Funding sought to preserve Navan’s medieval walls

A CONSERVATION plan is proposed for Navan's medieval town walls to ensure their protection into the future.

Meath County Council will apply for funding from the Heritage Council to commission a plan and is aiming to make that application by this year's deadline of 31st March.

Cllr Edward Fennessy had called on the council to protect the structure from falling into a state of further disrepair by putting in place a Conservation Plan'

He said there was a need for an integrated strategy for the future management and repair of the walls and defences.

“The standing portions of the medieval walls which are located in the council yard on Abbey Road, have been neglected, largely as a consequence of a lack of an objective in relation to conservation and presentation.”

Archaeologist, Clare Ryan prepared a submission to Meath County Council in which she expressed concern at their deteriorating condition and the recent partial loss of surviving lengths of the wall.

At a meeting of Navan Municipal District Council last week Cllr Fennessy was told that the town walls are protected structures because of the historical, architectural, and archaeological interest attached to them.

The Heritage Council will not grant works for repair or restoration without a proper Conservation Management Plan and Meath County Council will also have to contribute in the region of 20 per cent to the grant funding.

"My proposal was born out of a discussion I had the Navan Historical Society who raised concerns at having an 800-year-old medieval monument located in the centre of Navan without a proper conservation plan in place to protect it.

“I'm happy with council's response, I believe there's a recognition on their part that they have a duty of care to protect what is left of the medieval structure.

“I urge them to follow through with their commitment and make an application to the Irish Walled Town Networks to commission a Conservation Management Plan of the Medieval Town Walls of Navan."

The only section of the town wall to survive is in the Navan Municipal District yard at Barrack Lane.

This consists of a 15metre stretch of wall and a semi-circular bastion to the west.

In 2002 a site was excavated just south-west of this remaining section of wall and two medieval ditches were exposed. Early and late medieval pottery as well as animal bone were recovered. It is likely that both ditches functioned as a form of medieval defence during the early stages of the development of Navan.

Ms Ryan said a conservation plan could provide a basis for the improved public presentation of the walls and their long-term management.

She said the conservation plan suggested by Cllr Fennessy would look at the council yard on Abbey Street in particular but should take into account the medieval fabric of the town as a whole.

She said structural elements of the wall survive in the foundation of parts of the earlier street structure with examples in Watergate Street, Timmons Hill and Church Hill.

Eithne Cantwell of Navan Historical Society said she was delighted this was happening.

She said there many people who didn't know that the walls are still standing because they are hidden in the council yard.