Fascinating proposal for lands at Dún Dealgan

Plans to build 1,025 homes on lands beside Dún Dealgan, also known locally as Cú Chulainn’s Castle, have been met with much local opposition, with An Coimisiún Pleanála to decide on appeals lodged against Louth County Council’s decision to grant planning permission.

Among those to object to Grandspect Ltd’s application for planning permission, was Kilkerley resident, Mr Philip McGuinness.

Mr McGuinness has penned a proposal for the lands, which he believes can provide both much needed housing, and protection of our heritage. Mr McGuinness has outlined his proposal below.

"The proposal by Grandspect to build over 1,000 dwelling units on land adjoining the world famous Dún Dealgan monument is controversial. Currently, appeals have been lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála against the plan.

“People are distrustful of the proposal to have a heritage park at the monument end of the field to protect both the perimeter of Dún Dealgan and the standing stone in the field, thought to mark one of ancient Ireland’s most important routes, the Slighe Miodhluachra.

“This road went from Tara, through the Gap of the North, past Emain Macha, finishing on the north Antrim coast: an ancient M1, so to say.

“Many are, rightly, worried that this magnificent ancient site will undergo significant damage due to the depredations of diggers.

“Dún Dealgan was a site of immense significance for two Gaelic kingdoms: the Conaille Muirthemne (a subgroup of the Ulaidh) and the Airghialla.

“The Normans built a motte and bailey over it. Six hundred years later, in 1780, a castle was built on top.

“It is a fine example of the complex relationship between Gael and Gall domination over a strategic site.

“If you are in the field you have a magnificent view of the Cooley Mountains, the Ring of Gullion and the Irish Sea. However, it is difficult to get a sense of how imposing this hill is from a roadside.

“The proposed development, paradoxically, offers an opportunity to see this hill and monument in its strategic glory.

“The photograph was taken from the field border with the Greyacre Road, approximately 600m from Dún Dealgan. Walking straight towards the mound allows the full drama of its location to be experienced.

“The 1840s Ordnance Survey map shows a road, likely a relict of the Slighe Miodhluachra, in approximately the same position as the picture view.

“Grandspect’s plans do not include a road along the line of sight in the photograph. Their proposed dwellings would block this view.

“Imagine if they redrafted their plans to include a roadway here: it would open up Dún Dealgan’s dramatic location to locals and visitors in a way not seen before. We would have badly-needed housing, but we would also gain a deeper sense of our fantastic heritage.

“Furthermore, a Greenway could be developed from Stephenstown Cottage to the Green Church, via Cú Chulainn’s stone in Rathiddy (where he died) and Dún Dealgan (Cú Chulainn was reputedly born where the standing stone is).

“North Louth has significant connections with the Williamite Wars. Over five thousand Williamite soldiers, led by the Duke of Schomberg, died of illness during the winter of 1689 just north of the Castletown river.

“King James’s soldiers were camped in Ballybarrack. There are many layers of this island’s history which, if imaginatively and sensitively developed, offer huge tourism potential, particularly from unionists, many of whom have a soft spot for King William, Robert Burns and Cú Chulainn.

“Tús maith, leath na hoibre: a good start is half the battle. Balancing our magnificent heritage with the appalling shortage of housing for our young people is not easy. But we must do it. This proposed Greenway offers us a both-and solution.”