Fingal County Council completes purchase of historic site

FINGAL County Council has completed the purchase of the historic Drumanagh site in North County Dublin.

The promontory fort at Drumanagh, which is a protected national monument and subject to a preservation order, is located on a 46-acre site between Rush and Loughshinny.

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.

Successive governments have refused to permit archaeological digs or a full excavation of the coastal lands.

The former owners acquired the land back in 1977 but had effectively been restricted from using it for agricultural purposes due to its protected status and High Amenity zoning.

The landowners were understood to be extremely keen for the site to be taken into State ownership so its historic significance could be fully realised and protected.

Following protracted negotiations with Fingal County Council, a deal to acquire the lands for public use was recently struck and the sale has now been completed. Northside People understands that the sale price was less than €1m, although this was not confirmed by the council.

Fingal County Council’s plans for a coastal walkway between Malahide and Balbriggan could be advanced now that the Drumanagh site has been acquired by the State, as it would form a key part of any such route linking Rush, Loughshinny and Skerries. 

The provision of a coastal walkway remains an objective of Fingal County Council.

In a statement issued to this newspaper, Fingal County Council said: “The purchase of the lands at Drumanagh, Loughshinny, comprising 46 acres approximately, was completed last week and includes a promontory fort which is an archaeological site of national significance and a Martello tower.

“The promontory fort is a National Monument subject to statutory protection under the National Monuments Act, 1930 (as amended). Over the coming weeks and months, a detailed plan for the future management of site will be developed in close cooperation with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, given the site’s status as a National Monument.

“This plan will be discussed with the elected councillors once a draft is prepared.”

VIDEO: Check out this stunning drone footage of the Drumanagh site.