Located in Tullaroe, near Querrin, the structure is one of the last surviving examples of traditional mud housing in Ireland. Clare County Council has cited “road safety” concerns as the reason for its planned removal and stated that a survey of the building is currently underway ahead of deconstruction.

The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from locals, many of whom took to the council’s Facebook page to voice their opposition.

“In a time when our heritage is vanishing fast, it’s heartbreaking to see a structure like this not preserved,” one commenter wrote. “Why can’t the road go around it?”

Constructed in the early 19th century, the house was continuously occupied from 1827 until the death of Johnnie McNamara in 1981, who lived there until the age of 95. According to Clare County Council, records show that in 1901, the modest home sheltered a family of 11.

Historian Paddy Waldron, quoted in the council’s statement, highlighted the site’s cultural and historical value. “I’ve brought many tour groups here over the years, including a large international delegation during the 2013 National Famine Commemoration,” he said. “They were moved by seeing firsthand how Ireland’s mud houses, once abandoned after the Great Hunger, often disappeared completely into the earth.”

Archaeologist Dave Pollock added: “There are very few of these mud houses still standing. Some may remain inhabited but are indistinguishable from the stone cottages beside them.”

In response to the demolition plan, a local event titled An Evening of Reminiscing was held last night at Myles Creek, O’Curry Street in Kilkee.