VILLAGE PLANS - Offaly County Council

OFFALY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009 - 2015
Volume 2 - Settlement Plans
CLONBULLOGUE VILLAGE PLAN
According to the Census of 2006, the total population of
the district electoral division of Clonbullogue was 709
people. However, it is estimated that the current
population within the boundary (see plan) is
approximately 330 people. Recent pressures from the
Greater Dublin Area and overspill from Edenderry has
seen an increase in development pressure within this
village and its environs.
Clonbullogue is the local service centre for the village
itself and its surrounding rural hinterland.
1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION AND
DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT
The settlement plans stem directly from the policies
and objectives contained in the County Development
Plan with particular reference to Chapter 4, “Settlement
Strategy” and Chapter 18, “Land Use and Zoning”. This is
to facilitate the growth of a hierarchy of well-planned,
sustainable and complementary settlements
throughout the county presented in a consistent
manner to allow ease of interpretation and
implementation.
Clonbullogue has been designated as a village within
Offaly’s settlement hierarchy, as set out in Chapter 4 of
the County Development Plan 2009-2015. This
settlement plan along with the zoning map is seen as a
specific view of the village so that development
pressures can be focused and properly managed in
order that the settlement can fulfil this role effectively.
1.1 Location
Clonbullogue is a very attractive and well-maintained
settlement located around the junction of the R401 and
R442 roads, close by the bridge over the Figile River.
This settlement derives its name from the word ‘Cluain’
meaning field and ‘bolg’, which is in direct reference to
the Celtic sun god Bolg, hence ‘Fir Bolg’, meaning
‘followers or devotees of the sun’. Accordingly, it most
likely signifies a field where in the remote past,
followers of the sun god ‘Bolg’ assembled for worship. It
was referred to in the last century as ‘Clonsast’ meaning
‘field of the rough grass’.
The village is situated approximately 7km south of
Edenderry, 10km northeast of Portarlington and 5km
northwest of Rathangan (Co. Kildare).
1.2 Settlement Form
This settlement is likely to have originated as a small
cluster of dwellings around the junction at the bridging
point over the Figile River. This settlement is
predominantly low rise and low density with a number
of different building styles in evidence. The area around
the triangular village green has retained its character as
a traditional-style village centre. Subsequent expansion
has in the main, taken the form of linear development
along the constituent roads, with associated backlands
predominantly in agricultural use. There are two
housing developments within the village currently
[2007], namely an Offaly County Council scheme
(Woodlawn) centrally situated within the village and a
privately developed housing scheme located within the
southern portion of the village.
2.0 SERVICES AND SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
2.1 Water Supply
Clonbullogue is serviced by a public water supply. The
source is on the banks of the Figile River and consists of
a spring and small pump house. All new developments
shall be connected to the public mains.
2.2 Waste Water
The existing wastewater treatment plant serving
Clonbullogue was upgraded in 2006.
2.3 Other Services
a) Social and Community Infrastructure
Clonbullogue has a National School (St. Patrick’s,
established at this site in 1981), a Community Centre, a
Catholic Church (St. Michael’s), a Church of Ireland
Church (St. Kevin’s) and an adjoining graveyard, a Health
Centre (located in the old national school building) and
a Garda Station.
February 2009 | Clonbullogue Village Plan | page 74