. Rubble limestone boundary wall connects to turret on circular plan to north.

• Knockdrin Castle, glass/green house, 1840–1855 · National interest
  Description

  Detached single-storey curvilinear green house, built c. 1850. Constructed of curvilinear glass and cast and wrought-iron, with cast-iron trim including anthemions acting as a roof cresting along the top of the conservatory. Low brick plinth wall to front and full-height brick wall forming rear elevation (north). Range of single-storey lean-to garden sheds, constructed of rubble limestone with brick trim to openings and eight-over-eight pane timber sliding sash windows to north. Brick chimneystacks on square plan built into wall to rear. Square-headed glazed doorcase to west side elevation. Located to the northeast of Knockdrin Castle within extensive complex of outbuildings.

• Knockdrin Castle, worker's house, 1820–1860 · Regional interest
  Description

  Pair of semi-detached two-storey worker's houses, built c.1840, now in use as private dwellings. Comprises one gable-fronted two-bay two-storey house and one three-bay two-storey house, both with projecting gable-fronted porches to centres (timber porch to gable-fronted house, rubble stone to other). Houses set at right angles to each other with a chamfered/splayed corner at intersection. Pitched slate roofs with overhanging eaves to gable ends and rendered chimneystacks. Constructed of coursed rubble limestone with brick trim to windows. Pointed-arched window openings to front of gable-fronted house with timber Y- tracery, square-headed window openings with casement windows elsewhere. Pointed segmental-headed window to front of stone porch on three-bay building with Perpendicular style Gothic tracery. Modern square-headed doorcases to both structures. Located in outbuilding complex to rear (northeast) of Knockdrin Castle (15401222).

• Post box, 1910–1922 · Regional interest
  Description

  Wall-mounted cast-iron post box, c.1915, with 'GR' royal cipher, raised crown motif and 'Post Office' in raised lettering to letter flap. Set into rubble limestone boundary wall adjacent to rural cross road junction. Located to the north of Mullingar Town.

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).

Download this parcel: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its neighbours and buildings, for a drawing program; GeoJSON, in WGS 84, for a map.

Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. A parcel is the land of a title, not an address. The owner's name is in the Land Registry of Tailte Éireann: a copy of the folio can be ordered on landdirect.ie, for a fee.