Twyford

107 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Twyford, from 40 m² to 258,112 m² (25.81 ha, 63.78 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 31 neighbouring parcels touch it.

No zone of a development plan covers Twyford 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 Sept 2026N/a

  RETENTION permission for amendment to site boundaries as previously granted under 16/7049

  Retention · Westmeath County Council, 2660465

• 28 Jan 2026Conditional

  to construct a dwelling house, domestic garage and treatment system with percolation area, connection to public water services and all associated site works. This application includes the submission of a Natura Impact Statement (N.I.S)

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2660022

• 22 Jan 2026Conditional

  Retention Permission to retain as follows (1) Retention of single-storey extension to rear and side of existing dwelling to provide ancillary accommodation (previously granted planning reference 82952); (2) Retention of altered front entrance door to dwellinghouse; (3) Retention of single-storey extension to detached garage; (4) Retention of single-storey detached garden shed; (5) Retention of single-storey detached glasshouse

  Retention, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2660014

• 28 Mar 2025Refused

  construction of a dwelling house, domestic garage and treatment system with percolation area, connection to public water services and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2560143

• 17 Dec 2024Conditional

  EXTENSION OF DURATION for 1) Demolition of existing dwelling and septic tank system, outbuildings and farm sheds and construction of a new 215sqm part two-storey and part single-storey dwelling and proprietary waste water treatment system and polishing filter 2) Renovation of an existing outbuilding as a domestic store 3) All associated works including a new site entrance, removal of existing trees & hedge at the site boundary in order to achieve the required sight lines etc

  Extension of duration · Westmeath County Council, 2477

• 4 Jul 2024Conditional

  new dwelling, new domestic garage, new road entrance, new effluent treatment system with polishing filter and all ancillary site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2460234

• 9 Nov 2023Conditional

  construction of a single storey granny flat to the side of existing dwelling house and to decommission existing septic tank and percolation area and install new tertiary treatment unit & soil polishing filter and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 23144

• 22 Mar 2023Conditional

  erection of a single-storey dwelling house, single dwelling treatment system and all associated site works. Access to the site via a new entrance to green field site

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 2333

• 15 Oct 2020Refused

  Dwelling house, wastewater treatment unit, boundary fences/walls and driveway

  Outline permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 207159

• 5 Oct 2020Refused

  Retention of agricultural building 417.69sqm and concrete yard and dungstead

  Retention · Westmeath County Council, 207146

• 24 Sept 2020N/a

  Retention of agricultural building 417.69sqm and concrete yard and dungstead

  Retention · Westmeath County Council, 207143

• 17 Jan 2020Conditional

  New private dwelling, detached garage, septic tank and percolation area, new entrance and all ancillary site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 207006

• 13 Jan 2020Conditional

  1) Demolition of existing dwelling and septic tank system, outbuildings and farm sheds and construction of a new 215sqm part two-storey and part single-storey dwelling and proprietary waste water treatment system and polishing filter 2) Renovation of an existing outbuilding as a domestic store 3) All associated works including a new site entrance, removal of existing trees & hedge at the site boundary in order to achieve the required sight lines etc

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 207004

• 11 Dec 2019Refused

  Erection of house, proprietary wastewater treatment unit, boundary walls/fencing, planting, vehicular access and all ancillary works

  Outline permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 197250

• 16 Apr 2019Conditional

  Construction of a dwelling, garage waste water treatment system and percolation area and access to shared existing entrance onto public road and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 197090

• 12 Apr 2019Conditional

  Construction of a new private dwelling, detached garage, new entrance, new septic tank & percolation area, and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 197088

• 12 Dec 2018N/a

  Planning permission for the construction of a new private dwelling, detached garage, septic tank and percolation area, a new entrance, and all ancillary site works.

  Permission · Westmeath County Council, 187235

• 19 Sept 2018Refused

  Planning permission for the construction of a new private dwelling, detached garage, a new entrance, a new septic tank and percolation area, and all associated ancillary site works

  Permission, 1 home · Westmeath County Council, 187176

• 25 Oct 2017Conditional

  Planning Permission for a rear extension to existing school consisting of 2 new classrooms,a new staff room, WC, & new general purpose room; planning permission for the replacement of the existing septic tank and percolation area with a proprietary effluent treatment system & soil polishing filter; planning permission for a new staff road entrance at existing field gate with associated new driveway and staff car park: and all ancillary site works

  Permission · Westmeath County Council, 177193

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: Carn Park Bog SAC 002336
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Carn Park Bog 000676

Recorded monuments

• WM029-005 Crannog
  Description

  Described by O'Sullivan (2004, 117-8) as 'Originally located at east end of Twy Lough (a long, deep lake), formerly surrounded by water but now separated from the shoreline by marshes to east and southeast. The site was 130m from nearest original shoreline to south. This crannóg is a low cairn (diam. 27m; H 1.3m, 0.3m above water) of stone, earth and timber in shallow water at the east end of Twy Lough. The crannóg is a low, level cairn, with gradually sloping sides, apart from the east side where it slopes steeply into the water. The cairn has been heavily eroded by wave action on the west side, revealing a palisade of vertical wooden posts, set in irregular concentric rows 3-4 deep. There was no evidence for horizontal timbers. Animal bone was also common here and across the surface o f the site. The crannóg is heavily overgrown today with large trees and bushes and is surrounded by reeds. The crannóg was clearly used as a fishing station in the 18th-19th century. A small rectangular summer house (dims. 5.3m N-S x 3.6m E-W), with drystone walls, mortared and whitewashed interior walls and a possible fireplace at the east end sits in the middle of the island. There is also an old wooden jetty on the southwest side, 4m in length (in 1m depth of water), bound with rope and on stilts. This was probably associated with the summer house. Local folklore has it that this lake (apparently formerly known as Loch Lochraighi, 'lake of the lake-folk’) was the site of an event in the Life of Ciarán, when the saint cursed heathens and rabble on an island in lake that were disturbing the monastic community'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Aidan O'Sullivan. Date of upload: 10 March 2017

• WM029-006 Castle - motte
  Description

  Situated on a low rise, in undulating pasture, c. 20m to SW of a townland boundary. Depicted on the revised 1910 ed. OS 25-inch map as a circular-shaped earthwork (approx. dims. 15m NE-SW; 14m NW-SE). Monument described in 1980 as a small high steep-sided circular-shaped flat-topped mound (H 3-4m) of earth and stone. The summit is fairly flat and the monument is overgrown with impenetrable vegetation, which prevented a detailed inspection. There is no definite trace of an external fosse around the base of the mound. A field fence flanks the base of the earthwork to NW. The classification of this monument is uncertain and may be the remains of a small motte or possible burial mound. Monument is visible today as a tree-planted earthwork on Digital Globe aerial photography. Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien. Date of upload: 07 November 2019

• WM029-007 Castle - motte
  Description

  Situated on NE-facing slope of a rise, in pasture, with good views overlooking Twy Lough 185m to N. Twyford House located 430m to SSE. Depicted on the revised 1910 ed. OS 25-inch map as an oval-shaped earthwork. Monument described in 1973 as an oval-shaped, steep-sided flat-topped mound the base of which is enclosed by a wide fosse with traces of an outer bank of earth and stone. The fosse has been partially defaced from SE-S-SW where it is infilled. The outer bank is best preserved from NW-N-NE. The summit (dims. 16m E-W; 12m N-S) of the mound is flat and strewn with stones. There is a roughly circular-shaped depression near the centre. Monument is visible today as an oval-shaped tree-planted earthwork on Digital Globe aerial photography. Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien. Date of upload: 07 November 2019

• WM029-008 Cross - High cross (present location)
  Description

  National Monument No. 223. In 1837 the Ordnance Survey recorded the following about the location of Bealin High Cross; ‘On Cross hill in the parish of Ballyloughloe there is a curiously sculptured ancient cross said to have been removed thither from an old graveyard (WM029-009002-) in Twy [ford] by the father of the present Lord Castlemaine. No trace of this graveyard is now visible, but the cross proves that there was an ancient church (WM029-009----) there’ (OSL 1837, vol. 1, 68). Bealin High Cross described by Harbison (1992, vol. 1, 25-6) as following; 'The cross now standing on top of a hill in the former Twyford demesne, close to a lane leading northwards from Bealin Post Office, is almost certainly not in its original location. It is said to have formerly stood beside a well (WM029-009001-) in the demesne. Henry assumed that it was taken from Clonmacnoise, but there would not appear to be any evidence that it is to be identified with a cross marked with the letter R on Blaymires' 17th century view of Clonmacnoise. Its original location must remain a mystery. The cross stands to a height of about 2.1m above a modern base, and is 27cm thick. Its north arm has been badly damaged, but the original width across the arms must have been about 1.06m. Of the ring, only the lower segment of the south side has been preserved, and its edges have raised mouldings of the same kind as found on the shaft and arms of the cross. EAST FACE Shaft: A lion, with projecting tongue and raised tail above its back, proceeds to the left at the bottom of the shaft. Above it, birds with elongated necks have tails which coil into a spiral, where they interlace with a ribbon-bodied animal. The head of one of the brids can clearly be seen to have an ear-lappet. Above the second bird there is another animal with a tail which interlaces in spiral fashion with the second bird's neck, and with its head placed in the upper left-hand corner of the panel. Head: The centre of the head is occupied by a square panel with a two-strand interlace, above which there is a double three-pointed knot of interlace. The south arm bears a lion similar to that on the bottom of the shaft and - like it-also turning towards the left. SOUTH SIDE S1 : A ribbon-bodied animal forming a flat interlace, with its head on top and its fish-like tail below. S2 : A lyre-like design, consisting of a pelta shaped C-spiral rising upwards to two outward-coiling spirals. S3 : A panel of single-strand loose interlace. The underside of the ring bears interlace ornament. End of arm: The end of the arm bears a panel of two-strand interlace. WEST FACE W1: Inscription. An inscription, unusually in raised lettering, reads OROIT AR TUATHGAIL LAS DERNATH IN CHROSSA - A prayer for Tuathgail who had the cross made. The letter S is placed the wrong way round in each case. W2: Four circular interlacing devices. W3: A two-strand interlace terminating above in two brid-heads with interlocking beaks. Between the birds' necks there is a raised knot of interlacing with a sunken cross-shape in the centre. Head: A round knot of interlace is placed in a raised circle at the centre of the head, surrounded by a further circle of single-strand interlacing framed by a further raised circle. The south arm has loose interlace enclosing a round knot of interlace, similar to that between the birds' necks on the shaft. The decoration of the north arm is similar, though more worn, while the ornamentation of the top of the cross has been completely obliterated. NORTH SIDE N1 : Hunting scene -(Porter-Fergus hunting the stag with Tuiren). The bottom of the panel is occupied by a horseman with a crook, and by a three-pointed knot of interlace above the hindquarters of the horse which prances towards the right. Above them a dog, facing left, bites one hind leg of a stag facing towards the right. N2 : A cross-shaped step-pattern with central square boss, and with L-shapes in the corners of the panel. N3: Interlace. The ring has been broken away, as has also the end of the north arm.' (Harbison 1992, Vol.1, 26-7). SIDE 1 : Panel 1 : two animals one above the other, enmeshed in a narrow band of interlace. The tail of the upper animal terminates in a triangular shape in the centre of the panel. Panel 2 : A single-strand interlace. Panel 3 : Interlinking C-shaped spirals forming pelta-shapes, terminating in two outward-turning spirals at the top. Panel 4 : A damage coiled animal (head missing) with a fish-like tail. Face 2 Panel 1 : A human interlace with the legs intertwined at the centre and the bodies radiating outwards to the corners. A narrow ribbon winds its way around the arms of the four human figures. Panel 2 : A deer with its front right leg caught in a rectangular trap. Panel 3 : A horseman, with hair flat on top and falling to a curl behind, holds a crozier in his right hand which emerges from the folds of his cape-like garment. He has no stirrups, and his legs are placed well forward as the horse prances proudly to the right. Above is a partially-damaged prancing lion with protruding rongue, also facing towards the right. Its tail rises behind, and terminates in two leaf-like shapes. SIDE 2 : Panel 1 : A tall panel bearing interlace of various kinds which terminate in animal-heads with rope-like necks and ear-lappets, and with their mouths biting the interlace. Panel 2 : Very similar to panel 3 on side 1. Panel 3 : Interlace terminating below in animal-heads which bite the interlace. A broad groove at the top suggests that a ring may have been inserted secondarily to support the arms of a cross'. See attached screenshots of 3D model of Bealin High Cross created by Digital Heritage Age. 3D model can be accessed on the Sketchfab website at: https://skfb.ly/6vMYT Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 16 January 2018

• WM029-009 Ecclesiastical site
  Description

  The 'Site of Monastery' located in the grounds of Twyford House may have been the site of Íseal Chiaráin, or the low place of St. Ciaran of Clonmacnoise (Cox 1969, 6-14; O'Donovan 1851, 824). Bealin High Cross (WM029-008----) removed from the grounds of Twyford house in the 18th century. Anglo-Norman motte castle (WM029-007----) 315m to NW and possible holy well (WM029-009001-) 100m to N. The S shoreline of Twy Lough lies 480m to NW. Íseal Chiaráin, may be identified as the hospital of St. Queran [Ciarán] that was sometimes thought to be identical with the guesthouse of Clonmacnoise monastery (Kehnel 1997, 69). In the year 1031 the Annals recorded that ‘Conn-na mBocht, head of the Culdees, and anchorite of Cluain-mic-Nois, the first that invited a party of the poor of Cluain at Iseal Chiarain, and who presented twenty cows of his own to it. Of this was said: O Conn of Cluain! thou wert heard from Ireland in Alba; O head of dignity, it will not be easy to plunder thy church' (AFM). In 1837 the Ordnance Survey recorded that the Bealin High Cross (WM029-008---) was, 'said to have been removed thither from an old graveyard (WM029-009002-) in Twy [ford] by the father of the present Lord Castlemaine [Reverend Richard Handcock]. No trace of this graveyard is now visible, but the cross proves that there was an ancient church there’ (OSL 1837, vol. 1, 68). The monastery site was possibly located in a rectangular post-1700 walled paddock adjoining the SW side of the walled garden, in the rear grounds to NW of Twyford House. Annotated on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map as ‘Site of Monastery’. No surface remains visible of any fabric belonging to an ecclesiastical site or early Christian monastic site. The enclosing walls and features appear to be of late 18th or 19th-century date associated with the outbuildings of Twyford House. This country house was described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage [NIAH] as a 'Detached five-bay two-storey over basement country house, built c.1760, having single-bay wings to either end (east and west) a three-storey elevation to the rear (north). Now out of use and derelict' (www.buildingsofireland.ie). The outbuildings were described by the NIAH as a 'Complex of two-storey outbuildings and a stable block, arranged around two courtyards to the rear of Twyford House (15402911), built c.1820 and extended c.1850. Yards are linked by a segmental-headed carriage arch to the centre of the party range'. Cox (1946, 62-3), identified Twyford [Tuogh/Tuaith Ford/ Ford of the Tuath] with Iseal Chiarain where a monastery was located. Cox (1969, 6-14) suggested that a portion of the ruins of a monastic building or church were incorporated into the wall of the garden of Twyford House. Cox (ibid), suggested that the parish church of Ballyloughloe (now Mount Temple WM030-045001-) was situated at Twyford until the fifteenth century. A nunnery mentioned in Archdall’s Monastica Hibernia as at ‘Farrenmackligse’ or ‘Fareneheglis’, which was near Ballyloughloe, possibly refers to Twyford. According to Cox (1972, 24), this religious complex was raided by Murchadh, son of Conchobar Macleachlainn, in 1072. The site of a high cross (WM029-008----), a holy well (WM029-009001-), a hospital and a graveyard (WM029-009002-) are reputed to be associated with this ecclesiastical site. Compiled by: Alison McQueen Date of upload: 23 November 2018

• WM029-009001 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  The 'Site of a Monastery' (WM029-009----) located in the grounds of Twyford House may have been the site of Íseal Chiaráin, or the low place of St. Ciaran of Clonmacnoise (Cox 1969, 6-14; O'Donovan 1851, 824). A motte castle (WM029-007----) lies 270m to W. The site of a high cross (WM029-008----), a holy well (WM029-009001-), and a graveyard (WM029-009003-) are reputed to be associated with this ecclesiastical site. A holy well (WM029-009002-), said locally to be dedicated to St Ciaran, is located in a field outside the garden of Twyford House (Cox 1969, 6-14). A ‘well’ is depicted and named on the 1910 ed. OS 25-inch map, c. 120m to N of the ecclesiastical site (WM029-009----). The original location of a high cross (WM029-008----), known locally as the Bealin Cross, is understood to have been situated nearby (ibid). According to Cox it was from near this well that the Bealin Cross, dated about 800 A.D., was moved by Dean Handcock about 1700 and erected where it now stands. An annual pilgrimage used to take place to the cross,where “stations” were performed up to about eighty years ago. Compiled by: Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 29 November 2018

Architectural heritage

• Twyford House, country house, 1740–1780 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached five-bay two-storey over basement country house, built c.1760, having single-bay wings to either end (east and west) a three-storey elevation to the rear (north). Now out of use and derelict. Pitched natural slate roof with remains of cast-iron rainwater goods and a rendered brick chimneystack to either end having terracotta pots over. Lime roughcast rendered walls, now failing in places exposing rubble stone construction beneath. Square-headed openings having cut stone sills and the remains of six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Central square-headed doorcase having dressed limestone surround, timber sheeted door and having the remains of an overlight above. Set back from road in extensive grounds with main entrance to the south and an extensive complex of outbuildings to the rear, arranged around two courtyards (15402912). Located to the east of Athlone.

• Twyford House, farmyard complex, 1800–1870 · Regional interest
  Description

  Complex of two-storey outbuildings and a stable block, arranged around two courtyards to the rear of Twyford House (15402911), built c.1820 and extended c.1850. Yards are linked by a segmental-headed carriage arch to the centre of the party range. Pitched and hipped natural slate roofs, now partially collapsed in places, having remains of cast-iron rainwater goods. Roughcast rendered walls, now failing in places exposing rubble stone construction beneath with brick dressings to the openings. Square-headed window and door openings to the ground floor with remains of cast-iron windows and timber sheeted doors. Segmental-headed carriage arches to a number of the ranges, a number having wrought-iron gates. Lunette openings to first floor, now missing early fittings. Square-headed loading bays to the first floor on a number of ranges. Located to the north of Twyford House and to the east of Athlone.

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

Name

Twyford

Area

2,175,867 m² (217.59 ha, 537.67 acres)

Civil parish

Ballyloughloe, and its townlands

Barony

Clonlonan

Electoral division

Carn, the unit of the census

Neighbouring townlands

Annagh, Belville, Carnpark, Coolvuck Upper, Creeve, Moydrum, Tullywood, Warren High, Warren Lower

Placenames

Twyford 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.