Robinstown

13 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Robinstown, from 2,143 m² (0.21 ha, 0.53 acres) to 393,030 m² (39.3 ha, 97.12 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 10 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 Robinstown 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.

• 3 Aug 2021N/a

  the erection of a milking parlour incorporating existing milking parlour, machine room, erection of a cubicle shed incorporating existing cubicle shed, slatted slurry tank, concrete yards and ancillary works

  Permission · Westmeath County Council, 21430

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 Ennell SAC 000685
• Special Protection Area: Lough Ennell SPA 004044
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Lough Ennell 000685

Recorded monuments

• WM025-157 Settlement platform
  Description

  Excavated between 1990 and 1992 (licence nos. 90E0057, 91E0063, 92E0056). On investigation in 1990, this monument, designated Platform 1 (Brady 1991, 56, no. 119), was described as follows: ‘The site is distinguished as an ovoid concentration of loose stone, measuring 13m x 16m in diameter. With the exception of a slight slope along the eastern side, the site is flat. Two narrow cuttings were made across the site, revealing it to consist of a natural core of limestone drift, the underlying glacial till of the region. A rough stone surface, revetted with larger stones around its perimeter, was laid over part of it, forming the platform. There was no evidence for any structures erected upon it and the excavation did not recover any artefacts of visible faunal or floral remains.’ (idid.). During the second season of excavation in 1991 it was found that ‘The site is simply, but carefully, constructed by laying down stone surfaces over an area of naturally deposited glacial till, and consolidating this ovoid area with a rough boulder perimeter. The northern half of the platform received special attention with the laying down of a metalled surface and the construction of at least one, and possibly two, circular structures, 4m x 5m and 3m in external diameter respectively. The former has been sampled. No occupation debris or related features were noted. The working surface in the southern, landward, side of the platform consists simply of a rough scattering of rounded stones. No artifacts, bone fragments, charcoal or other related objects were found in contexts contemporary with the construction and occupation of the site. A number of modern artifacts were recovered from later levels, both in the sod and immediately below it.’ (Brady 1992, 47, no. 129). The final season of excavation took place in 1992 at the end of which c. 70% of the platform had been investigated. During this season a narrow trench was extended ‘into a 2nd platform which abuts the site on its northern, lakeward side (Platform 2). The aim of this season's work was to investigate the indications of internal divisions on Platform 1, and to ascertain its relationship with Platform 2. The presence of 2 small circular stone structures on Platform 1 was confirmed but their remains were too denuded to realise their function. The metalling observed in the north-eastern quadrant in previous seasons was identified in the north-west where it merged imperceptibly into the less ordered, more casual surface that makes up the working surface elsewhere on the platform. A portion of the enclosing perimeter revetment was identified along the northern side. The cutting extended into Platform 2 to the north indicates that both platforms were constructed at the same time. This portion of Platform 2 did not reveal any structural features other than a lightly made perimeter of stones loosely clustered together.’ (Brady 1993, 61, no. 180; Farrell and Brady n.d., 6) Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 31 January 2013

• WM025-158 Settlement platform
  Description

  A settlement platform (designated Platform 1: WM025-157----) was excavated between 1990 and 1992. During the final season of excavation, in 1992 (licence No. 92E0056), a narrow trench was extended from Platform 1 ‘into a 2nd platform which abuts the site on its northern, lakeward side (Platform 2). The aim of this season's work was to investigate the indications of internal divisions on Platform 1, and to ascertain its relationship with Platform 2. . . .The cutting extended into Platform 2 to the north indicates that both platforms were constructed at the same time. This portion of Platform 2 did not reveal any structural features other than a lightly made perimeter of stones loosely clustered together.’ (Brady 1993, 61, no. 180; Farrell and Brady n.d., 6) Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 31 January 2013

• WM032-026 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Monument surveyed by ASI in 1976 and described as following; 'a roughly broad oval earthen embankment (diam. 40m N-S; 36m E-W). There is no indication of a bank or of a fosse. The site shows considerable signs of disturbance. The area just outside the site on the W, S and e seems to have ben levelled in recent years and the grass is very thin in this area. The townland boundary runs around the perimeter of the site on the NW, N and NE and there are a number of very large rocks piled against this. There is no indication of an entrance. The interior is very uneven and rises irregularly towards the centre. There is a depression just inside the perimeter on the E and another on the SE with a large boulder or rock outcrop in it. There is a small mound of earth covered stones just S of centre, probably outcrop and field clearance. There are also rock outcrops N of centre. No features are discernible. There is a single thorn bush near the centre of the interior and the perimeter is overgrown with trees and thorn bushes particularly from the W to N to E. The site is on a low rise in undulating land of poor pasture. Ringfort (WM032-029----) visible on a rise 560m to the SSW '(SMR File 16/08/1976). Robinstown Castle (WM033-001----) located 220m to the NNE. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 16 February 2013

• WM033-001 Castle - unclassified
  Description

  In 1581 the Nugent family rebelled against the Crown and this rebellion was led by Nicholas Nugent at Robinstown. Nicholas Nugent held the position of Chief Justice of the Common Pleas and was described as a 'man well liked in the English pale, his wife is daughter of Sir John Plunket, Chief Justice of the King’s Bench' (Cal. S.P. Ire. 1574-85, 345). In 1581 he was replaced by Robert Dillon as Chief Justice of the Common Pleas and was 'discredited as a resister of the cess' (ibid. 296). In 1582 Ellen Nugent (nee Plunket) sent a petition to the Lord Treasurer of Ieland for 'stay of the suit of John Tyrrell of Fertullaghe for a parcel of land called Robenston [Robinstown], settled on her and her child by her husband, Nicholas Nugent, before his troubles' (ibid. 421). In 1584 the Queen granted the attainted lands of Nicholas Nugent to his wife, Ellen Nugent and her son, Richard Nugent (ibid., 510). In 1588 Queen Elizabeth granted a pardon to 'William Nugent, of Clonyn, co. Westmeath, esq., and Janet Marward, his wife; reciting that he with others had rebelled at Robenston [Robinstown], co. Westmeath, on the 20 March, xxiii [1581]’ (Nicholls 1994, vol. 3, 61). This castle is not depicted on the 1654 Down Survey map of the parish of Carrick and Clonfad (NLI p 7384). In 1640 the lands of Robinstown belonged to Christopher Nugent. The 1659 Census records the presence of 29 Irish families and 0 English families in the townland of 'Robins towne' (Pender 1939, 516). The chief landowners or tenants were listed as 'Edward Tyrrill, Lavallin Newgent, and Dominick Newgent his sonn gents.' (ibid.). In 1660, Edward Tyrrell had purchased lands from several adventurers and others, these lands included the townland of Robinstown (Cal. S.P. Ire. 1669-70, 664). In 1670, Richard Nugent the Earl of Westmeath is listed as the landowner of Robinstown. Poorly preserved ivy-covered castle situated on a small rise of ground in undulating countryside. Only the ivy-covered E wall (L. c. 12m; Wall T 0.9m; H c. 4.5m) of the castle survives upstanding where it has been incorporated into the remains of a 19th century outhouse belonging to Lake View Cottage, the latter is located 15m to the N of the castle. This outhouse was built onto the external face of the E wall of the castle utilising the wall of the castle as the side wall of the outhouse. The poorly preserved ivy-covered wall of the castle and the outbuilding makes it difficult to ascertain what fabric belongs to the castle and what part belongs to the 19th century outhouse. Only the W and S wall of the outhouse survives. The outhouse consists of a narrow rectangular structure (L c. 12m; Wth c. 4m) aligned N-S. This building is depicted as Robinstown Castle on all editions of the OS 6-inch maps. The remains of a narrow rectangular opening, possibly the remains of a window can be seen in the S wall of the outhouse but this feature has been partially damaged by the insertion of a brick built chimney flue. A large gap in the W face of the E wall of the castle located off centre to N may be the remains of a fireplace. The remains of an inserted 19th century fireplace can be seen on the E face of the W wall of the castle located off centre to N. All of the upstanding walls are covered in ivy making it impossible to examine of the fabric of the buildings. The E wall of the castle is built with more irregular stones than the other walls and this wall appears to be only surviving wall of the medieval castle. The scarring of return of the S wall of the castle can be seen on the SE angle of the E wall. The area to the W of this castle wall is now the orchard of Lake View Cottage and was also used as the vegetable garden. No foundations of the remaining walls of the castle can be seen in this area. A single punch-dressed rebated (Wth 0.12m) chamfered (chamfer Wth 0.03m) jamb stone (H 0.5m; Wth 0.62m; T 0.35m) of the doorway belonging to Robinstown Castle can be seen in the farmyard 57m to the NNE. This architectural fragment displays punch-dressing typically found on castles dating from 1550-1650. A second chamfered (chamfer Wth 0.05m) dressed limestone (L 0.95m; Wth 0.3m; T 0.23m) can been seen lyng on the ground beside the door jamb. This chamfered stone appears to have been reused as a gate lintel. A third architectural fragment now located 30m to the NNE and incorporated into the rockery in front of Lake View Cottage consists of a chamfered (chamfer Wth 0.13m) limestone jamb (L 0.82m; Wth 0.28m; T 0.27m), possibly part of a fireplace surround or doorway dating from the 16th or 17th century. These two high quality carved fragments suggest that this castle was constructed between 1550-1650 and contained an impressive carved stone doorway with possible large fireplace with moulded limestone surround. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 19 July 2013

Architectural heritage

• Robinstown House, country house, 1780–1800 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached five-bay two-storey over basement county house, built c.1790, having three-storey returns to the rear (south). Pitched slate roof with raised verges and rendered chimneystacks to each gable end (east and west). Roughcast rendered walls with square-headed window openings, diminishing in size towards the eaves, having stone sills and replacement windows. Central round-headed doorcase having a cut limestone blocked architraved surround and a timber panelled door with a replacement fanlight over. Doorway reached by a flight of cut stone steps flanked by cast-iron railings. Set well back from road in mature grounds with outbuildings to the rear (south). Located to the northwest of Rochfortbridge.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

About 1 in 20 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

Susceptibility moderately low, low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map; parts are water.

Terrain model

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

Flooding

The flood maps of the Office of Public Works: floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency; Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland; both CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

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

Name

Robinstown

Area

1,345,642 m² (134.56 ha, 332.52 acres)

Civil parish

Carrick, and its townlands

Barony

Fartullagh

Electoral division

Carrick, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Carrick electoral division: 348 people in 123 households; 91% of households own their home; 26% of homes were built since 2001; 4% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 4% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Brackagh, Gaddaghanstown, Higginstown

Placenames

Robinstown on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics by electoral division, Central Statistics Office, CC BY 4.0. A townland is the smallest land division of Ireland, and the unit of a rural address; old registers such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses file it under its civil parish and barony.