Why is Dolly's Grove airfield so private?

Gaoth Laidir · 02-02-2021 9:53pm #1

I've always had the impression that Dolly's Grove airfield (north of Maynooth) is a bit of an outlier in that visitors are most definitely not welcome. With a 700-metre asphalted runway it's fairly unique as private airfields go, but compare it to Kilrush (Kildare, EIKH), where you're welcomed with open arms.

I was just messing around on Google maps now and spotted it. I zoomed in on Streetview to find that have it blanked out. I've only ever seen that with military locations (e.g. look at Custume Barracks in Athlone), so what's the big secret with it? I'm not saying there's anything to hide and I know that probably anybody can request privacy from Google Streetview (correct?) but as Irish airfields go it a bit odd.

elbyrneo · 02-02-2021 9:55pm

Gaoth Laidir wrote: »

I've always had the impression that Dolly's Grove airfield (north of Maynooth) is a bit of an outlier in that visitors are most definitely not welcome. With a 700-metre asphalted runway it's fairly unique as private airfields go, but compare it to Kilrush (Kildare, EIKH), where you're welcomed with open arms.

I was just messing around on Google maps now and spotted it. I zoomed in on Streetview to find that have it blanked out. I've only ever seen that with military locations (e.g. look at Custume Barracks in Athlone), so what's the big secret with it? I'm not saying there's anything to hide and I know that probably anybody can request privacy from Google Streetview (correct?) but as Irish airfields go it a bit odd.

I'm fairly sure it's area 51.5

mloc123 · 02-02-2021 9:58pm

Gaoth Laidir wrote: »

I've always had the impression that Dolly's Grove airfield (north of Maynooth) is a bit of an outlier in that visitors are most definitely not welcome. With a 700-metre asphalted runway it's fairly unique as private airfields go, but compare it to Kilrush (Kildare, EIKH), where you're welcomed with open arms.

I was just messing around on Google maps now and spotted it. I zoomed in on Streetview to find that have it blanked out. I've only ever seen that with military locations (e.g. look at Custume Barracks in Athlone), so what's the big secret with it? I'm not saying there's anything to hide and I know that probably anybody can request privacy from Google Streetview (correct?) but as Irish airfields go it a bit odd.

It had no planning permission is one issue. It was the centre of some news stories a couple of years ago... Mainly because at the time the owners involment in vulture funds evicting people etc.. if you Google Richard Larkin airstrip you'll find a handful of articles.

Atlantic Dawn · 02-02-2021 10:00pm

Satellite shows a bit...
https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.42196,-6.5487173,128m/data=!3m1!1e3

MAULBROOK · 02-02-2021 10:04pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Satellite shows a bit...
https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.42196,-6.5487173,128m/data=!3m1!1e3

The one on the left is no Cessna. very interesting

Gaoth Laidir · 02-02-2021 10:04pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Satellite shows a bit...
https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.42196,-6.5487173,128m/data=!3m1!1e3

Yes, I saw that, but it seems that even military enclosures are also visible from the air. It's just strange that this is not from the road.

blackbox · 02-02-2021 10:05pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Satellite shows a bit...
https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.42196,-6.5487173,128m/data=!3m1!1e3

Is that a Harrier parked there?

scudzilla · 02-02-2021 10:06pm

MAULBROOK wrote: »

The one on the left is no Cessna. very interesting

Looks like a Harrier?

Gaoth Laidir · 02-02-2021 10:08pm

scudzilla wrote: »

Looks like a Harrier?

From here.

Tzardine · 02-02-2021 10:12pm

It is quite weird alright that the airstrip is blurred out on street view.

https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.4217111,-6.5516622,3a,75y,55.52h,80.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1szUKEPlT3mu0flVJ0c8gC7Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

stampydmonkey · 02-02-2021 10:17pm

blackbox wrote: »

Is that a Harrier parked there?

Great for blasting down to the shops. Parks like a dream

Gaoth Laidir · 02-02-2021 10:19pm

A better photo of the runway. Looks like a fine spot. No wonder they want to keep it to themselves. The TBM700 regularly flies out of there and heads to the UK.

Oscar Bravo · 02-02-2021 10:19pm

Theres a beautiful TBM 700 based there. N700EL

banie01 · 02-02-2021 10:20pm

stampydmonkey wrote: »

Great for blasting down to the shops. Parks like a dream

Won it on that Pepsi true lies competition back in the day

Gaoth Laidir · 02-02-2021 10:28pm

Oscar Bravo wrote: »

Theres a beautiful TBM 700 based there. N700EL

Lockdown? What lockdown?

https://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/N700EL

Psychlops · 02-02-2021 11:16pm

blackbox wrote: »

Is that a Harrier parked there?

Lovely Harrier, I thought Sea Harrier due to the nose.

Psychlops · 02-02-2021 11:17pm

MAULBROOK wrote: »

The one on the left is no Cessna. very interesting

Harrier & also a Delfin. I wonder is that the Delfin that was at Cork for a time.

goingnowhere · 02-02-2021 11:40pm

stampydmonkey wrote: »

Great for blasting down to the shops. Parks like a dream

Its a Harrier alright, GR3, XZ995. Strange pointy nose is a give away.

There was a guy in the US who owned a number of serviceable Harriers privately and was fully licensed to fly them. No need for a runway...

Gooser14 · 02-02-2021 11:50pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote:

Satellite shows a bit...

Is that an ex RAF Harrier aircraft on the pan?

02-02-2021 11:50pm

Tzardine wrote: »

It is quite weird alright that the airstrip is blurred out on street view.

https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.4217111,-6.5516622,3a,75y,55.52h,80.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1szUKEPlT3mu0flVJ0c8gC7Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Anyone can request that their property is blurred out on Streetview.

vicwatson · 03-02-2021 1:39am

Gaoth Laidir wrote: »

Lockdown? What lockdown?

https://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/N700EL

Wtaf

03-02-2021 1:50am

vicwatson wrote: »

Wtaf

Lockdown LOL

Planning laws LOL

Asking why its carefully kept as private as possible - Double LOL

Stovepipe · 03-02-2021 1:58am

Well,if it's got an identifier EIDG, then the IAA have approved it, so it's legal in their eyes. Some Planning officers might have a different view but that would be an ecumenical matter.

Atlantic Dawn · 03-02-2021 2:00am

The voyrus can't infect you in Lourdes :pac:

Dr Turk Turkelton · 03-02-2021 2:01am

Would a private plane landing at a private airfield have to undergo any customs checks?
<MOD Snip>

sheesh · 03-02-2021 2:03am

vicwatson wrote: »

Wtaf

tbm7 factory in Tarbes is there a possibility that it is not the same tbm7 and they are doing servicing of that particular type of plane

or going to lourdes

or skiing

DaveyDave · 03-02-2021 3:35am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Anyone can request that their property is blurred out on Streetview.

My brother in law done it to his house for the craic and they wouldn't reverse it

mr.anonymous · 03-02-2021 8:59am

Stovepipe wrote: »

Well,if it's got an identifier EIDG, then the IAA have approved it, so it's legal in their eyes. Some Planning officers might have a different view but that would be an ecumenical matter.

Thought that would also mean they had it in the AIP but it's not there.

basill · 03-02-2021 11:33am

In many other countries this persons success would be seen as a positive and provide something for others to strive towards.

Tzardine · 03-02-2021 12:01pm

basill wrote: »

In many other countries this persons success would be seen as a positive and provide something for others to strive towards.

Do you mean the success of building something without planning permission and getting away with it?

LiamaDelta · 03-02-2021 1:35pm

Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: »

Would a private plane landing at a private airfield have to undergo any customs checks?
<MOD Snip>

Check with Weston. Historically speaking:pac:

basill · 03-02-2021 2:11pm

Tzardine wrote: »

Do you mean the success of building something without planning permission and getting away with it?

You seemed to have missed completely my point which is sad. If as you suggest that this man conducted an illegal act then that would be for the courts to decide and not for Boards.ie. There are remedies that the planning agencies have such as reverting land/buildings to their original use. But the fact remains that the airfield is still there and has been for a significant period of time.

Tzardine · 03-02-2021 2:30pm

basill wrote: »

You seemed to have missed completely my point which is sad. If as you suggest that this man conducted an illegal act then that would be for the courts to decide and not for Boards.ie. There are remedies that the planning agencies have such as reverting land/buildings to their original use. But the fact remains that the airfield is still there and has been for a significant period of time.

I didnt miss your point, I poked fun at it because it was irrelevant.

You might want to actually look up the details of the case before you type the nonsense like above. It is well established that the runway was build without permission.

cnocbui · 03-02-2021 3:13pm

This is a very interesting thread, glad I found it, because I am trying to sell a property where modifying an existing house might be problemeatic for a prospective buyer because it's in a SAC so it's unlikely planning permission would be forthcoming. This shows that if you have money, just do it and no one is likely to notice or do anything.

green123 · 03-02-2021 3:20pm

cnocbui wrote: »

This is a very interesting thread, glad I found it, because I am trying to sell a property where modifying an existing house might be problemeatic for a prospective buyer because it's in a SAC so it's unlikely planning permission would be forthcoming. This shows that if you have money, just do it and no one is likely to notice or do anything.

Is it true that if it is in place for 7 years then nothing can be done?

mr.anonymous · 03-02-2021 3:26pm

basill wrote: »

In many other countries this persons success would be seen as a positive and provide something for others to strive towards.

Maybe if begrudgery wasn't such a popular Irish pastime

cnocbui · 03-02-2021 3:50pm

green123 wrote: »

Is it true that if it is in place for 7 years then nothing can be done?

I don't know, that's what I would like to know, as my own situation is such that I doubt the council would find out about modifications to the house within 7 years of them being done.

The One Doctor · 03-02-2021 4:24pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

The voyrus can't infect you in Lourdes :pac:

Lourdes Tarbes is where TBMs are built and maintained.

Looks like a Sea Harrier (completely unflyable) and an L29 Delfin (same).

cnocbui · 03-02-2021 4:45pm

Was the Harrier flown there, or was it trucked in. Hard to imagine the latter wouldn't have been a logistical event that would have gone unnoticed.

Good thing for them VRT based on CO2 emmisions wasn't an issue.

marieholmfan · 03-02-2021 4:47pm

basill wrote: »

In many other countries this persons success would be seen as a positive and provide something for others to strive towards.

Richard Larkin's success is getting money from his dada.

His dada gives him money but Richie Rich isn't allowed to lie in and be lazy!

Richie has to be ready to work by 11:30 AM at the latest and he has to work until 3:30 PM at the earliest!

In passing this family cost the Irish people millions via NAMA.

RandRuns · 03-02-2021 5:14pm

green123 wrote: »

Is it true that if it is in place for 7 years then nothing can be done?

Not exactly (though kinda in practice). In essence, an unauthorised development is still an unauthorised development after 7 years, but you cannot be served with an enforcement action after 7 years.

Which means that, if you can get away with it for 7 years, they can't make you knock it down, but it still isn't exactly legal - so getting a fire cert, selling it etc. can be a grey area.
You can apply for retention after 7 years, and in most cases, they give it (because there's not much else they can do).

For the development mentioned in this thread, I doubt they'll give a sh1te, because it's for their own use, so the 7 year rule gets them nicely off the hook.

Gaoth Laidir · 03-02-2021 9:02pm

RandRuns wrote: »

Not exactly (though kinda in practice). In essence, an unauthorised development is still an unauthorised development after 7 years, but you cannot be served with an enforcement action after 7 years.

Which means that, if you can get away with it for 7 years, they can't make you knock it down, but it still isn't exactly legal - so getting a fire cert, selling it etc. can be a grey area.
You can apply for retention after 7 years, and in most cases, they give it (because there's not much else they can do).

For the development mentioned in this thread, I doubt they'll give a sh1te, because it's for their own use, so the 7 year rule gets them nicely off the hook.

But sure if you build an extension on your house or a garden shed it too is only for your own use, but we all have to get permission.

It's still unclear why the runway is blocked out on Streetview.

Psychlops · 03-02-2021 9:31pm

goingnowhere wrote: »

Its a Harrier alright, GR3, XZ995. Strange pointy nose is a give away.

There was a guy in the US who owned a number of serviceable Harriers privately and was fully licensed to fly them. No need for a runway...

I thought it was a Sea Harrier first.

Psychlops · 03-02-2021 9:34pm

Any idea if that is the Delfin that was based at Cork for a time?

BeardySi · 03-02-2021 9:37pm

Gaoth Laidir wrote: »

But sure if you build an extension on your house or a garden shed it too is only for your own use, but we all have to get permission.

It's still unclear why the runway is blocked out on Streetview.

Because they probably asked for it to be. As was said upthread, you can request that your property be removed from streetview. It's not some grand conspiracy...

listermint · 03-02-2021 9:38pm

marieholmfan wrote: »

Richard Larkin's success is getting money from his dada.

His dada gives him money but Richie Rich isn't allowed to lie in and be lazy!

Richie has to be ready to work by 11:30 AM at the latest and he has to work until 3:30 PM at the earliest!

In passing this family cost the Irish people millions via NAMA.

How dare you not doff your cap to your betters.

Begrudgers is all you are doff your cap like your should.....

Scoff scoff scoff. Success .. or some other jazz...

Psychlops · 03-02-2021 9:40pm

Quick search says the Delfin at Dollys Grove is the Delfin from Cork, it is ES-YLK.

duskyjoe · 03-02-2021 9:49pm

would I be out of line to think that this thread has lapsed into kangaroo court ? I haven’t a clue who this man is Mr Larkin, but he’s getting a solid turn over here imo

Gaoth Laidir · 03-02-2021 10:04pm

BeardySi wrote: »

Because they probably asked for it to be. As was said upthread, you can request that your property be removed from streetview. It's not some grand conspiracy...

I never said it was a conspiracy. Let me rephrase my comment then; I wonder why they asked for it to be blocked.

LXFlyer · 03-02-2021 10:09pm

Gaoth Laidir wrote: »

I never said it was a conspiracy. Let me rephrase my comment then; I wonder why they asked for it to be blocked.

As above anyone can do it for whatever reason they want.

It’s entirely up to the person concerned.

The simple answer is they wanted it blocked. Without being a mind reader, you aren’t going to get any more information.

TheBoyConor · 03-02-2021 10:54pm

Why would a Sea Harrier be unflyable? Unflyable compared to a regular Harrier? Or just in general.

I'm surprised he would be allowed to keep a British weapon like that here. Do you think it is legally held or illegal? Or de facto legal due him being a cowboy developer and the state wouldn't dare touch him?

Why is Dolly's Grove airfield so private?

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