Dunbur Head

11 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Dunbur Head, from 633 m² to 330,745 m² (33.07 ha, 81.73 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 16 neighbouring parcels touch it.

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

• R2Existing Residential (Existing residential)
  Wicklow Town - Rathnew Local Area Plan, Wicklow · 12 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G1Open Space (Open space, park)
  Wicklow Town - Rathnew Local Area Plan, Wicklow · 4 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G4Active Open Space (Active open space)
  Wicklow Town - Rathnew Local Area Plan, Wicklow · 3 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G3Natural Areas (Conservation, amenity or buffer space, corridor/belt, landscape)
  Wicklow Town - Rathnew Local Area Plan, Wicklow · 3 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

• 11 Feb 2026Refused

  change of use for two existing buildings from guest house accommodation to 6 residential apartments with alterations and revisions to the elevations and internal layout with a new vehicular entrance to replace the original vehicular entrance and all with associated site development works

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2637

• 5 Sept 2025Conditional

  1. permission for the retention of a. change of use of boathouse to a 1-bedroom living unit. At the time of acquisition, the on-site boathouse had already been converted to residential unit. b. reinstatement of the original vehicular entrance as constructed. In 2010 , the Town Council carried out road works adjacent to the property, during which a wider temporary access was opened in my clients driveway to facilitate machinery storage. This entrance was thereafter used, by tenants in preference to the original gateway, which became overgrown. 2. permission for extension of the main dwelling and upgraded wastewater treatment system to serve the main dwelling and 1-bedroom living unit at Bedrock House, Dunbur Upper, Dunbur, Co. Wicklow A67EC42. Permission is also sought for the construction of a three-storey extension to a different main dwelling, comprising a footprint of 70.9 sq.m, a total floor area of 212.7 sq.m and height of 7.48 m.

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2560703

• 6 Mar 2025N/a

  change of use for two buildings on site from guest house accommodation to 7 apartments, internal modifications and associate works

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2560146

• 6 Jul 2021Conditional

  erect a two-storey dwelling, connect to existing services and open a new vehicular entrance to the north of the site and close an existing entrance to the south of the site along with all associated site development works

  Permission, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 21798

• 26 Oct 2018Conditional

  existing bungalow and garage as constructed under planning reference 88/3748 and exclusion of the demolition of the existing house (cottage) under the same planning reference 88/3748. This application also includes any works to ensure that the cottage is of a habitable standard and a proper division of the two properties, inter alia, an extension (47.79 sqm) to the existing house cottage (41.96 sqm), modified site boundaries, revised entrances and driveways, connection to public sewer, and ancillary site works

  Retention, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 181202

• 17 Oct 2018N/a

  existing bungalow and garage as constructed under planning reference 88/3748 and exclusion of the demolition of the existing house (cottage) under the same panning reference 88/3748. This application also includes any works to ensure the cottage is of a habitable standard and a proper division of the two properties, inter alia: an extension (47.79 sqm) to the existing house cottage (41.96 sqm), modified site boundaries, revised entrances and driveways, connections to the public sewer, and ancillary site works

  Retention · Wicklow County Council, 181156

• 11 Dec 2017Conditional

  dwelling along with all associated site development works and connect to existing services

  Permission, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 171462

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

Designated sites

• Special Protection Area: Wicklow Head SPA 004127
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Wicklow Head 000734

Recorded monuments

• WI025-015 Souterrain
  Description

  Probably natural sea caves, but adjacent to a church (WI025-017001-), and possibly used as souterrains while the ecclesiastical site was in use. 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

• WI025-016 Ritual site - holy well
  Description

  Situated in a low cliff overlooking the sea-cliff to the E. Described in OS Name Books as a natural spring just above the high water mark. Now dried up; there is no surviving local tradition. According to Lynch (1994, 638) this well was described in the Ordnance Survey Letters of 1838-40 as Bride's Well. 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: 17 December 2012

• WI025-017001 Church
  Description

  Situated in a deep natural gully (E-W) across a headland on the sea coast. A nave and chancel church (dims. 10.2m x 4.4m) of unmortared horizontal slabs with a door at the W end of the N wall. Part of the E wall has collapsed outwards. Probably a penal chapel. Some adjacent natural caves may have been used as souterrains (WI025-015----) and there is a holy well 150m to the W (WI025-016----). 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

• WI025-037 Rock shelter
  Description

  Two caves excavated into the southern wall of a trench running across the neck of Bride's Head. A large quantity of broken flint was found in one of the caves (Martin 1932-3, 58); Martin likened them to flints found on raised beaches in other parts of the country. Traces of flint have also been found here in more recent times (Information P. Neary). 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

• WI025-038 Cave
  Description

  Two caves excavated into the southern wall of a trench running across the neck of Bride's Head. A large quantity of broken flint was found in one of the caves (Martin 1932-3, 58); Martin likened them to flints found on raised beaches in other parts of the country. Traces of flint have also been found here in more recent times (information P. Neary). 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

• WI025-109 Promontory fort - coastal
  Description

  The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email NMarchive@housing.gov.ie.

• WI031-110 Promontory fort - coastal
  Description

  The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email NMarchive@housing.gov.ie.

• WI031-111 Promontory fort - coastal
  Description

  The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email NMarchive@housing.gov.ie.

• WI031-112001 Signal tower
  Description

  Situated on a low N-S running ridge c. 320m WSW of the tip of Wicklow Head and c. 3.3kms to the ESE of the centre of Wicklow Town (OD c. 73m). Located on a local high point in a locally undulating landscape with a N-S running gully located adjacent (c. 90m) to the E between this site and the coastline (where there are steep rocky sea cliffs), and between the original Wicklow Head Lighthouse (NIAH Reg. No. 16403102; this site) and the later Wicklow Head Lighthouse (NIAH Reg. No. 16403101) located 130m to the E. The immediate area consists of (an enclosed) rough unimproved scrubland in all directions from this site with pastureland, defined by linear field boundaries, located to the W, SW, and NW of this site after c. 250ms. The adjacent signal station\towers in the signal station chain were located at Mizen Head (SMR WI036-022----), located c. 12.25kms to the SSW, now demolished, and at Ballygannon (WI013-145----), located c. 17.28kms to the NNW, now demolished (site unknown). The site of this signal station at Wicklow Head is located c. 915m SE of a (penal) church site (WI025-017001-) located at Bride’s Head, and c. 790ms N\NNE of a coastal promontory fort (WI031-110----) located on a small narrow peninsula to the SW of Dunbar Head. The signal station was apparently established at the original (upper) Wicklow Head Lighthouse (NIAH Reg. No. 16403102) which was constructed in 1778-9 (one of two lights built at Wicklow Head between c. 1769-79). The six-stage lighthouse is 30m tall and has a distinctive octagonal-plan. It was designed by John Trail whilst serving as architect\engineer to the Commissioners of Revenue (Rynne 2006, 406). These two lighthouses were later superseded by two new lighthouses (NIAH Reg. No. 16403101) to the E, built 1816-8. It is not entirely clear if the signal crew of the signal station were accommodated at the upper or lower lighthouse but it seems more likely (for visibility and signalling purposes) that the signal station was at the upper lighthouse on the high ground to site. It is thought that the signal mast was the only addition made to the site when the signal station was established, and that the signal crew were housed within existing buildings to site (Kerrigan 1995, 161). The signal mast was erected by September 1805 (Kerrigan 1995, 276). The signal station was part of a system of over 80 signal stations constructed by the British Board of Ordnance in the first decade of the nineteenth century to warn of the approach of a French invasion fleet. Signalling between sites was accomplished using a naval signal post. The system formed a continuous chain from Malin Head in Donegal to Dublin Bay. It was abandoned by the mid-1810s when the treat of a French invasion diminished (Kerrigan 1995, 157-66). Compiled by: Stuart Rathbone Uploaded on: 07/10/22

Architectural heritage

• Wicklow Head Lighthouse, lighthouse, 1815–1835 · Regional interest
  Description

  Freestanding three-stage lighthouse, built c.1825. The lighthouse is constructed in coursed granite. The circular shaft is slightly tapered. The cap is enclosed with a plain circular handrail. Internally there is a spiral corbelled stone stair with wrought-iron handrail. Openings are square headed. The lighthouse is set on the cliff edge.

• Wicklow Head Lighthouse, lighthouse, 1775–1780 · Regional interest
  Description

  Freestanding six-stage lighthouse, built c. 1779 to designs by John Trail. The 30m (95ft) high lighthouse is constructed in coursed granite with ashlar quoins. The octagonal shaft is slightly tapered. There is a bracketed cornice and a domed cap. Internally there is a replacement spiral steel stair. Openings are a mixture of semi-circular-arched and roundels with some timber sash frames. The lighthouse is prominently sited on the Wicklow Head. It was built as one of a pair in order to distinguish Wicklow Head from other sites. The second lighthouse was re-built in 1825.

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

Landslides

Susceptibility high, moderately high, moderately low, low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map.

Terrain model

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_3405 (ZIP).

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 Dunbur Head with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Wicklow.

Name

Dunbur Head · Dún Borr

Area

1,056,436 m² (105.64 ha, 261.05 acres)

Civil parish

Kilpoole, and its townlands

Barony

Arklow

Electoral division

Wicklow Rural, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Wicklow Rural electoral division: 10,247 people in 3,334 households; 73% of households own their home; 56% of homes were built since 2001; 4% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 3% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Dunbur Lower, Dunbur Upper

Placenames

Dunbur Head 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.