The council of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County has recently obtained Glendruid House near the ancient Glendruid Dolmen at Cabinteely in southern Dublin County, which dates back to over 5,500 years. Alongside the house, the council will also have possession of approximately 7.78 hectares of land, intending to utilise it for the construction of affordable and social housing units. As Glendruid House is a safeguarded establishment, restorations are anticipated in the near future.
The council confirmed that it has entered an “agreed sale” phase for the procurement of an additional 4 hectares of an adjoining site. This neighbouring site is speculated to lie on the southern banks of the Carrickmines river which also runs adjacent to the Glendruid House site.
The local council announced that the newly acquired territories will be put to numerous uses, including the establishment of homes – specifically social and affordable ones – as well as components of the proposed Cherrywood Green Routes Network and a riverside walking path. From this walkway, visitors will have the opportunity to view the dolmen from approximately a 30-metre distance.
Back in the Neolithic Era, structures similar to the Glendruid Dolmen served as burial grounds. The Glendruid Dolmen, measuring 11 feet in height and with a capstone weighing over 45 tonnes, is situated within private boundaries not far from the recently purchased council sites. The dolmen, a national monument, consists of a substantial capstone supported on the front end by two portal stones, two substantial side slabs and a stone at the back end. It is under the OPW’s stewardship.
Known as Lot 1, the Glendruid site encompasses the Georgian-style Glendruid House and is part of the Glendruid Valley. As per the council’s report, the phase of “sale agreed” has been accomplished regarding the procurement of the subsequent site located on the southern side of the river, which forms a part of the Cherrywood Strategic Development Zone.
A statement made by the council to The Irish Times makes it known that the construction of a woodland pathway as part of the Cherrywood Green Routes Network will permit visitors to access approximately 20-30m of the dolmen, separated by the Carrickmines river. The forthcoming woodland path, to be located to the south of the dolmen on the river’s southerly side, will provide sightlines to the dolmen.
In regard to the housing aspect of the scheme, the council communicated that they were nearing completion on selling land in the Cherrywood Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). This will enable more homes, help realise a portion of the Cherrywood Green Routes Network, including a woodland trail through Druid’s Glen, and a part of the Druid’s Glen Road which also encompasses a delicately crafted bridge construction.
The land’s procurement has been received positively by the council members and the campaigning group Glendruid Valley Group. The council’s decision was hailed by Hugh Lewis, an independent local councillor, who has been a long-time advocate of public proprietorship at the council echelon. He praised the procurement as being significantly favourable for the progress of potential social and affordable housing, and the preservation of the Glendruid Dolmen.
He added that the lands coming under public ownership gives the authority in terms of advancement and preservation to the democratically controlled Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. It marks enormous progress in safeguarding our tradition and providing much-needed housing.
The Glendruid Valley Group also welcomed the decision, however, they requested further information on the boundaries of the second plot which was set to be sold. Dennis Madden of the Glendruid Valley Group requested additional details on a new bridge to be built over the river.
The group acknowledged councillors Lewis and Barry Saul’s involvement. Mr Saul informed The Irish Times that the procurement will indeed help in safeguarding access to the Glendruid Dolmen and in restoring Glendruid House, which will now fall under the remit of Dlrcoco instead of a private landowner.