Dear Trustees of Athboy Fair Green,

We urge you to withdraw the application for planning permission to Meath County Council to build a playground development on the Fair Green. 

The Fair Green is the heart of Athboy’s heritage, a treasured space passed down through generations, the oldest inhabited site of our town, a sacred ring fort, and a centuries-old gathering place for fairs, sports, and cultural events. It is deeply tied to the Druidic heritage of Tlaghtga, making it a site of immense historical, cultural, and spiritual significance.

In 1910, Lord Darnley returned it to the people of Athboy, under the care of the Athboy Trustees, to be preserved forever as a public green. 

We therefore strongly oppose the proposed playground development, which threatens the Fair Green’s historical and communal value, and our concerns are summarised below.  Most importantly, given that Planning Permission applies in Perpetuity, this means that even though no funding is currently available for this project, if planning permission is granted, it will remain valid indefinitely. This means the Council could potentially develop the site in a completely different way in the future, without further public consultation.

We urge the Trustees to honour their original commitment and maintain the Fair Green as an open green public space, taking into account the following major concerns expressed broadly across the Athboy community:

1.    Serious Safety and Traffic Risks – The Fair Green is surrounded by three busy roads, a HGV testing centre, and multiple bus stops. There is no safe access, no parking, and dangerously narrow footpaths that make it unsuitable for children.

2.    Loss of a Historic and Community Space – The Fair Green is one of the most historically significant sites in Athboy, linked to the town’s ancient heritage and long-standing traditions. A playground would permanently alter this space, reducing its flexibility for fairs, festivals, and other community events.

3.    Environmental and Flooding Risks – The site is prone to flooding, and the proposed development would lead to the destruction of trees and natural habitats.

4.    Lack of Community Engagement and Transparency - The decision to build a playground on the Fair Green has been made without transparency or proper community consultation. Apart from one public meeting in March 2024—when other sites were still being considered—there has been no clear explanation or accountability for why the Fair Green was chosen. This lack of openness violates the spirit of communal ownership and the Trustees' responsibility to protect the Green as a public space for all.

We call for an immediate halt to this development until a transparent, fair, and community-led decision-making process to determine a suitable site for a playground in the town is carried out.

We DO support the need for a well-maintained playground in Athboy, but NOT at the expense of public safety, our town’s heritage, and the integrity of our Fair Green.

Sign this petition to protect Athboy’s Fair Green and demand a more suitable location for a new playground!