Dunboyne Castle scheme gets permission

Menolly Homes has got the go-ahead from Meath County Council to redevelop the listed Dunboyne Castle as a 121-bedroom hotel and leisure centre and a 564-unit residential area designed by Fenton Simons architects.

Planning permission was granted despite over 16 objections from residents associations, local individuals and environmental groups. The rezoning of lands at Dunboyne Castle from tourist amenity and recreational uses to residential has been controversial locally.

Menolly plan to convert Dunboyne Castle, a protected structure, to a hotel on a 20-acre portion of the site. This would involve the removal of a two-storey east wing and single storey west wing extensions and the addition of a 121-bed extension.

The existing two-storey stable building would be renovated and converted into 10 apartments. The developer is believed to be in negotiation with the Fitzpatrick Group to operate the hotel which will have conference and business meeting facilities, a banqueting hall, gym and leisure centre to include a spa and treatment rooms and an 18-metre swimming pool.

Menolly bought the castle and grounds from the Keating family three years ago for €23 million.

It says the grounds of the hotel will be open to locals and will have security to discourage loitering and such like.

The existing gardens will be landscaped and Menolly says it has "expressed its willingness" to upgrade the town park which it describes as "underutilised and derelict" and incorporate riverside walks and cycle paths through the development.

The residential element will be on 47 acres of the site - a mix of 344 detached, semi-detached and terraced houses and 220 apartments in 11 blocks.

The remainder of the site - 23 acres - will be given over to community, recreational and educational use, including the provision of two pitches to the GAA and four acres to the local athletic club to allow it to expand.