A protest will take place against the demolition of derelict farm buildings owned by the Magnier family in Tipperary.

Hedgerows Ireland and the Clonmel Historical and Archaeological Society wrote an open letter to John Magnier in July after his family’s acquisition of the 64-acre Parkville Farm in March.

The protest follows a planning application submitted by Coolmore-linked company Melclon Unlimited to demolish an abandoned dwelling and an open store enclosed on the farm.

A group which is against this proposed demolition is holding a peaceful protest on Thursday 3 October at 5.30pm on the roadside at Parkville, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

Writing in the open letter, the group said the buildings have historical significance to the local area.

The protest follows a planning application submitted by Coolmore-linked company Melclon Unlimited to demolish an abandoned dwelling and an open store enclosed on the farm. via Tipperary County Council

“The built structures date back over 150 years and are a wonderful testament to the craftsmen who used locally quarried limestone and lime mortar to create these irreplaceable reminders of an earlier era, including hand-dug ditches with mature hedgerows and stone-faced banks.”

Retention and upkeep

The group is asking for the vernacular farm building complex, walled garden and field boundaries at Parkville Farm to be retained, as well as the upkeep of the ancient hedgerows, limekiln, walled garden, trees and duck pond on the site.

Separate letters have also been written to Tipperary County Council heritage officer Roisin O’Grady, conservation officer Eamonn Hunter and biodiversity officer Anne Marie Fleming about the planning application.

Meanwhile, the group submitted a formal request to have the built structures listed as ‘protected structures’ to Tipperary County Council in April this year.

“We would be happy to meet you or a representative from Coolmore to discuss these matters and look forward to hearing from you in due course,” concluded the letter.

Representatives for the Magnier family declined to comment when approached by the Irish Farmers Journal.