Together with the neighbouring villages of Laytown, Bettystown and Mornington, it comprises the urban area of Laytown–Bettystown–Mornington–Donacarney with a combined population of 15,642 at the 2022 census.

[1] Donacarney, or Duuenacharny, was recorded as part of Mornington in a 'Charter of Walter de Lacy reciting and confirming a grant made by Hugh his father of various churches & lands in Ireland’ in 1230–1234.

It was in the possession of the Augustinian Abbey at Colp, (a cell of Llanthony Priory in Monmouthshire) but held and run separate from the manor by a tenant.

The trial was commenced in November 1743 by a plea of trespass and ejectment taken against the Richard, Earl of Anglesey for 1,500 acres of the lands of Great and Little Stameen, Little Donacarney, Shallon &c. in the County of Meath, by Campbell Craig for those lands leased to him in May 1742 to him by James Annesley, Esq.

In 1799 a local respectable farmer named Laurence Murray was robbed by banditti who surrounded the house and broke open the door.

They declared "We are not robbers, but patriots; and it is but just that the opulent should contribute to support us, who thus venture ours lives for the good of the country".

The red-bricked building, beside the forge and old village water pump at Donacarney Cross, now serves as a community centre.