New hope for historic site

THE owners of a historic site in North County Dublin have suspended work on fencing off the lands in a bid to facilitate discussions with interested parties about its future.

The promontory fort at Drumanagh, which is a protected national monument, is located on a 46-acre site between Rush and Loughshinny. It’s a popular route for dog walkers and tourists, despite the fact that it has always been privately owned and public access is not permitted.

The Drumanagh 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. However, successive governments have inexplicably refused to permit archaeological digs or a full excavation of the coastal lands.

In early July, local residents became concerned when the owners started to fence off the Drumanagh lands to allow livestock grazing and prevent public access. Walkers were informed that the site was in private ownership and it was proposed to return the lands to agricultural use when fencing work had been completed.

Initial efforts to secure the site were hit by vandalism with a significant number of fence posts and wiring ripped up and thrown off the cliffs into the sea. Verbal altercations also took place when the landowners tried to inform members of the public that they were trespassing on private property.

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

The landowners had deferred carrying out work at the time to allow for discussions with Fingal County Council about taking the lands into public ownership. Initial talks were held earlier this year but no agreement was 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 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. The promontory fort is said to have its own microclimte, meaning crops could be harvested there up to four times a year.

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 also have permission to carry out remedial works to remove invasive plant species from the land.

Northside People understands that the owners remain open to a fresh approach from the local authority or relevant State body and have suspended work on fencing off the lands to allow a window for any such discussions to take place.

Fingal County Council’s plans for a coastal walkway between Malahide and Balbriggan could be advanced if the Drumanagh site is acquired by the State, as it would form a key part of any such route linking Rush, Loughshinny and Skerries. The council recently confirmed that the provision of a coastal walkway remains an objective.

In July, Fingal County Council confirmed in a statement that initial talks were held in relation to these lands, which it noted were in private ownership, but said no agreement had been reached. There were no further discussions planned at that time.

Last week, a spokesperson for Fingal County Council said there was no update on the statement issued in July.

However, the decision by the landowners to suspend work on securing the Drumanagh site has given rise to fresh hopes that a breakthrough might still be possible.

Independent Socialist TD for Dublin North, Clare Daly, said she was heartened to hear that the fencing has been stopped to allow dialogue take place.

“Having raised it with the Minister before the recess, I will be taking it up immediately with her when the Dáil reconvenes to ensure that the opportunity is seized to deliver an important public amenity,

? Deputy Daly said.