Dunshaughlin

1,733 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Dunshaughlin, from 0 m² to 445,366 m² (44.54 ha, 110.05 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 86 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings; GeoJSON or KML.

• R2A1 - Existing Residential (Existing residential)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 1,391 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• M2B1 - Commercial Town or Village Centre (City/Town/village Centre, central area)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 152 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R1A2 - New Residential (New/proposed residential)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 80 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• C2.1E2 - General Enterprise and Employment (Industrial, enterprise, employment)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 59 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• P5RA - Rural Area (Mixed/general primary sector uses, including 'rural')
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 42 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• S5G1 - Community Infrastructure (Mixed/general community services/facilities uses)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 24 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G1F1 - Open Space (Open space, park)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 7 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R2A1 - Existing Residential (Existing residential)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (Variation 02 - Made on 13/05/2024), Meath · 3 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• N2.3TU - Transport and Utilities (Mixed/general water/wastewater uses)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

• 2 Sept 2026N/a

  the proposed development will consist of (1) The demolition of two existing derelict cottages. (2)The construction of a 5-storey mixed-use building comprising residential and commercial accommodation. The proposed development will include 3 no. retail units at ground floor level; 28 no. apartments comprising 16 no. one-bedroom, 10 no. two-bedroom and 2 no. three-bedroom units; (3) The formation of 33 no. car parking spaces with vehicular access from Main Street. (4) Construct 2 no. pedestrian entrances; cycle parking for 60 no. bicycles; an ESB substation; bin storages and communal amenity space in the form of a roof gardens. (5) Connection to existing site services and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2661101

• 29 Jul 2026N/a

  the proposed development is 1952 sqm and consists of changing rooms, showers, WC’s, store rooms, a multipurpose hall with a stage area, a gym and 3no. multipurpose rooms; with roof mounted photovoltaic panel arrays; additional 11no. car parking spaces including 2no. disabled accessible spaces, covered bicycle shelters for 22 no. bicycle spaces including cargo bikes, and associated ancillary hard and soft landscaping works. The development will include the removal of existing storage containers and prefabs on the site

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2660947

• 10 Jul 2026Conditional

  the change of use of the two storey industrial, storage and office building to offices and self storage including a mezzanine third floor, signage, staircase extension and also revisions to car parking and site entrance

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2660862

• 2 Jul 2026N/a

  the proposed development is 1952 sqm and consists of changing rooms, showers, WC’s, store rooms, a multipurpose hall with a stage area, a gym and 3no. multipurpose rooms; with roof mounted photovoltaic panel arrays; additional 11no. car parking spaces including 2no. disabled accessible spaces, covered bicycle shelters for 22 no. bicycle spaces including cargo bikes, and associated ancillary hard and soft landscaping works. The development will include the removal of existing storage containers and prefabs on the site

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2660823

• 2 Jul 2026Conditional

  the development will consist of a 2 storey office building (330sq.m) east of existing Block A, associated car parking and all related site development works

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2660825

• 12 Jun 2026N/a

  the change of use of the two storey industrial, storage and office building to offices and self storage including a mezzanine third floor, signage and staircase extension

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2660726

• 8 Mar 2026Conditional

  the proposed development will consist of the reformation of an existing kerb, the construction of a new boundary wall with steel fencing to form an entrance, and the installation of a sliding gate to enclose an area associated with Section 1. The development will maintain the existing right of way serving Section 2 and 3. Signage for JW Construction is also proposed to be installed on the fencing enclosing the newly defined area

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2660269

• 4 Mar 2026N/a

  1) Construct a building for the purposes of wholesale warehousing, light manufacturing, storage, administration and welfare facilities, 2) construct a carparking area and yard area, 3) construct perimeter fencing to boundaries of site and 4) all associated site works

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2660248

• 19 Feb 2026N/a

  the proposed development will consist of the reformation of an existing kerb, the construction of a new boundary wall with steel fencing to form an entrance, and the installation of a sliding gate to enclose an area associated with Section 1. The development will maintain the existing right of way serving Section 2 and 3. Signage for JW Construction is also proposed to be installed on the fencing enclosing the newly defined area

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2660191

• 13 Feb 2026Conditional

  permission for retention of a two-story, town house no. 8 Supple Park Shopping Centre, Off Main Street, Dunshughlin, Co. Meath. As built - previously granted under No. 96874

  Retention, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2672

• 13 Feb 2026Conditional

  the construction of a new 2 and 3 storey 11,405m2 extension on the site of 3 no. existing single storey college buildings at the site of Dunshaughlin Community College, Drumree Road, Knocks, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath, A85 TY22. With roof mounted photovoltaic panel arrays, heat pumps and air handling unit; 98 no. new carparking spaces and 5 no. new coach spaces to the east and north of the proposed extension; covered bicycle shelters for 140 no. bicycles; realignment and upgrading of the internal vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian routes serving the existing College and the existing Community Sports Centre to the south, approximately 500m2 single storey temporary college accommodation to the south west of the existing college buildings; external store building; 5 no. new hardcourts to the south of the site; new pedestrian and vehicular entrance gates to the existing Drumree Road college entrance; formation of a temporary construction access route through Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels GAA Club to the west which will be removed upon completion of the proposed development, new site lighting and associated ancillary hard and soft landscaping works. The development will include the demolition of 3 no. existing single storey college buildings on the site, which are currently in use for education only. These will be demolished on a phased basis to accommodate the development

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2660164

• 3 Feb 2026Conditional

  permission for retention of a two storey townhouse No. 7, Supple Park Shopping Centre, Off Main Street, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath, as built. Permission previously granted under Planning Permission ref. No. 96/874

  Retention · Meath County Council, 2663

• 16 Sept 2025Conditional

  construction of a new single-storey extension to the rear and out the sides of the existing dwelling, alterations to the existing house and associated site works

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2560981

• 8 Sept 2025Conditional

  planning permission is sought for the application of external wall insulation with rendered finish to the existing stone walls of the existing dwelling. Planning retention is also sought for 2 small toilet windows to the northern elevation to replace the original single window located on the northern elevation to the original Bedroom. These smaller windows are required for the new toilet areas all at

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2560950

• 12 Jul 2025Conditional

  the development consists of the construction of a single-storey shed and pergola to the side of the house

  Retention · Meath County Council, 2560731

• 19 Jun 2025Conditional

  The development will consist of a new single storey ground floor side extension, (27.5sq.m), relocation of existing side access gate and the construction of a 16 sq.m shed in the rear garden and associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560615

• 7 Jun 2025N/a

  The development will consist of a new single storey ground floor side extension, (27.5sq.m), relocation of existing side access gate and the construction of a 16 sq.m shed in the rear garden and associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560581

• 7 Apr 2025Conditional

  the development will consist of the widening of the front entrance and driveway

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2560350

• 27 Mar 2025Conditional

  single storey Garden Office building, located to the rear of the property, consisting of an open-plan workspace with a total area of 30.40m², designed for remote work and general office use

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2560306

• 26 Feb 2025Conditional

  (1) Demolish two existing domestic sheds, (2) construct a private dwelling house, (3) connect to the existing public drainage infrastructure, (4) create an entrance onto public road and (5) all ancillary site services.

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560180

• 19 Feb 2025Conditional

  alterations to previously granted planning (under Reg. Ref. 2460900). The proposed alterations will consist of (a) new rooflight to front of existing dwelling and (b) new high-level gable window to side of dwelling at attic level and all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560163

• 25 Nov 2024Conditional

  the development consists of the demolition of the existing garage, utility and shed, replacing it with a single storey extension, a new shed, a single storey extension to the south east gable consisting of dressing room and en-suite bathroom together with alterations to the existing vehicular entrance/drive way by widening the entrance onto the highway

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2461013

• 12 Nov 2024Conditional

  Permission for a Large-Scale Residential Development - planning permission for a Large-scale Residential Development consisting of modifications to the Strategic Housing Development permitted under ABP Ref.: 303433-19, as amended by ABP Ref.: 307946-20, MCC Reg. Ref.: 22/1594, and MCC Reg. Ref.: 23/60181, which is currently under construction, on lands to the north of the R147 / Dublin Road, Dunshaughlin, County Meath. The lands are located to the south of Kellett’s Grove and Coldrick’s Pass, to the east of Dunshaughlin Business Park and to the north of The Willows. The proposed development relates to modifications to 80 no. permitted residential units (including 56 no. duplex units in 3 storey buildings and 16 no. apartments and 8 no. duplex units in adjoining 4 storey buildings) within Cell 24 and Cell 26, located in the eastern part of the SHD site, and will consist of: • Omission of 8 no. apartment units (8 no. 2 bed units) and 4 no. duplex units (2 no. 3 bed and 2 no. 4 bed units) in 4 storey apartment buildings in Cell 24, and provision of 8 no. additional duplex units (4 no. 2 bed and 4 no. 3 bed units) in 3 storey duplex buildings in Cell 24, to result in the provision of 36 no. duplex units (18 no. 2 bed and 18 no. 3 bed units) in 3 storey duplex buildings in Cell 24; • Omission of 8 no. apartment units (8 no. 2 bed units) and 4 no. duplex units (2 no. 3 bed and 2 no. 4 bed units) in 4 storey apartment buildings, and 28 no. duplex units in 3 storey duplex buildings (14 no. 2 bed and 14 no. 3 bed units) in Cell 26, and provision of 20 no. 2 and 3 storey houses (10 no. 3 bed, 10 no. 4 bed units) in Cell 26. The proposed modifications will result in an overall decrease in residential units within the permitted SHD site, as amended, by 24 no. units to 839 no. units (560 no. houses, 92 no. duplex units, and 187 no. apartments) from 863 no. units. The proposed development includes all associated modifications to the site layout plan, façade treatments and fenestration, internal roads, car parking, cycle and pedestrian infrastructure, open space, landscaping, services, bin stores, and modifications to site layout plan necessary to serve the proposed modifications to the permitted development, and all associated site development works

  Permission, 38 homes · Meath County Council, 2460950

• 8 Nov 2024N/a

  the development consists of the demolition of the existing garage, utility and shed, replacing it with a single storey extension, a new shed, a single storey extension to the south east gable consisting of dressing room and en-suite bathroom together with alterations to the existing vehicular entrance/dive way by widening the entrance onto the highway

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2460936

• 26 Oct 2024Conditional

  a) single-storey extension to side of existing dwelling, with rooflights and new side access gate, b) new dormer window to front of dwelling to facilitate attic conversion, c) new rooflights to front and rear of existing dwelling, d) outdoor fireplace to rear garden, and all associated site works

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2460900

The 25 most recent of over 100 applications.

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

No designated site (Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Natural Heritage Area or proposed one) touches the townland of Dunshaughlin.

Recorded monuments

• ME044-010 Burnt mound
  Description

  Situated on a level landscape with a small NNE-SSW section of a canalised stream c. 40m to the SE. It was first identified by G. F. Mitchell (O’Kelly 1954, 152). An area of broken and burnt stone (dims 12m NE-SW; 7m NW-SE) was visible in a ploughed field in 1970 (SMR file). Archaeological testing (17E0658) by J. Whittaker c. 90m to the NW at the closest point produced no related material (excavations.ie 2018:208). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 July 2007 Amended: 22 November 2021

• ME044-033 Settlement cluster
  Description

  Located on a low hill which was the centre of the monastery of St Seachnaill (Secundus) that flourished from its foundation in the fifth century into the twelfth. It was the church of the kings of south Brega, who occupied the crannog of Lagore (ME038-027----) from the seventh to the tenth century, and thereafter, using the name Mac Giollasheachnaill, they may have occupied the rath (ME044-033001-) c. 600m to the S of the church. After the Anglo-Norman settlement Dunshaughlin became a seigniorial manor of Hugh de Lacy (Graham 1974, 42), and the rath might have continued in use as a motte as no other cuput or centre can be identified. Although the church became a parish church, the surviving arcade of probable thirteenth century date indicates a church with aisles and therefore big enough to accommodate a large congregation, which suggests that Dunshaughlin had a sizeable community and was no mere rural parish. No charter is known but it was regarded as being a concentrated settlement or town. In 1423 the portreeve or mayor and the commons of Dunshaughlin were ordered to the defence of Trim, which suggests it was an organised urban area (Lewis 1837, 1, 589; Cogan, 1, 273-4), but its history cannot be elucidated (Bradley and King 1985, 60). According to the Civil Survey (1656) in 1641 the townland of Dunshaughlin was owned by Sir William Parsons, but of the settlement it merely says there were ‘many thatch houses and tenements’ (Simington 1940, 90). Dunshaughlin had 146 inhabitants c. 1659 (Pender 1939, 486), but it was never officially incorporated as there is no record of it sending representatives to the Irish Parliament, which was a privilege of incorporated towns. It is thought that the settlement would have been in the area between the church and the rath/motte (Bradley and King 1985 64, Fig. 18), although archaeological excavations to date have failed to produce positive evidence of it along Main Street connecting the two monuments. However, evidence of settlement becomes more evident with proximity to the church site. Drains were found (01E0219 ext.; excavations.ie 2001:1965) at the S end of Main St., and evidence of burgage plots in parallel trenches has been found S (17E0502; excavations.ie 2017:615) and E (18E0057; excavations.ie 2019: 584) of the church where they are largely preserved under new developments. The east plots (Wth 15-50m) are defined by slight ditches and run parallel with the mapped field system, extending from the ecclesiastical enclosure around the church onto the low-lying ground (L c. 250m plus). A prehistoric fulacht fia (ME044-047----) was found at the same development and this was completely excavated. The fosse of the ecclesiastical enclosure (ME044-033009-) with an outer ditch has also been noted (99E0114: Excavations.ie 1999:683) NE of the graveyard. Further evidence of an outer ditch on the line of the road was recorded at ESE, SW and NW in monitoring (03E0089) a sewage trench (O’Carroll 2003). Evidence of possible burgage plots has also come from SE of the church (18E0488: Excavations.ie 2018: 472) where K. Rice identified a wide curving ditch (Wth of top 4m) that may be part of an outer ecclesiastical enclosure, although its centre appears to lie to the S. This portion of ditch will be largely preserved under the development. Any outer enclosure need not be concentric with the innermost one, and a ditch (Wth of top 2.8m; D 1.45m) was also noted (04E0670: excvations.ie 2004:1235) by P. D. Sweetman SW of the graveyard that is probably outside the established enclosure, although no dating evidence was recovered from it. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 22 November 2021 O’Carroll, F. 2003 Interim Report on Trial Trenching in Dunshaughlin. Licence: 03E0089. Unpublished report, CRDS

• ME044-033001 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated on a gentle rise in a fairly level landscape. This is a raised and flat-topped, grass and scrub-covered mound (diam. of top 26m; diam. of base 35m) defined by a scarp (at WNW: Wth 5m; H 2.4m; at ESE: Wth 4m; H 4.5m). There is no visible fosse, although the mound rises over a field drain (Wth of base 2.8m; ext. D 1.6m) with an outer field bank (Wth of base 2.7m; ext. H 0.4m) E-SW. An original entrance is not identified, and the field in which it is situated is now a cemetery. The early monastery of St Seachnall or Secundus which became the medieval parish church (ME044-033002-) is c. 650m to the N. This rath may have been used by the Mac GiollaSeachnaill descendants of the Clann Chernaig Sotail after Lagore crannog (ME038—027----) was abandoned in the tenth century. The death of Maolcron Mac GiollaSeachnaill, lord of South Brega, is recorded in 1171 (AFM). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 10 July 2007 Amended: 22 November 2021 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 195/1954).

• ME044-033002 Church
  Description

  Situated on a broad, low hill with the W edge of the reclaimed Little Lagore Lough, an oval, reclaimed area (dims c. 1.25km E-W; c. 0.5km N-S), c. 500m to the E. The headwaters of an E-W stream that leads into the SE-NW Skane River are c. 400m to the SW. The S-N Main Street of Dunshaughlin village curves from S-W-NE of the church, which suggests that an ecclesiastical enclosure (diam. c. 200m) has become fossilised in the street-pattern. This is an early church site founded by Seachnall or Secundus, who was sent to assist Patrick in AD 439 (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 35), and the name ‘Dunshauglin’ is derived from Domhnach Seachnall – the church of Seachnall. The name Maolseachnail – servant of Seachnall – became a common one amongst the Uí Neill kings of Meath, becoming McLoughlin, and it was sometimes transformed into Malachy. Seachanall was a son of Restitutus, a Lombard, and Lubaid, who is thought to have been a sister of Patrick. He was renowned as a poet and musician who composed a praise poem for Patrick, and when he died in 447 he was reputed to be the first bishop to be buried in the country (Ó Riain 2011, 552-3). The names of abbots are recorded with some certainty in the 9th century beginning with Ruamnus who died in 801, and continuing to Scannal mac Fergil, described as a princeps, who was murdered in 886. Erenachs and coarbs of Seachnall are recorded in AD 952, 1027 and 1040. The monastery at Dunshaughlin was burned in AD 1026, 1142 and 1143 (Cogan 1862-70, 1, 54-7). This was probably the church of the Síl nÁedo Slaine kings of Lagore crannog (ME028-027----), c. 1.7km to the E, but there is little physical evidence of the early church structure, apart from an orans stone (H 0.57m; Wth 0.25m; T 7cm) found in the graveyard in 1969. This depicts a figure praying with raised arms, which Roe (1970, 212, 220) would date to the 6th to the 8th centuries. Also present is a Crucifixion scene (Wth 0.34m; H 0.32m) carved in false relief over the lintel (dims 1.5m x 0.5-0.7m; T 0.15m) of a doorway (Wth 0.74m). This stone is a thin slab that would have been set upright over the outer face of the W doorway of a 10th or 11th century, pre-Romanesque church. It is now kept in the present church for safe-keeping. After the Anglo-Norman settlement Dunshaughlin became a seigniorial manor of Hugh de Lacy (Graham 1974, 42) and the earthwork (ME044-033001-) c. 700m to the S of the church could be a motte built by him. Thereafter, the church became parochial. A church at Denclynschael is listed in the ecclesiastical taxation (1302-06) of Pope Nicholas IV (Cal. doc. Ire., 5, 254). Ussher (1622) describes the church and chancel of Donshahlen as ruined (Erlington 1847-64, 1, lxx). According to the Dopping (1682-5) and Royal (1693) visitations the church was in good repair, the roof was slated, the widows glazed and the floor was clay. At that time the graveyard was fenced (Ellison 1971, 38). Isaac Butler, writing in 1749, describes the church and steeple, by which he meant a tower, as in good repair, but the chancel was ruined (1892, 16). The present Church of Ireland church was built in 1813 (Lewis 1837, 1, 589) N of the older structure within a rectangular graveyard (dims c. 60m N-S; c. 60m E-W) defined by masonry walls, with trees inside the perimeter at N and E, and a bank inside the perimeter at N. The headstones date mostly from 1743 to the present, but a graveslab (dims 1.05m x 0.97m) commemorating Noah Webb dated 1696 is at the SW angle of the graveyard (McClenaghan 1910), although it had been in the chancel of the medieval church (Butler 1892, 16). Dunshaughlin is thought to have been incorporated as a town at some point (Lewis 1837, 1, 589), although its history cannot be elucidated (Bradley and King 1985, 60). The remains of the parish church, consisting merely of one pointed arch and two piers of an arcade, suggest that its nave had aisles and therefore that it was a large church catering for a large, urban population. Some fragments of multi-cusped window-heads are in the graveyard, suggesting a 15th or 16th century date for the later church. An octagonal limestone font (ext. dim. 0.64m; H 0.42m), still functioning in the present church, has a circular basin (diam. 0.49m; D 0.24m) and chamfered under-panels. The basin rests on an octagonal shaft (H 0.24m) which rests on a rectangular base with chamfered upper edges (total H 0.77m). Five of the upper panels on the basin are decorated, one with a man’s head in relief, the others, consisting of a plain shield and animals, are in false relief (Roe 1968, 57-9). Archaeological testing (91E0099) outside the N perimeter of the graveyard identified nine ditches curving E-N-W in two bands roughly centred on the church (Meehan 1992). A substantial ditch (Wth 3-4m; D 1.7m plus) occurring in all trenches c. 60m N of the graveyard and centred on it, can be interpreted as the fosse of an ecclesiastical enclosure (diam. c. 160m). Medieval pottery and a spindle whorl were recovered, and the area roughly inside the ditch is maintained as a green area. (Meehan and Cassidy 1991) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 7 April, 2015

• ME044-033003 Architectural fragment
  Description

  In the graveyard attached to the early church of St Seachnall or Secundus (ME044-033002-) and its medieval successor are some fragments of multi-cusped window-heads, suggesting a 15th or 16th century date for the later church. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 7 April, 2015

• ME044-033004 Font
  Description

  Within the present Church of Ireland church of St Seachnall or Secundus. An octagonal limestone font (ext. dim. 0.64m; H 0.42m), still functioning in the present church, has a circular basin (diam. 0.49m; D 0.24m) and chamfered under-panels. The basin rests on an octagonal shaft (H 0.24m) which rests on a rectangular base with chamfered upper edges (total H 0.77m). Five of the upper panels on the basin are decorated, one with a man’s head in relief, the others, consisting of a plain shield and animals, are in false relief (Roe 1968, 57-9). Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 7 April, 2015

• ME044-033005 Stone sculpture
  Description

  An orans stone (H 0.57m; Wth 0.25m; T 7cm) was found in the graveyard of St Seachnall's church (ME044-033002-) in 1969, and it is now in the present church. This depicts a figure praying with raised arms, which Roe (1970, 212, 220) would date to the 6th to the 8th centuries. It is described by Roe (1970, 212-3) as follows: ‘In the spring of 1969 when mowing grass in the churchyard of St. Seachnaill's Church (C. of I.) a small piece of carved stone was observed protruding above the sod. When dug out this proved to be an oblong slab, neatly shaped and dressed which measured some 59 cm. high by about 26 cm. wide and 7 cm. thick. One face of the stone is carved in relief with the figure of a man standing frontally, his legs close together with feet heel to heel in profile. His arms are flexed at the elbows so that his hands- now very indistinct—are upheld at about shoulder-level. He is distinctively clad in a high-waisted, knee-length garment, rather like an apron, but whether the upper part of his body was originally shown covered or naked cannot now be said. The upper part of the stone having been above ground probably accounts for the weathering of this area with the resultant loss of detail of the hands and the reduction of the features of the face to their original components — large eyes below marked orbital ridges; a long nose, flattened and broadening toward the tip; the mouth no more than a lipless slit. A short chin beard may have been indicated by incised lines but this is no longer certain. Thick short hair covers the head and it is interesting to note that the crown of the head rises above the top of the slab in a way reminiscent of the head of Christ in the Crucifixion on the east side of the pillar stone at Carndonagh, Co. Donegal. The lower part of the carving is so chipped and abraded that it is not possible to determine if the feet were supported on a suppedaneum or other form of foot-rest.’ There is a plaster copy located at the site of the Parish Church of St. Sechnaill, Dunshaughlin (ME044-03302-). Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of amended upload: 30 April 2015

• ME044-033006 Graveslab
  Description

  Within the graveyard (ME044-033011-) of the church of St Seachaall or Secundus (ME044-033002-). The headstones date mostly from 1743 to the present, but a graveslab (dims 1.05m x 0.97m) commemorating Noah Webb dated 1696 is at the SW angle of the graveyard (McClenaghan 1910), although it had been in the chancel of the medieval church c. 1749 (Butler 1892, 16). It has been described by McClenaghan as: REVERENDs NOAH WEBB… / DECANUS LIEGHLINs NECNON …./ DUNSHAUGHLIN HIC VNACN …./ SA PROLE RVMVLATVS IACET …./ OBIIT 7 AVG ANNO DOM 1[696?] / AETAT SVAE 53 / HENRICVS FILIVS EIVS PR MOGEN …/ AD DEFti ENCOM MVLtA DESV …/ PAVCIS VTE TOTIS VIRIBUS AD ECCL …/ PATRIAE BONVM SE CONTVLIT…. The slab bearing this inscription is fractured along the right-hand side and the pieces are missing. The edge of the stone had a rope–pattern. There is a large portion of the stone, above the inscription, in several fragments, on which is worked a nondescript floral design, but I could not make out any coat-of-arms, crest, or motto. The slab lies flat on the ground and was nearly overgrown with a grass sod when I first found it. Dean Webb was Rector of Dunshaughlin from 1670 to 1696; hence I have added the figures above as the possible year of his death.' Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 7 April, 2015

• ME044-033007 Hut site
  Description

  Located outside the inner ecclesiastical enclosure associated with the church of St. Seachnaill at NNE. Archaeological testing (94E0178) by L. Simpson excavated a circular structure (diam. c. 7.8m) defined by a slot-trench best preserved (Wth 0.4m; D 0.4m) at N but it was truncated on the S side by later medieval cultivation ridges (excavations.ie 1995:230). There were almost contiguous stake-holes inside the slot trench at NW and a possible entrance (Wth 1m) at N. There were two internal slot-trenches radiating NE and E from the centre. The slot-trenches contained a charcoal element and were sealed with an extensive charcoal layer related to metalworking (ME044-033008-) and which produced sherds of Leinster cooking ware. (Simpson 1995, 5-13) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 9 December 2021

• ME044-033008 Metalworking site
  Description

  Located outside the inner ecclesiastical enclosure associated with the church of St. Seachnaill at NNE. The hut-site (ME044-033007-) revealed in excavation (94E0178) by L. Simpson was sealed by a charcoal layer (dims 3m N-S; 2.2m E-W; T 0.1m) which contained lenses of ash and fire-reddened clay (excavations.ie 1995:230). Just to the W was a pit (dims 2.2m N-S; 1.6m E-W; D 0.25m) filled with a similar deposit over a base of yellow clay which was over a fire-reddened orange subsoil. Although no hearth or furnace bottoms were recovered, the extensive burning of the subsoil indicates that the excavation was in the vicinity of a metalworking area. (Simpson 1995, 13-17) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 9 December 2021

• ME044-033009 Ecclesiastical enclosure
  Description

  Situated on a broad, low hill with the W edge of the reclaimed Little Lagore Lough, an oval area (dims c. 1.25km E-W; c. 0.5km N-S), c. 500m to the E. The headwaters of an E-W stream that leads into the SE-NW Skane River are c. 400m to the SW. The early church site founded by St Seachnall (ME044-033002-) and the medieval parish church that succeeded it are within a rectangular graveyard (ME044-033003-). The S-N Main Street of Dunshaughlin village curves from S-W-NE of the church, which suggests that an ecclesiastical enclosure (diam. c. 200m) has become fossilised in the street-pattern. Archaeological testing (91E0101) outside the N perimeter of the graveyard identified nine ditches curving E-W in two bands roughly centred on the church (Meehan 1992). A substantial ditch (Wth 3-4m; D 1.7m plus) occurring in all trenches c. 60m N of the graveyard and centred on it, can be interpreted as the fosse of an ecclesiastical enclosure (diam. c. 160m). Medieval pottery and a spindle whorl were recovered, and the area roughly inside the ditch is maintained as a green area. (Meehan and Cassidy 1991) Archaeological testing (17E0194) by R. Meenan just SE of the graveyard and straddling the line of the ecclesiastical enclosure at SE produced no evidence of that feature in this area. Some E-W features were recorded including an E-W ditch (Wth 3-3.5m; D 0.8m) just S of the graveyard with a uniform fill of silty clay which produced no artefacts but is not thought to be an enclosing feature of the graveyard. A relict N-S field boundary ditch was also present (excavations.ie 2017:792; 2018:777). Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 7 April, 2015 Amended: 30 March 2022

• ME044-033010 Stone sculpture
  Description

  Within the present Church of Ireland church of St Seachnall or Secundus, on the site of the original church and its medieval successor (ME044-033002-). A Crucifixion scene (Wth 0.34m; H 0.32m) is carved in false relief over the lintel (dims 1.5m x 0.5-0.7m; T 0.15m) of a doorway (Wth 0.74m). This stone is a thin slab that would have been set upright over the outer face of the W doorway of a 10th or 11th century, pre-Romanesque church. It is not mentioned by Butler (1892, 16) writing c. 1749, and the circumstances of its discovery are not known. It is now kept in the present church for safe-keeping. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 7 April, 2015

• ME044-033011 Graveyard
  Description

  Situated on a broad, low hill with the W edge of the reclaimed Little Lagore Lough, an oval area (dims c. 1.25km E-W; c. 0.5km N-S), c. 500m to the E. The headwaters of an E-W stream that leads into the SE-NW Skane River are c. 400m to the SW. The site of the early church founded by St Seachnall or Secundus (ME044-033002-) and the remains of the medieval parish church that succeeded it are within a rectangular graveyard (dims c. 60m N-S; c. 60m E-W) defined by masonry walls, with trees inside the perimeter at N and E, and a bank inside the perimeter at N. The headstones date mostly from 1743 to the present, but a graveslab (ME044-033006-) commemorating Noah Webb dated 1696 is at the SW angle of the graveyard. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 8 April, 2015

• ME044-042 Ring-ditch
  Description

  Situated on a slight rise in a fairly level landscape. The cropmark of a small circular enclosure defined by two continuous ditch features (int. diam. c. 6m; ext. diam. c. 20m) is visible on Google Earth (24/06/2019).There may be other similar features in the vicinity. It was first reported by Anthony Murphy and also reported by Jean-Charles Caillére. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of amended upload: 11 June, 2019

• ME044-047 Fulacht fia
  Description

  Situated on a slight E-facing slope that would have been at the W edge of Lagore Lough. Archaeological monitoring (18E0057: excavations.ie 2019:584) by Deirdre Murphy identified three burnt spreads (dims 2.35m x 2.3m; T 0.04m: 2.5m x 2.2m; T 0.25m: 6m x 4m; T 0.1m) that were part of a single burnt mound which was completely excavated under the same licence. The burnt mound material covered seven pits. Three were of similar form – oval (dims 1.1-1.6m x 1.05-1.16m; D 0.33- 0.49m) with straight sides and they retained water so they could have functioned as troughs. The other pits could be larger but were shallower (dims 1.2-2.76m x 1-2.2m; D 0.16-0.28m) and these, although all contained some burnt mound material, were drier. Three pieces of flint debitage and a core were recovered from these pits. (Murphy 2019, 13-15) See the attached plan from Murphy (2019, fig. 7) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 22 November 2021

• ME044-062 Burnt mound
  Description

  Situated on a slight S-facing slope. A remote sensing survey (18R0012) by J. Nicholls (2018) identified numerous potential archaeological features and archaeological testing (18E0495) by L. Kavanagh (Kavanagh and Tobin 2018) confirmed the presence of three isolated pits, two burnt mounds and a ring-ditch (excavations.ie 2018:226). The features were subsequently excavated by M. Piera under the same licence (excavations.ie 2019:735). An irregularly-shaped natural pool (dims 12.3m x 7.5m; max. D 1.1m) was filled with silty clays over an organic black peaty clay with organic material, but no artefacts were recovered from it. North of the pond were eight pits (dims 0.58m x 0.52m; D 0.08m to 3.6m x 2.5m; D 1m) filled with silty clays that contain charcoal and burnt stone. Four stake-holes form a rough line (L 2m) amongst the pits. None of the pits is identified as a trough but two of them (dims 1.1 x 1.3m; D 0.18m to 2.8m x 2.8m; D 0.24m) were situated beneath an irregularly-shaped spread of broken and burnt stone (dims 6.5m x 6.36m; max. D 0.11m), and one of them had a post-hole in its base. (Piera 2020, 15-18) See the attached plan from Piera (2020, fig. 9) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 December 2021

• ME044-063 Kiln
  Description

  Situated on a slight S-facing slope. A remote sensing survey (18R0012) by J. Nicholls (2018) identified numerous potential archaeological features and archaeological testing (18E0495) by L. Kavanagh (Kavanagh and Tobin 2018) confirmed the presence of three isolated pits, two burnt mounds and a ring-ditch (excavations.ie 2018:226). The features were subsequently excavated by M. Piera under the same licence (excavations.ie 2019:735). A figure-of-eight kiln (dims 2.2m N-S; 0.8m E-W; max. D 0.4m) that had a combustion chamber with a fire-reddened base at N and a drying chamber at S was 7m N of a keyhole-shaped kiln (dims 1.6m x 0.8m; D 0.25m) with its flue extending N. Both were filled with silty clays with frequent charcoal and burnt clay inclusions. A subrectangular pit (dims 1.2m x 0.6m; D 0.16m) with a fire-reddened base that could be another kiln was 8m to the SW of the figure-of- eight kiln, and a small fire-spot (diam. 0.3m; D 0.06m) was 4m to the SE. (Piera 2020, 22-3) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 December 2021

• ME044-064 Kiln
  Description

  Situated on a slight S-facing slope. A remote sensing survey (18R0012) by J. Nicholls (2018) identified numerous potential archaeological features and archaeological testing (18E0495) by L. Kavanagh (Kavanagh and Tobin 2018) confirmed the presence of three isolated pits, two burnt mounds and a ring-ditch (excavations.ie 2018:226). The features were subsequently excavated by M. Piera under the same licence (excavations.ie 2019:735). A keyhole-shaped kiln (dims 3.2m NW-SE; 1.7m NE-SW; max. D 0.35m) had a combustion chamber at the NW with a narrow flue extending SE. A red-orange burnt clay indicated firing in situ. It had two other clay fills, one with charcoal flecks and lumps of burnt clay found only in the flue. Two oblong pits (dims 2m x 0.6m; D 0.34m: 2.6m x 0.54m; D 0.28m) extended E-W end to end just S of the SE end of the flue. Each had a lining of grey/brown stony sandy clay overlain by a sandy clay, from which a few sherds of prehistoric pottery were recovered. (Piera 2020, 19-20) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 December 2021

• ME044-065 Ring-ditch
  Description

  Located on a slight NW-SE ridge. A remote sensing survey (18R0012) identified numerous potential archaeological features (Nicholls 2018), and archaeological testing (18E0495) by L. Kavanagh (2018) confirmed the presence of three isolated pits, two burnt mounds together with a ring-ditch and nearby features (excavations.ie 2018:226). The features were subsequently excavated by M. Piera (2020) under the same licence (excavations.ie 2019:735). The ring-ditch is a subcircular area (int. diam. 8m N-S; 7.4 E-W) defined by a wide ditch (Wth 1.8-2.5m; max. D 1.2m) that is separated by a berm (Wth 6-7m) from an outer fosse (max. Wth 1.5m; max. D 0.85m). There were no entrance causeways and there were no internal features (ext. diam. 28m N-S; 28.8m E-W), but the outer fosse was cut at two points by a NNE-SSW field bank (Wth 4-6m) just E of the inner fosse. The inner fosse had eight fills of silty clays, some of which with a large yellow clay subsoil element can be interpreted as slump. Most of the finds recovered, including the 90 sherds of pottery and two iron objects were from the upper fills, which also had higher proportions of cremated bone and charcoal especially at the SE. The outer ditch had five fills of clayey silts and produced 129 sherds of pottery. It became shallower around the E side, and most of the cremated bone recovered was from a layer in the SW part. (Piera 2020, 11-13) See the attached plan from Piera (2020, fig. 8) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 December 2021

• ME044-065001 Ring-ditch
  Description

  A small ring-ditch consisting of a circular area (int. diam. 2.2m; ext. diam. 3.4m) was just 7m SSW of the large ring-ditch (ME044-065----), and it was completely excavated (18E0495) by M. Piera (excavations.ie 2019:735). The complete ditch (Wth 0.45m; D 0.22m) had steep sides and a rounded base. It had two fills, a yellow/orange clay at the bottom, and a grey silty clay above which might represent a re-cut. There were no internal features and no artefacts were recovered. (Piera 2020, 13) See the attached plan from Piera (2020, fig. 8) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 December 2021

• ME044-065002 Kiln
  Description

  A Kiln was just 3m outside the outer fosse of the large ring-ditch (ME044-065----) at SE. It was a complex figure-of-eight structure (max. dims 3.2m NW-SE; 1.4m NE-SW; max. D 0.3m) with 12 fills, most containing silty clays of a brown or orange colour, and some with red/orange burnt clay. (Piera 2020, 13-14) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload; 10 December 2021

• ME044-066 Fulacht fia
  Description

  Situated on a slight S-facing slope. A remote sensing survey (18R0012) by J. Nicholls (2018) identified numerous potential archaeological features and archaeological testing (18E0495) by L. Kavanagh (2012) confirmed the presence of three isolated pits, two burnt mounds and a ring-ditch (excavations.ie 2018:226). The features were subsequently excavated by M. Piera under the same licence (excavations.ie 2019:735). This consists of the core of a burnt mound (diam. 2.5m; D 0.25m) consisting of a grey/black silty clay with burnt stone and charcoal, surrounded by a thinner spread of light grey clay with burnt stone (dims c. 10m x 3m; max. T 0.12m) around it E-S-W. There is a subrectangular trough (dims 1.1m x 1m; max. D 0.28m) with a second cut (dims 0.57m x 0.38m; D 0.17m) at its S edge just N of the mound. Both cuts were filled with different silty clays but both were sealed by the same grey/brown sandy clay. Two small pits just to the N may be related as might two other pits 3m and 6m to the S beneath the burnt mound. The burnt mound material was cut by modern furrows, and no artefacts were recovered. (Piera 2020, 5-7) See the attached plan from Piera (2020, fig. 5) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 December 2021

• ME044-067 Fulacht fia
  Description

  Situated on a slight S-facing slope. A remote sensing survey (18R0012) by J. Nicholls (2018) identified numerous potential archaeological features and archaeological testing (18E0495) by L. Kavanagh (2018) confirmed three isolated pits, two burnt mounds and a ring-ditch (excavations.ie 2018:226). The features were subsequently excavated by M. Piera under the same licence (excavations.ie 2019:735). A subrectangular trough (dims 1.8m x 1.12m; D 0.25m) was filled with a layer of black sandy clay with charcoal and burnt stones. A large circular pit (diam. 2.68m x 2.6m; D 0.3m) with a similar fill was just to the N and it might also have been a trough. This pit has a post-hole at its N edge. There were three pits c. 2m to the W sealed beneath the S edge of the only surviving spread of burnt mound material (dims 4m x 2m; max. D 0.12m) consisting of grey sandy clay with burnt stones and charcoal. All features were severely truncated by modern agricultural activity, and no artefacts were recovered. (Piera 2020, 8-10) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 10 December 2021

Architectural heritage

• Dunshaughlin Civic Offices, office, 2000–2002 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached multiple-bay multiple-storey local authority offices, built c.2001, comprising three flat-roofed blocks with concrete canopy to entrance elevation. Rendered walls to rear block, ashlar granite facing to entrance block and with the Council Chamber framed externally by iroko and glass.

• Saint Seachnall's Church (Dunshaughlin), church/chapel, 1810–1815 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached Board of First Fruits church, built 1814, with three-bay side elevations to the nave, three-stage tower to the east and single-bay chancel to the west. Pitched slate roof. Roughcast rendered walls, with ashlar limestone string course, castellations, pinnacles, plaque, hood mouldings and eaves dentils to tower. Y-traceried windows with cast-iron diamond paned windows, set in pointed-arched openings with stone dressings. Three-stage castellated tower to west. Pointed arch opening with replacement timber battened door. Graveyard and remains of medieval church to the site. Pair of squared limestone gate piers and wrought-iron gates.

• Outbuilding, 1860–1900 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached five-bay single-storey industrial building, built c.1880, now disused. Pitched corrugated cement fibre roof. Roughcast rendered walls. Segmental-arched openings with red brick dressings and diamond paned cast-iron windows. Ruined stone outbuilding to west. Limestone wall to site with segmental-arched openings with brick dressings and stone sills.

• Dunshaughlin Courthouse, court house, 1795–1805 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached T-plan gable-fronted double-height court house, built c.1800. Tooled stone doorcase, comprising of Tuscan columns supporting cornice and pediment, flanking replacement door. Pitched slate roof. Roughcast rendered walls. Timber sash windows with stone sills.

• House, 1860–1900 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached six-bay two-storey house, built c.1880. Pitched slate roof with rendered chimneystacks. Roughcast rendered walls with channelled quoins. Timber sash windows with stone sills. Channelled door surround to replacement door. Rubble stone gate piers with ashlar caps to the north, leading to rendered outbuildings.

• Dunshaughlin National School, school, 1885–1890 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached four-bay single-storey former national school, built in 1887, with gabled porch, now in use as a parish hall. Pitched slate roofs with carved timber bargeboards. Rendered walls with rock-faced quoins and limestone date plaque. Segmental-arched window openings with brick dressings and stone sills. Round-arched door opening with brick dressings. Extension to west gable.

• Water pump, 1850–1890 · Regional interest
  Description

  Cast-iron water pump, c.1870, with banded shaft, fluted neck, cap, finial and spout, and curved pumping handle. Concrete base and drain to site.

• Dunshaughlin Library, church/chapel, 1800–1820 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached T-plan gable-fronted former church, built c.1810, and remodelled c.1880, now in use as a public library. Comprising of four-bay side elevations to the nave, with single-bay transepts and chancel to the east. Pitched slate roof with ridge cresting, cast-iron finials and having ashlar bellcote to west gable. Rock-faced limestone to entrance gable with ashlar quoins and dressings and having projecting entrance porch flanked by buttresses. Pointed arch window openings with ashlar limestone dressings. Roughcast rendered walls to north, south and east elevations. Graveyard to south.

• House, 1910–1930 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay two-storey house, built c.1920. Hipped slate roof and rendered chimneystacks with projecting eaves. Yellow brick walls with red brick quoins and string courses. Stone sills and red brick surrounds to window openings. Red brick door surround with round-headed opening flanked by brick pilasters with cornice above. Replacement door, with original stained glass toplights above. Wrought-iron gates to entrance.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

About 1 in 20 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

Susceptibility low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map; parts are made ground.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Dunshaughlin.

Flooding

The flood maps of the Office of Public Works: floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency; Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland; both CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

No address of the register names Dunshaughlin with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Meath.

Name

Dunshaughlin · Dún Seachlainn

Area

2,723,523 m² (272.35 ha, 673 acres)

Civil parish

Dunshaughlin, and its townlands

Barony

Ratoath

Electoral division

Dunshaughlin, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Dunshaughlin electoral division: 8,517 people in 2,904 households; 82% of households own their home; 50% of homes were built since 2001; 3% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballymurphy, Bonestown, Cooksland, Grangend, Grangend Common, Johnstown, Knocks, Lagore Big, Lagore Little, Rath Hill, Readsland, Roestown

Placenames

Dunshaughlin on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics by electoral division, Central Statistics Office, CC BY 4.0. A townland is the smallest land division of Ireland, and the unit of a rural address; old registers such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses file it under its civil parish and barony.