COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

MOTION NO.8

MOTION: Councillor H. Farrell

That this Area Committee calls on the Chief Executive to prioritise the acquisition and formalisation into public ownership of the old graveyard at Lucan Village (Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary), and to provide a report outlining the legal and practical steps required, a timeline for acquisition, and any interim arrangements to regularise SDCC’s control of the site. This motion is further to a motion agreed in 2024 and subsequent engagement with the National Monuments Service, noting that the absence of formal ownership is limiting access to heritage and conservation funding. The Committee also calls on the Chief Executive to consider options for restoring managed public access to the graveyard via the Lucan House demesne

REPORT:

The site referred to does not appear to be registered with Tailte Éireann, and ownership may derive from historic title, which presents challenges in identifying a definitive legal owner.

The Council will continue engagement with the National Monuments Service regarding appropriate future management of the site, noting that previous engagement has not resulted in a definitive outcome to date.

In terms of acquisition, a number of options may be appropriate, including voluntary acquisition (should an owner be identified), compulsory acquisition, or the establishment of title through adverse possession. These options will require further legal and evidential assessment, particularly in the context of an unregistered historic burial ground. It is not possible at this stage to provide a definitive timeline for acquisition. Any process to regularise title is likely to be complex and may take a number of years to resolve.

The Council’s Public Realm Section will continue to maintain the site. The feasibility of any interim management or access arrangements will be considered in the context of ongoing engagement with the National Monuments Service and the Council’s ownership of the adjoining Lucan Demesne lands.