Plans by President Mrs McAleese to build a new house in Co Roscommon ran into opposition tonight.
Mrs McAleese has been told her plans for a two-storey house on the banks of Lough Eidin have been rejected on the grounds of visual impact and other environmental considerations.
The directive was issued by An Bord Pleanala after an appeal lodged by An Taisce in respect of plans submitted by the president's husband, Mr Martin McAleese.
The board overruled Roscommon County Council by declaring that the building, which would have a lakeside jetty, would be visually intrusive and contravene a development plan aimed at protecting an area of ornithological and ecological importance.
There was no comment on the decision today from Áras an Uachtaráin.
Although there was some welcome for the move, a Roscommon radio station was swamped with calls from locals opposing the planning authority ruling and who welcomed the idea of having the President as a neighbour.
Local parliamentary representative and former minister for justice Mr Sean Doherty said: "I am absolutely devastated and appalled by this.
"We are proud that the President of Ireland has her family roots in this county and the fact that this should have happened is a devastating blow."
PA