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

Topgear on Dave · 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:

Why is Dolly's Grove airfield so private?

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