Slane’s ‘Four Sisters’ set for new life with government funding

A landmark property in the heart of Slane village is set for a major revival after over €620,000 was allocated under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for the development of Clonkeenan House into a new arts and community hub.

The funding will support detailed design and planning for the restoration and reuse of the period property, which was purchased by Meath County Council last year. Once complete, the project aims to deliver not only a restored building but also a park and community garden on-site, providing an accessible and vibrant new public space for Slane.

Clonkeenan House is one of Slane’s historic “Four Sisters”, a group of four almost identical Georgian houses that frame the crossroads at the heart of the village. Dating back to the 1700s, the Four Sisters have long captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike — with one well-known tale suggesting they were built for four sisters who weren’t on speaking terms.

Welcoming the funding announcement, Meath East Fianna Fail TD and Minister Thomas Byrne said it was “great news for Slane.”

“This is exactly what rural regeneration looks like restoring an iconic building, supporting community life, and investing in the future of our villages. Huge credit is due to my colleague Cllr Wayne Harding, who has worked tirelessly with local community members to bring this project to life,” he said.

Cllr Wayne Harding, who has been closely involved in the project for the past three years, also welcomed the funding.

“This is a significant milestone for Slane and for everyone who has supported this vision,” he said. “The €620,000 announced will allow us to map out the future usage of the house and garden for generations to come. There will now be a period of consultation with the local community to ensure the project delivers the greatest possible benefit to the people of Slane and its environs.”

Cllr Harding credited the “absolute commitment” of Meath County Council and thanked Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, for recognising the potential of the project through this latest round of funding.

“I’ve worked with local man Pat Doyle on this for a long time, and it’s a credit to everyone involved that we’ve reached this point. First the Council stepped up to purchase the property, and now the Minister has come on board with funding for the next phase. It’s rural regeneration in action.”

Pat Doyle, who has worked closely on the vision for the site, said the whole community was thrilled.

“We and the whole community are absolutely delighted by this,” he said. “Great thanks are due to the officials at Meath County Council who acquired the site and have now obtained the funds for development of the plan. This will truly be a game changer for Slane both for local people and for tourism and is very satisfying after all the work that went into researching and planning the Centre.”

Mr Doyle added: “In terms of tourism, the ambition is to create a second major destination in the Boyne Valley, with consequent impact on facilities, jobs, and local enterprise.”

The Four Sisters themselves hold a special place in Slane’s architectural and social history. Built from the 1760s onward using stone hauled by horse and cart from two Drogheda Road quarries, they are thought to have been inspired by a design seen by William Bourton Conyngham of Slane Castle during a visit to Versailles.

While myths about their origins abound, by the late 1800s each house had a very specific civic function — occupied by the priest, the doctor, the magistrate, and the constabulary. The first house constructed was an inn, serving as a key coach stop on the Dublin to Derry route.

The site earmarked for the new hub the south-east corner house had previously been home to the local doctor, later serving various community functions. The Council’s acquisition of this house ensures it remains in public ownership and is now on track for a new chapter as a space for creativity, learning, and community connection.

The other three houses have undergone various transformations: one has been converted into apartments while maintaining its impressive exterior; another is undergoing renovations under private ownership; and a third was recently sold.

The Clonkeenan House project is part of a wider push to revitalise and protect the unique architectural and cultural fabric of Slane, while also delivering facilities that support local needs.

A period of community consultation will now get underway, with input from local groups, businesses, and residents encouraged to shape the final vision for the centre. It is expected that the new hub will provide space for arts, workshops, events, and social enterprise, alongside green space and garden access for the wider public.

“This is just the beginning,” said Cllr Harding. “The energy and passion behind this project is clear, and I believe the people of Slane will play a huge role in bringing it to life.”