Colvinstown Upper

4 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Colvinstown Upper, from 34,937 m² (3.49 ha, 8.63 acres) to 361,437 m² (36.14 ha, 89.31 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 17 neighbouring parcels touch it.

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

No zone of a development plan covers Colvinstown Upper 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.

• 27 Jan 2021Refused

  10 year permission for Construction of up to 5 No. wind turbines with a maximum overall blade top height of 165m, with a transformer at each turbine and associated hard stand area; 1No. 38kV electrical substation and all associated infrastructure and works; 20kV underground cables facilitating the connection of turbines to 38kV electrical substation and all associated infrastructure and works; Circa 6.5km of 38kV underground cabling and all associated works along public roads to facilitate the connection of the proposed 38kV wind farm electrical substation to the existing Stratford 38/110kV substation referred to as 'the grid route', Provision of a heritage trail circa 1km in length to include associated information signage (located at the key heritage assets) and parking area; Replacement of existing grass verge with a new 1 metre wide footway at each bridge crossing along the 'grid route'; New site tracks, upgraded site tracks and all associated works; 1 No. 30m permanent meteorological mast and all associated infrastructure and works; A temporary site compound and all associated works; and All associated and ancillary site development works The application site includes Protected Structures. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared in respect of the proposed development and will be submitted with the application.

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2160

• 19 Jan 2021N/a

  10 year permission for Construction of up to 5 No. wind turbines with a maximum overall blade top height of 165m, with a transformer at each turbine and associated hard stand area; 1No. 38kV electrical substation and all associated infrastructure and works; 20kV underground cables facilitating the connection of turbines to 38kV electrical substation and all associated infrastructure and works; Circa 6.5km of 38kV underground cabling and all associated works along public roads to facilitate the connection of the proposed 38kV wind farm electrical substation to the existing Stratford 38/110kV substation referred to as 'the grid route', Provision of a heritage trail circa 1km in length to include associated information signage (located at the key heritage assets) and parking area; Replacement of existing grass verge with a new 1 metre wide footway at each bridge crossing along the 'grid route'; New site tracks, upgraded site tracks and all associated works; 1 No. 30m permanent meteorological mast and all associated infrastructure and works; A temporary site compound and all associated works; and All associated and ancillary site development works. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared in respect of the proposed development and will be submitted with the application

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2128

• 23 Oct 2017Conditional

  existing development. The development consists of an existing 24m high telecommunications support structure, antennas, associated equipment container and associated equipment within a fenced compound and access track. The development forms part of Vodafone Ireland Ltds existing GSM and 3G broadband telecommunications network (Ref Number 11/4938)

  Retention · Wicklow County Council, 171293

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

Designated sites

No designated site (Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Natural Heritage Area or proposed one) touches the townland of Colvinstown Upper.

Recorded monuments

• WI027-034001 Church
  Description

  Situated high on the NW slope of Colvinstown hill with wide views from S-W-N. Surrounded by forestry on all sides except S. Foundations of an undivided church (dims. 15m x 4m) within a small D-shaped enclosure (dims. 53m E-W; 41m N-S) which in turn is situated inside the E edge of a much larger enclosure (dims. 120.5m N-S; 113.5m E-W). The church walls (H c. 0.5-0.8m) are heavily overgrown and the E end has been divided off as a family plot. The visible headstones both inside and outside the smaller D-shaped enclosure are 18th to twentieth century in date and while there are a few recent burials, it is largely disused. Price mentions a feature known locally as 'the Gates of Heaven' (OPW Survey 1945), which he suggests might be the remains of a megalithic tomb, but which is almost certainly a stile between the small enclosure and the outer one. The outer enclosure is oval in shape and follows the line of the townland boundary from SE to NW. It is defined N-E-S by an earthen bank (Wth 1.5-2m; int. H 1.4-1.7m; ext. H c. 1.6m), with internal and external stone facing from N-E and external facing only from E-S. At the W it is defined by a stone wall (Wth 60m; int. H 0.5-1m; ext. H 1.2-1.6m). A road runs through the site in a N-S direction and there is a holy well (WI027-034003-) in the N portion of the site E of this road. According to O'Toole (1890), Diarmuid, son of Aodh Ó Tuathail (Lord of Imail, slain in 1376), was elected in his father's place 'in the old romantic burial ground of Kilranelagh'. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 December 2008

• WI027-034002 Graveyard
  Description

  Situated high on the NW slope of Colvinstown hill with wide views from S-W-N. Surrounded by forestry on all sides except S. A graveyard associated with Kilranelagh Church (WI027-034001-) which lies within a small D-shaped enclosure (53m E-W; 41m N-S, straight side to the N) within a larger ecclesiastical enclosure (WI027-034005-). The visible headstones both inside and outside the smaller D-shaped enclosure are 18th to 20th century in date and while there are a few recent burials, it is largely disused. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 18 December 2012

• WI027-034003 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  Situated within a graveyard on the NW slope of Colvinstown hill. An approximately circular pool (dims. c. 1.2m E-W; 0.8m N-S), with a semi-circular corbelled wall at the E. It is now surrounded by a wire fence. Mentioned in OS Name Books that the well was not used for drinking water as it is within Colvinstown graveyard (WI027-034002-). (ITA Survey 1945) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 December 2008

• WI027-034004 Cross
  Description

  A stone cross, roughly centrally located in Kilranelagh Graveyard (WI027-034002-). The cross is 0.74m across and 0.95m high but is leaning quite heavily to the W. The shaft is rectangular in cross-section (Wth 0.35m; T 0.18m). At the intersection of the arms is a subcircular domed boss (0.12m x 0.14m; H 0.05m). (Corlett 2006, 140-41). Compiled by: Chris Corlett and Mary Tunney Date of upload: 17 October 2012

• WI027-034005 Ecclesiastical enclosure
  Description

  On the NW slope of Colvinstown Hill. A large enclosure (int. dims. 120m N-S; 113m E-W) within which lies Kilranelagh Church (WI027-034001-) and graveyard (WI027-034002-), St. Bridget’s Well (WI027-034003-) and two stone crosses (WI027-034004-, WI027-034006-). A road runs through the W portion of the enclosure in a N-S direction. The enclosure is defined from N to SE by an earthen bank (Wth 1.5-2m; int. H 1.4-1.7m; ext. H 1.6-1.8m) with internal and external stone cladding, from SE to SW by an earthen bank (Wth 2.5m; int. H 1-1.5m; ext. H 1.3m) with stone revetment on the exterior only and from SW to N by a drystone wall (Wth 0.6m; int. H 0.5-1m; ext. H 1.2-1.6m). Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 17 October 2012

• WI027-034006 Cross
  Description

  Granite cross (H 1.3m; Wth across arms 0.43m; shaft Wth 0.3m; shaft T 0.11m) with upper transom (Wth 0.16m; T 0.06m) narrower than shaft. Small nib or tenon (Wth 0.06m; H 0.02m) at top of upper transom. Compiled by: Chris Corlett and Claire Breen Date of upload: 12 June 2012

• WI027-035 Cairn - unclassified
  Description

  Sited at a break in a steep NW-facing slope of Colvinstown Hill. Circular cairn (diam. 18m; H 1.5m) now in forestry. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 December 2008

• WI027-036 Cairn - unclassified
  Description

  Situated on the steep NW-facing slope of Colvinstown hill. Circular cairn in forestry. (Information J. Brindley) Cairn visible on OS and Google Earth aerial photography (2003-2011). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 October 2012

• WI027-037 Cairn - unclassified
  Description

  Situated on the NW-facing slope of Colvinstown hill. A small cairn (diam c. 27m) of loose stones, with some large stones and a slab which may represent the remains of a kerb. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 December 2008

• WI027-097 Hillfort
  Description

  Univallate contour hillfort situated on the summit of a hill [1254ft. OD) in the townland of Colvinstown Upper overlooking Kilranelagh Church (WI027-034001-) and graveyard (WI027-034002-) containing St. Bridget's holy well (WI027-0340013) 500m to W. Crosoona Rath (WI027-038----) containing two hut sites (WI027-038001-/003-) and an ogham stone (WI027-038002-) lies 500m to E. On the W slopes of this hill known locally as Kilranelagh Hill there are three recorded cairns (WI027-035---/036-/037-), the stone circle (WI027-039----) and barrow (WI027-040----) described below in the Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland lies 650m to the ENE. Outline of enclosing bank of hillfort clearly visible on OSi aerial photographs dating from 2000 and 2005 which clearly shows the upstanding bank from E-S-SW where it fades away. Unrecorded hillfort identified in 2014 and described by O'Driscoll (2014) as following; 'A possible hillfort was discovered by the author on the summit of Kilranlagh (385m OD), in the townland of Colvinstown, a prominent hill 5km to the east of Baltingalss town. The site occupies a total area of approximately 5.33ha, most of which is now under conifer forestry and thick gorse growth. There are panoramic view from the summit, with particularly striking scenes of the lowlands to the south and south-west'. Igneous bedrock prevented the application of geophysical survey, with the survey carried out using GPS mapping and aerial photographs. The enclosing element comprises a stone bank, approximately 14m wide and up to 0.6m high on the west and south-west sides. The outer side of this bank is revetted with large stone slabs placed horizontally. A change in vegetation immediately outside the bank may indicate the presence of an outer ditch, approximately 6m wide. This section of the enclosing elements extends for approximately 140m in length and continues into forestry to the north, abutting a 3-6m high cliff face which forms the southern portion of the hillfort defences. The eastern section is under dense vegetation and is not visible on the ground. A curving field pattern recorded in the 1910 edition of the Ordnance Survey may represent the remains of the enclosing elements in this area. There are no obvious internal features, although these may be obscured by thick heather and scrub growth in some areas (O'Brien and O'Driscoll 2017, 205). In 2017 this hillfort was described in the Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland as a, 'Possible univallate contour fort in commanding positioned surrounding the domed summit of Kilranlagh Hill at SW edge of Wicklow mountains. This fort is one of nine hillforts comprising the Baltinglass hillfort cluster. There are no recorded entrance features. No evidence for any internal features on the surface. Three cairns [WI027-035---/036-/037-], a stone circle and barrow are located on the hilltop, outside the possible hillfort. The ramparts have been heavily affected by commercial forestry plantation. GPS survey (O'Driscoll 2014) has identified a curving rubble stone bank on the western side of the hill. This may be the remains of a possible hillfort. This may correspond with a curving section of bank on the eastern side of the hilltop depicted in first edition Ordnance Survey maps, and with features revealed by aerial photography, which indicate the possible presence of a large enclosure on the summit of Kilranlagh. The interior is overgrown with scrub and is under light blanket bog and is in parts, covered by forestry. First identification and GPS survey by O'Driscoll in 2014. Recent survey has identified a curving rubble stone bank on the western side of the hill, 140m in length and extending into newly planted forestry. The bank is approximately 14m in width and has exterior facing comprising large slabs. A change in vegetation on the immediate outside may indicate an outer ditch feature. This corresponds with a curving section of bank on the eastern side of the hilltop depicted in first edition Ordnance Survey maps. These may be the remains of a hillfort bank that, when projected, would have enclosed an area 5.33ha. Enclosure visible at the E, S and W in aerial photography. GPS survey has traced the enclosing elements on the SW and W side of the hilltop. Newly planted forestry prevented the continuation of this survey' (http://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/IR0730.html). See attached contour plan of the hillfort provided by James O'Driscoll Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien with details provided by James O'Driscoll and Alan Hawkes Date of upload 19 March 2020

• WI027-099 Anomalous stone group
  Description

  Situated on rising ground in upland area below the summit of Kilranelagh Hill with cairn (WI027-035----) 220m to S and hillfort (WI027-097----) 350m to SSE. In area of modern forestry overlooking Kilranelagh church (WI027-034001-) and graveyard (WI027-034002-) 210m to W. On the hillside there are a group of approximately 20 large quartz boulders (H 1.5m) that are white in colour and are known locally as 'The White Stones'. The boulders cover an area approx. 80m x 30m. The stones may be a natural or geological feature which became a prominent landmark in the medieval cultural landscape of the region. In 1947 Liam Price wrote the following description about the stones on the side of Kilranelagh Hill; 'Drove to the angle of the road between Cloghnagaune and Kilranelagh S of Spinans Bridge, and walked up the old roadway leading to the graveyard. As one drives through Eadestown one sees the white stones on the side of Kilranelagh Hill and coming along the road to Spinans Bridge they are very conspicuous, a group of white stones together on the NW slope of the hill. I do not know any other hill with a group of white stones like this on it. Just before coming to the graveyard I turned to the left and crossed the fence into Colvinstown Upper, E of the ruined cottages, and went up the hill. The white stones are big blocks of white quartz: there is a scattered outcrop of white quartz here (about 100ft above the 1000ft contour) and some loose blocks, all fairly close together. Above this on the skyline I saw what looked like a cairn [WI027-035----], and on getting to it I found it was a ruined cairn of stones' (Corlett and Weaver 2002, 461). These stones may be the same feature described in 1930 as following; 'He also pointed out some white stones on the N slopes of Kilranelagh Hill and said they were called "the Griddle Stones", and there were kings buried there' (ibid. 85). This latter reference may relate to the stone circle (WI027-039----) at Boleycarrigeen. Michael Russell has suggested that these stones were possibly the same stones known in medieval Ireland as the 'Cows of Aife'. The saga of the historical cycle in early Middle Irish, known as Fingal Rónáin recounts the tale about how Rónán mac Aeda, King of Leinster killed his only son, Máel-Fhothartaig. The saga contains the following passage which refers to these stones; ‘Go then tomorrow,’ said Congal, ‘and hunt at the Cows of Aife.'’ (The ‘Cows of Aife’ are stones which are on the side of the mountain.) They are like white cows from afar. ‘Go and hunt there. And the woman shall send her mistress to a tryst with us, and I will put her from you.’ ‘It shall be done,’ said her mistress to her' (Meyer 1892, 378-80). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Michael Russell Date of upload: 25 June 2020

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Colvinstown Upper.

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

At the centre of the townland of Colvinstown Upper, about 1 in 5 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as high, moderately high, moderately low, low, partly inferred.

Terrain model

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

Flooding

The Office of Public Works publishes its flood maps on floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, and Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland, both under 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 Colvinstown Upper with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Wicklow.

Name

Colvinstown Upper · Baile an Chalbhaigh Uachtarach

Area

723,590 m² (72.36 ha, 178.8 acres)

Civil parish

Kilranelagh, and its townlands

Barony

Talbotstown Upper

Electoral division

Eadestown, the unit of the census

Census 2022

215 people lived in 73 households in the Eadestown electoral division. 90% of households owned their home. 31% of homes were built since 2001. 9% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 2% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballinroan Lower, Ballinroan Upper, Boleycarrigeen, Cloghnagaune, Colvinstown Lower, Kilranelagh

Placenames

Colvinstown Upper 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.