Tristernagh Demesne

7 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Tristernagh Demesne, from 5,057 m² (0.51 ha, 1.25 acres) to 707,052 m² (70.71 ha, 174.72 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 17 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 Tristernagh Demesne 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.

No planning application touches the townland of Tristernagh Demesne in the national file, which goes back to 2010.

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

Designated sites

• Special Protection Area: Lough Iron SPA 004046
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Lough Iron 000687

Recorded monuments

• WM011-052 Bridge
  Description

  Situated on wet partially reclaimed grassland at the NE end of a roadway (WM011-049----) known as 'Bohereennamarve' or 'little road of the dead'. This roadway connected Templecross church (WM011-051----) and graveyard (WM011-051001-) 420m to SW to Tristernagh Abbey (WM011-053----) located 160m E of the bridge. The W shore of Lough Iron is 420m to the ENE. Poorly preserved mortared limestone single round-arched bridge traversing a small stream or drain. Poorly drained land with possible fish-pond (WM011-054----) in field immediately to S of bridge. Only a portion of the N and S ends of the bridge survive intact. A bush annotated as 'Doherty's Bush' on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map stood beside the bridge but no longer survives. Compiled by: Frank Coyne and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 18 August 2017

• WM011-053 Religious house - Augustinian canons
  Description

  Situated on the site of Tristernagh House with medieval bridge (WM011-052----) 160m to W. Lough Iron was originally 280m to NE but since the Inny River drainage scheme of the late 1960s the shoreline of the lake now stands 650m to NE. A modern coniferous plantation now stands on the land between the priory and the lake. Augustinian priory of Tristernagh sometimes called the Priory of Kilbixy, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and founded by Geoffrey de Constantine of Cosmeston Castle, Glamorganshire (Galfridus de Constantine) in the late 12th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 196; Dugdale 1846, 1147). Geoffrey had been granted lands in the territory of Kilbixy by Hugh de Lacy as part of the subinfeudation of the Norman Lordship of Meath (Orpen 1892, 229). The Charter of Tristernagh described the extent of the priory as following; ‘Divers liberties and privileges, together with four carucates of land adjoining; the islands in the Lough (Lough Iron), and sundry other lands, with a water mill in Kilbixy; two carucates in Cunemucks, with a mill and two fisheries, called Duffchara and Carangilly; in Balyrothy a toft, and all that land which belonged to Ralph the carpenter; a messuage without the walls of Dublin, near the village of Hogges; the churches of Kilbixy, Balyrothery, Tyrclogher, Rathroin, Glin, Croskeyn, and Killoe, with all their appurtenances; five carucates of the wood of Kilcareth, with several other lands, &c., and liberty to elect their own prior after the death of the said Henry. Witness, Simon, Bishop of Meath. Simon Rochfort, Bishop of Meath, granted to this abbey the privileges of a free churchyard’ (Cogan 1870, 605). In the ecclesiastical taxation of 1302-06, the possessions of the priory were valued at £15 11s. 4d (Cal doc Ire., 258). In 1411 a papal letter sent to Richard Hill who succeeded Richard Rowe, canon of the independent Augustinian priory of St. Mary, Tristernagh in the diocese of Meath stating that that the said priory was 'conventual and a dignity, value, after deducting its burdens and those of the convent, not exceeding 30 marks' (Cal. papal letters, 276). In the same year a second papal letter granted the priory an indulgence for the repair of the priory church described as following; 'Relaxation, during ten years, of seven years and seven quarantines of enjoined penance to penitents, who on the same feasts as above, f. 21, as far as and including SS. Peter and Paul (June 29) and that of the dedication, and on All Saints (November 1), and during the usual octaves and days, visit and give alms for the repair, conservation, or fabric of the Augustinian church and monastery of St. Mary, Tristernagh' (Cal. papal letters, 314). The monastery was surrendered on the 30th of November 1539 by Edmund Nugent, prior, commendator and bishop of Kilmore. In 1540 King Henry VIII granted ‘Edmund Nugent, Bishop of Kilmore, late commendatory of the priory of B. V. M. of Trysternaghe; of a pension of £26 13s. 4d., issuing out of Templefforan (Templeoran), &c., county Meath’ (Nicholls 1994, 17). In the same year King Henry VIII granted to ‘conventual persons of the late priory of the B. V. M. of Tristernaghe; of the pensions following :—Walter Twit (Tuite), 26s. 8d., with the service of the church of Rathaspike; Galfrid Hyll, 26s. 8d.; with the church of Kylbysky; Cornelius Note, 26s. 8d., with the church of Tristernaghe; Patrick Note, 26s. 8d., with the church of Sonnaghe; Thomas Barnewall, 26s. 8d., with the church of Impere (Emper); issuing out of Kargiston [Ballynacargy], &c., county Meath (ibid.). In 1539 the lands of the dissolved monastery were granted on a 21 year lease to Robert Delman of Dublin which included 'the site of the monastery of the B.V.M. of Tristirnaghe, the lands of Tristirnaghe, Abbayton, the Grang, Templeforan, Milne Town Templefforan, Cargestown alias Ballynecargetown, Mounctown, Syffyn, and Racorbally, county Meath, and Balrothry, county Dublin; the rectories of Tristirnaghe, Kilbycksy, Templefforan, Shandonaghe, Sonnaghe, and Killoghe, county Meath, and Balrothry, county Dublin, and the advowsons of Killoghe and Balrothry. To hold for twenty-one years from the 10th July, at a rent of £60’ (ibid., 14). An Extent of the priory lands made at Trysternagh on the 8th of October 1540 listed the following possessions; 'Within the site of the priory or manor:—a church, which is the parish church; its belfry is a stone tower. Certain chambers and other buildings necessary for the farmer's use. A curtilage surrounded with a stone wall. All these are situated above a large lake, broad and deep. The other parts of the site are surrounded with a large bog, except that there is a single straight road (WM011-049----) for entrance. All the buildings are very necessary for the protection of the country. There are 7 gardens and an orchard, now unoccupied, and therefore worth nothing at present. Trysternagh, Abbotts Towne (Abbeyland), and the Graunge (Grange), in the parish of Trysternagh 20 messuages, and cottages, and 140 acres arable, Tempulforan (Templeoran) (WM011-099----) 12 mesuages. In the aforesaid 4 vills, 120 acres pasture and moor, lying alternately, occupied by the tenants in common without rent. Customs. The tenants and cottiers are each to work in the demesne 2 days in autumn reaping and binding sheaves, to convey in their own carts grain and turf to the manor site, from each drove of porkers numbering 7 or more, to give 1 porker at the Feast of All Saints; and to give 2 hens at Christmas. Kylbysky (Kilbixy), A ruinous castle (WM011-040006-) and 40 acres arable. A weir on the lake called Nany Water, called the Pryors Were, yielding annually 180 eels (White 1943, 276). In 1562 a 21 year lease of the priory was granted to Captain William Piers, seneschal of Clandeboy which included 'the site of the priory of the B.V.M. of Tristernaghe, co. Westmeath, the lands of Tresternaghe, Abbotteston, and the Grange, co. Westmeath; Tempulforan, Kilbiskye, a weir called the Prior's weir there on the lough called Navy Water, co. Westmeath; Ballecarge, Mylforen, Monketon, Rathcorbally, Syffyn, and Donmowre, same co; the rectories of Tristernaghe, Kylbiskye, Killuknewan, Imper, Sonnoghe, Raysebacke, Stafernan, Leen, and Leekyn, same co; Killoe in Annale, and Balrotherie, co. Dublin; and a house in the parish of the B.V.M. in Drogheda, in the tenure of Patrick Barnewall. To hold for 21 years from the expiration of the lease, fiant No. 858 Edward VI., at a rent of £110 3a. 8d., portion in corn. Lessee to maintain two able English horsemen, not to alien his interest without license of the sovereign, nor to set to any but English by both parents, or persons born within the English pale, and not to levy coyn or other exactions’ (Nicholls 1994 52). A land grant of 1594 to Robert Harrison of Dublin included ‘40 messuages, a water mill, and five carucates of land in the lordship of Moybrecko alias Moybreckre, co. Westmeath, a ruined weir on the river Cloneleaghe, a wood called Derfadd, with the sixth part of the red bog begin-fling at the entry of the said wood and the water course of Ethenye (Inny), and extending in length between Cloghran and Derfadd, and the tithes of grain and hay and other profits in Ballilagoran, in said co., parcel of the possessions of the priory of Tristernagh (rent £8 6s. 2d.). To hold for ever, by fealty, in common socage. Rent £8 18s. 2d. as above. If any of the lands be recovered at law by undertakers, or be found not to have been concealed, he shall surrender. In consideration of £411 17s. 0d. due to him for victuals in the time of the service of the late earl of Essex in Ireland’ (Nicholls 1994, 233-4). In 1609 King James I granted Adam Loftus of Rathfarnham Castle the ‘site, & co. of the late priory, monastery, or religious house of the B. V. Mary of Tristernagh, 7 orchards and gardens, containing 2a, and all buildings within the same—20 messuages and cottages, 140a arable in Tris

• WM011-053001 Graveyard
  Description

  Situated on the site of Tristernagh House with medieval bridge (WM011-052----) 160m to W. Lough Iron was originally 280m to NE but since the Inny River drainage scheme of the late 1960s the shoreline of the lake now stands 650m to NE. Augustinian priory (WM011-053----) of Tristernagh sometimes called the Priory of Kilbixy, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and founded by Geoffrey de Constantine of Cosmeston Castle, Glamorganshire, in the late 12th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 196; Dugdale 1846, 1147). The churchyard or graveyard of the priory is mentioned in the 12th century charter of Tristernagh which recorded that the extent of the priory included; ‘carucates of land adjoining; the islands in the Lough (Lough Iron), and sundry other lands, with a water mill in Kilbixy ; two carucates in Cunemucks, with a mill and two fisheries, called Duffchara and Carangilly ; in Balyrothy a toft, and all that land which belonged to Ralph the carpenter ; a messuage without the walls of Dublin, near the village of Hogges ; the churches of Kilbixy, Balyrothery, Tyrclogher, Rathroin, Glin, Croskeyn, and Killoe, with all their appurtenances ; five carucates of the wood of Kilcareth, with several other lands, &c., and liberty to elect their own prior after the death of the said Henry. Witness, Simon, Bishop of Meath. Simon Rochfort, Bishop of Meath, granted to this abbey the privileges of a free churchyard’ (Cogan 1870, 605). In 1783 the priory buildings were pulled down Sir Pigott William Piers who built Tristernagh House adjacent to the priory (Brewer 1825-6, 239). According to Archdall (1786, 730; Cogan 1870, 608; ) in this year ‘Sir Pigott William Piers sacrilegiously invaded the graveyard, had the skulls, bones, and tombs, torn from their resting-place, and put out of his way into a hole. The walls of the abbey were next torn down, and a mansion (Tristernagh House) for the proprietor was erected on the site. All that remained of the old abbey were a few walls, which were allowed to form a portion of the new residence. The Tristernagh property has since been sold off, in the Encumbered Estates Court’ (Cogan 1870, 608). By the early 19th century a stable and cow-house stood on the site of the priory (Brewer 1825-6, 239). Today there are no surface remains visible of the graveyard which was located in close proximity to Tristernagh House depicted on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 August 2017

• WM011-054 Fish-pond
  Description

  Situated on lowlying marshy ground with medieval road (WM011-049----) and bridge (WM011-052---) immediately to N and NE respectively. Templecross church (WM011-051----) and graveyard (WM011-051001-) 300m to W. Tristernagh priory (WM011-053----) 300m to NE. Fish-pond depicted on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map as a rectangular-shaped pond fed by a water channel on E side. A rectangular-shaped depression (approx. dims. 70m ENE-WSW x 25m NNW-SSE) intersected by post-1700 drains along its E side appears to represent the remains of a fish pond of uncertain date. It close proximity to the 13th century Augustinian priory (WM011-053---) may suggest it is medieval in date. However it is also possible that it formed part of the estate of Tristernagh House built on the site of the priory in 1783. Compiled by: Frank Coyne and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 22 August 2017

• WM011-152 Icehouse
  Description

  Icehouse of post-1700 date standing on the estate of Tristernagh House located 150m to SSE. Structure described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) as follows; 'Pair of detached icehouses on polygonal plans, built c.1790, associated with Tristernagh House (now ruinous). Now disused. Icehouse to south has brick barrel-vaulted interior with evidence of rubble stone porch to front, now collapsed. Blocked entrance to south. Rubble stone facing to entrance front with square-headed opening with brick surround. Icehouse to north has domed brick interior with rubble stone porch with segmental-headed doorcase (opening within top half of chamber) on northwest side' (NIAH Reg. No. 15401113; https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/15401113/tristernagh-demesne-westmeath) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 30 August 2017

• WM011-153 Icehouse
  Description

  Icehouse of post-1700 date standing on the estate of Tristernagh House located 100m to NW. Structure described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) as follows; 'Pair of detached icehouses on polygonal plans, built c.1790, associated with Tristernagh House (now ruinous). Now disused. Icehouse to south has brick barrel-vaulted interior with evidence of rubble stone porch to front, now collapsed. Blocked entrance to south. Rubble stone facing to entrance front with square-headed opening with brick surround. Icehouse to north has domed brick interior with rubble stone porch with segmental-headed doorcase (opening within top half of chamber) on northwest side' (NIAH Reg. No. 15401113; https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/15401113/tristernagh-demesne-westmeath) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 30 August 2017

• WM011-173 Mound
  Description

  A small mound or low cairn was annotated on a sketch map in the files of the National Museum archives in the townland of Tristernagh Demesne (pers. comm. Maeve Sikora NMI 28/07/2023). This feature may have been a low cairn or mound which stood on or close to Tristernagh Island on Lough Iron which has since been drained and the land reclaimed. Possible small mound or circular tree-covered feature similar to a crannog is visible on Google Earth orthoimages. On the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map Tristernagh Island is shown standing at the S end of Lough Iron, 120m E of the shoreline of Tristernagh Demesne. Tristernagh monastery (WM011-053----) lies 450m to the SW of Tristernagh Island. See attached Google Earth orthoimages Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Maeve Sikora, Keeper of Irish Antiquities, National Museum of Ireland Date of upload: 28 July 2023

Architectural heritage

• Tristernagh House, demesne walls/gates/railings, 1800–1840 · Regional interest
  Description

  Entrance gates serving former Tristernagh House Demesne (demolished), built c.1820, comprising central entrance flanked by pedestrian entrances to either side with sections of quadrant walls to east and west. Gateway formed of six cut stone gate piers on square plan with chamfered plinths. Moulded cut stone coping to outer piers. Inner piers to central entrance support a pair of cast-iron gates. Pedestrian entrance to west retains cast-iron gate, pedestrian entrance to east now partially blocked up. Quadrant walls constructed of rubble stone with cut stone coping over. Located to the south of the site of Tristernagh House/Abbey adjacent to Templecross church on small country road.

• Tristernagh House, icehouse, 1780–1800 · Regional interest
  Description

  Pair of detached icehouses on polygonal plans, built c.1790, associated with Tristernagh House (now ruinous). Now disused. Icehouse to south has brick barrel-vaulted interior with evidence of rubble stone porch to front, now collapsed. Blocked entrance to south. Rubble stone facing to entrance front with square-headed opening with brick surround. Icehouse to north has domed brick interior with rubble stone porch with segmental-headed doorcase (opening within top half of chamber) on northwest side. Located adjacent to Tristernagh Abbey/House.

• Tristernagh House, country house, 1200–1800 · Regional interest
  Description

  Fragmentary remains of medieval Augustinian Abbey, built c.1200 and later converted into a private house c.1783. Now in ruins. Surviving features consist of the heavily buttressed west gable of two/three storey rectangular range with a double with a chamfered pointed-arched door opening with red sandstone surround, lancet window opening over. Further two storey section to the south. Located in former demesne grounds to the northeast of Ballynacarrigy with an icehouse (15401113) to the north and another to the south.

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 10 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

Susceptibility 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 Tristernagh Demesne.

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

Name

Tristernagh Demesne

Area

1,747,250 m² (174.73 ha, 431.75 acres)

Civil parish

Kilbixy, and its townlands

Barony

Moygoish

Electoral division

Kilbixy, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Kilbixy electoral division: 621 people in 239 households; 63% of households own their home; 30% of homes were built since 2001; 9% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 1% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Abbeyland and Charlestown or Ballynamonaster, Ballynacroghy or Gallowstown, Grange, Tristernagh

Placenames

Tristernagh Demesne 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.