COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTON/NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

MOTION NO. 15

MOTION: Councillor Joanna Tuffy

That Chief Executive Officer will hold exploratory talks and investigations with the OPW with a view to the feasibility of the taking into public ownership of the medieval medieval church which was known as The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Castle, adjacent, and partially in the grounds of the Italian Ambassador's residence and if he will make a statement on the matter

REPORT:

The area encompassing the medieval church and graveyard is not in the ownership of the Council but it is on the Council’s list of Protected Structures (no. 72) and is maintained by our Public Realm section. The Heritage Officer has advised that given the archaeological sensitivity of the ruins and associated grave slabs, the space is not generally open to the public, but managed access is usually facilitated for special events such as during Heritage Week or during the Lucan Festival.

There is further information at this link where the castle can also be seen:

http://irelandinruins.blogspot.com/2011/11/old-lucan-church-castle-co-dublin.html 

Open access to the location is compromised by the fact that as the motions states, it is located in the grounds of the Italian Ambassadors residence.