More change for the streetscape of Dunshaughlin

The streetscape of Dunshaughlin continues to change, as work progresses on the Aldi supermarket and various planning applications point to further development around the ‘village’.

Grangend – or ‘the Gransheen’ as it is known to old timers, has transformed beyond recognition as developments Grange Park and Cnoc Tiernan have seen hundreds of new houses built on the Ratoath and Lagore side of the village, and this looks set to expand further with Tom Hora’s application for over 200 houses on the Ratoath Road.

On the former Madden’s Lawn in the centre of the village, work is progressing on the construction of the Aldi supermarket, while an application by Karl Cosgrave veterinary surgeon for the demolition of two single storey semi-detached buildings, and the construction of a replacement two-storey veterinary clinic, and associated parking and works, is gone back to him for further information.

This is the Village Vets building on front of St Seachnall’s Church of Ireland, previously home to a number of local families including Plunketts, Mangans, Toghers and McDonalds.

Not far from here, behind McEntaggarts, are eight new homes in The Rectory development, so called as they back onto St Seachnall’s Church of Ireland and its graveyard.

Dunshaughlin derives its name from Domhnach Seachnaill, and the Church of Seachnall is named after the saint who arrived in Ireland in the fifth century and founded a church in the village.

Lagdun Developments bought a one-acre site along the driveway to the church and set about building eight homes in a scheme called The Rectory. The houses were sold almost as soon as they launched last November.

An old building which has been an eyesore in the village for decades, a derelict garage at the Navan end of the main street, may soon be a thing of the past, as Meath County Council has issued a derelict site notice on it.

In the late nineteenth century, Bernard Carolan operated a bicycle repair business from this building. He was very active in nationalist politics in the Parnell era, and was also a founder of Dunshaughlin Gaelic Football Club in 1886.

Later, when empty, it was the venue for travelling shows, and Kilmessan man Paddy Ward sold and repaired bicycles, and sold general electrical goods like radios from it in the mid-twentieth century.

In July, the council gave notice that it would enter the building onto its derelict sites register, in the absence of any representation from an owner.