Local landmark with lots of history

Slane/€1.5 millionSlane is often cited as a good example of town planning by an 18th century landlord. The village is distinguished by four almost identical Georgian houses standing across the corners of the four intersections of the Dublin-Derry and the Drogheda-Navan roads. The octagonal setting is unique in this country.

One of the four houses, used as a residence for parish priests since 1923, is to be sold along with an adjoining development site of 1.8 acres. Joint agents Gunne in Navan and O'Brien Collins in Drogheda are handling the sale which is likely to be of interest mainly to developers.

The guide of €1.3-€1.5 million may prove on the conservative side given the importance of the house on the north-east corner of the village and the potential of the land which has frontage on the Collon Rd and Drogheda Rd.

There are many stories about the original occupants of the four houses but, says local historian Terry Trench, the conjecture is "mostly fiction". One story suggests that the houses were built for four Conyngham sisters who did not speak to each other, another version is that they housed the representatives of religion, medicine, law and order. This was the case in the 19th century when they were occupied by the local curate, doctor, magistrate and police.

Later still, one house was converted into an inn, an important stopping off point for the Dublin-Derry and the Dublin-Strabane mail coaches. The inn survived for a short time after the ending of the mail coach service but, in the early 1970s, the late judge Frank Roe granted a licence to reopen the inn.

But the owners could not recapture the atmosphere of the original coach inn and the house was sold to developers who are now converting it into apartments. A further apartment block is being developed in the rear yard.

Although all four houses are listed, the planners' decision to grant permission for the apartment scheme sets a precedent. Whoever buys the Parochial House will have a compelling case for developing the grounds. A parish hall, part of the property, is also listed but not included in the sale.

The Parochial House is in good structural condition though the basement has fallen into disrepair. There is a fine entrance hall and a spacious diningroom. It has ornate plasterwork and two windows looking out on the garden.

There is also a small reception room and behind it an old-style kitchen with an Aga. Upstairs the main bathroom is on the return and there is a further reception room, two bedrooms and oratory on the first floor. The top floor has three further bedrooms.

Although the population of Slane has doubled in recent years the village centre has changed little. It is a peaceful place except on one weekend in August when it is invaded by thousands of music fans going to the concert in the grounds of Slane Castle.

But then the civil authorities have always had problems in maintaining public order, according to Terry Trench's excellent history of the village. On April 22nd, 1794, Slane vestry announced that the local constable had grossly neglected his duty and allowed pigs to roam the streets to the great annoyance of the inhabitants.

Furthermore, the vestry decided to fine the constable five shillings for each pig found on the street once the order had been confirmed by the magistrate. Half the fine was to go to the "informer", the other half to the poor of the parish. Ah, food for thought.