Call to protect historic site

FINGAL County Council says it has no plans at present to enter into discussions with the owners of a historic site in North County Dublin with a view to taking it into public ownership.

The promontory fort at Drumanagh, which is a protected national monument, is located on a 46-acre site between Rush and Loughshinny. It is considered to be one of the most historically significant sites in Ireland as there is evidence to suggest it may have been used as a Roman trading post centuries ago.

The site, which is in private ownership, is also home to a Martello Tower and is surrounded by cliffs on three sides, offering spectacular views over Lambay Island and the Irish Sea.

Residents became concerned in recent weeks when the owners started to fence off the Drumanagh lands to allow livestock grazing and prevent public access. Walkers were informed that the site has always been in private ownership and the owners propose to return the lands to agricultural use when fencing work is completed.

However, efforts to secure the site have so far been hampered by vandalism with a significant number of fence posts and wiring ripped up and thrown off the cliffs into the sea.

As Drumanagh is subject to a Preservation Order, permission to fence off the lands had to be first sought by the landowners from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Ministerial consent for this work was granted last year.

It’s understood that the landowners deferred carrying out work at the time to allow for discussions with Fingal County Council officials about taking the lands into public ownership. However, these talks stalled earlier this year with no agreement reached.

The current owners acquired the land back in 1977 but have effectively been restricted from using it for agricultural purposes due to its protected status and High Amenity zoning. The promontory fort at Drumanagh is renowned for having its own microclimate, potentially allowing crops to be harvested three times a year.

And despite its significance as a heritage site, successive governments have refused to permit archaeological digs or a full excavation at Drumanagh.

The landowners are said to be extremely keen for the site to be taken into State ownership so its historic significance can be fully realised and protected. Alternatively, they want to be allowed to farm it to its potential.

It’s believed they remain open to a fresh approach from the local authority or State body and are prepared to consider a land swap arrangement on an equal value basis.

Previous attempts to graze cattle and horses on the site resulted in a number of animals falling to their deaths off the cliffs due to the lack of adequate fencing. The owners further need to carry out remedial works to remove invasive plant species on the land.

Plans for a coastal walk in Fingal could be progressed if the Drumanagh site was acquired, as it would form a key part of any such route.

In response to a recent query from Senator Darragh O’Brien (FF), Fingal County Council confirmed that the provision of a coastal walkway remains an objective. It added that the other issues raised by Senator O’Brien about Drumanagh may require a discussion with the Office of Public Works (OPW).

In a statement issued to Northside People, Fingal County Council confirmed that initial discussions were held in relation to these lands, which it noted were currently in private ownership.

“However, no agreement was reached,

? a spokesperson said.

“There are no further discussions planned at this time.

?

A spokesperson for the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht said:

“The promontory fort at Drumanagh is a national monument, subject to a Preservation Order (No. 13 of 1977) under section 8 of the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended).

“The national monument at Drumanagh is in private ownership but, as it is the subject of a Preservation Order, the prior written consent of the Minister is needed for any works at or in proximity to the monument, as required by section 14 of the 1930 Act (as amended).

“In that regard, on foot of an application by the owners, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht recently gave consent under section 14 of the 1930 Act (as amended) allowing for the erection of a new fence around the perimeter of the promontory fort (the old fence having fallen into decay) and for necessary works to improve pasture at the site.

“It should be noted that neither the Minister nor the Department have been involved in any current or recent legal proceedings in relation to this site.

?

In a letter to all public representatives for the area, concerned local resident Tom Rowley warned that the situation at Drumanagh had implications for local communities and the thousands of tourists from home and abroad who visit the area.

“If the fencing is allowed to be erected and the entire promontory site is designated private property, the result will be that the Rush to Loughshinny coastal walk will, after at least a century, cease to exist,

? a section of his letter reads.

Mr Rowley called on politicians to raise the matter urgently with the relevant authorities, adding that an early intervention and resolution would help avoid the dispute escalating.

A source close to the present owners insisted that trespassers were not permitted entry onto the lands since they purchased them in 1977, as was the case with their predecessors in title.