Criticism has been levelled at Meath County Council for failing in its duty to safeguard the boyhood residence of Hollywood actor Pierce Brosnan, which met with destruction only recently. The actor frequented references to his former abode situated along the Boyne riverbanks in Navan, managed by his grandparents during his upbringing.
The property, falling into disrepair over time and seated on privately-owned land off Convent Road, Athlumney, was levelled recently, pavinng the way for an authorised two-storey residential building. The permission for the same had been granted by none other than Meath County Council in August 2022.
The council’s chairperson, Cllr Tommy Reilly, stated his deep regret and disappointment over the real estate’s dismissal. He declared it a regretful decision of national impact. He iterated the council’s regular practice of acquiring properties efforvescently; few with any great impact while bypassing this particular estate, the significance of which to the town was immense as it bore the childhood reminisciscence of this well-known figure.
He expressed strong dismay over both the granted permission and the resulting destruction, all from the hands of Meath County Council itself. Despite the property not being listed or legally protected, he was confident that the council could have collaborated with the building’s proprietors to find an alternative solution, had interests for acquisition been expressed.
His next step, he said, would be to bring up this situation for discussion within the council agenda. For him, the conversion of the house into a museum instead would’ve been most befitting.
After procuring the land in 2013, the landowners stated that permits for a 54 apartment complex were in place. However, they opted to plan their own living quarters. They clarified that the property was already far pacst its prime and had turned into a negative epicentre for unruly behaviour. Their aim, they said, was to construct their dwelling and spend their remaining life in peace, whilst eradicating aforementioned nuisances.
Meath County Council is yet to comment on this ongoing situation.
Councillor Reilly expressed his disappointment following the news of the demolition of the house where actor Cillian Murphy was raised, particularly as the actor has just received an Oscar for Best Actor. This news comes only a week after the county council approved the creation of a local Walk of Fame to honour our actors, given that five out of the thirteen Irish stars represented on the Hollywood Walk of Fame originate from this Royal county.
Reilly reminisced about the early life of another well-known actor, Pierce Brosnan, who was raised by his grandparents in that house since his mother was working as a nurse in England. Pierce stayed there until he was nine years old, moving in with his aunt and uncle in St Finian’s Terrace after his grandparents’ passing before being reunited with his mother.
The Councillor expressed how this place could have served as a real-life source of inspiration for many children, especially as they’re now watching Pierce’s performance as 007 and his role in the film ‘Black Adam’.
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