15 replies to this topic

[Pema]

Hi all, I am new here and already a big fan of this site!  

I wanted to let everyone know about the big debate going on regarding the Hill of Tara in County Meath, Ireland. They are trying to construct a road that will pass very close to the Hill, and will destroy many archaeological sites by so doing. All archaeologists, academics, and historical preservationists are against this, but the decision to build the road rests solely with the Minister of the Environment, who is looking to the commuters for votes.

If you are interested in reading about the court case that has been going on and other information about the issue, go to: http://www.hilloftara.info/
You can sign a petition, join a website which is activist-based, and find out how to write letters to the Irish newspapers. The website, http://groups.yahoo....oup/hilloftara/, has about 500 international members now and we need as many people as possible to make some clout.

So, hope to see you there!
Thanks, and sorry if this has already been written about elsewhere--
Pema

[Diego]

Hi Pema and welcome to our website. We strongly support the protection of the archaeological areas near the Hill of Tara, and of course your suggestions and links are very welcome.
In the past few years we covered thoroughly the subject with our Archaeo News bulletin and webpage. Here is a list of the last 10 articles we published about Tara:

• Tara motorway campaigner is hit with costs for court battle
  
• Court defeat clears way for motorway near Tara
  
• High Court decision day in M3-Tara case is 1st March
  
• M3 case opens in Irish High Court
  
• Divisions emerges in Tara Valley campaign
  
• Campaigners unveil alternative route away from Tara
  
• Tara Day
  
• Permission to challenge Tara Hill motorway plans
  
• Academics plan motorway protest at Tara
  
• Rows over protection of Tara

[Pema]

Hi Diego! Thanks for answering. It's great to know that you have been tracking the Tara situation for a while, and now I know to read Archeo News (I didn't even know it existed, what a treat!!). I am not an experienced activist myself in fact, so I hope to be able to take cues here as about what to do about a situation long-distance. The Tara group has asked us to encourage as many new members to the group as possible, so I thought this would be a good site to spread the word, even if it is preaching to the converted.
I will take pleasure in reading through the material you have here. Thanks again.
Pema

[Bettina]

EMERGENCY AT TARA

For the last two days workers for the road authority and their contractors were instructed to physically intimidate a few protestors on three sites on route of the controversial motorway, where archaeological findings like the new wooden henge have been made recently. The protestors were blocking access to heavy machinery. It seems, that the time of unavailable politicians in the next days is deliberately used to destroy those finding, so the motorway can go ahead, even if a new government should decide to re-route.


Irish Times, Thursday 24 May 2007
M3 protesters claim bones visible
Tim O'Brien
Conservationists protesting at the site of the proposed M3 motorway in
Co Meath yesterday claimed ancient gravestones have been dumped in piles
of topsoil and bones were visible in excavated spoil from the route of
the motorway.
The claims were rejected by the National Roads Authority (NRA).
Six conservationists, some of whom are part of a vigil camp near
Dunshaughlin yesterday postponed their blockade of a construction
compound, concentrating instead on a known ancient burial ground at
Collierstown. A conservationist who did not want to be identified said
she had been "trying for a week to get the NRA to do something about the
gravestones".
She said human and animal bones have been identified at the Collierstown
cemetery as part of the archaeological excavations. But she insisted
that stones which had been used to line the graves were now visible
piled in heaps beside hard core, in spoil and lying about exposed to the
elements.
She also maintained "bones are visible in the topsoil, in spoil and
around the graves. She said she had removed a number of bones to give to
the National Museum.
However, the NRA chief archaeologist Mary Deevey said the claims
represented typical "misinformation".
She said the excavation had identified the burial ground as far back as
2004 and excavations began in earnest in 2005. Some 50 burials had been
identified in circular enclosures. The entire site had been hand
excavated and all human bones were removed. She said there were no
headstones and the gravestones referred to by the conservationist would
have been stones used to line the graves. While these were recorded
through photography and drawing, and any decorated stones saved,
"ordinary" stones were simply set aside if they were not wanted by the
National Museum.
Regarding bones she said they were most likely animal bones. She
maintained any field in Ireland would yield animal bones "But this site
was excavated by hand. The human bones were removed. I think what the
conservationist was seeing was simply animal bones."
Ms Deevey said the site was thought to be early Christian, dating from
the sixth or seventh centuries and in use for about 150 years. "The
burials were laid on their backs and aligned east- west, which suggests
a Christian burial", she said.

Please see Indymedia: http://www.indymedia...e#comment195233

Attached Files

•  bones_found_23_05_07.jpg   61.96K   5 downloads

[FourWinds]

Hi Bettina

Although I'm no expert, your 'bones' appear to be cattle teeth. Most of them are almost certainly teeth and judging by the size I'd say they're bovine.

[Bettina]

Four Winds,

You are probably right.
I had to forward this message, although I am not at the Tara site myself. But my understanding of the situation is, that when the line can't be drawn at Tara and the controversial motorway is aloud to go ahead over this very important site, then there is no hope for any other heritage site in Ireland, including Grianan Aileach.
As I posted this, messages and emails went out calling for help and people did get hurt (nothing serious) preventing the destruction of one site within the complex of Tara, although no goverment decision has been taken yet, how to proceed and work was halted after the discovery of the henge.

And it seems, that a new souterrain complex has been found (forwarding message):

Call to action: protectors required on Monday morning from 6am - this is
really important.
You can get the exact location from the Vigil keepers 086 - 1758557
Members of the Campaign to Save Tara and the Solidarity Vigil have
discovered another underground structure between the sites of
Collierstown and Roestown while scouting the Valley sites on Saturday
26th May. This is a possible new souterrain complex
It is right in the middle of the route of the proposed motorway, at a 45
degree angle and what is visible is about 30 feet long. This was
revealed when the construction workers were using heavy machinery for
stripping topsoil in preparation for the hard core of the road. There is
no archaeological activity in the area.
On the advice of an independent archaeologist the National Museum will
be informed immediately. There will be a full occupation of the complex
until the Museum people arrive. This is the section of the motorway
project that was defended by conservationists during the past week.
Without this action this latest find would now be covered by hard core.
Perhaps this discovery explains why construction workers were so heavy
handed with the conservationists on Tuesday last in particular. There
confrontations happened close to these scenes photographs by the press.
Did the NRA realise that there was something to hide here?

http://www.indymedia...e#comment195573

[FourWinds]

I shall be up around Rath Lugh either Friday night or Saturday afternoon. I shall call in and take a look.

I am hoping that documenting it on my website, www.megalithomania.com, I shall help raise the profile of the new sites. The website gets 500,000 hits a month, so it might help :-)

Thanks for posting the update, I'd missed that one.

[Bettina]

Four Winds,

I hope, you are able to read this before you leave for Rath Lugh.
The following are messages from a couple of websites for Tara:

From yesterday
Hi everyone,

Archaeological works are taking place today at Lismullen henge, the
newly discovered national monument in the pathway of the M3 motorway,
in the Tara-Skryne Valley. In particular, archaeologists are removing
the remains of a massive dog, which appears to be an Irish Wolfhound,
found fully intact in the vicinity of the enclosure.

Up to a dozen archaeolgists were recorded working on the Lismullen site
today by TaraWatch monitors, who are stationed nearby on a 24-hour
basis.

TaraWatch is engaged in a Monuments Watch program of round-the-clock
monitoring, while other members are taking legal advice. These works
appear to be in violation of the order given by Minister Roche, as well
as the National Monuments Act, section 14, which requires that all work
cease when a national monument is discovered during the course of
roadbuilding, until the Minister gives new Diredctions.

Reports are being made reguarly to World Monuments Watch,
http://www.wmf.org the New York based heritage organsiation that is
currently considering TaraWatch's nomination of the Hill of Tara to the
List of 100 Most Endangered Sites, published every two years. A
decision is expected in early June, and funding could be made available
for a legal challenge to protect the site, if successful.

Supplies are being sent to our watch station from different parts of
Ireland and abroad and can be delivered to a local address. If you want
to send something, please email us at info@tarawatch.org Call
087-972-8603

In addition, we are actively planning our Summer Solstice Celebration
on Tara. Poets and musicians are needed, as are volunteers to asist
with events. For more information please visit:
http://www.myspace.c...mersolsticetara

http://www.tarawatch.org

From today
TARA SOS


Pass this message on to all message boards to which you belong please.
Message from the Vigil Keepers:
They are moving into Soldiers Hill. The Valley is getting hit at all
angles.
What they destroy is lost forever. We can stop this but not alone.
This is Tara's most sacred Valley. We must hold them off until a new
Government is formed.
They will go through a National Monument. Please send help and spread
the word. SOS TO ALL.
Vigil phone number: 086-1758557

Statement from Campaign to Save Tara

Construction machinery moves to Castletown, Tara
As a result of the restrictions placed on construction workers in the areas of Collierstown and Baronstown the huge machines are now moving to Tara itself. There are construction machines moving to both sides of the N3 at the point where the proposed M3 would cross the existing road and where the huge interchange is planned at Blundelstown. This interchange is seen by all opposed to this route as being the worst possible part of the planned M3.
There are huge cement pipes being delivered to the archaeological sites of Castletown, Tara where there were kilns and flints found. These pipes are designed to culvert the Gabhra River. But Colliertown and Baronstown are still in danger.
There are more workers in the valley than there have been at any other time. All the machinery is lined up at Roestown and is probably intended for this area that is also very close to the restricted protection area of the henge at Lismullin.
This part of the motorway route is beside Garlow Cross and it is known locally as Soldier’s Hill. Apparently, the last stand taken by the rebels of 1798 was taken at the Gabhra Bridge and close by is the road known as Hangman’s Mile where they were hung on each side of the road.
Debbie Reilly, one of the conservationists, said: “If the interchange is built in this area not only will Tara’s landscape be destroyed but this more recent history will disappear under concrete. These local place names will have no location or context anymore”.
Link to photographs, these include aerial shots of Baronstown and Collierstown still intact: http://s168.photobuc...temair/...hots/
This is the damage done this week to these sites; http://s168.photobuc...temair/...2007/
Feel free to use these photographs. Please credit Paula Geraghty with the aerial shots.
For verification: Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin 087-9249510
Vigil Phone number for on-site information: 086-1758557

PS The ground photograph is not very good but the brown area is one of the archaeological sites. The top of the Hill is fully visible at the back. This site is on the slope running down from the top of the Hill. This is the area of the planned interchange.
Included also the NRA map of the interchange and the aerial shot with the motorway track superimposed.


Following negotiation with the gatekeepers, all heavy machinery
has now been removed from the Soldier Hill area on both sides of the N3.

The gardai visited and took names, dates of birth, and contact details for all the protestors.
Despite objections from the protestors, a company representative who was also present
filmed these details being given. The protestors were told they would be arrested if they
refused to give their details in spite of them being recorded by the construction crew.

A local supporter also refused to give her details until the construction observer withdrew
at which point the garda requested him to move back. The garda left shortly afterwards.

While this was happening, more machinery attempted to reenter the graveyard at Collierstown.
This was also blocked and has now retreated as far as Trevet, the location of the covered tunnel
discovered last week. According to an independent archaeologist who visited the area with
some of the protestors, this now seems to be an 18th/19th century culvert.

The negotiation of this withdrawal from Collierstown included the protestors facilitating engineers to take soil samples in controlled areas.

A visiting construction manager was overheard saying on the phone that they
should buy up all the machinery in the Auto Trader magazine. What is the rush?
What do these companies have to fear from a newly formed government?

This is a big deal - this destruction must be put on hold at least until a new government is formed,
and a formal decision is made.

:-
Vigil Phone number for on-site information: 086-1758557
Text your support if you can't be there!


http://www.indymedia.ie/article/82708

[lilggsdad]

Further monument find on M3 - campaigners
Saturday, 23 June 2007 08:43
Campaigners seeking the re-routing of the M3 claim that another significant archaeological find has been located during preliminary work on the motorway.

TaraWatch says two underground structures, including passage-ways, have been identified 80 metres from the National Monument at Lismullen, close to the Hill of Tara.

Spokesman Vincent Salafia said the find was made last week and while it was not as old as the pre-historic henge at Lismullen, he believed it was also a National Monument.

AdvertisementThe Lismullen site was controversial as outgoing Environment Minister Dick Roche ordered, just before leaving office, that it be examined and the motorway be built on top of it.

The current Minister, John Gormley, has been reviewing the file and is expected to make some form of statement next week.

Members of TaraWatch are now camped close to new find.

A similar find, with six chambers, was identified during earlier work on the M3.


We shall hopefully have more news later .
daz

[Bettina]

PRESS RELEASE – CAMPAIGN TO SAVE TARA

BARONSTOWN MONUMENT DESTROYED UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS

The huge archaeological monument of Baronstown, a possible candidate for
a National Monument, was destroyed in the early hours of Wednesday 4th
July when machinery moved onto the site at 4am. When protesters arrived
at 6am the entire site had been completely razed to the ground. This was
an extraordinary site described recently by archaeologist Joe Fenwick as
a “multi-period, archaeological complex” that was much more extensive
than the declared National Monument of Lismullin.

According to documents seen by the Campaign to Save Tara Baronstown had
been recommended for National Monument status a number of months ago by
archaeologists on-site, but that this was rejected by the NRA chief
archaeologist and former Minister for Enviroment Dick Roche.
Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin said: “That they are destroying our heritage
under cover of darkness says it all. We demand that the Government calls
a moratorium on all construction work in the Gabhra Valley at least
until the new committee convened by Minister John Gormley has submitted
its deliberations and until the EU Petitions Committee who visited Tara
also submit their report.”

Michael Canney said: "We have been urging Minister Gormley to review the
documentation regarding the whole archeological project in the Tara
Valley. If he had taken our advise perhaps another piece of our
irreplaceable national heritage would not have been bulldozed. No
previous administration or directives can be blamed for this latest
disgrace."

In another development, local residents in the Trevet area are convening
a public meeting to raise the issue of construction noise at night as
well as the effect that the work is having on the quality of local
drinking water despite the assurances they received that this would not
happen.
Meanwhile at other sites in the Valley, where construction has been
severely hampered by daily protests the atmosphere is becoming more
tense.

Debbie O’Reilly a local protester said: “The chairman of SIAC, Dublin
solicitor Ciaran Feighery was on hand at the construction site today and
witnessed first hand an assault of protesters by construction workers.
Being a man of the law we expect that when he is called upon in court to
testify to this assault he will do so honestly.”

http://www.savetara.com
An aerial photo of Baronstown here:
http://s168.photobuc...u...ril aerial
shots/
Also see photographs of previous damage.
Feel free to use the photographs - if using aerial shots please credit
Paula Geraghty

Destruction at Baronstown on Indymedia: http://www.indymedia.ie/article/83306

[Bettina]

Work has started to dismantle the henge found earlier this year at Lismullen on the path of the M3 motorway. It had been declared a National monument.

http://www.rte.ie/ne.../0807/tara.html

"Excavation work at the national monument found in the path of the M3 motorway has begun.
Archaeologists began preliminary work on the site this morning after protestors who had blocked their way were moved aside.
The stand-off began on the road leading to the Lismullen site at around 7.30am. A group of around 20 protestors linked arms and refused to let vehicles pass onto the site.
Gardaí from Navan were called and after a discussion, the protestors stood aside and let the vehicles and the archaeologists pass.
Protestors maintained a vigil at the scene for around three hours before dispersing.
Protestors claim the excavation of the site and its 'preservation by record' amounts to destruction, which they say is illegal under EU law. The Department of the Environment disputes the claim.
The site at Lismullen consists of the remains of two large circular enclosures. It was originally made from wood but that has since rotted away leaving visible marks in the soil."

For further information:
http://www.savetara.com/

[discordian]

The site at Lismullin is clearly not worth preserving at this stage and in fact is in danger of flooding out of existence. Leave the archaeologists alone and focus on changing the nature of assessment - the archaeologists are just doing their jobs. There is no point protesting the scientific excavation of a site that will disappear if it is not properly recorded and excavated and rescued! Otherwise all the information will be lost. Yes the route is wrong in terms of cultural heritage but Lismullin is not going to be left in situ - OH! and to say that it will be demolished is disingenuous - the site was demolished long ago - there is nothing upstanding anymore - it will not be demolished - it will be excavated and recorded to the highest standards - Conor Newman and the recent comittee appointed by the DEHLG will ensure that this is the case.

[Bettina]

September, 12

from Indymedia.ie
Blockading Heritage Destruction.

SOS Tara
Urgent Help
Tara Co. Meath .
Friends Of Tara,

Urgent call for support at Lismullin Henge. Contractors have moved in heavy machinery onto Archaeology site to divert the Sacred Gabhra River. SOS. Your help needed now.

Thank you.

Vigil Ph : 0861758557

Statement from CST
Statement – Campaign to Save Tara
– Diggers close to the new national monument of Lismullin

The Campaign to Save Tara has learned that there is an attempt at construction by the NRA at Rath Lugh and Lismullin on the route of the M3.

This afternoon, diggers and lorries moved in at both ends of the new national monument and at Rath Lugh, a promentary fort and outpost of the Tara landscape. There are attempts being made to re-route the Gabhra River. Protesters have stopped the work by mounting the diggers. It is reported that the machines are within 50 metres of the national monument.

This is happening as the Petitions Committee is to meet tomorrow (13th September) and as the Government is due to respond to the EU’s reasoned opinion (final warning). The EU maintains that the Irish Government should have carried out another Environmental Impact Assessment when the new monument was discovered. This was not done.

The NRA and the Department of Transport are acting in advance of what may happen in Europe. Ireland cannot cherry pick the EU laws that they wish to adhere to. There is a history of such premature activity in the past as when trees were cut down in the dark in January. The monument at Baronstown was destroyed in the middle of the night in July just before documents released by Minister Gormley revealed that Dr Pat Wallace of the National Museum believed that it was as important as the monument at Lismullin.



Related Link: http://www.savetara.com


M3 Works Close-in on Lismullin National Monument
An Emergency Situation is developing at the Lismullin Site where Construction Works to Divert the Gabhra River have Seriously Breached the 250m Exclusion Zone of the National Monument.
Heavy machinery and gravel lorries moved in to the Lismullin site this afternoon to begin works to divert the historic Gabhra River as part of the M3 Construction.
Observers were immediately concerned as machines began excavating well within the 250m exclusion zone around the Lismullin National Monument. There was no Archaeologist present as NRA Contractors made deep excavations & backfilled with truckloads of hardcore only 120m from the Lismullin Henge.
Activists entered the site and were able to stop work for most of the afternoon by occupying the diggers. Gardai were called to the site and activists were given a Caution not to interfere with works. However, two people re-entered the site and have stopped two of the machines by standing on them.

These incursions show a blatant disregard for the EU concerns currently being voiced about the legality of destroying a National Monument without a further Environmental Impact Assessment being made. The EU petitions Commitee is due to meet tomorrow (13th September), hopefully Lismullin will be high on the agenda.

Related Link: http://www.tarapixie.net

More News from Lismullin
Around 6.30 pm there was a collision between works vehicles near the entrance to the Lismullen site.

Protesters had gathered at the Gabhra Bridge about 50m from the site entrance, one protester was engaged in conversation with security workers standing in the road.
a site landrover with flashing light was following a large truck carrying 3 giant concrete pipes (for diverting the River) which was being directed into the site. At this point, the collision occured causing serious damage to the landrover. The protester who had been talking to security then moved up 20 paces and sat down in the road to prevent the damaged vehicle from moving away. The site Project Manager was overheard making a call reporting that a protester had 'jumped out' and caused the accident. Gardai were called and took about half an hour to arrive and are now taking statements.

Fortunately the entire incident is on video. This shows the value of having independent Legal Observers, both to safeguard protesters and keep an accurate record of events.
If you are available to go to the site with your camera or video over the next few days, your presence will be much appreciated. With Rath Lugh and Lismullin under threat, the coming weeks will be crucial in protecting this sensitive area at the Heart of Tara Valley from the destruction which the NRA has planned for it.
Today a number of local people gathered in solidarity with the protesters on the Gabhra Bridge to show their disgust at the flouting of EU directives. The bridge is a safe distance from the site entrance and you cannot be arrested unless you are blocking the road. Exercise your Civil Rights and join the picket at the Gabhra Bridge!

To get to the Gabhra Bridge: Take the N3 out of Dublin, turn Right at the 'Tara na Ri' pub, take next right signposted to Skreen, turn right at the next crossroads.
To get to Rath Lugh: follow the same route and go straight on at the crossroads, pull over at lay by on the right leading up into the woods.

Further details contact: 086 3600478
086 3107952
086 2205165

Related Link: http://www.tarapixie.net

[Bettina]

The Irish News, 24th. September 2007

Protesters form human Harp - to save Tara

Hundreds of campaigners yesterday created a giant human Harp in Co. Meath to mark Tara Heritage Day.
The protest is the latest in a string of high profile moves to pressurise the Government into rerouting the M3 motorway away from the historic site.
Protesters also formed the words "Save Tara Valley" as part of the stunt.

Hollywood actors Stuart Townsend and Jonathan Rhys Myers took part in today's event as well as musicians, historians and many of Ireland's harpists.
Renowned aerial artist John Quigley, who has created similar art images in the Arctic and the Amazon, directed the event.
Ireland is unique in having a musical instrument, the Harp, as it's national emblem, said a spokesman for campaigners Tarawatch.

This indicates the primacy of the Harp in Irish culture.
The sites under threat are inextricably linked with the harping and bardic traditions for more than 2,500 years.

Protest were also held this weekend in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Dublin.

On Saturday, harpists played outside Leinster House, in a symbolic gesture of Irish heritage, and delivered a petition to Minister for the Environment John Gormley. Earlier this year Tara was placed on the World Monuments Fund list of the world's most endangered sites.


The Meath Chronicle, 29th. September 2007

"M3 objectors harp on - with "Save Tara" message

Actors Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Stuart Townsend joined over 1,000 people from all over the country on the Hill of Tara on Sunday for a human aerial art event creating the shape of a harp and the words "Save Tara" on the hillside.

Townsend, from Dublin, has just made his directorial debut at the Toronto Film Festival with "Battle in Seattle", starring his partner, Charlize Theron, while Rhys Meyers is currently starring in the hit TV series "The Tudors".

It was Townsend`s second visit to the hill as part of the campaign. He has supported the Save Tara Skryne Valley campaign for a number of years. Rhys Meyers, from Cork, previously visited the area while filming at Dunsany Castle.

Hundreds of people were given stickers to indicate which part of the formation of the word`s "Save Tara Valley" they were to take part in on the hill, to be photographed from the air. They were also to take the shape of a harp, as the legendary musical symbol of Ireland is associated with Tara through Thomas Moore's "The Harp that Once Through Tara's Halls".

"We had 500 stickers for the lettering and 500 for the harp, but many more came through", the organisers said. Participants were asked to lie down on the grass to make the formation. They also created a spiral formation at the Lia Fail stone.

The event will be directed by the internationally renowned aerial artist John Quigley who has created similar human "aerial art" images all over the world, including the Arctic, the Amazon rain forest and Antarctica where 35 people spelt out "SOS".

The public were asked to leave the hill as they find it: "Take nothing but memories - leave nothing but footprints".

Meanwhile, the World Monuments Fund (WMF), which placed the Hill of Tara archaeological complex on the 100 Most Endangered Sites List 2008 in June, last week said it is concerned that the excavation at Lismullin has reached a critical point and is now entering a destructive phase.

WMF Britain is writing to the European Commission and the Irish authorities and asking them to seek interim measures at the European Court of Justice, to halt the works at Lismullin national monument resulting from the proposed M3 motorway route. WMF Britain also adopts the statement from this summer's XIII Celtic Conference, hosted by the Permanent Bureau for the International Congress of Celtic Studies, which recognised the significance of the site."

www.savetara.com
Photo by Paula Geraghty

Attached Files

•  PaulaGeraghty03email.jpg   425.4K   0 downloads

[Bettina]

Press Release. Campaign to Save Tara, 1st October 2007

Minister places preservation order on Rath Lugh

The Campaign to Save Tara welcomes the decision of Minister John Gormley to place a preservation order on Rath Lugh in the Gabhra Valley at Tara. Rath Lugh is a defensive, promontory outpost of Tara and will be severely impacted by the proposed route of the M3. The Campaign had warned of the impending danger to the Rath in January when heavy machinery was used to fell trees in the area between Lismullin and Rath Lugh - before the NRA discovered that there was a national monument there. This made visible the track of the motorway and its proximity to the huge monument. The NRA were warned during the Oral Hearing of the possible danger to the Rath.

The area under Rath Lugh is an esker consisting of sand and gravel formed in the ice age, a very unstable substance on which to build such a road.

Originally, the NRA maintained that the road would be 100metres away from the Rath but recent surveys and work done by the NRA show that it will be within 20 metres - posing a serious threat to the stability of the monument and the esker.

This development shows that the claims of those opposed to this route were correct. There should never have been an attempt to drive a motorway through this incredibly sensitive archaeological area - Tara's landscape.

Dr. Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin said: "The support for the Campaign is growing - this was clearly demonstrated at the recent equinox event when 1,500 people gathered to form a huge human harp on Tara for the international artist, John Quigley. With climate change a frightening reality, it is madness to persist in building motorways instead of public transport".


E-Mail: info@savetara.com
Web site: http://www.savetara.com

Aerial photos of Rath Lugh (taken in April) by Paula Geraghty