LEIXLIP, 3 January 2002: by Bill Trapman. The proposed Leixlip Town 'area plan' 2001 which has been approved by the Leixlip Area Councillors has dropped 35 houses or structures from its list of items for preservation. These include Fenian leader William Francis Roantree's family home on the Main Street and the whole block of houses from the bank at AIB to Bernard Owen's shop.
The waterfall at the aqueduct, which was classified as being of 'international significance' under the old classification (now gone since 1999 legislation), has also been removed from the list. The waterfall was visible from the Maynooth road just beyond Louisa bridge prior to recentl developments there on Intel lands.
Also due for de-listing is Sandford's bridge on Kellystown Lane. Sandford's Bridge commemorates several Sandfords, incudding an MP and a General, who lived in Leixlip at the Castle and Ravesdale in the late 1700s and who probably built the bridge over the Rye.
The Councillors are proposing to 'upgrade' Kellystown Lane and Confey road, which are subject to commuter traffic. The proposed town plan for Leixlip records that the Council envisages a Duchas appraisal of the architectural heritage of the town in the near future.
©2002knn