In the 40 years between 1900 and 1940 Navan Urban District Council built over 300 houses for the residents of the town. 

Starting with O’Growney Terrace in 1903 and continuing through to Parnell Park and McDermott Villas, just before the outbreak of World War II in 1939, living conditions for many in the town were transformed. Small, often thatched, cottages were demolished, and new terraces and estates were built to replace them. By 1940, almost 40% of the town’s population lived in houses built by the council and, many decades later, they continue to represent both a valuable resources for the town and an important part of our heritage.

This project aims to tell the story of the transformation of the town’s housing stock in the first half of the 20th century. The project will outline how the Council tackled this housing crisis with state support, first with funding from the British government, up to 1914 and then, in the 1930s with the support of the Free State government, a further 160 were built.

The records of the Navan UDC are a key source for the project and from them it is possible to compile lists of the first tenants of many of these houses; lists which will be of interest to many of their descendants who are currently resident of the town.

Navan & District Historical Society will host a talk on this subject during Heritage Week. Details to follow.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.