LANDSCAPE
The Porchfields
T
he Porchfields is a 25-hectare area of medieval farmland which lies between the Anglo-Norman town of Trim, founded c. 1180 and the rural borough of Newtown Trim, founded c. 1220. The area has an exceptionally rich history as can be evidenced by the Newtown Monuments (these consist of a large medieval cathedral, two monasteries and small church which date from 1206) which sit immediately adjacent to/bordering the eastern site boundary and St Mary’s Abbey which sits to the west. It is overlooked from the west by Trim Castle, the largest Norman castle in Europe (1173) and is a notable tourist destination. While standing on this site it is easy to attain a sense of timelessness and of this millennia of history, given that apart from the ring road, development has been limited to low-impact incidental footpaths and the Porchfields retained in use for animal grazing.
Park Hood were engaged by Meath County Council to provide Project Management and Landscape Architectural design services for the redevelopment of The Porchfields. The brief was to develop the site as a tourist destination, while protecting the rich cultural heritage associated with its strategic position between the historic sites and the River Boyne. The area was underutilised and underappreciated with access limited to informal grass paths and a dilapidated walkway that was not fit for purpose. This project was underpinned by an earlier procurement exercise (which Park Hood were also involved in), which required the ‘Development of a feasibility study for potential recreational uses on Meath County Council lands.’ The purpose of this study was to produce a preliminary landscape/sporting
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