BRIEF

Maynooth is a well-established and fast expanding university town, with quick and easy transport links to Dublin city. The town is characterised by its historic buildings, undulating landscape and wooded river valley. The site is located to the north of the well-known Lime Walk, connecting the town centre with Carton House and Demesne, immediately south of the Lyreen River and Dunboyne Road.

The key natural features of the site requiring preservation and integration into the scheme included the quarry woodland (a former stone and gravel pit) and the central hedgerow, containing some of the area’s oldest and most majestic oak trees. These two natural assets became sacrosanct and formed the basis for the masterplan, creating a connected GI network from within which a new residential neighbourhood could emerge. All residents would live a short walk from an attractive green space with amenity and nature provided in abundance.

CONCEPT

The landscape concept focused on preserving and enhancing existing features such as quarry woodland and wetlands, incorporating sustainable urban drainage (SuDS), and promoting biodiversity and active travel. A central Neighbourhood Park retains mature hedgerows and oak trees and offers inclusive amenities: natural play areas, fitness trails, table tennis and open recreation spaces. Ecological features include insect hotels, bird/bat/owl boxes, and woodland trails, supporting both amenity and water management.

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Commended - Residential Development (Small)
2024 Irish Landscape Institute (ILI) Awards.