COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

MOTION NO. 4 

MOTION: Councillor L. de Courcy

That this Area Committee directs the reinstatement of the correct historic boundary line at Knockmenagh lane's endpoint to its original width. Ensuring a continuous public right of way, compliant with universal design standards in the CDP (Policy SIT 1: Integrated Transport and Accessibility) and in line with KF3 of the Clondalkin LPF.

REPORT:

Knockmeenagh Lane is split between its western end between New Road and St. Brigid’s Cottages being open to vehicles and its eastern end being active travel only.  Policy and objectives in both the County Development Plan and the draft Clondalkin Local Planning Framework reflect that this route has historic significance as a pilgrim’s route or Slí.  The lane is open to the public along its entire length.

Having reviewed historic mapping including the 6 Inch First Addition dating from 1829-1841 and the 25 Inch map dating from 1897-1913 it would be very difficult to establish the ‘correct historic boundary line’ of the lane as it has evolved over time while keeping its general alignment. See document attached with images taken from the Irish Townland and Historical Map Viewer hosted on Geohive.ie.

While there are objectives within the County Development Plan and the draft Clondalkin LPF for universal design standards, these can only be achieved where lands are within the control of SDCC and resources allow or through redevelopment as part of requirements of a planning permission.

Given the constraints to the widening of the lane due to current ownership and historic quarrying on either side at its eastern end, the Clondalkin LPF has examined potential solutions for improved active travel solutions which would meet universal design standards without compromising the integrity of the lane.  This can only be achieved as part of regeneration of the lands on either side of the lane. This is reflected in the draft LPF under KF3 as follows:

KF3 Connectivity

KF3 Objective 1: To protect the historic integrity of Knockmeenagh Lane and associated Slí Mor while supporting sensitive solutions to its improvement as an active travel route along its existing connection from Monastery Road to New Road, providing for potential new connections to and from the framework site to the Lane and further northwards.