Laois council publishes plans for long-promised Rock of Dunamase car park

Laois County Council has take a significant step on the road to building a long-promised car park at the Rock of Dunamase where an American tourist died last year.

The council has given notice that it proposes to construct a car park at the historic site just off the N80 between Portlaoise and Stradbally.

The local authority proposes 44 car parking spaces including disabled parking spaces. Four bus lane parking bays are also planned as are bicycle stands and a picnic area with landscaping.

The council says the provision of traffic safety measures and signage is planned to facilitate safe access.

The site is situated in a field beside the north side of the Rock to be accessed off the L7830 road and. The N80 national road is 600m to the south of the car park which will take up 2.5 hectares of previously agricultural land.

The council has prepared an Environment Impact Assessment Screening Report but the local authority adds that there is "no likelihood of significant effects on the environment".

A plan to develop a car park had been in the pipeline for some years. The Council revealed to councillors in April 2022 that it had signed a deal to buy land next to the Rock.

Councillors have also been told that previously several studies were carried out regarding a carpark, including a Visual Impact Assessment and Geophysical studies, as recommended by the National Monuments service.

The Rock is located on the Ireland's Ancient East trail but has minimal car parking for visitors. An extensive overhaul completed in 2006 did not involve the provision of car parking. 

Safety at the Rock came into sharp focus in tragic circumstances in October 2022 Laura Jones, aged 59, lost her life after being struck by a car at the landmark while on holiday with family in Ireland. Her husband, aged in his 60s, was also injured in the accident, not long after they began a holiday in Ireland with their adult daughters.

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The car park plans can be viewed online at https://consult.laois.ie from until April 28 inclusive and in Laois County council. Submissions or observations must be made by May 9.