12 replies to this topic

[nena]

I am an archaeology enthusiast but I do not believe we can save all the sites. The majority of the population want a faster commute but will we lose a part of ourselves trying to shave a few minutes of our journey time? Where do we draw the line between preservation of our heritage and progress?

[Pema]

Hi Nena,
It's true that a balance has to be struck between the needs of people in the modern world and the importance of heritage preservation. Personally I would like to leave all archaeological sites intact if possible, but with human population so large and travel needs so great nowadays, I know that's not really possible realistically. I don't have great solutions...I believe that's why we vote politicians in office, presumably they want their kind of work because they believe they do have solutions. Unfortunately most of the time it looks like imagination and creative solutions are not being applied at all. I get very annoyed when people say to me "Well, you don't have a better solution"--after all, it is politicians' job and responsibility to find a balance, to see things in a just light, to find a good solution accordingly!--and a job they requested!

Also, I don't see building highways as progress, I see it as a modern need that must be met.

Look at the previous topic where this was discussed a bit, and where I posted some websites including the Tara activist one, if you are interested.
Cheers!
pema

[nena]

I did see the topic before but i am doing the poll for a paper i am writing. i thought here would be a good place to post the poll to get the general opinion of 'stone lovers'.   i do not believe we should depend on anyone in the government to do what is right in terms of our heritage. their minds are mostly concerned with money making matters. in my opinion if we want something done we must do it ourselves
thanks for the reply Pema.
please vote

[Peregrine]

Hi Nena,

I totally agree with you.
That's why I voted a couple of days ago.
Keep up the good work.  

All best, Peregrine.

[nena]

Thanks for the support Peregrine, I enjoy the posts on the labyrinth. interesting subject.

[Peregrine]

You're welcome Nena,

I just write whatever I find on the subject and gladly share it.  
(without claiming to be right, mind you, but then, who is?)

All best, Peregrine.

[Fred]

Good topic, I voted. The trouble with allowing sites to be destroyed, built over etc is that should there be a message to be gleaned from the site, remembering that we're not really sure what they were for, then its lost forever. Unlike extinct wildlife which we may be able to resurect from DNA remnants at some future date the site really becomes useless. As a biannual visitor to your country I am in awe of the number of sites, find those that I've visited fascinating and have been to places where there are stones not marked on maps. The only visitors are grazing animals.
Good Luck with the project. Fred

[nena]

Thanks for the reply Fred.
My favourite site in Ireland is Carrowmore, Co. Sligo. It is amazing to visit and to climb to the top of Knocknarea to stand on top of Queen Meave's Cairn. Sligo bay is magnificent. I would suggest a visit to it. Unfortunately it is the other side of the country to me. You should check it out.
Hill of Tara is only down the road from me and is more controversial at the moment so serves as a good topic for my paper. It is great to get the feedback.
Keep the votes coming.
Nena

[Peregrine]

Hi all,

I read that mr. Vincent Salafia will probably be faced with the court costs of about 600.000 euro's.
This is a big disgrace.
The Hill of Tara is not a local affair, it's a national/international affair.
Where is the support of the entire Irish nation or that of all the academics who were so against the construction of this road ?
Can mr. Salafia depend on their support with regard to the court costs ?
Or is their support, as themselves, just academic ???  

Peregrine.

[Pema]

Hi all,

I did vote but it doesn't look like it registered..  

As far as I know Peregrine, the academics and archaeologists are still in full supprt of Vincent Salafia, but their voices unfortunately do not have much weight in the world of road-building and the heavy money involved. They write letters to the newspapers and hold lectures about the importance of the site, but there is little else they can do. The court costs can be waived by the supreme court, if they decide in Salafia's favour. Otherwise, we all have our hope pinned to the EU courts.

The Irish nation seems to be divided. What do you think Nena, am I correct in writing that?

Pema

[nena]

Hi Pema,
It is divided but not equally. I think the majority of the population is oblivious to what is at stake, unfortunately. It is not deemed important enough to fight for.
Nena

[Pema]

Impossible to even imagine it!    How is it possible?? The Irish, so famous for their strength, integrity, and pride in their history??

[nena]

I believe that my generation is mostly concerned with making money. I would doubt there are even many people my age (24) that would be interested in saving our heritage but I would love to be proved wrong. I must admit that I am quite lax when it comes to doing something about it. My time is mostly used up with studying my 2 OU courses and working my 2 jobs. When I do eventually find the time to get out there and do something positive it might be too late. There is only so much weight my signature on a petition can give. I would however camp on the proposed route to stop the building of the motorway. It should not have to come to that.
Nena