COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

MOTION NO.11

MOTION: Councillor H. Farrell

That this Area Committee requests SDCC to pilot the retention of small, deliberately shaped unmown areas around Lucan House lawns from early summer 2026 onwards, to allow native plant species to emerge, while maintaining sufficient area for amenity and event use. This approach would align with the County Development Plan, the Biodiversity Action Plan, and the SDCC Pollinator Action Plan and wildflowers could be documented with Biodiversity Ireland by local groups, which would further enhance the connection between the community and the demesne.

REPORT:

The lawns around Lucan House have been closely mown prior to it coming into public ownership and maintained as high amenity areas.  As a result of this species diversity within these lawns is somewhat limited in nature.  The maintenance programme for the lawns for the immediate future is to retain the existing mowing regime that is currently in place for central areas.  This approach will enable the continued use of the lawns for park visitors and events such as Ruaille Buaille, Lucan Festival etc.

An unmown strip approximately 2 meters wide will be retained around the riparian edges to allow natural regeneration of vegetation.  In time as the park develop and uses change, alternative mowing practices can be considered if appropriate.