# Dunbur Head, Co. Wicklow: townland, land parcels and planning Townland in the civil parish of Kilpoole, barony of Arklow, Co. Wicklow; in Irish Dún Borr. - Area (Tailte Éireann): 1,056,436 m² (105.64 ha, 261.05 acres) - Land parcels (Tailte Éireann): 11 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in it, median 27,126 m² (2.71 ha, 6.7 acres) - Zoning (national zoning, MyPlan): R2 Existing Residential, the zone with the most parcels - Planning (National Planning Applications): 8 applications since 2010 - Civil parish: Kilpoole, https://everytownland.com/wicklow/parish/kilpoole.md - Barony: Arklow - Electoral division: Wicklow Rural, the unit of the census - Census 2022 (Central Statistics Office): 10,247 people lived in 3,334 households in the Wicklow Rural electoral division. 73% of households owned their home. 56% of homes were built since 2001. 4% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 3% were holiday homes. - County: Co. Wicklow, https://everytownland.com/wicklow.md - Placenames Database of Ireland: https://www.logainm.ie/en/55753 - Townland number at Tailte Éireann: 250661 - Centre: latitude 52.96616, longitude -6.007218 (WGS 84) ## Land parcels (registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann) 11 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Dunbur Head, from 633 m² to 330,745 m² (33.07 ha, 81.73 acres); 16 neighbouring parcels touch its boundary. Largest first: - Parcel 1288436: 330,745 m² (33.07 ha, 81.73 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1288436.md - Parcel 1278342: 300,991 m² (30.1 ha, 74.38 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1278342.md - Parcel 1269029: 223,709 m² (22.37 ha, 55.28 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1269029.md - Parcel 4268734: 42,476 m² (4.25 ha, 10.5 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/4268734.md - Parcel 5903102: 30,247 m² (3.02 ha, 7.47 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/5903102.md - Parcel 1263633: 27,126 m² (2.71 ha, 6.7 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1263633.md - Parcel 4268730: 6,768 m² (0.68 ha, 1.67 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/4268730.md - Parcel 1292441: 4,584 m² (0.46 ha, 1.13 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1292441.md - Parcel 5903079: 3,565 m² (0.36 ha, 0.88 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/5903079.md - Parcel 1285248: 2,808 m² (0.28 ha, 0.69 acres), https://everytownland.com/parcel/1285248.md - Parcel 1277269: 633 m², https://everytownland.com/parcel/1277269.md ## Zoning (national zoning of development plans, MyPlan) - R2 Existing Residential (Existing residential): Wicklow Town - Rathnew Local Area Plan, Wicklow; 12 parcels. The zoning objective in the plan: https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Planning/Development-Plans-Strategies/Local-Area-Town-Settlement-Plans/Wicklow-Town-Rathnew/Wicklow-Town-Rathnew-Local-Area-Plan-2025-2031 - G1 Open Space (Open space, park): Wicklow Town - Rathnew Local Area Plan, Wicklow; 4 parcels. The zoning objective in the plan: https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Planning/Development-Plans-Strategies/Local-Area-Town-Settlement-Plans/Wicklow-Town-Rathnew/Wicklow-Town-Rathnew-Local-Area-Plan-2025-2031 - G4 Active Open Space (Active open space): Wicklow Town - Rathnew Local Area Plan, Wicklow; 3 parcels. The zoning objective in the plan: https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Planning/Development-Plans-Strategies/Local-Area-Town-Settlement-Plans/Wicklow-Town-Rathnew/Wicklow-Town-Rathnew-Local-Area-Plan-2025-2031 - G3 Natural Areas (Conservation, amenity or buffer space, corridor/belt, landscape): Wicklow Town - Rathnew Local Area Plan, Wicklow; 3 parcels. The zoning objective in the plan: https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Planning/Development-Plans-Strategies/Local-Area-Town-Settlement-Plans/Wicklow-Town-Rathnew/Wicklow-Town-Rathnew-Local-Area-Plan-2025-2031 ## Planning applications whose site touches the townland (National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) 8 applications, newest first. - 29 Sept 2026, Wicklow County Council 26203: N/a. Extension of duration. section 42 - extension of appropriate period – 21/798 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. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/WicklowCC/AppFileRefDetails/26203/0 - 11 Feb 2026, Wicklow County Council 2637: Refused. Permission. 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. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/WicklowCC/AppFileRefDetails/2637/0 - 5 Sept 2025, Wicklow County Council 2560703: Conditional. Permission. 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.. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/WicklowCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560703/0 - 6 Mar 2025, Wicklow County Council 2560146: N/a. Permission. change of use for two buildings on site from guest house accommodation to 7 apartments, internal modifications and associate works. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/WicklowCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560146/0 - 6 Jul 2021, Wicklow County Council 21798: Conditional. Permission, 1 home. 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. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/WicklowCC/AppFileRefDetails/21798/0 - 26 Oct 2018, Wicklow County Council 181202: Conditional. Retention, 1 home. 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. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/WicklowCC/AppFileRefDetails/181202/0 - 17 Oct 2018, Wicklow County Council 181156: N/a. Retention. 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. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/WicklowCC/AppFileRefDetails/181156/0 - 11 Dec 2017, Wicklow County Council 171462: Conditional. Permission, 1 home. dwelling along with all associated site development works and connect to existing services. File: https://www.eplanning.ie/WicklowCC/AppFileRefDetails/171462/0 Applicants are not shown. ## Designated sites (National Parks and Wildlife Service) - Special Protection Area: Wicklow Head SPA, site code 004127, https://www.npws.ie/protected-sites/spa/004127 - Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Wicklow Head, site code 000734 ## Recorded monuments (Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service) - WI025-015: Souterrain, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CWI025-015----. 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, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CWI025-016----. 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, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CWI025-017001-. 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, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CWI025-037----. 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, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CWI025-038----. 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, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CWI025-109----. 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, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CWI031-110----. 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, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CWI031-111----. 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, https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2CWI031-112001-. 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 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). ## Architectural heritage (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) - Wicklow Head Lighthouse, lighthouse, 1815–1835, Regional interest, registry number 16403101, https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=WI®no=16403101. 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, registry number 16403102, https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=WI®no=16403102. 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. ## Ground and risks (Radon Risk Map of Ireland, EPA; Landslide Susceptibility Classification and LiDAR, Geological Survey Ireland) - Radon: at the centre of the townland of Dunbur Head, about 1 in 5 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home: https://www.epa.ie/environment-and-you/radon/radon-testing/#d.en.82887 - Landslides: The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as high, moderately high, moderately low, low, partly inferred. - Terrain model: LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_3405, https://gsi.geodata.gov.ie/downloads/LiDAR/OPW_NASC/OPW_3405.zip (ZIP). - Flooding: the flood maps of the Office of Public Works, https://www.floodinfo.ie/map/floodmaps/, linked only: their licence does not allow re-use. 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. ## Downloads - DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings, for a drawing program: https://everytownland.com/wicklow/dunbur-head.dxf - GeoJSON, in WGS 84, for a map: https://everytownland.com/wicklow/dunbur-head.geojson - KML, for Google Earth: https://everytownland.com/wicklow/dunbur-head.kml ## Homes sold (Residential Property Price Register) 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: https://everytownland.com/wicklow.md ## Neighbouring townlands (National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann) - Dunbur Lower: https://everytownland.com/wicklow/dunbur-lower.md - Dunbur Upper: https://everytownland.com/wicklow/dunbur-upper.md 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. --- Everytownland reads the registered freehold land and the statutory boundaries of Tailte Éireann, the national zoning, planning file and heritage records of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Residential Property Price Register. A parcel is the land of a title, not an address. The owner's name is in the Land Registry of Tailte Éireann: a copy of the folio can be ordered on landdirect.ie, for a fee; this site names no owner. A price is the price recorded for a past sale, not a valuation. Sources: Cadastral Parcels Freehold, Townlands, Civil Parishes, Baronies, Electoral Divisions and Buildings, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0; national zoning of development plans (GZT, MyPlan) and National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0, applicants not shown; designated sites, National Parks and Wildlife Service, CC BY 4.0; Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service, CC BY 4.0; National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, CC BY 4.0; Residential Property Price Register, Property Services Regulatory Authority, re-used with the source acknowledged. - Page: https://everytownland.com/wicklow/dunbur-head - In JSON: https://everytownland.com/api/townland/wicklow/dunbur-head