Development plan · Monaghan County Council
Monaghan County Development Plan 2025–2031
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Monaghan County Council · 2025–2031 · 376 pages
Ask this document
Answers come only from the text of Monaghan County Development Plan 2025–2031, each claim linked to its page. They are not advice; check the page itself.
Free, with a daily limit.
- 279 CBSO 1 To promote Castleblayney as a prosperous and thriving town where the principles of environmental, economic, and social sustainability including the protection of the town’s heritage and natural and built environment are enshrined. CBSO 2 To ensure that the following priorities for the town are delivered within the lifetime of the development plan:- k the progression of the Masterplan and Development Framework for Lough Muckno and Environs, k the incorporation of the Town Centre Regeneration Plan within the County Development Plan by way of variation and the obtaining of all necessary consents for the progression of this plan, k the preparation and implementation of a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for the town, k the preparation and implementation of a Town Centre First Plan for the town, k the preparation of a feasibility study in respect of proposed road links within the Town. CASTLEBLAYNEY SETTLEMENT PLAN STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 12.0 LOCATION AND CONTEXT Castleblayney is the third largest town in County Monaghan. It is situated along the main national primary route from Dublin to Derry (N2) and is linked to Dundalk via the national secondary route (N53). The town benefits from its strategic location, with Monaghan Town, Carrickmacross, Dundalk and Armagh all located less than 30kms from Castleblayney. With the improvements in transport links, the town has significant potential for expansion and growth and has been identified as having potential to develop as a commuter town for the east coast areas north of Dublin. The town has continued to function as a market/service centre and provides important local residential, retailing, social and leisure functions for both the urban area and its rural hinterland, which extends across the border into County Armagh. 12.1 HISTORICAL CONTEXT Castleblayney’s origins can be traced back to the period of Saint Maeldoid who founded a church near Lough Muckno in early times. In terms of its existing settlement form and built environment, the historical development of the town is closely associated with the plantation of Ulster and the succession of the Blayney family to land entitlement in the area from 1607. In particular, the emergence of Castleblayney is inextricably linked to the establishment of Blayney Castle (close to the site of the existing Hope Castle) and the management of the surrounding estate. From the period of the late 1700s, the Blayney’s were responsible for cultivating local industry and establishing key buildings in the settlement including the Market House/Courthouse, the Church of Ireland Church and the Roman Catholic Church. 12.2 STRATEGY AND VISION The Castleblayney Settlement Plan is fundamentally concerned with promoting the growth and development of the town while protecting its natural and built environment. Over this plan period, emphasis will be placed on maintaining and supporting urban development by way of consolidating the town centre and expanding services to meet the needs of its locality. The population of Castleblayney declined from 3,634 to 3,607 between 2011 and 2016, however, between the years 2016 and 2022, the population has risen by 8.8% to 3,926. Environment, Energy and Climate Actioncastleblayney town settlement planchapter 12
- 280 The Core Strategy set out in Chapter 2 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 further indicates that a housing land requirement of over 15 hectares should be provided for within the settlement boundaries in order to accommodate this projected growth and support the function of Castleblayney as a Tier 2 Strategic Town within the County Monaghan Settlement Hierarchy. Recent development levels indicate that the town has recovered and is expanding its residential, retail, industrial and commercial base. It is the aim of this Development Plan to assist and direct development in the town over the plan period with an emphasis on developing the town’s main assets, which include its strategic location, both nationally and in relation to Northern Ireland, and its potential for tourism based in and around Lough Muckno. 12.3 EDUCATION The important educational function performed by the town, for both the people of Castleblayney and its hinterland, is underlined by the fact that currently over 1,900 children attend school in Castleblayney. Catering for a large number of pupils has implications for a range of urban issues in Castleblayney, including, pedestrian safety, traffic management and recreational provision. There are four national schools and two secondary colleges in Castleblayney. Details of these are set out in Table 12.2. A number of the town’s schools are located close to the town centre, with the Convent Junior School at Laurel Hill, Our Lady’s Secondary School at New Street and Scoil Mhuire na mBuachaillí on the Dublin Road. Both of the post-primary schools have extended their facilities to meet the needs of the area. 12.4 TOWN CENTRE Castleblayney town is considered a service town where retailing underpins the function of the town core. It is also an employment and service centre for the wider rural hinterland. The principal axis that dissects the town is West Street (commonly referred to as Main Street). There are a number of key buildings in Castleblayney which act as important focal points at the entrances to the town. They strongly influence the perception of Castleblayney and are visual flagships for the quality of its built environment. The Old Courthouse/Market House was once an impressive structure in the town and its visual prominence contributed greatly to the townscape character of Castleblayney. The apex setting of the Courthouse helps punctuate the enclosed linear expanse of West (Main) Street at the entrance into Lough Muckno Park. It is also identified closely with the core of the settlement and dominates the most important public space in the town. The two nearby gatehouses are also splendid buildings that perform a vital role in defining the square and in marking the entrance to the parkland. 2022 POPULATION POPULATION AS A % 2031 PROJECTED PROJECTED % OF COUNTY OF COUNTY MONAGHAN POPULATION MONAGHAN POPULATION POPULATION 2031 3,926 6.01% 4,673 6.5% TABLE 12.1 CASTLEBLAYNEY TOWN POPULATION PROJECTIONS TABLE 12.2 ENROLMENT FIGURES FOR SCHOOLS IN CASTLEBLAYNEY 2023-2024 NAME OF SCHOOL .................................................................................................No. of Students CONVENT JUNIOR SCHOOL............................................................................................ 191 SCOIL MHUIRE NA MBUACHAILLÍ................................................................................ 183 SCOIL NA GCAILINI............................................................................................................... 152 GAELSCOIL LORGAN ........................................................................................................... 144 CASTLEBLAYNEY COLLEGE ............................................................................................ 407 OUR LADY’S SECONDARY SCHOOL .......................................................................... 845 Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 281 12.5 RETAILING Castleblayney is designated as a Tier 2 town in the County Monaghan Retail Strategy (2016-2022). The County Monaghan Retail Strategy notes that the town has an overall retail floor space of 23,124sqm and a vacancy rate of 40%. The shopping centre on West Street has addressed some the leakage to other retail centres for retail goods, particularly for convenience goods, however the significant leakage of comparison spending has not yet been fully addressed. The continued promotion and enhancement of retail floorspaces and town centre functions will help to sustain competitiveness and reduce retail expenditure leakage from the town. Retailing proposals within Castleblayney shall have regard to the County Monaghan Retail Strategy (2016-2022) and the relevant objectives and policies of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. Gate Lodge No. 1 was restored in 2017 and is available for use as a community space for meetings and events. Under the Castleblayney Market Square Regeneration Phase I project, a modern 21st century public library and cultural space have been provided within Gate Lodge No.2. This project also delivered enhanced public realm facilities in the surrounding area. The Castleblayney Market Square Regeneration Phase II project comprises the refurbishment of the Market House, a protected structure, into a mixed-use community facility along with public realm enhancements to the surrounding Market Square area. Part VIII consent was secured in 2022, and funding of €11 million was received in 2024 through the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF) to progress the project to implementation/construction stage. The proposed refurbishment and public realm enhancements will sit contiguous with the recently completed Gate Lodge public library to create a pedestrian friendly public gathering space that supports the commercial activities and economic opportunities of the town. The transformation of the Market Square will allow for recreational and cultural opportunities on a regional scale. Monaghan County Council has commenced the process to appoint an architect/urban design led consultant team to prepare a regeneration plan, for approximately 4.5 hectares of town centre zoned backlands. The area radiates from the Market House west along Main Street and north along Muckno Street with McGrath Road to the northwest and the Monaghan Road to the west. The provision of pedestrian linkages between the plan area and Main Street will be investigated as part of the regeneration plan. It is envisaged that this plan will be available for review in 2024. The area to the east of Muckno Street, adjacent to Gas Lake, offers significant development potential. The lands comprise derelict properties and back gardens with limited access at present. The construction of McGrath Road parallel to Main Street, linking Monaghan Street and Muckno Street with pedestrian links to Main Street has provided the opportunity for backlands to be opened up for development. Some construction has taken place on these properties to date. Monaghan County Council produced the Castleblayney Historic Landscape Characterisation Plan in 2012. This Beautiful Town Initiative operated through the Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) programme and encouraged landowners of groups of terraces within the town to come together to develop a shared vision for the continued maintenance and improvement of their facades. In consultation with the local regeneration committee, guidance was provided on how to achieve a vision for the improvement and general maintenance of the character of the terraces. Some of these measures have been implemented, thereby improving the appearance of the streetscape. Castleblayney was selected to take part in the Town Centre Living Initiative (TCLI) scheme where funding was made available to develop innovative proposals to encourage the reuse of vacant and underused buildings in town centres for living. CBO 1 To encourage new developments which will facilitate the restoration and refurbishment of existing buildings in order to regenerate the town centre and eliminate dereliction. CASTLEBLAYNEY TOWN CENTRE OBJECTIVE castleblayney town settlement planchapter 12
- 282 12.6 INDUSTRY, ENTERPRISE AND EMPLOYMENT Castleblayney's location on main transport corridors offers significant potential for growth in the industrial sector. Two distinct industrial areas have developed over the past thirty years in Castleblayney. Bree Industrial Estate, which was developed for industry in 1975 by the Industrial Development Authority (IDA), remains home to a number of sizeable industries including Kingspan Insulation Ltd, Shabra Plastics and Recycling Ltd, and M.C. Chemicals Ltd. Direct access to the estate is provided from the N2 Castleblayney bypass. In addition, a number of industries have developed along the Monaghan Road to the north of the town, including Americold Castleblayney, a cold storage facility and McCaughey Foods, a food manufacturing business. Castleblayney Community Enterprise has been successful in establishing new businesses in the town and operates from the Enterprise Centre on the Dublin Road. The Enterprise Centre provides workspaces and offices for new and expanding enterprises and businesses start-ups and is an invaluable launch pad for the creation of new businesses in the town. In June 2023, The Ridge Business Enterprise and Technology Hub opened on McGrath Road. A joint initiative with Castleblayney Community Enterprise and Enterprising Monaghan, The Ridge is a modern 3 storey building offering high quality office space facilities in the centre of Castleblayney. There are 24 business units within The Ridge, all of which are currently occupied. Businesses currently operating from The Ridge include NRG Panel, Ashdale Care and Integrity Security Ltd. A number of small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses are also located on the Monaghan Road, closer to the town centre and on Muckno Street and several serviced industrial sites are located on the Bog Road. Some industrial development has also been carried out on the Ballybay Road. Approximately 93 hectares of land has been zoned for Industry, Enterprise and Employment development in Castleblayney. This is considered enough to accommodate the anticipated level of industrial development in the town during the life of the Plan. These areas are identified on Map CYDP1 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. All new industrial development within Castleblayney shall be required to comply with the objectives and policies contained within the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. A specific objective for Industry, Enterprise and Employment in Castleblayney is as follows: CBO 2 To promote Castleblayney as a key industrial, enterprise and employment centre. CASTLEBLAYNEY INDUSTRY, ENTERPRISE AND EMPLOYMENT OBJECTIVE 12.7 POWER AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) have been provided in Castleblayney. MANs is a network that consists of telecom ducting and fibre optic cable, it allows licensed telecom providers to connect their equipment to commercial premises and buildings. MANs infrastructure provides opportunities for the development of e-working centres thereby reducing the number of journeys to work by car. In addition, broadband is available in Castleblayney Town. The Council will continue to co-operate with statutory and regulated bodies in the provision of power and communication facilities throughout the town. Castleblayney also has access options to the fibre infrastructure which has been delivered through Project Kelvin. This offers opportunities for industry partners to develop redundant connections for their business networks. High speed broadband is also available in the town. Eir/Openeir has completed the upgrade of their fibre broadband networks within the town. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 283 12.8 ROADS, TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND ACTIVE TRAVEL Castleblayney’s location along the National Primary Dublin-Derry (N2) route and National Secondary (N53) link to Dundalk offers it direct connections to the M1 Dublin-Belfast motorway. The town is located less than 25kms from Dundalk Train Station and within easy reach of the airport and shipping ports on the eastern seaboard. The N2 Castleblayney-Clontibret realignment Route has provided a by-pass for the town, reduced traffic congestion in the town centre and improved the environment of Castleblayney. Government policies now encourage modal shift, where possible, away from private car use and towards more sustainable transport modes such as walking, wheeling or cycling, also known as active travel. Government investment in active travel has increased significantly in recent years. The provision of quality cycling, wheeling and walking facilities can provide an economical, nonpolluting, and flexible form of transport which can deliver improvements to overall health and wellbeing and reduce congestion and carbon emissions. The provision of active travel and recreational walking and cycling infrastructure, such as designated cycle paths, greenways, walking paths and trails, also supports recreation and tourism. The development of active travel and recreational walking and cycling routes in and around Castleblayney Town will contribute toward Government objectives around active travel. Subject to funding and resources, it is an objective of Monaghan County Council to develop a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for the town. A key objective of this plan will be to promote active travel and public and shared transport. The Development Plan proposes the construction of three new links north of the town centre. It is envisaged that the outer route, to be constructed in partnership with local landowners and developers, will by-pass the town centre and residential areas to the north of the town, linking the Monaghan Road and Keady/Armagh Road directly. The two inner roads will offer access to the Bog Road commercial/industrial area. There are three regional roads linking Castleblayney to the neighbouring towns of Keady, Newtownhamilton, Ballybay, Lough Egish and Shercock. These routes are important in terms of providing direct linkages for a high volume of heavy goods and commercial vehicles. The development plan incorporates a proposed link between the re-aligned N2 and the N53 Dundalk Road. With the removal of national and regional traffic from the town centre, the Development Plan envisages environmental improvements to the town centre and urban/local roads servicing the town’s residential areas. A number of proposed road upgrades are indicated on Map CYPD1 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. castleblayney town settlement planchapter 12
- 284 The Local Authority also proposes advancing the development of a number of new and upgraded urban roads subject to funding and resources. These road proposals will improve traffic movement in and around the town and facilitate development. The potential routes of these road proposals are identified by indicative lines on Map CYDP1 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. These are as follows: k Link Road between the R181 Keady Road and the R938 Monaghan Road. k N2-N53 Link Road. k Link Road between the Bog Road and the R938. k Link from McGrath Road to Bog Road. k Lower Bree Road. k Upper Bree Road. To provide for such projects, new development that may prejudice the delivery of these projects will not be permitted, and development that impacts potential route options, preferred route corridors, or designed alignments for transport projects identified in national/regional policies will be resisted. 12.9 TOURISM Castleblayney has significant potential to capitalise on its assets for tourism related development. As well as being an environmental resource for Castleblayney, Lough Muckno, County Monaghan’s largest lake, possesses enormous potential to become an economic asset for the town. However, development proposals submitted for this area will require sensitive management and careful appraisal and should have regard to the public’s wider desire for sustainable development, preservation of the natural and built environment, and maintenance of public access. It is acknowledged that the proximity of Lough Muckno to the built environment will help to spread the benefits of increased tourism revenue throughout the town. Lough Muckno Park comprises the lands of the former Hope Castle Estate and includes Lough Muckno. There are various lakeside and forest walks trails to follow in the park which can be accessed through Hope Castle gates. The park is open all year round and is home to Wilbur’s Enchanted Garden and Castleblayney Outdoor Adventure Centre which offers a wide range of water and land-based activities. The playground was opened in 2013 and consists of an extensive playground facility consisting of equipment for a range of ages including a zip line, climbing frame, playhouse, slides, swings and picnic facilities at the park. Further ancillary facilities have been developed with the addition of car park and public toilet facilities and plans are currently being progressed to enhance the recreational offer on Black Island. These facilities have enhanced the recreational and tourist resource of Lough Muckno. CBO 3 To undertake feasibility and viability studies regarding the options for potential relief roads around Castleblayney Town during the lifetime of this plan, subject to available resources. CASTLEBLAYNEY ROADS AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES CBO 4 To protect, design and develop new road and road upgrade projects identified during the lifetime of this plan, subject to resources. CBO 5 To prepare a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for Castleblayney Town, using the Area Based Transport Assessment process, commencing by 2026. CBO 6 To vary the Development Plan to incorporate the objectives and measures of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for Castleblayney Town when finalised, and to implement its objectives measures, during the lifetime of this Plan. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 285 12.10 RECREATION AND AMENITY There is a strong interrelationship between recreational provision and the provision of public open space, given that public open space is commonly used for recreational purposes. This is especially relevant to Castleblayney and its efforts to accommodate recreational needs within the confines of Lough Muckno, which is the largest and by far the most important stretch of public open space within the town. Bearing this in mind, it is appropriate to consider the type of recreational activities found within Castleblayney and to examine what relationship, if any, they have with public open space. Lough Muckno is home to a number of annual festivals and events including Muckno Mania and the Castleblayney Show and is also a well-established angling centre of excellence. The tourism prospects for Muckno Park are also linked to environmental improvements in the neighbouring public sector properties, most notably the Courthouse and the two renovated Gate Lodges. The continuing improvement and re-use of these buildings would greatly complement tourism enhancement efforts in Muckno Park. Located within the significant and designated landscape of Lough Muckno, Hope Castle and the former Coach House, now the Annex Building are protected structures of architectural merit and are historically linked with the town. Recognising the importance of these structures to the town, Monaghan County Council anticipated that projects in relation to the restoration of Hope Castle and the Annex Building will be progressed during the lifetime of this Plan. The Íontas Arts and Community Resource Centre provides an important space for the promotion of arts and cultural events in the town including the annual Castleblayney Drama Festival. These events bring visitors to the town as well as an economic benefit and will continue to be supported and promoted in the future by the Council. The Glencarn Hotel and Leisure Centre is the largest provider of tourist accommodation in the town. This thirty-bedroom hotel contains an indoor swimming pool and performs a valuable social and entertainment function in the town. Further visitor accommodation is provided by a number of bed and breakfast establishments in and around Castleblayney. A championship 18-hole golf course was opened in 2008 on the shores of the Lough at Concra Wood. Other tourist activities available include ten-pin bowling, horse riding, tennis and clay pigeon shooting and heritage trails. Castleblayney is known for its country music heritage. The Music Wall of Fame is located near the Glencarn Hotel, the Paddy Cole mural located at Mindszenty Park, and the Big Tom Statue is located at Castleblayney Market House. The Castleblayney Music and Country Festival takes place in the grounds of St. Mary’s Park GAA grounds. CBO 7 To promote Lough Muckno and its environs as the premier tourist attraction in the town. CASTLEBLAYNEY TOURISM OBJECTIVES CBO 8 To accommodate sustainable and appropriate tourism related projects in and around Lough Muckno which are compatible with Chapter 4, Economic Development of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. CBO 9 To support and encourage the development of appropriately scaled alternative forms of tourism accommodation on suitable sites within the town subject to Chapter 15 Development Management Standards of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. castleblayney town settlement planchapter 12
No text on this page — it is probably a drawing, a map, a photograph or a scanned page. See it in the PDF.
- castleblayney town settlement planchapter 12 287 12.10.1 LOUGH MUCKNO The special character and serenity of Lough Muckno derives from its combination of tranquil lakes, drumlin topography, wooded parkland and integral location within Castleblayney. As testimony to these aesthetic attributes, locals affectionately refer to Lough Muckno as the ‘Killarney of the North’. Lough Muckno is one of two principal areas of outstanding landscape quality in the County which require protection from insensitive and inappropriate development and as a result has been designated as an Area of Primary Amenity Value. Development will only be permitted in this area in exceptional circumstances to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority where it has been demonstrated that the integrity of the landscape is not threatened. The natural asset of Lough Muckno, with its attributes of Black Island Forest and Concra Wood is an ideal environment suitable for picnics and walks. In addition to its huge fishing appeal, Lough Muckno is sufficiently large to facilitate a range of water sports including windsurfing, sailing, boating and canoeing. Having regard to these fishing and water sport activities there is a clear need to minimise the potential for conflict between these two activities and to plan the usage of the Lough accordingly. It is also vital that existing rights of way and new rights of way are developed in sympathy with the park. In recognition of the importance of Lough Muckno to the local economy and to ensure that the biodiversity of the area is protected and enhanced, it is an objective of Monaghan County Council to prepare a 10-year framework/masterplan for Lough Muckno in conjunction with all relevant stakeholders. It is anticipated that the framework will identify priority actions and specify targets and timeframes for their delivery. Mindszenty Park provides a playing pitch and fishing and picnic facilities overlooking Lough Muckno. Carparking and a number of paths and trails have been developed around the park. 12.10.2 ACTIVE INDOOR RECREATION The Íontas Arts and Community Resource Centre offers space to host a range of courses which benefit the individual both personally and socially. This centre incorporates a theatre, crèche and additional community rooms/meeting spaces. 12.10.3 ACTIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION The hub of Gaelic games in the town is St. Mary’s Park, located along the Dublin Road and home, of the Castleblayney Faugh’s Club. The GAA club expanded and modernised its facilities to include a covered spectator stand that seat 2,080 spectators, uncovered seating for 5,000 as well as an additional training pitch and a walking track around the pitch for community use. In addition, Black Hill GAA club and grounds is located on the outskirts of the town on the Shercock Road. Blayney Rovers Football Club has a soccer pitch facility at Drumillard, Castleblayney. Concra Wood Golf and Country Club was designed by Christy O’Connor Junior and Christy O’Connor Senior. The 18 hole, 72 par championship Golf Course commands stunning views over Lough Muckno. The course is complemented by a clubhouse, pro-shop and The View Restaurant. It is an objective of this Development Plan to promote Concra Wood as a premium golf attraction and support the development of associated facilities to strengthen this recognised asset. A playground and playing field is located in Drumillard and a publicly accessible Multi Use Games Area, grass area with goal facilities are available in the public space of a housing estate in Bree. Monaghan County Council shall continue to support appropriate new and expansion proposals for existing recreational facilities. 12.10.4 PASSIVE RECREATION With the exception of Lough Muckno there are few areas within the centre of Castleblayney of key open space value. Attention should be given to the enhancement of those parts of the town which impress themselves upon both the resident and the visitor. Monaghan County Council has commenced the process to deliver a recreational enhancement project on Black Island. The project will improve access to the woodlands and provide an enhanced visitor experience through the development of amenities such as viewing points, picnic benches, an outdoor classroom as well as improved signage. The Council in partnership with the local Tidy Towns group, Castleblayney Town Regeneration Committee, resident’s associations, and voluntary groups has the potential to greatly enhance the town and its environs through the carrying out of improvement works on the approaches to and from the open spaces within the town.
- 288 12.10.5 COMMUNITY FACILITIES The Íontas Arts and Community Resource Centre provides a range of services to all members of the local community. The Centre houses a theatre, cafè and a crèche. The theatre hosts high profile national acts and drama companies. In addition to this the centre offers community training schemes, fitness classes and music classes. GR8 located along the Dublin Roads provides a range of leisure facilities including 10 pin bowling, golf simulators, soft play area as well as cafe facilities. 12.11 NATURAL HERITAGE Lough Muckno is a designated Area of Primary Amenity Value and is also a proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA). It is an invaluable natural resource that has helped shape the development of Castleblayney and should be afforded the highest degree of protection. 12.12 BUILT HERITAGE In terms of its built environment, Castleblayney has a rich legacy of buildings and structures symbolic of the different stages of its development and linked to its development as a market/service centre for the rural hinterland. The character and distinctiveness of the town is as much associated with the manmade environment as it is with the natural setting of the town. Conservation and renewal of the architectural and historic character has the added benefit of encouraging economic revival. Moreover, greater awareness of Castleblayney’s heritage helps generate self-confidence and pride in the town and so helps to develop an attractive image to the inhabitants, visitors, tourists and potential investors alike. The built heritage is an invaluable and finite resource which requires effective stewardship to ensure its continued enjoyment by both present and future generations. Its retention helps to better inform future generations of the past and is critical to the reinforcement of the town’s identity. A number of key features of the built environment in Castleblayney are discussed here: Saint Medoid’s Church of Ireland This Church was built in 1808 on the site of the first church to be established in Castleblayney. The 36 metre tall spire was added to the structure in 1818. The cemetery of Saint Maeldoid’s comprises the Blayney Vaults, which contain the remains of the 6th Lord Blayney. Saint Mary’s Church A barn-style design inclusive of Gothic revival transepts, pinnacles, and buttresses. It has a smooth rendered, pale, blue-grey finish. The Market House This large building dates from the 1800s and occupies a prominent position in Market Square at the intersection of West Street, Muckno Street and Henry Street. The Market House was built in 1856 and the architectural differences between the bottom storey and upper part of the building indicate that the Market House was constructed on top of the old Market house, which dates from 1801. It still retains much of its wrought iron railings. Hope Castle Lord Andrew Thomas Blayney built this castle in the 1780s near the site of the original castle. It is one of Castleblayney’s most imposing edifices and commands a spectacular view of the environs of Lake Muckno. Its name derives from Mr Henry Thomas Hope who purchased Blayney Castle and the adjoining Estate in 1853. Hope re-plastered and embellished this three-storey Georgian brick house and added the front entrance porch. He also built the nearby Coach House. In addition to its landmark status and locational attributes, its associations over the years and various uses also set it apart for special consideration. Between 1900 and 1904, Hope Castle housed Queen Victoria’s son, the Duke of Connaught. Since then, it has been used as a barracks (1919-1921), a temporary hospital (1932-1937) and more recently, from 1942-1974, as a guesthouse run by Franciscan sisters. In the 1980s, the Castle was acquired by Monaghan County Council. The building was later sub-let under a County Council lease CBO 10 To prepare and implement a Masterplan and Development Framework for Lough Muckno and its environs which will act as a blueprint for its evolution as an exemplar recreational and amenity facility, having due regard to constraints and sensitivities associated with the area and relevant environmental protection requirements. CASTLEBLAYNEY RECREATION AND AMENITY OBJECTIVES CBO 11 To support the implementation of the County Walking and Cycling Strategy 2021-2026 and any new or updated/subsequent versions. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
Source Monaghan County Council: Monaghan County Development Plan 2025–2031 (2025–2031) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.