Petition is successful with 398 signatures
To: Longford County Councillors
Protect Ardagh House and Demesne Structures
The Longford County Development Plan 2021-2027 was adopted by Longford County Council on Tuesday, the 19th of October
Submission Reference No: DCDP-40
We, the Ardagh Preservation Society and concerned members of the public, ask that the Longford County Councillors reject the Chief Executive's recommendations to re-zone the lands of Ardagh Demesne.
We, the Ardagh Preservation Society and concerned members of the public, ask that the Longford County Councillors reject the Chief Executive's recommendations to re-zone the lands of Ardagh Demesne.
Why is this important?
Ardagh Village is a heritage village and is one of two Architectural Conservation Areas in Longford.
The Demesne has existed since approximately 1703, while Ardagh House is considered to have been built during the 1730s.
Oliver Goldsmith is said to have used an incident of mistaking Ardagh House for an inn as the inspiration for his 1773 comedy, 'She Stoops to Conquer'.
In the early 1860s, James Rawson Carroll, a highly regarded Dublin architect, designed the Fetherston Memorial Clock tower, the cottages of the village [creating a uniquely planned estate village], and Ardagh House coach yard and stables. Consequently, much of the demesne and village are listed in the Record of Protected Structures.
In 1989, four acres of land was donated by two landowners to the Ardagh Tidy Town’s Committee. In January 1990, two thousand native trees were planted, thus creating the Ardagh Neighbourhood Park. On March 4th of that year, Taoiseach Charles Haughey visited the park to plant a sessile oak and unveil a commemorative plaque. Since then, thousands of people, community members and visitors alike, have enjoyed this amenity.
The uniqueness of Ardagh extends even further. St. Patrick founded a church there during the mid-5th century. Evidence of a wooden church from the 7th century was found on the site of ‘St. Mel’s Cathedral’, with the existing structure dating from the 9th century. A second church, built by the 1160s, is also still in existence. The Church of Ireland church, St. Patrick’s, was completed in 1810. The construction of St. Brigid’s Church began in 1881, initially with William Hague as the lead architect, and was completed in 1903 by T.F. McNamara.
The importance of Ardagh House, the Demesne, and the Neighbourhood Park cannot be understated. Each boasts an individual history and appeal for many people. But combined, and including all the village has to offer, the opportunity to cater to the interests of many more people becomes apparent.
Therefore, we strenuously disagree with the Chief Executive’s recommendations that the land of Ardagh Demesne be re-zoned from Tourism to Agriculture (with a view to develop a commercial dairy farm), and Ardagh House and the two gate lodges be re-zoned from Tourism to Residential.
We ask that you please support our petition to keep Ardagh House, Demesne, and the Ardagh Neighbourhood Park zoned as Tourism.
Thank you.
Additional Information:
Draft County Development Plan 2021-2027 documents available from: www.longfordcoco.ie/longfordcoco/services/planning/preparation-of-longford-cdp-2021-2027/
Submissions on Draft County Development Plan 2021-2027 available from: www.longfordcoco.ie/services/planning/preparation-of-longford-cdp-2021-2027/submissions/submissions-on-draft-county-development-plan-2021-2027.html
Ardagh Architectural Conservation Area map and Record of Protected Structures in County Longford available from: https://www.longfordlibrary.ie/heritage/heritage-office/built-heritage/
The Demesne has existed since approximately 1703, while Ardagh House is considered to have been built during the 1730s.
Oliver Goldsmith is said to have used an incident of mistaking Ardagh House for an inn as the inspiration for his 1773 comedy, 'She Stoops to Conquer'.
In the early 1860s, James Rawson Carroll, a highly regarded Dublin architect, designed the Fetherston Memorial Clock tower, the cottages of the village [creating a uniquely planned estate village], and Ardagh House coach yard and stables. Consequently, much of the demesne and village are listed in the Record of Protected Structures.
In 1989, four acres of land was donated by two landowners to the Ardagh Tidy Town’s Committee. In January 1990, two thousand native trees were planted, thus creating the Ardagh Neighbourhood Park. On March 4th of that year, Taoiseach Charles Haughey visited the park to plant a sessile oak and unveil a commemorative plaque. Since then, thousands of people, community members and visitors alike, have enjoyed this amenity.
The uniqueness of Ardagh extends even further. St. Patrick founded a church there during the mid-5th century. Evidence of a wooden church from the 7th century was found on the site of ‘St. Mel’s Cathedral’, with the existing structure dating from the 9th century. A second church, built by the 1160s, is also still in existence. The Church of Ireland church, St. Patrick’s, was completed in 1810. The construction of St. Brigid’s Church began in 1881, initially with William Hague as the lead architect, and was completed in 1903 by T.F. McNamara.
The importance of Ardagh House, the Demesne, and the Neighbourhood Park cannot be understated. Each boasts an individual history and appeal for many people. But combined, and including all the village has to offer, the opportunity to cater to the interests of many more people becomes apparent.
Therefore, we strenuously disagree with the Chief Executive’s recommendations that the land of Ardagh Demesne be re-zoned from Tourism to Agriculture (with a view to develop a commercial dairy farm), and Ardagh House and the two gate lodges be re-zoned from Tourism to Residential.
We ask that you please support our petition to keep Ardagh House, Demesne, and the Ardagh Neighbourhood Park zoned as Tourism.
Thank you.
Additional Information:
Draft County Development Plan 2021-2027 documents available from: www.longfordcoco.ie/longfordcoco/services/planning/preparation-of-longford-cdp-2021-2027/
Submissions on Draft County Development Plan 2021-2027 available from: www.longfordcoco.ie/services/planning/preparation-of-longford-cdp-2021-2027/submissions/submissions-on-draft-county-development-plan-2021-2027.html
Ardagh Architectural Conservation Area map and Record of Protected Structures in County Longford available from: https://www.longfordlibrary.ie/heritage/heritage-office/built-heritage/