Pinnacle

Area

533,775 m² (53.38 ha, 131.9 acres)

Buildings

2 buildings touch it, 673 m² on the ground

Zoning

No zone of a development plan covers it in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply.

Townland

Pinnacle

Planning applications on this parcel

• 5 Nov 2025N/a

  erection of five detached single storey pods each of which would accommodate a studio style holiday dwelling containing a bedroom, kitchenette and toilet with shower and wash-hand basin, to be clad in timber and metallic sheeting and covered with a mono-pitch roof. These units would be served by individual soak pits and a gully, a communal wastewater treatment system and soil polishing filter, a new well, new entrance onto public road, new vehicular driveway with car parking bays therein, gravel path to proposed pods and all associate works

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2560885

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 this parcel.

Recorded monuments around it

This parcel is in the zone of notification of 9 recorded monuments.

• WI027-011 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated on a break in a marked NE-facing slope on the lower slopes of Baltinglass Hill and c. 100m SW of the site of another ringfort (WI027-012----). Circular area (diam. 26.5m) defined by an earthen bank (Wth 3.5m; max. H 2m) and an external fosse (Wth 4m; max. D 1.2m) poorly preserved at the NE. A gap in the bank at the NE may be the original entrance. 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

• WI027-026001 Hillfort
  Description

  National Monument in state guardianship No. 328. Large oval enclosure (max. dims. c. 400m NW-SE; c. 300m NE-SW; int. dims. 380m NW-SE; 270m NE-SW) defined by two ramparts, enclosing the summit of Baltinglass Hill with extensive views to the N, E and S and overlooking 'Rathnagree' hillfort (WI027-010----) c. 500m to the N. The ramparts are up to 16m in width, are best defined at the N and NW, and are largely composed of stone. The average distance between ramparts is 15m. There is no clear indication of an entrance. The interior rises towards the SE corner of the site, and there is a large amount of loose stone and many rock outcrops within the ramparts. At the summit there is a passage tomb (WI027-026003-) surrounded by a massive protective drystone wall (Wth 3m; H 2m) built with stones from the cairn which had covered the passage tomb. There are two possible hut sites in the interior (WI027-026002-, WI027-026004-), and a cairn (WI027-076----) outside the outer rampart on the SW side. (CUCAP, AYP027-030; ASU048) (Price 1934, 34; O'Driscoll 2013) The hillfort was recently described in the Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland as following; 'Multiple enclosure positioned on highest summit of Tuckmill Hill. Rathcoran is one of nine hillforts comprising the Baltinglass hillfort cluster. The name Rathcoran probably refers to a large prehistoric cairn at its centre (rath of the cairn). This pear-shaped bi-vallate monument has a total site footprint of approximately 10.1ha. The shape is dictated by the topography of the hill, which the enclosing elements largely follow. There are up to sixteen breaks in the enclosing elements, however, all of these are probably modern. GPS, LiDAR and geophysical survey have identified up to fifty hut structures within the interior. A large Neolithic cairn was excavated within the hilfort interior (Walshe 1941). A second cairn abuts the exterior of the outer enclosing elements at the SE. Geophysical survey has also identified strong magnetic anomalies at the crest of the inner bank at the N, indicative of a possible burnt palisade feature. Waddell (1998) and Condit (1998) have both interpreted Rathcoran as an unfinished hillfort, due to the incomplete nature of the enclosing elements and intervening quarry features. Ramparts are most complete at the N. The interior is under heavy gorse and scrub cover. First map depiction in 1842 in first edition Ordnance Survey mapping. Excavation of Neolithic passage tomb within hillfort by Walshe in late 1930's (Walshe 1941). Survey by Condit in 1992 and 1998. Survey by Grogan and Kilfeather (1997, 41). Geophysical survey by O'Driscoll (in prep.) in 2012. LiDAR survey commissioned by department of archaeology University College Cork. GPS survey by O'Driscoll in 2014. The center of the hillfort forms the meeting point of the townland boundaries of Tuckmill Hill, Coolinarrig Upper and Pinnacle. Substantial Neolithic passage tomb at summit of hillfort interior excavated by Walshe in late 1930's (Walshe 1941). A second cairn abuts the exterior of the outer enclosing elements at the S. Two recorded hut structures within interior. Neolithic cairn positioned at highest point within hillfort interior excavated by Walshe (1941). Up to 50 hut structures identified by LiDAR and GPS survey by O'Driscoll in 2014. These comprises circular platforms cut into the natural slope of the hill, some of which are defined by a circular setting of stone. Geophysics (O'Driscoll 2012) has confirmed the presence of some of these hut structures. The enclosing elements are most complete at the N and NW, where the inner example is 16m in width and comprises a mixture of earth and stone. Geophysical survey has identified strong magnetic anomalies at the crest of the bank in this area, indicative of a possible burnt palisade feature. The internal enclosure has an average internal height of 1.7m and average external height of 2.6m. The outer enclosing element has an average internal height of 1.3m and an average external height of 2.1m. Here, the banks are separated by approximately 28m (maximum 35m). There is no evidence of an adjacent ditch. To the east, the gap between the enclosing elements narrow to an average of 12m. Although the banks are slighter, the steeply sloping ground enhances the exterior perception. The inner enclosing element is on average 0.8m in height internally but almost 3m in height externally. Similarly, the outer enclosure is 0.4m in average height internally and 2.1m high externally. To the S, a 185m section of the enclosing elements is characterized by closely set multivallation and very slight banks. Quarry pits and associated spoil are visible in many sections between the enclosing elements. Presumably, the material from these pits was used for constructing the banks. Waddell (1998) and Condit (1998) have both interpreted Rathcoran as an unfinished hillfort, due to the incomplete nature of the enclosing elements and intervening quarry features. There are a number of possible entrances indicated in the second edition Ordnance Survey map at the N, E, SE and SW. Subsequently, O'Driscoll (2014) has identified up to twelve gaps in the inner and outer enclosing elements, although these are likely to be modern. There is no indication of an original entrance, although Waddell (1998) suggests an original break in the banks is located in the eastern section.' (http://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/IR0724.html) 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. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 7 February 2020

• WI027-026002 Hut site
  Description

  Situated c. 50m W of the summit of Baltinglass Hill on level ground 15m inside the inner rampart of Rathcoran hillfort (WI027-026001-). Small slightly raised area (diam. 8m) defined by a low overgrown stony bank. One of two possible hut sites in the interior of the hillfort. 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

• WI027-026003 Megalithic tomb - passage tomb
  Description

  National Monument in state guardianship No. 328. Situated on the summit of Baltinglass Hill in the SE sector of Rathcoran hillfort (WI027-026001-). It was excavated in 1934-6 (Walshe 1941, 221-36) and was found to consist of a multiperiod kerbed cairn (diam. c. 27m) underneath which five structures were identified. The cairn material has been built up to form a massive protective wall around the monument (CUCAP, ASU048). A kerb of large stones surrounded the cairn, and an inner kerb was revealed during excavation. Two stones of the inner kerb and one of the outer bear passage tomb art. The main tomb is on the N side of the cairn; a short passage (L 3.2m) within the cairn is roofed with slabs and leads to a chamber (diam. 2m) which contains three shallow recesses. It contains a stone basin with pecked ornament. On the S side of the cairn is another tomb comprising a chamber divided into three compartments; no evidence for a passage was found. Two of its stones bear passage tomb art. On the NW side of the cairn are the remains of a small corbelled structure, partly overlain by the inner kerb. Immediately SW of this was a small cist-like structure which is no longer visible. A fifth chamber stands inside the kerb to the E of the main tomb. The finds from the site include the cremations of at least three adults and one child, flint scrapers, Carrowkeel pottery, and bone pins. Finds from beneath the cairn included a stone axe, a flint javelin-head, scrapers, an egg-shaped stone, carbonised wheat grains and hazelnuts. A saddle quern was also found in the cairn material (Cooney 1981, 102-6). The site is referred to in the OS Name Books as a cave on the NE side of a large collection of stones. Another cairn lies 100m to the SW. (Walshe 1941, 221-36; Herity 1974, 259-60; Shee Twohig 1981, 223) This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 35/1934). 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

• WI027-026004 Hut site
  Description

  Situated between the ramparts on the NE side of Rathcoran hillfort (WI027-026001-). Small slightly raised area (diam. 8m) defined by a low overgrown stony bank. One of two possible hut sites at Rathcoran. 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

• WI027-026005 Hut site
  Description

  One of two rectangular enclosures (see WI027-026006-), which lie between the ramparts on the NE side of Rathcoran hillfort (WI027-026001-). Each is defined by a low bank of earth and stone and has a slightly sunken interior. Both measure 15m x 15m. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 18 December 2012

• WI027-026006 Hut site
  Description

  One of two rectangular enclosures (see WI027-026005-), which lie between the ramparts on the NE side of Rathcoran hillfort (WI027-026001-). Each is defined by a low bank of earth and stone and has a slightly sunken interior. Both measure 15m x 15m. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 18 December 2012

• WI027-026007 Enclosure
  Description

  Centrally placed within Rathcoran Hillfort (WI027-026001-). A circular enclosure (diam. c. 14m) visible on Google Earth aerial photograph (Accessed: 24 October 2012; Imagery date 16 April 2003) and on a Bing aerial photograph (Accessed: 24 October 2012; Imagery date uncertain). Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 24 October 2012

• WI027-076 Cairn - unclassified
  Description

  Situated on a marked SW-facing slope just outside the outer rampart of Rathcoran hillfort (WI027-026001-) on the SW side. Circular cairn (diam. 23m; H 1.5m) of small boulders and stones, somewhat denuded at the NE, possibly robbed during the building of the hillfort. 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

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands on this parcel.

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).

Ground and risks

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, on the 1:50,000 map.

Terrain model

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_2767 (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.

Download this parcel: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its neighbours and buildings, for a drawing program; GeoJSON, in WGS 84, for a map; KML, for Google Earth.

Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. 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.