Iffa And Offa West is a barony of County Tipperary, in the historical province of Munster (Irish: Uíbh Eoghain agus Uíbh Fhathaidh Thiar), covering 474 km² of land. The barony records 513 NMS archaeological sites and 199 NIAH listed buildings, placing it at around the 16th percentile among 280 ROI baronies for sites per km². This means it is in the bottom fifth of all baronies for sites per km². Dated archaeological evidence runs from the Neolithic through to the Modern, spanning 8 of 9 archaeological periods, placing the barony in the 84th percentile among 280 ROI baronies for chronological depth. This means it is in the top fifth of all baronies for chronological depth. The largest dated subset of recorded sites dates to the Iron Age. Logainm flags 57 placenames in the barony as carrying a recognised heritage root; the largest share — around 67% — are names associated with early Christian church and monastic foundations.
Heritage at a glance
Percentile rankings throughout this profile compare each barony only against the other 279 Republic of Ireland baronies.
The recorded heritage of Iffa And Offa West
The National Monuments Service Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) is the statutory inventory of archaeological sites for the Republic of Ireland, maintained by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Sites recorded here include earthworks, ringforts, megalithic tombs, ecclesiastical remains, and post-medieval features; not every record is legally protected, but each is registered as a monument of archaeological interest.
The National Monuments Service records 513 archaeological sites in Iffa And Offa West, putting it at the 16th percentile among 280 ROI baronies for sites per km². This means it is in the bottom fifth of all baronies for sites per km². Protection coverage is near-universal — 490 sites (96%) fall within a recorded monument protection zone, indicating an extensively surveyed landscape. The dominant category is defensive sites — ringforts, enclosures, hillforts, and stone forts (281 sites, 55% of the record). The most diagnostically specific type is Ringfort – rath (88 records, 17% of the barony's NMS total) — compared to an ROI average of 20% across all baronies where this type occurs. Ringfort – rath is an earthen ringfort enclosed by a bank and external ditch — the most common Early Medieval farmstead, broadly dated 500–1000 AD. The broader 'Enclosure' classification — which catches unclassified ringforts and field enclosures — accounts for a further 138 records (27%) and reflects the difficulty of sub-classifying degraded earthworks from surface evidence alone. Across the barony's 474 km², this gives a recorded density of 1.08 sites per km².
Most common monument types
Hover or tap a monument type to see its definition.
| Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Enclosure a banked or ditched feature of uncertain type, used as a catch-all where the original function cannot be determined from surface evidence | 138 |
| Ringfort – rath an earthen ringfort enclosed by a bank and external ditch — the most common Early Medieval farmstead, broadly dated 500–1000 AD | 88 |
| Church a building used for public Christian worship, of any date from c. 500 AD onwards | 32 |
| Graveyard a burial area associated with a church, in use from the medieval period onwards | 26 |
| Castle – tower house a fortified residential tower of four or five storeys, mostly built by lords in the 15th and 16th centuries and often within a defended bawn | 13 |
| Bawn the defended courtyard of a medieval house, tower house or fortified house | 13 |
| Cairn – unclassified a stone mound that cannot be assigned to a specific cairn type | 12 |
| Hut site a low stone or earthen foundation enclosing a small circular or oval area, generally interpreted as a former dwelling, of any date from prehistory to the medieval period | 12 |
Chronological distribution
The dated archaeological record for Iffa And Offa West spans from the Neolithic through to the Modern, with activity attested across 8 of 9 archaeological periods. This is the 84th percentile across ROI baronies for chronological depth — an above-average span. Every period from earliest to latest is represented in the record — an unbroken sequence of dated activity across the full chronological span. Activity concentrates most heavily in the Iron Age (175 sites, 44% of dated material), with the Early Medieval forming a secondary peak (114 sites, 29%). A further 114 recorded sites (22% of the overall NMS register for the barony) carry no period attribution — appearing as 'Unknown' in the bar chart below. This typically reflects either records that pre-date the standardised period vocabulary or sites awaiting specialist dating review, rather than a genuine absence of chronological evidence.
Sample of recorded monuments
Show 25 sample monuments (of 513 total)
A representative sample of 25 recorded monuments drawn from the barony’s 513 total NMS entries. Sites within a recorded monument protection zone and rarer site types are prioritised so the list shows a meaningful cross-section rather than only the most common type. Each entry shows the official Sites and Monuments Record reference number and the description published by the National Monuments Service.
Henge
Enclosing a hilltop with a steep drop to the SW and a more gradual fall of slope to the NE before the ground levels out within the NE quadrant. Ringfort (TS075-040—-) located c. 50m to the NE. The summit of the hill…
Enclosing a hilltop with a steep drop to the SW and a more gradual fall of slope to the NE before the ground levels out within the NE quadrant. Ringfort (TS075-040—-) located c. 50m to the NE. The summit of the hill runs NW-SE roughly through the centre of the monument. Large steep-sided hillock (diam. 170m N-S and E-W) enclosed by internal fosse (Wth 3.4m) and large substantial outer bank (Wth crest 6-10.5m; base 8.7-14m; int. H 2.3-2.78m; ext. H 1.17-3.6m). A modern stone wall has been built on portion of the bank in the NE quadrant from N to NE. The summit has been partially quarried into resulting in an irregular hollow N of centre. There is a cattle gap through the bank in the WSW. There is a lot of stone evident in the grass-covered bank. The bank in the S quadrant has been quarried into and the bank in the SE is slightly denuded. From E-SE the bank has been levelled with only low traces surviving. In the NW sector the bank kinks out to form a possible structure (dims. 10.3m NE-SW; 12m NW-SE) or may be result of quarrying. There is a possible entrance (Wth 2m) to the enclosure immediately W of this structure. The OS Letters refer to some interference with the bank at the NE and S sides where 'lately part of it was pared off outwardly…for a byroad that runs here now' (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 2, 125).
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 7 April 2014
Cross-slab (present location)
In a shrine immediately N of Tobar Iosa (TS075-044001-). According to Power (1908, 23) the stone with 'a small inscribed cross in a circle, was found many years ago together with the smaller rude cross, in a bog close…
In a shrine immediately N of Tobar Iosa (TS075-044001-). According to Power (1908, 23) the stone with 'a small inscribed cross in a circle, was found many years ago together with the smaller rude cross, in a bog close to the Bansha road, a full half mile from the well. This information I had from the actual finder, Roger Sheehy, aged eighty years at the date of my interview'. Location of small 'rude cross' is unknown. The cross-slab consists of central crude stone (H 0.76m; Wth 0.35m; T c. 0.21m), conglomerate with quartz pebbles, with incised latin cross with expanded terminals enclosed by circle (diam. 0.26m) and incised cross (dims. 0.1m x 0.12m) above. A metal cross has been inserted into the top of this stone.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 26 August 2011
Megalithic tomb – portal tomb
On the break of a S-facing slope of Bain at the eastern end of the Galty mountains, in forestry. Deciduous scrub and ferns are reclaiming the slope after previous vegetation was burnt. Extensive view to E and S but…
On the break of a S-facing slope of Bain at the eastern end of the Galty mountains, in forestry. Deciduous scrub and ferns are reclaiming the slope after previous vegetation was burnt. Extensive view to E and S but blocked upslope to N and by trees to W. Possible portal tomb (per. comm. Paul Walsh 1991) consisting of a large sandstone conglomerate slab (dims. 2.8m x 2.94m) partially resting on a triangular-shaped side-stone (H 0.91m ext., 1.23m int.; max. L 1.07m; T 0.28m) to the SW, sloping down to the NE where it rests on the ground. Aligned NW-SE presuming that the triangular stone is a side-stone. A distinct linear depression (Wth 0.23-0.32m; D 0.02-0.08m) runs NE-SW across the centre of the capstone. There is a lot of stone rubble in the chamber. There is a rectangular block of quartz (dims. 0.22m x 0.36m) lying loose immediately NE of tomb and a scatter of rubble extends c. 3m SW of the tomb. There is also a mound of rubble (dims. c. 3.5m x 2.5m; H 1.2m) 1.5m to N.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 25 June 2015
Historic town
On the E bank of the River Suir. In the 3rd century AD there is a reference in the Book of Lecan to the destruction of Cahir fort (Burke 1909, 272) and there are other references to the fort in Brehon law texts (ibid.).…
On the E bank of the River Suir. In the 3rd century AD there is a reference in the Book of Lecan to the destruction of Cahir fort (Burke 1909, 272) and there are other references to the fort in Brehon law texts (ibid.). In c. 1169 Cahir was granted to William de Braos and in 1215 the ownership of Cahir was granted to Philip Worcester and eventually passed, by his grand-daughters marriage, to the Birminghams, who possessed it until 1332 (ibid.). In 1375 the manor of Cahir was bestowed on James Butler, Earl of Ormond, in whose family it remained almost continuously up to the 19th century (ibid.). Cahir Castle was attacked in 1599 and captured by Elizabethan forces under the Lord Lieutenant Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex (Killanin and Duignan 1967, 132-3). In 1647 Murrough "the Burner" O'Brien, Parliamentarian Lord President of Munster (Inchiquin), captured the castle which in 1650 was surrendered to Cromwell (ibid.). Upstanding monuments in the town include the castle (TS075-048001-); the abbey (TS075-048002-); the church (TS075-048003-); a holy well (TS075-048004-); a bridge ((TS075-048005-); a stone head (TS075-048006-); a stone plaque ((TS075-048008-); mills (TS075-048009-); weirs (TS075-048010-) and a graveyard (TS075-048011-). The precise location and extent of the medieval and early modern town of Caher is unknown.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 26 August 2011
Religious house – Augustinian canons
At the N end of Cahir, on the E side of Abbey Street, N of the railway line and accessed via a lane opening out onto the main street. The priory of St. Mary was founded for the Augustinian Canons Regular by Geoffrey de…
At the N end of Cahir, on the E side of Abbey Street, N of the railway line and accessed via a lane opening out onto the main street. The priory of St. Mary was founded for the Augustinian Canons Regular by Geoffrey de Camville in the 13th century, c. 1220 (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 162). In 1540 the prior Edmund Lonergan surrendered the monastery to Henry VIII (ibid.). At this time the church was found to have been a parish church and so was not taken by the Crown (White 1943, 331; Hodkinson 1995, 148), however, the remaining abbey buildings were granted to Sir Thomas Butler, who was created the Baron of Cahir in 1542. The priory remains consist of a church with crossing tower and a range of buildings to the S, including a large vaulted chamber, a tower and the possible remains of the refectory. There is also a length of wall to the S running E-W which may be part of a later enclosure or bawn. The church consists of a chancel (ext. dims. 19.45m x 9.7m) and crossing tower (ext. dims. 6.32m x 9.05m, excluding the stairwell in the NW corner). There is no surviving nave, this may have been destroyed when the crossing tower was being remodelled in the late 16th/17th century for domestic use. Some of the sandstone windows in the chancel were altered in the 15th century with limestone inserts and an elaborately decorated E and N window were also added at this date, with an interlace pattern on the exterior of the E window. The five-storey crossing tower appears to have been a four…
Memorial stone
Inserted in the S-facing wall of number 13 Castle St., Cahir, at second-floor level between two windows, above a business premises at ground-floor level, a butcher shop. It is a small rectangular limestone plaque with a…
Inserted in the S-facing wall of number 13 Castle St., Cahir, at second-floor level between two windows, above a business premises at ground-floor level, a butcher shop. It is a small rectangular limestone plaque with a thin border around the edge. Carved in relief there is a capital I on the dexter side and a capital E on the sinister side. Within the centre there is a pyramidal arrangement, with a capital M on top, a capital W and I on the middle row and finally on the bottom row the date 1717.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 29 April 2014
House – fortified house
In a valley at the foot of the Knockmealdown Mountains, on relatively level ground which drops off slightly to the S, in pastureland. The house was built by Sir Richard Everard in 1641, this date being carved on an…
In a valley at the foot of the Knockmealdown Mountains, on relatively level ground which drops off slightly to the S, in pastureland. The house was built by Sir Richard Everard in 1641, this date being carved on an ex-situ architectural fragment (TS080-004004-). The house was burnt in 1650, probably by Cromwellian forces, though there is a tradition that Lady Everard burnt it herself to stop it falling into Cromwell's hands. The Civil Survey (1654-6) refers to 'Sir Richard Everards Mansion house, called Everards Castle the walls onely standinge and some cabbins within a bawne, the sd house beinge burned is yett without repaire' (Simington 1931, vol.1, 374). A H-plan house consisting of a main block, two-storey over partial basement with a gable-fronted attic and four square angle towers, each being three-storey over basement with attic. It is built of rubble limestone, roughly coursed with cut limestone quoins and window surrounds. There is a good survival of external rendering with pseudo quoins and window surrounds highlighted in the plaster work. The fenestration is typical of the 17th-century, consisting of flat-headed single, two or three-light windows being mullioned and transomed, all have hood-mouldings overhead. The E façade has mainly three-light windows while the W façade has all two-light windows. The main entrance is roughly centrally placed in the W facade at ground-floor level, there were steps up to the entrance which are now gone. There are several firepla…
House – 16th century
On rock outcrop at the edge of a steep precipice which falls sharply to the S and W, overlooking a valley. A branch of the Butlers is associated with Roosca (Butler 2003, 453-61). Theobald Butler of ‘Rouskagh’ was the…
On rock outcrop at the edge of a steep precipice which falls sharply to the S and W, overlooking a valley. A branch of the Butlers is associated with Roosca (Butler 2003, 453-61). Theobald Butler of ‘Rouskagh’ was the Sheriff of the Liberty of Tipperary in 1591-92 and when he died in 1595/6 he was succeeded by his son Pierce (ibid., 453-4). However, Pierce was subsequently attainted and the lands granted to Henry Piers of London in 1614 (ibid. 454). William Butler, an uncle of Pierce, secured the title from Piers and died at Roosca in 1634, being succeeded by his son Theobald (ibid. 455). The Civil Survey (1654-6) describes Roosca castle in 1640 as 'an old stone house coverred with thatch within a bawne' owned by Theobald Butler (Simington 1931, vol. 1, 367). A two-storey rectangular house of 16th-century date, constructed of limestone rubble, roughly coursed with associated bawn (TS081-041002-). The building (19.2m x 10.5m externally; wall T 1.05m; E wall H 5m) is orientated N-S. According to the OS Letters there were two 'disfigured' doorways in the house, one at the S end of the E wall and the other at the N end of the W wall (O'Flanagan 1930, vol.1, 16). Both these sections of wall have collapsed and there is no surviving trace of any doorway. Internally the ground floor was divided by a stone wall (running E-W) 4.15m from the S gable, this wall does not survive. The room at the S end was lit by a single-light window in the W wall, the opposing section of E wall has co…
Castle – motte
On a gradual S-facing slope in rolling pastureland. Roughly oval mound at base (c.27m N-S; c. 20.5m E-W) with more circular flat top (14m NE-SW; 14.3m E-W) and is 4.23m H above exterior (in N quadrant). Very steep-sided…
On a gradual S-facing slope in rolling pastureland. Roughly oval mound at base (c.27m N-S; c. 20.5m E-W) with more circular flat top (14m NE-SW; 14.3m E-W) and is 4.23m H above exterior (in N quadrant). Very steep-sided with substantial drop to the exterior. The sides have been badly truncated, particularly the E side which has been quarried into. At the base of the mound in the N quadrant there is a slight dip (c.4m Wth; 0.3m D) which appears to be a silted-up fosse, a wide fosse is clearly indicated on the 2nd (1906) ed. OS 6-inch map at the base of the mound on all sides except the S quadrant. The SE quadrant has a lot of slippage resulting in a very gradual slope at this point.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 26 August 2011
Chapel
On a break in slope, off the crest of a W-facing slope in hilly terrain, mostly pasture. A 17th-century chapel is situated at the E end of the graveyard (TS081-054001-), the wall of which runs up to the E gable of the…
On a break in slope, off the crest of a W-facing slope in hilly terrain, mostly pasture. A 17th-century chapel is situated at the E end of the graveyard (TS081-054001-), the wall of which runs up to the E gable of the chapel. A small chapel (dims. 7.13m x 10.2m externally; wall T 0.75-0.9m; wall H 2.2-2.5m), orientated E-W, with a doorway centrally placed in the W gable and extremely steep pitched roof. Mainly limestone rubble construction with some sandstone and is roughly coursed. Crudely cut limestone blocks used as quoins. Pointed doorway (H 1.15m; Wth 0.96m; D 0.26m) chamfered externally with memorial plaque (TS081-054003-), dated 1644, above it. Above this plaque there is a small, flat-headed, rectangular opening. The W gable (H c. 6m) is surmounted by a single, round-headed bellcote, the external lintel appears to be composed of two pieces of sandstone. At the E end of the chapel there are opposing windows on the N and S wall, in both examples only the lower portion survives. Repair work, including insertion of iron girders was carried out in early 20th century, c. 1913 (The editor 1913, 47-8). In the interior on N side of W gable there is a sandstone stoup with rounded angles, c. 0.4m above interior, which projects out (Wth 0.3m x D 0.32m). The basin itself is roughly circular (dims. 0.22m x 0.25m; D 0.04m). Centrally placed in the E gable there is a occulus window of sandstone set into a straight-sided, flat-headed embrasure. The lintel of the embrasure is limesto…
Ring-ditch
In flat terrain, land rises slightly to the NNE, under pasture. Field under tillage when ASIAP was taken. Identified as a ring-ditch on an aerial photograph taken in August 1996 (ASIAP (30) 6-10). There are lots of…
In flat terrain, land rises slightly to the NNE, under pasture. Field under tillage when ASIAP was taken. Identified as a ring-ditch on an aerial photograph taken in August 1996 (ASIAP (30) 6-10). There are lots of little hummocky tufts and subtle undulations in the area but the ring-ditch is not visible at ground level.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 26 August 2011
Castle – ringwork
At the NE edge of a ridge, running E-W, in rolling pastureland. Knocknagapple church (TS086-030—-), also known as Templetenny, lies c. 600m to SW. A roughly sub-rectangular area (diam. 42.5m N-S; 37.5m E–W) defined…
At the NE edge of a ridge, running E-W, in rolling pastureland. Knocknagapple church (TS086-030—-), also known as Templetenny, lies c. 600m to SW. A roughly sub-rectangular area (diam. 42.5m N-S; 37.5m E–W) defined by scarp, except in the NW sector where there is evidence of a bank (Wth 2m; int. H 0.45m; ext. H 2.76m). The scarp is particularly steep in the N and E (H 3.1m), with a lesser drop to S; the W side is easily accessible (scarp H 0.3m). The natural ridge appears to have been modified to form this ringwork. The interior is grass covered and otherwise free of vegetation.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 18 November 2013
Ritual site – holy tree/bush
On summit of steep hill, in pasture. Large sand quarry immediately to W and a large portion of the hill has been removed. Marked as 'The Mile Bush' on both the 1840 and 1907 ed. OS 6-inch maps. The 'Mile bush' referred…
On summit of steep hill, in pasture. Large sand quarry immediately to W and a large portion of the hill has been removed. Marked as 'The Mile Bush' on both the 1840 and 1907 ed. OS 6-inch maps. The 'Mile bush' referred to no longer exists, however, local tradition still respects the location of the mile bush and several unsuccessful attempts have been made to replant a bush (blackthorn). The name 'Mile' is probably a corruption of bile which is an Irish word meaning sacred tree.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 19 November 2013
Hilltop enclosure
On crest of flat-topped hill in cut corn field with grass, sheep grazing. Land gradually falls away on all sides. Roughly circular monument (diam. 69m N-S; 72m E-W) the enclosing element of which has been levelled.…
On crest of flat-topped hill in cut corn field with grass, sheep grazing. Land gradually falls away on all sides. Roughly circular monument (diam. 69m N-S; 72m E-W) the enclosing element of which has been levelled. However, the N and E sides are still visible as gradual scarp (H 1m). The S and W sides have been incorporated into field boundaries. The N and E sides show up clearly as a cropmark on aerial photographs (ASIAP (29) 21-24, 3-8-99), which suggests there was a fosse enclosing the hilltop enclosure. The interior rises with the natural hill.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 19 November
Settlement deserted – medieval
In the 7th century St. Fionan Lobhar founded a monastery in Ardfinnan. This is located c. 300m N of Ardfinnan village on the site of the C of I church (Killanin and Duignan, 1967, 66). In 1185 Ardfinnan castle was built…
In the 7th century St. Fionan Lobhar founded a monastery in Ardfinnan. This is located c. 300m N of Ardfinnan village on the site of the C of I church (Killanin and Duignan, 1967, 66). In 1185 Ardfinnan castle was built by Prince John of England (ibid). The settlement was granted borough status in 1558 by James, the fourth Earl of Ormond (Curtis 1941, COD vol. 5, 108-9). The precise location of this settlement is unknown, it is thus unlocated within the townlands of Ardfinnan and Commons (Ardfinnan Par.). However, it is likely that the settlement was located between the castle and the church. (FitzPatrick and Farrelly 1993, 1-5).
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of revised upload: 29 September 2021
Tomb – chest tomb
In the SE corner of the graveyard, adjacent to the boundary wall, there is a large altar tomb. The upper slab commemorates Dermot O'Halley and has wife Katherina Roche/Rochester. The slab (dims. 2m x 1.17m; T 0.19m) is…
In the SE corner of the graveyard, adjacent to the boundary wall, there is a large altar tomb. The upper slab commemorates Dermot O'Halley and has wife Katherina Roche/Rochester. The slab (dims. 2m x 1.17m; T 0.19m) is decorated with a large wheel-cross with fleur-de-lys terminals and a plain shaft which terminates in a calvary mount. Both sides of the shaft are decorated with plain heater-shaped shields. The perimeter of the slab bears the following latin inscription in plain raised lettering: 'Hic Jacet Dermicius O Halli Propria Cum Uxore Katherina Rocheecer Unt Fier Marmoris is Udopus Anno Domini 162?' (Farrelly and FitzPatrick, Field Report 1993).
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 26 August 2011
Religious house – Carmelite friars
On a NE-facing slope, at the NE end of a ridge, in undulating terrain under pasture. This is the supposed Carmelite foundation of Lady's Abbey, Ardfinnan in the diocese of Lismore which was projected in 1314 (Gwynn and…
On a NE-facing slope, at the NE end of a ridge, in undulating terrain under pasture. This is the supposed Carmelite foundation of Lady's Abbey, Ardfinnan in the diocese of Lismore which was projected in 1314 (Gwynn and Hadcock 1988, 290). The Carmelite convent of Ardfinnan is in the lists of Rinuccini and Fonds Grand Carmes, but it is not listed as existing c. 1737 (in Arch. Ord. Rome (Carmelite order), MS. II, C.O. II. 26, p. 13, written 1739-59)' (Gwynn and Hadcock 1958, 290). In 1537 the 'Heads and Commoners of Clonmel in a presentment…found that the Prior of this house was living in open immorality, and that there was no divine service though the office was endowed to the extent of a ploughland. The abbey was closed and the property confiscated in April 1539 (vide State Papers Henry VIII) ' (ITA Survey 1942). Mid-late 15th-century nave and chancel church with crossing tower and side or Ladys chapel to S of chancel. Built of limestone rubble, roughly coursed (Wth 0.82-1.05m) with roughly dressed quoins and a base-batter (H 0.85m; Wth 0.3m) on the E gable. Nave was entered through a doorway at the W end of the S end. To the E of the doorway a broken stoup, possibly polygonal, projects internally. The nave was lit by a centrally placed two-light ogee-headed window in the W gable, with decorated hollow spandrals and hood-moulding. Separating the nave and chancel there is a five-storey, square crossing-tower (dims. 3.78m) within the interior which rests on four squared pi…
Cross-slab
Within the graveyard (TS088-018005-), 6m S of the W gable of the medieval church (TS088-018002-). A sandstone cross-slab (H 0.66m; Wth 0.24m; T 0.075-0.095m) in an upright position, with a cross motif incised onto the E…
Within the graveyard (TS088-018005-), 6m S of the W gable of the medieval church (TS088-018002-). A sandstone cross-slab (H 0.66m; Wth 0.24m; T 0.075-0.095m) in an upright position, with a cross motif incised onto the E face. The motif consists of a cross potent, a cross with arms of equal length crossed at their ends by short right angled bars (Tipperary South Riding County Museum file 02.08.1984). In this case the arms extend beyond the cross pieces (ibid.). The upper and side arms extend to the edge of the slab while the bottom vertical extends below the crossing to form a spike like terminal (ibid.).
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 26 August 2011
House – indeterminate date
On an flat island (c. 240m N-S x c. 95m E-W) in the middle of the River Suir, under pasture. The Civil Survey (1654-5) refers to 'two thatcht houses with chemnyes and a Bawne about them, some cabbins and an orchard. The…
On an flat island (c. 240m N-S x c. 95m E-W) in the middle of the River Suir, under pasture. The Civil Survey (1654-5) refers to 'two thatcht houses with chemnyes and a Bawne about them, some cabbins and an orchard. The River Sewer runeth by the sd lands' in the 'colpe of Cloghcully' under the proprietorship of 'Edmond Butler of Cloghcully Esqr & his ffather Thomas Lord Barron of Cahyr Irish Papists' (Simington 1931, vol. 1, 342). Though this reference may be associated with Clocully Castle, 300m to the NE, there is definite evidence of a rectangular structure, probably a house, on the island. This structure is clearly visible as a cropmark on an aerial photograph taken in May 1977 (GSI S. 716/15). This possible house is located within the N apex of a bawn (TS088-023001-), also indicated as a cropmark on the aerial photograph. The NW angle of the bawn incorporates the N and W sides of the structure. None of these features are visible at ground level. This island is subject to flooding.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 26 August 2011
Religious house – Augustinian nuns
An early nunnery, called Mainistir Brighde or Molacha Brighde, is mentioned in the 5th century Life of St. Declan and has been associated with the house of St. Brigid, Moylagh, of Augustinian nuns (Gwynn and Hadcock…
An early nunnery, called Mainistir Brighde or Molacha Brighde, is mentioned in the 5th century Life of St. Declan and has been associated with the house of St. Brigid, Moylagh, of Augustinian nuns (Gwynn and Hadcock 1988, 322). There is also a reference to a foundation of this abbey by the Butlers in the 14th century (ibid., 322). In 1540 the abbey was surrendered by the then prioress Joan Powere and was granted to Robert Butler (ibid., 322-3). On the 15th of January 1541 the jurors found that the priory church had been parochial from time immemorial and that the other buildings were necessary for the farmer (ibid., 323). It is located on a S facing slope in rolling terrain, overlooking valley running E-W. The church (ext. dims 21.40m x 9.75m) is undivided on an E-W axis. There is an ancillary building to the NW and there is a smaller building to the NE. The I.T.A. Survey of 1942 mentions traces of cloister on the N side. The buildings are constructed of roughly coursed limestone and sandstone rubble and in the church there are the remains of internal plaster with evidence of wall painting at the E end of the S wall and around the lights, particularly the most southern window on the E gable. Base-batter at W end of S wall (H 1m; Wth 0.27m) and a high base-batter on the W gable of church (H 2.6m) where the original ground level has been lowered and the external face has been rendered for use as a hand-ball alley. As a result of these alterations the base of the centrally pl…
Font (present location)
The baptismal font from the ruined church at Ballybacon is now located at the present church at Ballybacon (TS088-072—-) which is situated a few 100 yards to the NW of the medieval church (TS088-018002-) in the…
The baptismal font from the ruined church at Ballybacon is now located at the present church at Ballybacon (TS088-072—-) which is situated a few 100 yards to the NW of the medieval church (TS088-018002-) in the townland of Raheen. Exposure to the elements in the grounds of the ruined church was believed to be having a detrimental effect on the font and it was moved to its present location in 1975. The font is described in some detail by Cahil and Twohig (1976, 91-3). The font is rectangular both internally and externally with a flat bottom and a central drain. It is made of fine-grained granite, decorated externally on all four sides. Three sides are similar with three large leaf motifs in relief on each side of two triangles. The fourth side consists of two flower-like motifs in relief, composed of six petals and separated by two triangles set apex to apex. A large circular depression 0.32m in diameter and 0.01-0.02m deep has been cut into the underside of the font maybe suggesting that it was mounted. The exterior panels are 0.57m by 0.53m; interior panels 0.45m by 0.34m rim 0.05m wide, depth 0.21m. Cahil and Twohig discuss the dating of the font, suggesting that, though square or rectangular fonts were popular in the 11th and 12th centuries in England, work by Helen Roe would suggest a mid to late 13th-century date for the Ballybacon font (ibid. 92-3). The font is compared to a number of fonts fom Ossary which are assigned to a mid-13th-century date (ibid.). The squar…
Cairn – ring-cairn
On level ground in undulating, upland, boggy terrain on Barranacullia hill in the Knockmealdown mountains. This is part of a complex of enclosures (TS091-009001-; TS091-009007-; TS091-009008-; TS091-009009-;…
On level ground in undulating, upland, boggy terrain on Barranacullia hill in the Knockmealdown mountains. This is part of a complex of enclosures (TS091-009001-; TS091-009007-; TS091-009008-; TS091-009009-; TS091-009012-), hut sites (TS091-009003-; TS091-009004-; TS091-009006-; TS091-009010-; TS091-009011-; TS091-009015-), clearance cairns (TS091-009005-) and a field system (TS091-009013-) identified by Diarmuid O'Keeffe, 1996. Circular area (int. diam. 8.4m N-S; c. 7.2m E-W; ext. diam. 14.4m N-S; c. 13.6m E-W) enclosed by a low bank with internal revetment / kerbstones (Wth 3.4m; H of bank 0.4m; H of kerbstone 0.67m). The best section of kerbing is in the SE quadrant. There is a gap (Wth 3.5m) in the bank in the E quadrant.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 25 February 2014
Cairnfield
On the opposing slopes of Barranacullia and Knocknagearagh in the Knockmealdown Mountain range, both slopes overlooking a river valley, the river flows into the River Suir c. 3.5km to the N at Newcastle. Diarmuid…
On the opposing slopes of Barranacullia and Knocknagearagh in the Knockmealdown Mountain range, both slopes overlooking a river valley, the river flows into the River Suir c. 3.5km to the N at Newcastle. Diarmuid O’Keeffe (unpublished 1996) identified c. 70 cairns on the SW slopes of Barranacullia in an area of 70 hectares , running over 1km N-S and c. 700m E-W. The majority straddle the 700-800ft contour, with some just below and others above these contours. The most northerly cairn is 17.8m NE of an enclosure (TS091-009001-) and is composed of sandstone rubble (dims. 4.1m N-S; 4m E-W; H 0.5m). There is also an oval cairn (dims. 4.6m N-S; 3.5m E-W; H 0.5m) 14m N of the enclosure and at least four low cairns 10-20m to NNW. Another cairn (dims. 4.2m N-S; 3.9m E-W; H 0.19-0.65m) composed of sandstone and quartz rubble is located 35m W of a possible hut site (TS091-009006-). On the SE slope of Knocknagearagh O’Keeffe (ibid.) identified a cluster of c. 7 clearance cairns c. 180m SW of an enclosure (TS091-009008-) and another cluster of c. 50 cairns S of this, in an area of 17.5 hectares, running over a distance of c. 500m N-S and c. 350m E-W, with an enclosure (TS091-009007-) near the northern limit of this cluster and two possible hut sites (TS091-009010-; TS091-009011-) in the SE. These clearance cairns straddle either side of a 700ft contour. A number of enclosures (TS091-009001-; TS091-009007-; TS091-009008-; TS091-009009-; TS091-009012-), hut sites (TS091-009003-; TS091-0…
Ritual site – holy/saint's stone
On level ground on a gradual E-facing slope on Ardfinnan to Goatenbridge road, opposite Ballybacon road. On the townland boundary. Stone is known locally as a bullaun. Limestone boulder (H 0.43m; dims. 0.72m x 0.52m)…
On level ground on a gradual E-facing slope on Ardfinnan to Goatenbridge road, opposite Ballybacon road. On the townland boundary. Stone is known locally as a bullaun. Limestone boulder (H 0.43m; dims. 0.72m x 0.52m) with evidence of water erosion including a shallow curved groove (D 0.1m; Wth 0.14m) on top of the stone which continues down one side of the stone. It was formerly embedded in the ground and inscribed on its side is an OS bench mark. When the road was widened in the 1980s the stone was placed on a bed of concrete onto a stone plinth (H 0.66m; Wth 0.79m).
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 26 August 2011
Enclosure
On fairly flat ground in undulating terrain, in reclaimed pastureland, another possible enclosure (TS075-043002-) lies c. 40m to S. Enclosure identified as an irregular cropmark on aerial photograph (CUCAP July 1970 BDR…
On fairly flat ground in undulating terrain, in reclaimed pastureland, another possible enclosure (TS075-043002-) lies c. 40m to S. Enclosure identified as an irregular cropmark on aerial photograph (CUCAP July 1970 BDR 88). It is not visible at ground level. It was partially excavated in 1999 prior to the selection of a final route for the proposed Cahir Eastern Relief Road (Henry 2000, 284). A modern drainage ditch and furrows had disturbed 'a number of potential archaeological features including a circular cut, possible post-holes and a fine stone/cobble surface' (ibid.). A curving ditch, possibly the enclosing fosse, which contained extensive charcoal-flecking in the fills, was also uncovered though there were no datable finds (ibid.). It was not possible to conclusively establish relationships between the features uncovered during the testing and the two possible enclosures visible on the aerial photograph (ibid.).
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 26 August 2011
Listed buildings
The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) is a state survey appraising buildings of architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social, or technical interest. Each surveyed structure receives a rating from International (the highest, for buildings of European importance) through National, Regional, Local, and Record-Only.
The NIAH records 199 listed buildings in Iffa And Offa West, the 79th percentile across ROI baronies for listed-building density. This includes 2 structures of International significance and 3 of National significance — buildings of the highest architectural and historic interest. The Republic holds 13 International-graded and 937 National-graded buildings in total, so this barony accounts for around 1% of the highest-tier national stock. Construction dates concentrate most heavily in the Victorian (1830-1900) period. The most-recorded building type is house (83 examples, 42% of the listed stock).
Terrain and environment
Mean elevation across the barony is 164m — the 91st percentile among 280 ROI baronies for elevation. This means it is in the top tenth of all baronies for elevation. This is a relatively elevated landscape by ROI standards. Elevation matters for heritage because higher-altitude baronies typically favour defensive monuments — ringforts and hilltop forts placed on prominent ground — while lowland baronies are more likely to carry the dense settlement and church networks of intensive agricultural landscapes. The barony reaches 801m at its highest point — a vertical span of more than 636m within its boundary, indicating significant topographic diversity. Mean slope is 6.0° — the 84th percentile among 280 ROI baronies for slope. This means it is in the top fifth of all baronies for slope. This is consistently steep terrain by ROI standards, the kind of landscape that tends to preserve upstanding archaeological features well. Slope is a key control on both land use and archaeological preservation: steep ground resists ploughing and tends to preserve earthworks intact, while gentle slopes favour intensive cultivation that damages or destroys surface archaeology over time. Localised maximum slopes reach 18°, typical of stream-cut valleys, escarpments, or coastal bluffs within the wider landscape. The Topographic Wetness Index averages 10.0, the 22nd percentile among 280 ROI baronies for wetness. This means it is in the bottom third of all baronies for wetness. This is well-drained ground by ROI standards — typical of upland or steeply-sloping country that sheds water rapidly. Drainage matters for heritage because poorly-drained ground preserves organic archaeology (wooden trackways, leather, textiles, and on rare occasions human remains) far better than free-draining soil; well-drained ground favours arable use but destroys organic material rapidly. The land-cover mosaic combines improved grassland (70%), woodland (20%), and arable farmland (9%), giving a mixed agricultural and semi-natural landscape. In overall character, this is an upland landscape of steep, elevated terrain, with land use dominated by improved grassland.
Terrain measurements
Where this barony sits in the Republic of Ireland
Geology and preservation
Bedrock geology shapes the landscape long before any settlement begins — controlling soil drainage, agricultural potential, the survival of upstanding monuments, and the preservation of buried archaeology. The figures below come from the Geological Survey Ireland 1:100,000 bedrock map.
The bedrock underlying Iffa And Offa West is predominantly limestone (53% of the barony by area), laid down during the Carboniferous period (55% by area, around 359 to 299 million years ago). Limestone is the most heritage-rich bedrock in Ireland. It supports fertile, well-drained soils that favoured dense Early Medieval settlement and Norman manorial agriculture, and it weathers into karst features — sinkholes, caves, swallow holes, and souterrains — that frequently carry archaeology. Where peat overlies limestone, organic preservation can be exceptional. A substantial secondary geology of sandstone (39%) adds further variety to the underlying landscape.
Rock type composition
Largest mapped unit: Knockmealdown Sandstone Formation (23% of the barony)
Placename evidence
Logainm records 57 heritage-diagnostic placenames for Iffa And Offa West, drawn from townland and civil-parish names across the barony. The dominant stratum is Early Christian ecclesiastical — cill-, teampall-, and domhnach-prefixed names that record the dense network of early church foundations established between the fifth and tenth centuries. The leading diagnostic roots are cill- (26 — church), ráth- (12 — earthen ringfort), and lios- (5 — ringfort or enclosure). This is above the ROI average of 30.7 heritage placenames per barony. Logainm records 300 placenames for Iffa And Offa West (predominantly townland names). Of these, 57 (19%) carry one of the diagnostic Gaelic roots tracked above; the remainder draw on more generic landscape vocabulary that does not encode a heritage period.
Pre-Christian / Early Medieval Defensive
| Root | Count | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ráth- | 12 | earthen ringfort |
| lios- | 5 | ringfort or enclosure |
| dún- | 1 | hilltop or promontory fort |
Early Christian Ecclesiastical
| Root | Count | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| cill- | 26 | church (early) |
| mainistir- | 4 | monastery |
| teampall- | 3 | church (later medieval) |
| gráinseach- | 3 | monastic farm / grange |
| tobar- | 1 | holy well |
| cillín- | 1 | unconsecrated burial ground |
Other baronies in Tipperary
- Eliogarty
- Iffa And Offa East
- Ormond Upper
- Glenahiry
- Ormond Lower
- Clanwilliam
- Kilnamanagh Lower
- Fermoy — Cork
- Moyarta — Clare
- Courceys — Cork
See all 280 baronies in the Republic of Ireland Heritage Tool.
Explore further
Grounding History: 10 Maps of Northern Ireland’s Past
If you’re interested in Irish heritage more widely, the companion report for Northern Ireland brings together the analysis of all 462 NI wards into one place through 10 high-quality maps — covering monument density, archaeological periods, placename heritage, terrain, wetland, and the historic landscape at first survey. Take a look.
About this profile
Click any section below to expand.
What is a barony?
A barony is a historic administrative unit in Ireland, broadly equivalent to an English hundred. The 280 baronies used here are from the OSi 2019 National Statutory Boundaries (generalised 20m), covering the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland. Baronies derive from the Norman period, were formalised in the 17th century, and have not been redrawn for statistical purposes. They vary enormously in area, from compact urban baronies in Dublin to vast upland baronies in Connacht, and should not be compared by raw site count without accounting for area differences.
What counts as a site?
This profile combines three distinct heritage registers, each with its own definition of what constitutes a recordable site:
- Archaeological sites (NMS). The National Monuments Service Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) catalogues every known archaeological monument or site of archaeological interest in the Republic, from prehistoric burial mounds and ringforts to medieval churches and post-medieval defensive works. Inclusion does not require legal protection — only that the site has been identified, surveyed, and assessed as having archaeological value. A separate subset of these sites lies within a recorded protection zone, which gives them statutory protection under the National Monuments Acts.
- Listed buildings (NIAH). The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage records buildings of architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social, or technical interest. Each surveyed structure is appraised on a five-tier scale: International, National, Regional, Local, and Record-Only. The NIAH appraisal is informational rather than strictly statutory, but it underpins local-authority Record of Protected Structures (RPS) listings.
- Heritage placenames (Logainm). Logainm is the authoritative database of Irish placenames maintained by the Placenames Branch. This profile applies a heritage-diagnostic classifier to the Irish-language form of each townland name, flagging roots that signal defensive sites (ráth-, lios-, dún-, caiseal-, cathair-), ecclesiastical foundations (cill-, teampall-, domhnach-, mainistir-), prehistoric burial-ritual features (tuaim-, carn-, leaba-), or Norse-contact settlement (gall-). Townlands without one of these diagnostic roots are not flagged here — they may still carry historical significance, but that significance is not encoded in the name itself.
Editorial principles
The narrative sections of this profile follow several explicit principles:
- Evidential. Every claim about this barony’s heritage character is anchored in the underlying register data. Where a site count, a placename count, or a percentile rank is cited, it is computed from the source datasets at export time, not estimated.
- Comparative. Counts and metrics are reported alongside their percentile rank against the other 279 ROI baronies. A barony with 50 ringforts in absolute terms could be unusually high or unusually low depending on its size and regional context; percentile ranking removes that ambiguity.
- Transparent on limits. Where a register has known coverage gaps, survey biases, or data-quality issues that affect this barony’s figures, the profile flags them rather than presenting the numbers as definitive.
- No interpretation beyond what the data supports. The narrative does not speculate about historical events, social dynamics, or cultural meaning beyond what the recorded heritage and placename evidence directly attests.
Data caveats and limits
- NMS Sites and Monuments Record is the product of survey campaigns conducted at different intensities across different counties and decades. Some baronies have been surveyed more thoroughly than others, and absolute counts should be read in that light. Sites destroyed by development before survey are typically not represented; sites in heavily forested or upland terrain are sometimes under-recorded.
- NIAH coverage is broadly complete for the Republic of Ireland but the survey was conducted on a rolling county-by-county basis, and the most recent appraisal date varies. Buildings demolished or substantially altered after their original survey may still appear in the register; conversely, recent buildings of merit may not yet have been appraised.
- Logainm classification applies a deliberately conservative pattern-matching approach to the Irish-language townland forms. The classifier prioritises true positives over recall: a townland may carry a heritage signal that the classifier doesn’t recognise, particularly where the diagnostic root has been heavily anglicised or where the townland name draws on a less common term. The 60,000+ townland records and ~9,800 classified placenames give a substantial signal at barony scale, but individual townland names should be checked against Logainm directly for definitive interpretation.
- Period attribution. The chronological distribution reflects only those NMS sites that carry a recognised period attribution in the source data. Sites listed as “Unknown” period are excluded from the dated subset.
- Boundary changes. Some baronies have undergone minor boundary adjustments since their 19th-century definition; the OSi 2019 generalised boundaries used here are the current statutory definition and may differ slightly from historical maps in border areas.
- Bedrock geology is mapped at 1:100,000 scale, which means local variation within a barony — small pockets of different rock type, mineral veins, alluvium overlying bedrock — is generalised. The dominant-system and rocktype figures are area-weighted, so a barony reading “70% Carboniferous limestone” may still contain small but archaeologically important pockets of older or younger rock. Around 3% of GSI polygons do not match the lexicon and contribute no rocktype or system attribution.
Data sources
- National Monuments Service — Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) https://data.gov.ie/dataset/national-monuments-service-archaeological-survey-of-ireland
- National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) https://data.gov.ie/dataset/national-inventory-of-architectural-heritage-niah-national-dataset
- Logainm — Placenames Database of Ireland https://www.logainm.ie/
- Ordnance Survey Ireland — National Statutory Barony Boundaries 2019 https://data-osi.opendata.arcgis.com/
- EURODEM — European Digital Elevation Model https://www.mapsforeurope.org/datasets/euro-dem
- ESA WorldCover https://esa-worldcover.org/en
- Geological Survey Ireland — 1:100,000 Bedrock Geology https://www.gsi.ie/en-ie/data-and-maps/Pages/Bedrock.aspx
Explore more: Search any of the 280 ROI baronies, browse by historical province, or read the methodology and data sources for the full Republic of Ireland Heritage Tool.