Plans lodged to convert former nightclub into church

The nightclub at the former County Club premises in Dunshaughlin is set to be converted into a church if plans recently submitted to Meath County Council get the go ahead.

The Romanian Pentecostal Church Mount Zion CLG has lodged a planning application to change the use of the nightclub element of the well-known former public house and restaurant at Growtown, Dunshaughlin, into a church.

The plans include raising the flat roof of the nightclub to allow for a new mezzanine level as part of the proposed church. The window arrangement on all sides of the proposed church will be altered and a separate side entrance atrium and a rear ground floor extension are also planned. A rear steel fire-escape stairs would be installed from the mezzanine level.

It is intended that the original separate bar/restaurant will continue as a restaurant and will be unlicenced which means it won't sell alcohol. A new wastewater treatment system is proposed to cater for both the community restaurant and the proposed church.

The two existing vehicular entrances will remain along with all of the existing on-site car parking spaces.

The Romanian Pentecostal Church, Mount Zion, is currently based at the Dublin Industrial Estate in Glasnevin, Dublin 11. Documents with the application sates that their existing premises is "no longer suitable for their needs and hence the their recent purchase of the subject property 'the County Club' which consists of a bar/restaurant and adjoining flat roofed nightclub of long standing".

"Our clients proposals for the site is to make it a focal point for their, and of, the local community."

"The converted night-club element of the site will be used a church by our clients and the original bar and restaurant will be retained largely 'as is' to serve our client's congregation as a social centre but importantly to also serve as a community amenity/restaurant. Thee will be no alcohol served as our clients do not wish to seek a licence to do so, the current licence having been extinguished.

Regarding activities, it says there will be a range of activity during the week with a peak on Sunday. It is estimated that there would be about 80- 100 people at evening events during the week, such as youth services, evening services, orchestra and choir. Friday evening service would have around 150 people, and Saturday activities about 60 people. The peak attendance would be Sunday with 250 people at each of the two services.

The private restaurant area would have irregular events about every two weeks catering for around 100 people and bigger events every three months catering for 300.

Regarding the restaurant to be open to the public, the hours would be 7am to 10pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 10pm on Saturday with estimated numbers at about 120 per day. It would be closed on Sunday.

The County Club in Dunshaughlin was a very well known and successful establishment run by the Peters family for 40 years.

The landmark site ceased trading at the onset of Covid and did not reopen after the pandemic.

It was put on the market in 2024 with a price guide of excess €1,500,000.

There had been widespread speculation over the past year that the County Club had been purchased for use as a church and the planning application now confirms this.

A decision is due on 31st July.