An Taisce has renewed its call for Dún Dealgan and its surrounding landscape to be given Special Protection Status after Louth County Council approved 1,025 homes near the nationally significant Dundalk monument.
The heritage body says the approved 50-metre buffer is not enough to protect the setting of the site, which is closely linked to the story of Cú Chulainn, and has urged the Minister for Heritage to intervene.
An Taisce is again urging the Minister for Heritage to use powers under the 2023 Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act to grant Special Protection Status to Dún Dealgan and its surrounding landscape.
The organisation says this would allow the proposed housing development to proceed while protecting the historic setting and significance of the monument.
Dún Dealgan includes a Norman motte and bailey built on an earlier Gaelic settlement, as well as a prehistoric standing stone. The site is also closely linked to the Táin Bó Cúailnge and the legend of Cú Chulainn.
Louth County Council approved 1,025 homes, 33 fewer than the 1,058 originally proposed, and included a 50-metre buffer around the monument. An Taisce argues that this distance is not sufficient to protect the character of the landscape, particularly as the motte rises around 10 metres above the surrounding area.
It has also asked the Minister to refuse any licence for works within a future protected archaeological and heritage area, with the size of the buffer to be decided on heritage grounds rather than commercial considerations.
An Taisce says the Minister has yet to provide a substantive response and is calling for urgent action following the decision to grant planning permission.
