Lagore House plan provides tourism boost potential for Dunshaughlin

Ambitious proposal would see the development and conversion of the historic building and protected structure for use as a hotel with associated leisure and equine facilities

An ambitious plan for a hotel, an aparthotel, equitation centre and parkland at Lagore House between Dunshaughlin and Ratoath would put the location firmly on the tourism map and enhance the many other tourism attractions in the area according to councillors who have been able to have the proposal included in the draft county development plan for Meath.

The plan is for the development and conversion of Lagore House and farm, a historic building and protected structure, part of the local cultural heritage, for use as a hotel with associated leisure, and equine facilities. The existing walled garden and other vernacular farm buildings attached to Lagore House would be retained and converted as part of the development of the site subject to good planning and architectural conservation practice.

A proposal for the inclusion of the development in the 2021-2017 draft development plan was proposed at a meeting of councillors by zoom by Independent Cllr Nick Killian and supported by Cllr Gerry O’Connor (Fine Gael) and Cllr Gillian Toole (Independent). The proposal was voted through by councillors by 25 votes to 0 against council planners’ advice.

A submission made on behalf of the owner of the existing property at Lagore, Pat O’Hare, considers that the most important factor in assessing the feasibility for development of this protected structure and the high cost of refurbishment and restoration of the out buildings is the inclusion of a proportion of private residential dwellings within the development site.

Cllr Killian said Lagore House, situated halfway between Ratoath and Dunshaughlin is about protecting the past into the future. "My motion definitely enhances the great tourism potential of this site and will not only be of benefit to the local tourism attractions of Tayto Park, Fairyhouse racecourse and Tara but to Co Meath.

“Lagore House is closely in keeping with the current economic, tourism and conservation policies of the draft county development plan and, most of all, protects the cultural and natural history of this part of Co Meath. The motion will also allow the O’Hare family who have owned this land since 1956 to create the opportunity for the sustainable reuse of the historic buildings which include vernacular dwellings and farm buildings and ensure the retention of the historic character of Lagore House which is beside the world famous Lagore crannog where the famous Lagore brooch was found.

This will allow the creation of a hotel, an aparthotel, restaurant and equitation centre as well as parkland for the benefit of all”.

The vision for the proposed development “Lagore Country House Estate and Spa” was set out in detail in 2008 and granted planning permission at the time. Lagore crannog was discovered in the 1840s and Lagore was the site of a royal residence between the 7th and 8th centuries. Lagore House itself was burned down in 1952.

The Civil Survey of 1650 records that Joseph Plunkett, “an Irish Papist”, owned a large portion of Big and Little Lagore. Little Lagore was restored to Lt Colonel Christopher Plunkett under the provisions of the Treaty of Limerick and by deed dated 15th August 1710.

On 17th May 1799 Rev John Rogers sold the property to a Mr Patrick Thunder of Gardiner Place, Dublin for 12,000 pounds sterling. The property remained in the Thunder family until 941.