COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
QUESTION NO. 2
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
To ask the Chief Executive if the following can be included in the next SDCC Capital Programme:
1) That the Fairview Oil Mills site is developed
2) That St. Cuthbert's Church site is developed?
REPLY:
Fairview Oil Mills:
Provision will be made in the 2026 Capital budget for funding for the Fairview Oil Mills. The funding will be used to continue the conservations works which commenced in 2025.
St Cuthbert’s Church
SDCC fully recognise the historic significance of the ruined Church of St Cuthbert’s and the important contribution it makes to the appreciation of the local heritage. The site comprises the curtilage of three Protected Structures - St. Cuthbert’s Church (DU017-038001-), the associated graveyard (DU017-038002-), and the moated site (DU017-038003-). The three sites are also collectively entered as one in the Record of Protected Structures, ref RPS133. The protection and enhancement of these important features formed an integral part of the upgrade proposals for the park.
Given the sensitive nature of the archaeological site, it was proposed at Part 8 that the restoration proposals would be undertaken in the following stages:
Part 8 Archaeological Process:
- Archaeological Impact Assessment of proposed project
- Liaison with National Monuments Service as required
Initial Process post-Part 8:
- Vegetation clearance to allow for structural condition survey of the church and graveyard
- Topographical survey
- Detailed condition survey and assessment of church and graveyard
- Updated Archaeological Assessment
The initial clearance above will be undertaken as part of the park’s upgrade programme, thereby opening-up the ruins to public view and interpretation. This also allows for necessary condition surveys which is a pre-requisite to any further proposals. Any further proposals would be subject to funding and obtaining necessary approvals and implementation of archaeological recommendations. It should be noted that there have been significant challenges throughout the upgrade works and SDCC's contractor is scheduling the works at the Church for the end of the programme. The clearance works at the Church will be commencing in the next month.