Julianstown

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Julianstown
Baile Iúiliáin

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
53.670222° N 6.280191° W

Irish Grid Reference
O162714

Statistics

Sea level

Population ()
- Town:
- Rural:

200
500

Website: http://www.julianstown.com/

1 Introduction
2 Origins
3 See also
4 External links
5 Photos

[edit] Introduction

Julianstown (Baile Iúiliáin in Irish) is a town in County Meath, Ireland. It is located near Drogheda on the N1 road not far from the Mosney Camp. In 1641, the battle of Julianstown was fought here during the Irish Rebellion of 1641

Julianstown is situated on the River Nanny which flows into the sea at Laytown, about 3 km away. It has a strong community with both Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland churches, a school, post office, hotel, and pub.

The N1 which until recently was the main Dublin to Belfast road runs through the centre of Julianstown. The completion of the link between the Balbriggan and Drogheda bypass has ensured that the volume of traffic on the N1 has been reduced considerably. However, controversy over tolls charged on the new motorway has resulted in many hauliers continuing to use the N1, despite adverse local opinion. Proposals to install traffic lights in the village, been suggested by local councillors in a bid to reduce traffic volume have been acted upon and are currently being installed.

Julianstown, in line with much of Eastern Ireland and Bettystown in particular has become a popular location for commuters to Dublin, Drogheda and Dundalk. This has resulted in a large influx in new housing developments to the north and south fringes of the village. The construction of a new sewage treatment works near the Old Kiln to address the increased demand was vehemently opposed by local residents, who felt that the aesthetics of the village would be affected. The treatment works were however completed in late 2004.

The village shop ceased trading in 1995.

[edit] Origins

Julianstown is significant in that it contains a bridge across the river Nanny on the road between Dublin and Belfast. One of the earliest mentions of Julianstown commemorates the Battle of Julianstown in 1641, which took place near the bridge. Indeed there is a commemorative plaque on the bridge erected by Sir Billy Butlin in the 1960s

Julianstown was the seat of the Moore family who lived in Julianstown house and occupied the land that now contains the townland of Julianstown West. Taylor and Skinner’s 1783 Road Map of Ireland refers to the Moore seat and also shows the Church of Ireland Church which still stands today. There is little evidence of any other inhabitation at that time. Taylor and Skinner also show the milestone in the centre of the village marking 20 Irish miles to Dublin. This milestone can still be seen today. There is further mention of William Moore in Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837).

The Moores leased the land from Anglo-Irish landlords, including Anna Disney, the wife of Brabazon William Disney, Dean of Armagh. The land on which the present village sits was leased to Francis and Mary Thornburgh (nee Moore) in 1763 by William Moore. In the lease the land was described as

….. all that dwelling house offices orchard and garden thereunto adjoining known by the name of the Blackhorse Head Inn situate near Julianstown Bridge aforesaid together with the piece of parcel of ground opposite said house containing by common estimation 300 feet in length and 73 feet in depth more or less formerly known by the name of the Malt House bounded on the East by the Turnpike Road and on the North by the said William Moore’s ground adjoining the lands called the Corroge with two cabins or tenements standing thereon all of which lands and premises are situate in the Barony of Duleek and County of Meath.

The land was further subleased to Colonel Charles Pepper of nearby Ballygarth Castle in 1801. In 1856 Pepper made his lease perpetual under legislation of the time and around 1889 built the cottages that can be seen in the village today.

The village became inhabited in the early 19th century and in 1869 a forge was established by Bartholomew Tiernan on land adjacent to the Nanny River, some of his metalwork, commissioned for the cottages can still be seen to this day in Julianstown. Indeed in the past Julianstown had a Dispensary, Courthouse, telephone exchange, a shop, a quarry, a lime kiln and a Garda Barracks. Nowadays most of these are gone, with only a pub, hotel and post office remaining.