Rathdown Upper

193 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Rathdown Upper, from 9 m² to 175,908 m² (17.59 ha, 43.47 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 38 neighbouring parcels touch it.

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

• P1Agriculture/Green Belt (Agriculture)
  Greystones-Delgany & Kilcoole Local Planning Framework (LPF), Wicklow · 92 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R2Existing Residential (Existing residential)
  Greystones-Delgany & Kilcoole Local Planning Framework (LPF), Wicklow · 80 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G3Natural Areas (Conservation, amenity or buffer space, corridor/belt, landscape)
  Greystones-Delgany & Kilcoole Local Planning Framework (LPF), Wicklow · 11 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• N6Public Utility (Other networks and basic infrastructure/utilities uses)
  Greystones-Delgany & Kilcoole Local Planning Framework (LPF), Wicklow · 2 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G1Open Space (Open space, park)
  Greystones-Delgany & Kilcoole Local Planning Framework (LPF), Wicklow · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• S5Community & Education (Mixed/general community services/facilities uses)
  Greystones-Delgany & Kilcoole Local Planning Framework (LPF), Wicklow · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

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

• 25 May 2026Conditional

  first floor extension over existing rear extension to bungalow with connection to all services and associated site

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2660462

• 23 May 2026N/a

  First floor extension over existing rear extension to bungalow with connection to all services and associated site

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2660457

• 16 Jan 2026Conditional

  material change of use from residential to commercial for short-term letting use of part of ground floor of principal private residence. The area of the retained short-term letting use is 70.3 Sq.M located in rear of existing dwelling with separate outside entrance

  Retention · Wicklow County Council, 2614

• 2 Jan 2026N/a

  material change of use from residential to commercial for short-term letting use of part of ground floor of principal private residence located at 67 The Grove, Redford, Greystones, Co. Wicklow A63 D400. The area of the proposed short-term letting use is 70.3 Sq.M located in rear of existing dwelling with separate outside entrance

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 262

• 10 Dec 2025Conditional

  Construction of 2 new dwellings. Works will include widening existing entrance on to the Grove, forming a new internal access road serving the existing dwelling and proposed 2 new dwellings, removal of existing sheds and garden structures, connection to mains services and all associated site works

  Permission, 2 homes · Wicklow County Council, 2561007

• 31 Jul 2025N/a

  a proposed dormer bungalow, new waste water treatment plant, upgrading of existing agricultural entrance gate & boundary to new rendered wall with railings & electrified double gates, re-surfacing of existing internal access road/driveway & all associated site works, on my existing farmland. This application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS)

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2560587

• 20 Jul 2025N/a

  a proposed dormer bungalow, new waste water treatment plant, upgrading of existing agricultural entrance gate & boundary to new rendered wall with railings & electrified double gates, re-surfacing of existing internal access road/driveway & all associated site works, on my existing farmland. This application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS)

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2560551

• 11 Jul 2025Conditional

  change of use’ development at this site of c. 0.3 hectares. The total floor area of the structures to be retained is 209.50 sq m. In addition, it is proposed to provide Building H, a glazed link of 60 sq m. The development for which Retention Permission for Development is sought consists of the change of use of four existing structures from former farmyard buildings/builder’s yard to residential use as a single planning unit. (The residual existing structures are open-sided, non-habitable and ancillary to that use.) The development for which Permission for Development is sought will consist of the provision of a glazed link (60 sq m). The total floor area of the combined development is 269.50 sq m (i.e. 209.5 sq m + 60 sq m)

  Retention · Wicklow County Council, 2560530

• 4 Jul 2025N/a

  “hybrid” permission comprising an application for retention permission for development and for permission for development, respectively, in relation to a ‘change of use’ development at this site of c. 0.3 hectares. For the purposes of identification, the structures on site are identified as “buildings” A, B, C, D1, D2, D3, F and G, respectively. The total floor area of the structures to be retained is 209.50 sq m. In addition, it is proposed to provide building H, a glazed link of 60 sq m. The development for which retention permission for development is sought consists of the change of use of four existing structures (buildings A (“The Loft”, 97 sq m), B (“The Studio”, including a home office, 55 sq m), D3 ( “The Shed”, habitable area 48 sq m), and F (9.5 sq m)) from former farmyard buildings/builder’s yard to residential use as a single planning unit. (The residual existing structures identified as buildings C, D1, D2, and G, respectively, are open-sided, non-habitable and ancillary to that use.) The development for which permission for development is sought will consist of the provision of a glazed link (identified as building H (60 sq m)), designed to link buildings A, D1 and D2. The total floor area of the combined development is 269.50 sq m (i.e. 209.5 sq m + 60 sq m)

  Retention · Wicklow County Council, 2560500

• 26 Jun 2025Conditional

  proposed dormer style roof extension to the east elevation to create extra habitable accommodation to existing dwelling, internal alterations to include a staircase, revised window opes to existing dwelling, single storey garage and utility room extension to the east side of the dwelling and associated works

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 25173

• 30 Jan 2025Conditional

  single storey extension to the utility room, a single storey extension to the main bedroom, a single storey extension to the dining area to form a glazed belvedere, together with internal alterations, additional roof windows, and ancillary works to the existing dwelling

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2560051

• 11 Dec 2024Conditional

  construction of a single-storey garage and workshop space to east side of existing house, construction of a dormer extension to east side of existing pitched roof, adjustment of window & door openings to existing side & rear elevations, addition of rooflights to the existing pitched roof, all associated site works

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2460782

• 26 Sept 2024Conditional

  permission for 1. To side (northwest) new dormer to enable stairs to converted attic and rooflights to roof, alter ground floor windows 2. to front (southwest) new window in gable over entrance door 3. to side (southwest), widen window to proposed ground floor kitchen, new rooflights to roof, new dormer to bedroom 4. to rear (northeast) widen existing upper dormer floor gable window

  Permission, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 24385

• 8 Dec 2023Refused

  development for the change of use of former farmyard structures to residential. The development consists of: the change of use of four existing structures (Structures A (“The Loft”, 97 sq m), B (“The Studio”, including a home office, 55 sq m), D3 ( “The Shed”, habitable area 48 sq m), and F (9.5 sq m) (total: 209.5 sq m)) to use as a single planning unit. (The residual existing structures identified as Structures C, D1, D2, and G, respectively, are open-sided, non-habitable and ancillary to that use.) The development also consists of: the carrying out of landscaping and boundary treatments; the provision of facilitating works including the provision of sanitary services connections; and all other ancillary site development works above and below ground

  Retention · Wicklow County Council, 2360486

• 9 Aug 2023N/a

  dwelling house with onsite wastewater treatment, driveways, boundary treatment and landscaping

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2360209

• 9 Aug 2023N/a

  dwelling house with onsite waste water treatment, driveways, boundary treatment and landscaping

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 2360210

• 14 Dec 2022Conditional

  (a) removal of front porch and rear extensions along with alterations and renovations to existing cottage. Construction of new two storey rear and side extensions increasing dwelling from a three to four-bedroom house; (b) proposed waste water treatment system that meets current EPA standards and the provision of surface water soakaway to meet BRE Digest 365 standards for the dwelling; (c) the development shall provide for associated site development works, drainage and landscaping to accommodate the proposed development works

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 221336

• 20 Sept 2022Conditional

  existing outhouse for use as a granny flat ancillary to existing dwelling and all associated ancillary site works including upgrade of existing effluent disposal system to current EPA standards and services

  Retention · Wicklow County Council, 221019

• 5 Aug 2022N/a

  existing outhouse for use as granny flat ancillary to existing dwelling and all associated ancillary site works including upgrade of existing effluent disposal system to current EPA standards and services

  Retention · Wicklow County Council, 22864

• 29 Jun 2022Conditional

  1) The part removal of the side and rear of the existing dwelling and, internal reconfiguration of the existing layout. 2) the removal of the existing roof and the construction of a part single, part two-storey extension to the existing single-storey dwelling with a new pitched roof and associated elevational changes. 3) The widening of the existing site entrance and creation of a new parking area at site entry level. The decommissioning of the existing septic tank and provision of new sewage treatment plant and soakaway pit, together with all ancillary site and landscaping works

  Permission · Wicklow County Council, 22717

• 13 Jan 2022Refused

  dormer bungalow, new wastewater treatment plant, upgrading of existing agricultural entrance gate & boundary to new rendered wall with railings & electrified double gates, re-surfacing of existing internal access road/driveway & all associated site works. This application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS)

  Permission, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 2217

• 20 Dec 2021N/a

  dormer bungalow, new wastewater treatment plant, upgrading of existing agricultural entrance gate & boundary to new rendered wall with railings & electrified double gates, re-surfacing of existing internal access road/driveway & all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 211529

• 9 Dec 2021Refused

  existing outhouse for use as granny flat ancillary to existing dwelling and all associated ancillary site works and services

  Retention · Wicklow County Council, 211475

• 12 Nov 2021Conditional

  the division of the existing site, construction of 1 no. two-storey detached house, removal of 1 no. existing septic tank (serving the existing house), installation of 2 no. wastewater systems with polishing filters to EPA CoP 2021 (to serve the existing and proposed houses) and associated landscaping and site works

  Permission, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 211356

• 22 Apr 2021Refused

  dormer bungalow, stables, new waste water treatment plant, upgrading of existing agricultural entrance gate & boundary to new rendered wall, railings & electrified double gates, re-surfacing of existing internal driveway & all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Wicklow County Council, 21452

The 25 most recent of 35 applications.

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: Bray Head SAC 000714
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Bray Head 000714

Recorded monuments

• WI008-011 Castle - unclassified
  Description

  Situated on a very gentle E-facing slope overlooking the sea to the E. This fortification was possibly a moated castle of the 13th century Manor of Rathdown belonging to the Fitzdermot clan. One square tower of the stone castle survived until the early 19th century (O'Flanagan 1928, 39-40) but the site is now partially occupied by a decommissioned sewage treatment plant built by Wicklow Co. Co. in 1975 and a post-medieval limekiln. Both of these later structures are located in the SE quadrant of the moated site. The castle site is located towards the S edge of a roughly square shaped enclosure visible on aerial photographs taken in 1970 (CUCAP, BDP025/026) which may be the enclosing element of the first moated castle at Rathdown (WI008-011001-). A laneway cuts diagonally across the S portion of the enclosure with the castle site just S of the lane. Further cropmarks indicating an associated field system or medieval village (WI008-011002-) occur to the N and there is a small church (WI008-012001-) to the SW. In 1827 the castle was described as following; 'At a short distance beyond this chapel [WI008-012001-], beside a little stream in a deep ravine, and on the bold, seabeaten shore, stand the ruins of the once strong and extensive castle of Rathdown. The ground plan may be distinctly traced by the heaps of ruinous masonry, now all grass grown, which, like lifeless bodies that occupy the very spot on which they perished, lie regularly and artificially arranged in a square, and circular, and other useful architectural forms. The basement of one large square tower (this was all that he could see) may still be seen, the walls of which are four feet [1.2m] in thickness; in the eastern side was a circular headed window, the architrave of which is yet tolerably perfect [by 1838 the OS letters recorded this window was no longer visible]'(Wright 1827, 20). In 1838 the OS Letters recorded that 'a portion of the east and south walls of the old castle of Rathdown remain, say 54 feet [16.5m] in length on the south side and about eight feet [2.4m] high; the east end remains, 26 feet [7.9m] long and five feet ][1.5m] high, a small portion of the north wall also remains' (O'Flanagan 1928, 39). The OS also recorded the presence of the enclosure or 'Rath' (WI008-011001-) around the castle and the existence of settlement earthworks (WI008-011002-) in the field to the N. The OS wrote that the 'castle of Rathdown was built on the north side of a Rath (WI008-011001-) of considerable dimensions, large portions of which remain yet on the south and east of the castle. The ground on the north of this place still retains various traces of buildings or enclosures (WI008-011002-), but whether they belonged to the Rath or the castle I cannot say ' (O'Flanagan 1928, 39-40). According to local information between 1854-6 masonry was taken from the castle and reused in the building of the nearby railway bridge and the limekiln that are both marked on the OS 25-inch map to the E of the castle site (Christopher Kearney, Wicklow People, 01/03/1985). In 1994 archaeological test trenching was carried out by Margaret Gowen under licence No. 94E0048 along a portion of a proposed sewage pipeline forming part of the Greystones Sewerage Scheme. The sewage pipeline corridor runs through the field to the west of the castle site and present sewage treatment works crossing the remains of a supposed ‘mill race’ (tail race?) and other features of apparently agricultural derivation. The archaeological test trenching was undertaken to assess the area crossed by the pipeline corridor to ensure that no features of archaeological interest would be damaged during the pipe-laying process. The results of the assessment indicate that the pipeline crosses a relatively marginal area of archaeological activity, with some features dating back to the medieval period and some of obviously more recent date. Most of the features revealed have an agricultural derivation and some of the features certainly appear to date to the medieval period, i.e. during the occupancy of the castle and surrounding settlement. During the construction of the treatment works, which involved extensive excavation for the insertion of tanks and a comprehensive re-grading of the site, archaeologically sensitive material and soils as they cross the line were removed. Some of the remains of the structure recorded in 1972 and the supposed line of the ditch on the west and south side of the moated enclosure were also removed along with the remains of a later lime kiln. Nothing can now be seen of the archaeological remains on the site but sub-surface remains have survived in places. The masonry recorded in the 1972 inspection of the site lay in the south-west corner of the moated enclosure (WI008-011001-). Archaeological assessment of the proposed new works involved the opening and inspection of four test trenches which revealed ephemeral traces of archaeological deposits as follows: 1) At the extreme north of the site the most ephemeral remains of masonry structures, in the form of blocky stones and mortar, were noted in humic soil at a depth of 0.4m below ground level at the north of the trench. 2) Running north–south, the scant remains of the base of the main enclosure ditch still survives some 19–23m to the east of the western perimeter fence (in the area tested); the remains of the outer ditch are likely to have been removed during the excavation for the surface water-drain just inside the fence-line. 3) The southern line of the ditch underlies the present building, inspection chamber, roadway and northern disposal tanks. Excavation for the rising main which runs east–west across the site will have almost certainly caused further disturbance to the southern side of the enclosure ditch. Some remains of it may exist, however, just to the north of the rising main (Excavations 1994 No. 233). In 2016 a gradiometer and resistance survey was undertaken by Leigh Surveys under licence No. 16R0063 in the area to the N of Rathdown Castle (Burbridge et. al. 2017, 38; Leigh 2016,7). The results of the survey was summarised by Leigh Surveys as following; 'The results have detected responses indicative of archaeological activity. The responses identified are fragmented. There is clear correlation with the aerial photograph (CUCAP BDP025/026) but much of the site has remained undetected in the data, with the responses identified having a fragmented appearance. This suggests this site has been heavily plough damaged. Nevertheless, the responses are indicative of a former field system, with ditched boundary features and clear ploughing trends' (Leigh 2016, 7). The Manor of Rathdown was established by the Fitzdermot (Meic Gilla Mo-Cholmóc/ Mac Giollamocholmóg) clan in the late 12th or early years of the 13th century. John Fitzdermot of Rathdown, also referred to as John son of Dermot was the grandson of Domnhall Mac Gilla Mo-Cholmóc, lord of Uí Dúnchada, in the territory of Uí Briúin Chualann in the late 12th century (Price 1940-1, 240). He was married to Dervorgilla daughter of Dermot Mac Murrough, king of Leinster and brother-in-law to Strongbow (Simpson 1994, 195). In 1207 King John granted 'Dermot Mac Gilmeholmoc of all the land held by Gilleholmoc, his father, namely, Lymerhim with 15 carucates of land in the vale of Dublin, and a burgage in Dublin; to hold of the K. in fee by the service of 1 knight’ (Cal. doc. Ire., 53). In 1233/4 Ralph de Pitchford of Shropshire, paid 300 merks to King Henry III to have marriage of the heirs, and custody of the lands in Ireland, of John Fitzdermot, deceased until the legal age of the aforesaid heirs (Smith 1999, 4). In 1297/8 the Manor of Rathdown was in the possession of Albert de Kenley who had married Joan Fitzdermot, wife of Sir Ralph Fitzdermot of Rathdown. In this year the Crown recorded the payment of '£23 11s. 9d. from Albert de Kenley for the rent of two parts of the

• WI008-011001 Moated site
  Description

  Situated on a very gentle E-facing slope overlooking the sea to the E. The masonry castle of Rathdown (WI008-011-----) was enclosed by a square shaped enclosure or moated site (dims. 43m x 43m) that was bisected by a road or laneway running E-W as depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map. The cropmark of the N half of this square-shaped enclosure is clearly visible on aerial photographs taken on the 16/07/1970 (CUCAP, BDP025/026). The cropmark indicates that this earthwork was defined by a fosse (Wth 6m; D 0.8m) with a well-defined entrance causeway (Wth 7m) midway along the N side. A laneway cuts diagonally across the S portion of the site but the continuation of the fosse and the SW angle of the site can be clearly made out on the photograph with a castle site (WI008-011----) just S of the lane. The cropmark of a second outer fosse (Wth 3m) can be seen 14m to the N of the inner fosse with a corresponding entrance gap (Wth 7m) at N. This outer enclosing element continues on the S side of the laneway where it joins a narrow stream gully at the SW. This outer enclosing feature on the S side of the road is depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map. These earthworks represented the defended bailey or courtyard of the masonry castle of Rathdown. There is a possibility that the earthwork pre-dated the stone castle and represented the remains of a earlier earth and timber castle dating from the late 12th or early 13th century. It has been suggested that this enclosure is contemporaneous with the stone castle and represents a Gaelic moated castle site built in the 13th century by the Mac Giollamocholmóg clan (Simpson 1994, 218). Other linear cropmarks visible on the aerial photographs to the N of the castle site indicate the presence of a deserted medieval village (WI008-012002-) associated with the 'manor of Rathdown'. A small church (WI008-012001-) known as St. Crispin's Cell lies 195m to the SW. In 1838 the enclosing earthwork was described as a 'Rath' that was upstanding on the E and S sides. The Ordnance Survey Letters recorded that the 'castle of Rathdown was built on the north side of a Rath (WI008-011001-) of considerable dimensions, large portions of which remain yet on the south and east of the castle. The ground on the north of this place still retains various traces of buildings or enclosures (WI008-011002-), but whether they belonged to the Rath or the castle I cannot say' (O'Flanagan 1928, 39-40). This reference to various traces of buildings or enclosures to the N of the castle indicates the presence of a deserted medieval settlement (WI008-011002-). In 1994 archaeological test trenching was carried out by Margaret Gowen under licence No. 94E0048 along a portion of a proposed sewage pipeline forming part of the Greystones Sewerage Scheme. The sewage pipeline corridor runs through the field to the west of the castle site and present sewage treatment works crossing the remains of a supposed ‘mill race’ (tail race?) and other features of apparently agricultural derivation. The archaeological test trenching was undertaken to assess the area crossed by the pipeline corridor to ensure that no features of archaeological interest would be damaged during the pipe-laying process. The results of the assessment indicate that the pipeline crosses a relatively marginal area of archaeological activity, with some features dating back to the medieval period and some of obviously more recent date. Most of the features revealed have an agricultural derivation and some of the features certainly appear to date to the medieval period, i.e. during the occupancy of the castle and surrounding settlement. During the construction of the treatment works, which involved extensive excavation for the insertion of tanks and a comprehensive re-grading of the site, archaeologically sensitive material and soils as they cross the line were removed. Some of the remains of the structure recorded in 1972 and the supposed line of the ditch on the west and south side of the moated enclosure were also removed along with the remains of a later lime kiln. Nothing can now be seen of the archaeological remains on the site but sub-surface remains have survived in places. The masonry recorded in the 1972 inspection of the site lay in the south-west corner of the moated enclosure (WI008-011001-). Archaeological assessment of the proposed new works involved the opening and inspection of four test trenches which revealed ephemeral traces of archaeological deposits as follows: 1) At the extreme north of the site the most ephemeral remains of masonry structures, in the form of blocky stones and mortar, were noted in humic soil at a depth of 0.4m below ground level at the north of the trench. 2) Running north–south, the scant remains of the base of the main enclosure ditch still survives some 19–23m to the east of the western perimeter fence (in the area tested); the remains of the outer ditch are likely to have been removed during the excavation for the surface water-drain just inside the fence-line. 3) The southern line of the ditch underlies the present building, inspection chamber, roadway and northern disposal tanks. Excavation for the rising main which runs east–west across the site will have almost certainly caused further disturbance to the southern side of the enclosure ditch. Some remains of it may exist, however, just to the north of the rising main (Excavations 1994 No. 233). In 2016 a gradiometer and resistance survey was undertaken by Leigh Surveys under licence No. 16R0063 in the area to the N of Rathdown Castle (Burbridge et. al. 2017, 38; Leigh 2016,7). The results of the survey was summarised by Leigh Surveys as following; 'The results have detected responses indicative of archaeological activity. The responses identified are fragmented. There is clear correlation with the aerial photograph (CUCAP BDP025/026) but much of the site has remained undetected in the data, with the responses identified having a fragmented appearance. This suggests this site has been heavily plough damaged. Nevertheless, the responses are indicative of a former field system, with ditched boundary features and clear ploughing trends' (Leigh 2016, 7). See attached site plan of moated site taken from Gowen 1994 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: 27 July 2018

• WI008-011002 Settlement deserted - medieval
  Description

  Situated to the N of the site of Rathdown Castle (WI008-011----). Cropmarks indicating a deserted medieval village are visible on aerial photographs (CUCAP, BDP025/026; GSIAP 061/62/63). There are several large square fields with traces of other features visible on these aerial photographs. These earthworks appear to represent the medieval village of Rathdown. In 1827 the deserted settlement of Rathdown was described as following; ‘Wild and deserted as the whole of this district, from the Windgate road to the beach, now appears, with scarcely a comfortable residence (none at all now) and no arborical vegetation, it was once the site of the village of Rathdown, and surrounded by baronial and ecclesiastical edifices. The castle [WI008-011----], St. Crispin’s Cell [WI008-012001-], and the parish church, were within short distances of each other and of the village. Upon the final deletion of the village, Col. Farrar the proprietor, razed the tomb stones, disinterred the bones in the church yard and recommitted all the earth again in one large pit dug for the purpose, after which he erased the church itself’ (Wright 1827, 20). In 1838 the Ordnance Survey recorded the presence of earthworks belonging to levelled buildings in the field to the N of the castle. The OS described these seetlement earthworks as following; 'The ground on the north of this place still retains various traces of buildings or enclosures (WI008-011002-), but whether they belonged to the Rath (WI008-011001-) or the castle (WI008-011----) I cannot say' (O'Flanagan 1928, 41). This reference to various traces of buildings or enclosures to the N of the castle indicates the presence of a deserted medieval settlement (WI008-011002-). According to local information the 'field to the North of the limekiln can be seen several humps and hollows where the Old Village stood. This field was known as "Troopers Field" (Christopher Kearney, Wicklow People, 01/03/1985). In 1623 an inquisition into the estate of the deceased, Peter Talbot of the manor of Rathdrum, described the manor as consisting of 1 castle, 10 cottages, 200 acres arable land and 100 acres of pasture...etc.' (Cal. inq. post mortem, 24 Jac. 1). The settlement earthworks in the field to the N of the castle may be the remains of the '10 cottages' which formed part of the 'Manor of Rathdown' in 1623. In 2016 a gradiometer and resistance survey was undertaken by Leigh Surveys under licence No. 16R0063 in the area to the N of Rathdown Castle (Burbridge et. al. 2017, 38; Leigh 2016,7). The results of the survey was summarised by Leigh Surveys as following; 'The results have detected responses indicative of archaeological activity. The responses identified are fragmented. There is clear correlation with the aerial photograph (CUCAP BDP025/026) but much of the site has remained undetected in the data, with the responses identified having a fragmented appearance. This suggests this site has been heavily plough damaged. Nevertheless, the responses are indicative of a former field system, with ditched boundary features and clear ploughing trends' (Leigh 2016, 7). 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: 26 July 2018

• WI008-011003 Midden
  Description

  Midden site described by Smal (1993, 22, 31) as following; 'Many aretfacts, including pieces of pottery and a strap-end, have come to light as a result of recent coastal erosion near the site of Rathdown Castle (WI008-011----). The pottery is mostly Leinster ware dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. The midden exposed by coastal erosion, is of uncertain date. It is located within the grounds of the medieval castle at Rathdown but possibly predates this period. Its contents help to reveal the diet of the people in days gone by. Bone remains of cattle sheep or goats have been uncovered, as well as the remains of horses. Some of these possess cut marks, signs of handling in the past. The midden was also found to contain many items of shellfish and sea snails, winkles, oysters, mussels, cockels and limpets'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 30 July 2018

• WI008-012001 Church
  Description

  Situated on a gentle E-facing slope in gently undulating pasture overlooking a small stream 35m to S and the coastline of the Irish Sea 290m to E. Site of Rathdown Castle (WI008-011----) and deserted medieval settlement (WI008-011002-) 200m to NE. Known locally as St Crispin's Cell, present remains consist of a small single cell church (ext. dims. 5.43m N-S; 6.98m E -W; Wall T 0.7m) with square-shaped porch at W end. The well preserved walls are upstanding to the eaves and are built with rubble and granite with quartzitic quoins. The church is entered through the entrance porch (ext. dims. 3.2m E-W x 3.3m N-S; wall T 0.8m) via a doorway on the S wall. Off the porch a round-headed door in the centre of the W wall gives access to the interior of the church. The church was lit by flat-headed windows with timber lintels (removed) in the E and S walls. A small niche or aumbry (dims. H 0.4m x Wth 0.46m x D 0.25m) is visible in S wall located off centre to E. The church appears to be an 18th-century reconstruction using cut granite jambs, arches and threshold stones of a medieval church. Some tufa is used in the E window. At the NW angle substantial plinth stones projecting beyond the present church wall to the W suggests that the medieval church was partially beneath St. Crispin's Celll and was located to the NW of the cell. The 1985 the following earthworks to the N of the church were described as following; 'Surrounding the church on all sides except at S, are grass-covered mounds with some stone protruding. These may contain some stone from an older building of which there is no trace. The mounds are 4-5m wide and c. 0.5m H and extend 5-10m from St. Crispin's Cell' (ASI Field Report 06/06/1985). In the early 17th century the associated graveyard (WI008-012002-) was cleared and the disinterred bodies and gravestones were buried elsewhere (O'Flanagan 1928, 39-41). In 1827 a local man of 97 years of age gave the following account about the building; 'The small Chapel or cell of St. Crispin. It is entered by a porch, placed at the west end and was lighted by one circular-headed window; it is now unroofed and the walls clothed with ivy; the adjacent ground does not appear to have been used as a cemetery, although the body of a seaman, washed on shore near Rathdown Castle was intered here' (Wright 1827, 19-20). In 1838 the Ordnance Survey Letters recorded that 'No one in the neighbourhood of Rathdown now remembers anything of the church thus razed, but they remember that the bones were all dug up from the graveyard of the little church of St. Crispin and buried in one pit at the east end, by some bad man. The little Cell of St. Crispin is now 23 feet [7m] long and 14 [4.25m] broad. The window in the east gable is six feet [1.8m] high by six feet [1.8m] in breadth, and square at the head, the lintel, which appears from the impression in the mortar to have been of wood, taken away at no remote period. There is another window in the south wall two feet ten inches [0.86m] each way, square head, and the lintel not very long taken away. The entrance was through a porch at the west end, to the door which is 7 feet [2.1m] high, with a round arch formed of two stones, cut as are the jambs. A good coat of white washed plaster remains on the door and on the gable inside, on the whole it does not appear to be an old Cell at all, but looks rather like a little chapel of ease constructed some two 100 years ago from the materials of an older building of what kind it is hard to say' (O'Flanagan 1928,40). In 1993 a geophysical survey was carried out by Geoquest Associates of Durham, England under licence No. 93E0187 in the field containing St. Crispin's Cell and in the field to the W of the church. Magnetometer and selective resistivity survey of the west field indicated a relatively featureless geophysical terrain. Five small areas had positive magnetic lines which were interpreted as possible shallow ditches. Work in the east field revealed a series of features, possibly shallow ditches, most pronounced in a 40m x 40m area north-west of the church. Excavation was undertaken by Charles Mount in 1993 under licence No. 93E0187. The excavation examined the south-western corner of the east field and the “hollow way” (WI008-072----) which runs in a north–south direction across the western end of this field. A series of trenches was excavated in the west field to assess the deposits there. Sixteen cuttings were excavated but only Cuttings 2 and 14 produced archaeological features. Cutting 2, situated in the western part of the west field, measured 20m x 1m and was excavated to 0.6m in depth. The stratigraphy consisted of dark brown ploughsoil to a depth of 0.5m overlying the natural grey to orange clay with stones. In the western end of this cutting was situated Feature 1, a functioning land drain and in the eastern part Feature 2 was uncovered. This consisted of an oval pit, 1.95m x 1.55m with sloping sides and measuring 0.44m in internal depth. The fill was a sandy soil, light brown and loosely compacted, covering a black sticky soil with a high charcoal content. The pit contained a single oyster shell and nine pieces of animal bone. An area centering on Feature 2, measuring 10m x 9m, was opened and the ploughsoil removed. Five features, 3–7, were revealed in the enlarged area. Feature 3 north-east of Feature 2, was a posthole, 0.17m in width and 0.13m in depth. The fill was grey with charcoal staining. There were two stones on the northern edge, a possible post packing. Feature 4, a small oval pit north-west of Feature 3, was 0.26m x 0.14m and 0.14m in depth. The fill contained charcoal. Feature 5, south-east of Feature 2, was a small pit or posthole, 0.54m in width and 0.21m in depth. It contained a dark organic soil with charcoal and small stones above a light brown sandy soil with a high stone and gravel content. Feature 6, south-east of Feature 5, was an oval post-hole 0.25m x 0.15m and 0.25m in depth. It contained a brown soil with charcoal inclusions and small stones which sealed a black organic soil. Feature 7, south-south-west of Feature 2, was a posthole, 0.54m x 0.52m and 0.31m in depth. It contained a brown soil containing charcoal which sealed a layer with no charcoal. Cutting 14 examined the hollow way. It measured 20m x 1m and was excavated to 1.03m in depth. In 2016 a gradiometer and resistance survey was undertaken by Leigh Surveys under licence No. 16R0063 in the area to the W and N of St. Crispin's Cell (Burbridge et. al. 2017, 38; Leigh 2016,7). The results of the detailed gradiometer survey around St Crispin’s Church was summarised by Leigh Surveys as following; the survey 'has identified several responses indicative of rectilinear ditched features, perhaps indicative of a small field system. Curvilinear trends in the gradiometer data and fragmented high resistance responses in the resistance survey are evident to the north of the church. These may represent an outer enclosure of the church, although this is speculative' (Leigh 2016). 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: 26 July 2018

• WI008-012002 Graveyard
  Description

  In the early seventeenth century this graveyard which was associated with St Crispin's Cell (WI008-012001-) was cleared and the disinterred bodies were 'buried in one pit at the east end' (O'Flanagan 1928, 33-5). In 1827 a local man of 97 years of age gave the following account about the graveyard; 'The small Chapel or cell of St. Crispin [WI008-012001-]. It is entered by a porch, placed at the west end and was lighted by one circular-headed window; it is now unroofed and the walls clothed with ivy; the adjacent ground does not appear to have been used as a cemetery, although the body of a seaman, washed on shore near Rathdown Castle was interred here. The castle [WI008-011----], St. Crispin’s Cell [WI008-012001-], and the parish church, were within short distances of each other and of the village [WI008-011002-]. Upon the final deletion of the village, Col. [Charles] Tarrant the proprietor, razed the tomb stones, disinterred the bones in the church yard and recommitted all the earth again in one large pit dug for the purpose, after which he erased the church itself’ (Wright 1827, 19-20). In 1838 the Ordnance Survey Letters recorded that 'No one in the neighbourhood of Rathdown now remembers anything of the church thus razed, but they remember that the bones were all dug up from the graveyard of the little church [WI008-012001-] of St. Crispin and buried in one pit at the east end, by some bad man' (O'Flanagan 1928, 40). Compiled by: Claire Breen Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 26 July 2018

• WI008-046 Fulacht fia
  Description

  On a gentle E-facing slope, overlooking the Irish Sea. A large, roughly rectangular spread of small, heat-shattered stones (L 28m E-W; Wth 16m) was noted here in 2004. A discrete area of damp ground at W end may represent a spring. Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 06 February 2013

• WI008-070 Excavation - miscellaneous
  Description

  This is the record for the platform (feature 125) and pits (features 128, 127 & 291) discovered during the excavation by James Eogan and Richard O'Brien (97E0075) which they dated from several diagnostic flint artefacts to the early Neolithic period. (Eogan and O'Brien 2005) Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 24 January 2013

• WI008-071 Excavation - miscellaneous
  Description

  This is the record for the pits, gullies, ditches etc. excavated by James Eogan and Richard N. O’Brien (97E0075). The occupation of this part of the site stretched from the late Neolithic/early Bronze Age with the persence of Beaker pottery, through to the late Bronze Age/early Iron Age as attested by radiocarbon dates and the artefact assemblage recovered from the various features. (Eogan and O'Brien 2005) Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 24 January 2013

• WI008-072 Road - hollow-way
  Description

  In 1993 a geophysical survey was carried out by Geoquest Associates of Durham, England under licence No. 93E0187 in the field containing St. Crispin's Cell (WI008-012001-) and in the field to the W of the church. Magnetometer and selective resistivity survey of the west field indicated a relatively featureless geophysical terrain. Five small areas had positive magnetic lines which were interpreted as possible shallow ditches. Work in the east field revealed a series of features, possibly shallow ditches, most pronounced in a 40m x 40m area north-west of the church. Excavation was undertaken by Charles Mount in 1993 under licence No. 93E0187. The excavation examined the south-western corner of the east field and the “hollow way” (WI008-072----) which runs in a north–south direction across the western end of this field. Cutting 14 examined the hollow way. It measured 20m x 1m and was excavated to 1.03m in depth. The stratigraphy consisted of the sod layer which in the position of the hollow way was compressed to only 0.4m in thickness. This overlay a dark brown soil. In the area of the hollow this overlay a stone layer 0.3m in thickness and 3.2m in width. On the western side it abutted the lighter coloured subsoil but on the east it petered out. The surface hollow was not centred on this stone layer as the former’s western edge was nearly in the base of the feature. Flint was most frequent and accounted for 85 finds. It occurred across the site but entirely in the sod and topsoil. Forty-six percent of the flints were unstruck pebbles, 25% were flakes, 16% were chipped cores and pebbles and 9% were scrapers. The high percentage of unchipped pebbles and chipped pebbles and cores, 62%, in comparison to the low percentage of scrapers, 9%, and their poor quality, suggests that this was a site at which flint pebbles were collected from the nearby shore and were made into artefacts. Pottery, at 29% of the finds, was mostly composed of 19th-century wares. Glazed red wares of possible medieval to 18th century date were scarce and unglazed red ware, of possible early medieval or prehistoric date, were scarcer again. Animal bone accounted for 11% of the finds and iron 7%. Excavation confirmed Halpin’s interpretation that the earliest feature in this area was a ditch, subsequently filled in and used as a routeway. Two sherds of glazed medieval pottery and a sherd of medieval cooking ware were recovered from the upper fills of the ditch but no diagnostic finds were made in the primary fills so the date of the feature remains unknown (Eogan and O'Brien 2005) Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 30 July 2018

• WI008-073 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  This is the record for the possible ringfort revealed by geophysical survey and archaeological testing by Charles Mount (93E0187) and Eoin Halpin (94E0033). The feature was not subsequently excavated as it lay outside the area for development. (see Eogan and O'Brien 2005) Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 24 January 2013

• WI008-074 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  This is the record for the corn-drying kiln excavated by James Eogan and Richard O'Brien (97E0075). It consisted of an oval pit (3.5m long, 2m wide and 0.55m deep). The N part of the pit was deepest and the clay in its base had been oxidised. Two parallel lines of five stake-holes were found in the base of the kiln. Two shallow trenches, which probably functioned as flues, extended from the SE and SW corners of the pit. (Eogan and O'Brien 2005) Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 24 January 2013

Architectural heritage

• Rose Cottage, house, 1790–1810 · Regional interest
  Description

  Pair of semi-detached three-bay single-storey thatched houses, built c.1800, now combined as single house. The houses are finished in render. The panelled replacement doors are within flat-headed openings; those to the south are now covered by a glazed and projecting hipped roof bay. Window openings are flat-headed and have some replacement uPVC frames. The pitched roof is finished with flax thatch to the front and corrugated-iron to the rear. A projecting bay to the front has an ‘eyebrow’ roof. The chimneystacks are rendered with plain caps and clay pots. The houses are slightly set back from the road behind a low rendered wall with square gate pillars.

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 20 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; parts are made ground.

Terrain model

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_3379 (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 Rathdown Upper with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Wicklow.

Name

Rathdown Upper

Area

1,974,759 m² (197.48 ha, 487.97 acres)

Civil parish

Delgany, and its townlands

Barony

Rathdown

Electoral division

Delgany, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Delgany electoral division: 7,707 people in 2,553 households; 82% of households own their home; 45% of homes were built since 2001; 3% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 1% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballynamuddagh, Kilruddery Demesne West, Paddock, Rathdown Lower, Templecarrig Lower, Windgate

Placenames

Rathdown 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.