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Save the Tara Skyrne Valley Ireland (Republic of)

Submitted by PaulM on Monday, 22 March 2004  Page Views: 7623

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Country: Ireland (Republic of) A group has been formed to try to prevent the construction of a four lane highway through the Tara Skryne Valley. The road will pass only metres from the Hill of Tara, with a clover leaf junction only 50 metres from the north of the Hill. Two alternative routes were proposed and were more than viable but the Irish government chose the present route.

A group has been formed, which contains several Irish notables, whose goal is to prevent the motorway from being constructed through the valley, with a view to obtain World Heritage status for the Hill and environs.

The Save the Tara Skreen Valley group believes its major problem is getting the word out to international contacts in an effort to bring pressure and scrutiny upon the Irish Government.

Coming with the road is a waste management plant within view of Brugh na Boyne and a major urban development in the valley itself.

The group believes the Irish Government is ignoring and breaking numerous signed conventions and agreements with the EU, UN and its own national policies and legislation.

Preliminary trenches are to be dug in the valley within the next few weeks, and construction will begin soon - early this spring.

For further information visit the group’s website and look at the plans, sign the petition or use the law library. An egroup is also up and running at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taraskreen/

Note: Objectors say motorway is illegal - see comment below
Contributor Bio for PaulM: Based in Macclesfield, contributing since 2002. Favourite site: Hordron Edge. Occupation: Something in waste and recycling.

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"Save the Tara Skyrne Valley" | Login/Create an Account | 17 News and Comments
  
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Re: Tara protesters told to move by Anonymous on Wednesday, 04 June 2008
Is there still construction going on or has it been stopped, I have been trying to find out what all is going on but I can't find any updates except that they are trying to move protesters. I hope all of this helps to save TARA I am trying to spread the word as well as my friends. There is a lot of support being drummed up on my space and we are trying to get as many people as possible to sign the Save Tara petition.



A cold wind blows
I feel the souls of the Kings of Old.
Standing on the Hill of Tara,
I look out across the plain
Fire flies dance from my flame,
I cry on the Hill of Tara.....
We saved Her!!
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Tara protesters told to move by Anonymous on Wednesday, 29 August 2007
stand up for your heritage... or otherwise you will have a tesco's at the bottom of every beautiful landmark.

Hold your ground.
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Re: Tara protesters told to move by siunni9 on Tuesday, 05 September 2006
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I am of Irish descendency, (Sheehan is my maiden name) and have always been drawn to Ireland and her rich history and heritage. When my husband and I visited last year I saw many things, not the least of which was the building of the M-3. The following is a letter I wrote to the editor of the Irish Independent, which was published March 23rd, 2006:

An American at Tara

Thursday March 23rd 2006

My husband and I spent a wonderful week in Ireland in October.

On our last day, as we were heading to Dublin Airport, we passed some interesting archaeological dig sites which we had noticed just the day before while visiting the Hill of Tara. I mentioned to my husband that I thought it was a bit odd, but perhaps there had been a recent discovery. I had wanted to stop on our way to the airport, but we were pressed for time.

Upon arrival home in the States, I did some research on the Internet to find out about these dig sites.

I was, and am still, shocked. I discovered that these are not working archaeological sites, but rather sites for the new motorway, the M-3, and that the construction is being done on sacred ground. I saw images of the giant shovels and tractors tearing away the top soil, ravaging the earth and anything that might be there.

These "archaeologists" could not possibly be doing anything for the good of the history and heritage of Ireland. I am sure there is little left to salvage.

The NRA promised that a total of 38 archaeological digs would be carried out along the route before any construction work began. This was never done.

More motorways are being built in other areas of Ireland with the same tragic results.

I read in early January that in the small village of Parknahown, County Laois, archaeologists had uncovered the remains of a seventh century village, human skeletons and all.

Before construction of the the M7 began, a quantity of prehistoric pottery dating from the Neolithic period was revealed. The pottery had been placed in a small pit and several other small pits or post holes in close proximity. They knew before they began.

In County Mayo, archaeologists working on the Charlestown by pass found a wealth of artefacts, evidence of a major early Neolithic settlement. But the road work goes on.

I am appalled that this travesty is being allowed by the authorities.

When we return to Ireland in September, what will we find? A scarred and tired landscape with no hope of being healed? Or hopefully, a balanced and well thought out road system that works well for both the present and the past, leaving the dignity and history of our ancestors quietly and lovingly buried in these sacred grounds.
SUSAN REPASKY,
AN AMERICAN VISITOR
(ADDRESS WITH EDITOR)
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Tara protesters told to move by Andy B on Monday, 17 July 2006
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Protestors who have been camping on the Hill of Tara since the Summer Solstice on June 21, have been ordered to leave by the Office of Public Works (OPW), according to protest group TaraWatch.

The protestors are trying to highlight opposition to the M3 motorway that will pass through the Tara archaeological complex, in the Tara / Skryne Valley.

“This action being taken by the OPW is outrageous. The Hill of Tara belongs to the people of Ireland,” said Tarawatch political affairs officer Siobhan Rice.

“These people are camping peacefully on the top of the Hill of Tara. They are not interfering with any works, and should be allowed to remain.

“They are exercising their constitutional right of free speech, and expressing the view of the majority of Irish people, 70% of whom want this motorway moved.

TaraWatch is calling on the public to support their peaceful demonstration, which is taking place on the roughly 100 acres of publicly-owned land atop the Hill of Tara, near the Sloping Trenches.

Excavations are currently under way on 38 archaeological sites between Navan and Dunshaughlin.

The excavations, approved by Minister for Heritage Dick Roche on May 4, 2005, are now the subject of a Supreme Court case. The hearing date will be scheduled in the coming weeks.

Source: http://www.breakingnews.ie/2006/07/14/story267769.html
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Re: Tara Protest Events by coldrum on Sunday, 25 June 2006
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http://www.petitiononline.com/Temair/petition.html
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Ring Forts to be lost in Gabhra Valley Ireland by Anonymous on Saturday, 27 May 2006
Archaeology: A monument of no importance
by JOE FENWICK
Village Magazine
Thursday, May 11, 2006

Ringforts are one of the most common, though increasingly vulnerable,
archaeological monuments in the Irish countryside. These enclosed
farmsteads date largely to the Early Historic period - somewhere
between the arrival of Christianity and Anglo-Normans respectively –
and the size, shape and complexity of individual sites is largely a
reflection of the status of its occupants.

According to official reports, one of the 38 monuments to be directly
impacted by the M3 motorway passing through Tara's royal demesne is a
ringfort. It lies in the Gabhra Valley at Baronstown, mid-way between
the hills of Tara and Skreen. The remains of a sub-surface circular
ditch, 48m in diameter, were noted during preliminary geophysical
survey (by GSB Prospection), and subsequent test-trenching identified
additional archaeological features. The official classification of
this site as a ringfo...

Read the rest of this post...
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Tara Protest Events by Anonymous on Wednesday, 19 April 2006
gercmbyrne writes: There will be weekly gatherings at Tara to protest the proposed Motorway, and to hand out leaflets/inform tourists and visitors.
Starting Tuesday 18th at Dice Bar Smithfield Dublin the Tara Sessions are a series of gigs to fundraise and raise awareness for the Campaign to Re-route the Motorway.
Information on both sets of events from http://www.tarawatch.org and http://www.hilloftara.info
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Save the Tara Skyrne Valley by AngieLake on Friday, 24 June 2005
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The Irish Post mentions Tara in a column in this week's paper.
"Celebrations have taken place to mark the summer solstice at the Hill of Tara in Co. Meath.
Hundreds of people gathered at the ancient site to mark the longest day of the year on Tuesday.
The Save Tara/Skryne Valley Group - who oppose the planned route of the M3 motorway through the area - asked visitors to pay a silent visit to the nearest archaeological excavation site to register their protest at the scheme."
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Re: Save the Tara Skyrne Valley by Andy B on Thursday, 11 November 2004
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Article about this in the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1348030,00.html
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Re: Save the Tara Skyrne Valley by Anonymous on Thursday, 04 November 2004
I would like to help save Tara and at least sign the petition but I can not find it Cllr. Florence Ni Dhochartaigh
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    Re: Tara online petition by Andy B on Thursday, 11 November 2004
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    http://www.petitiononline.com/hilltara/petition-sign.html
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    Re: Tara online petition by Anonymous on Thursday, 20 January 2005
    This is typical of Fianna Fáil, and it's arrogance. They have been in power too long and they have become slack, and insensitive.

    That they'd even think of putting a road through Tara is disgraceful, and just goes to show what their primary concern is - money. I'm ashamed to call myself Irish, because of our government.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Save the Tara Skyrne Valley by Anonymous on Saturday, 11 September 2004
I am disguisted by the decision of my own government to put a road through this wonderous, historical site. I feel that it is not there decision to do so, and if they go ahead with it, will break the hearts of countless numbers of people all over the world.
I have been writing to government officials and have not recieved anything back yet. I intend to lobby this till I am blue in the face.
The Hill of Tara is one of the most sacred sites in the world, and we are lucky to have it here, in this country. It is our job to take care of it, so that we can pass it down to other generations, not to destroy it. I understand that the people of Navan need a bypass, but there are other routes. Please use these.
The Hill of Tara does not belong to the people of Meath or the Irish government. It belongs to every person who ever stood beside the Lia Fail and was awed by the view of the four provences, it belongs to every child who read the colourful and mystical legends of the Tuatha De Dannan,...

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Motorway may face legal challenge by Vicky on Monday, 22 March 2004
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From RTE News Online 21/03/2004:

Motorway may face legal challenge

Objectors to the proposed M3 motorway from Clonee to north Kells in County Meath have warned Meath County Council that work due to begin tomorrow will be 'illegal' and risks legal action.

A solicitor's letter to the Council warns that the road would go through the Tara Skryne Valley, part of the archaeological complex that forms The Hill of Tara national monument, and would therefore be illegal under the National Monuments Act.

The letter was sent last Friday on behalf of Vincent Salafia, acting in an individual capacity, to the County Manager of Meath County Council and copied to the National Roads Authority. It warns that Mr Salafia is ready to 'immediately institute' legal proceedings to injunct and prohibit any works the Council might attempt to undertake.

Mr Salafia said, however, he hoped that the Council would enter into negotiation on the matter, and therefore litigation would not be...

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Re: Save the Tara Skyrne Valley by Anonymous on Monday, 01 March 2004
I can't believe the insensitivity of the Irish government. I don't often get upset about things like this, but the idea of a "clover-leaf junction 50 metres from the north" of that unique site brought me close to tears. If it IS built it will disturb the land that the ancestors walked on as they entered Tara to perform their ceremonies.
In 2001 I spent an afternoon dowsing there, picking up what I believed to be the route of processions that took place in its hey day. From inside the site, I found that the so-called "Banqueting Hall" funnelled the procession into the site (and then on to the other features) from the north. If it does extend further north, the present road already cuts diagonally across that feature, but it is a narrow country road, and we can live with that. (Can we?? - Maybe that should go too?)
Please, please take the time to write to the Irish Government (I did) even if you still haven't visited. It really IS a worthwhile cause!
That was a very eloquent...

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Re: Save the Tara Skyrne Valley by Vicky on Monday, 01 March 2004
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From the Ireland European Politics Network (http://www.politics.ie/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3767) 01/03/2004:

Bruton expresses concern over the delay of Kells motorway

More news from TransportFormer Taoiseach and local Meath Deputy, John Bruton TD, has today (Monday) expressed serious concerns about the effect in delaying the Clonee to Kells motorway and of the choice of route for this motorway through the valley between the Hill of Skryne and the Hill of Tara. "Solving the traffic problem here is indeed urgent, but this choice of route may actually delay completion of the motorway.

"We have seen the delays in the M50 caused by the controversy surrounding a comparatively common and insignificant archaeological structure - the remains of Carrickmines Castle. Recent archaeological studies suggest that Tara - which is globally unique - is not just the monuments on the Hill itself, but is the centre of a sacred space of interlinked monuments stretching over a...

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Re: Save the Tara Skyrne Valley by shuileabhain on Thursday, 05 February 2004
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Our Government have sold out their integrity to the highest bidder and want to do the same to our heritage. 'Bout time we got pre-christian on their ass!
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