When is a road a road?

The_Bullman

Not sure if this is the right forum for this but I think you guys would know the answer.


I've been playing with the osi historical mapping page and I've been fascinated by the changes in my locality. One of which is what I believe to be a few roads down to the sea which go back 200 years. From talking to older generations they used to use them for collecting seaweed for use as fertiliser on crops.

I'm curious if they ceased to be roads or if they ever were. Can I walk down them? Or where can I find out.

Thanks.

sydthebeat

The_Bullman wrote: »

Not sure if this is the right forum for this but I think you guys would know the answer.


I've been playing with the osi historical mapping page and I've been fascinated by the changes in my locality. One of which is what I believe to be a few roads down to the sea which go back 200 years. From talking to older generations they used to use them for collecting seaweed for use as fertiliser on crops.

I'm curious if they ceased to be roads or if they ever were. Can I walk down them? Or where can I find out.

Thanks.

Are you asking if you have permission to use these?

If they are not obviously public carriageways, then they are most likely private lands so youd be at the mercy of the permission of the landowner

GerardKeating

The_Bullman wrote: »

I'm curious if they ceased to be roads or if they ever were. Can I walk down them? Or where can I find out.

Well firstly, do they still exist, if they road do not appear on the current maps, or have been blocked off, then no, you probabily cannot use them

MrMusician18

sydthebeat wrote: »

Are you asking if you have permission to use these?

If they are not obviously public carriageways, then they are most likely private lands so youd be at the mercy of the permission of the landowner

That's not always the case. Public rights of way can exist on private lands.

sydthebeat

MrMusician18 wrote: »

That's not always the case. Public rights of way can exist on private lands.

That's why I said mostly.

Also, while not ever right of way is registered, you can check landdirect.ie to see where rights of way are.

And again, a land owner who gives permission for walkers to use tracks can also remove that permission if they want to

Long story short.... Contact the landowner if you want to explore these areas.

The_Bullman

The road/laneways appear on osi maps, land direct, and google maps.

One is gated, but not locked close to the road and there is a gate out to the beach at the sea end. Again, not locked.

I'm more curious about the laneway than anything. Was it ever a public road? Did it have a public right of way at one time? Did the houses(now disused) have a right of way? Or was it just the grace of the landowners along the lane? Why did this lane not become a full road when others did? Questions like that.

As I said - probably not the right forum for this but thought you guys might know where to find answers. I was thinking of giving the roads section in the council a call to see if they know more.

Thanks again

The_Bullman

Minor update..

I was talking to a farmer who has a field halfway down the lane. He says that it's a public right of way.

Dudda

You've your answer but I'm posting this for other's who may come across this thread with a similar question.

Go to the landdirect.ie website. Proceed as guest and find the site or road. If it's registered on the website you purchase the folio which will only cost you €5 to get it emailed to you. Then you'll be able to see the full history of ownership and all rights of way. This will state if any rights of way exist and if they are private or public rights of way. This is the only way you can be 100% sure.