'Tara Gathering' This Weekend to Mark Beginning of Campaign to Save the Hill of Tara from the M3 Mot

Added: (Fri Sep 05 2003)

Pressbox (Press Release) - CARRICKMINDERS

PRESS RELEASE

5 September 2003

“'Tara Gathering' This Weekend to Mark Beginning of Campaign to Save the Hill of Tara from the M3 Motorway”

Carrickminders the Colomban Mission of Delgan Park, Co Meath, are
preparing for a weekend long gathering at the Hill of Tara to discuss the proposed M3 Motorway, which will cut through Delgan Park and pass close to the Hill.

Fri’ 5th, 8.00 PM: Public Meeting on Mound of the Hostages
Sat’ 6th 8.00 PM: Second Public Meeting on Mound of the Hostages
Sun’ 7th 3.00 PM: Press conference and meeting, Tara Bookshop

The event, the ‘Tara Gathering’ will begin with a public meeting on the Mound of the Hostages, at 8.00 PM on Friday 5th September 2003. A second meeting will be held there on Saturday at 8.00 PM for those who could not make the Friday one.

Speakers will include Sean McDonagh SSC of the Columban Mission, Vincent Salafia of Carrickminders, as well as individuals and spokespersons from various groups, such as the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society, who have objected strongly to the chosen route.

We are inviting interested parties, along with the public, to attend meetings and express their views on the approved route of the M3 motorway. The Gathering
will provide an opportunity assess the situation as it now stands, in the wake of the recent An Bord Pleanala decision, approving the route between the hills of Tara and Skreen.

A press conference will be held on Sunday, at 3.00 PM, to present proposed campaign plans and announce any resolutions passed.

An information desk will be set up beside the Tara Bookshop, and will be manned all weekend.

Vincent Salafia, spokesperson for Carrickminders,
said:

“The Hill of Tara is THE National Monument of Ireland, and
one of the most famous archaeological, and cultural complexes in Europe. Ireland has an immense importance for understanding European history, since only here can we get to the bedrock foundation of European history. It should be a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it must be respected.

Carrickminders are taking legal advice to determine if the proposed route violates the National Monuments Act (1994), by passing close to the Hill of Tara, and destroying at least 141 associated sites that are known. There could be hundreds more unknown.

“Using our experience at Carrickmines, we hope to facilitate and re-focus the efforts of the many diverse groups and individuals who are concerned with the situation at Tara, such as the hundreds who made submissions, as part of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for the motorway.”

“The validity of the EIS must be questioned, as:
it does not properly address the impact on archaeology and cultural landscape
the hearings were in Drogheda; too far from the locality, breaching the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive which requires an open and democratic process, and informed decisions
the EIS did not consider the joint impact of the three other northern motorways being planned at the time.

“We do not need billions of taxpayers money spent on three new motorways, side by side, ploughing North through the most sensitive landscape in Europe.

“Foremost, the decision of An Bord Pleanala must be challenged in the High Court, as the Inspector’s Report does not even address the Hill of Tara. The decision looks like a rubber stamp.

“The NRA has claimed it will use best archaeological practice, which is ‘preservation by record’. In fact, they will be conducting ‘rescue archaeology’ with 35 tonne diggers and fifty tonne trucks. Moreover, only 30% of digs are currently ever reported, and even those are of substandard quality. In effect, there is no record, and archaeologists and being paid to simply destroy heritage.

“Carrickminders would like to know what exactly it would take, in terms of archaeological finds or cultural significance, to change the route of a motorway?

“The NRA also claims that the proposed motorway is further away than the present one. It simply is not far enough, and should pass on the east side of Skreen, taking away current traffic. If there is one place in the entire country one would expect some peace and quiet, Tara is it. It is the ‘heart of Ireland’.

“The Tara Gathering will be a fun and inspiring way to build the campaign the save the Hill of Tara from unnecessary disruption. We hope all interested groups
and individuals can join to effectively discuss the best way forward, as we enter National Heritage Week.

CARRICKMINES NOTE:

A letter has been received from the European Commission, dated August 8, 2003, stating that the Commission had “sought an expert opinion on the way in which the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the motorway project addressed archaeological impacts in relation to Carrickmines Castle. Following its receipt, the Commission recently forwarded this opinion to the Irish authorities, with a request for comments by the end of September.

“Mr De Rossa indicated that the related petition will figure on the Petitions Committee early in September. The Commission will provide a further update on that occasion.



ENDS

CONTACT:

Vincent Salafia
Spokesperson
Carrickminders
(01) 283-2880
(087) 132-3365
vsalafia@eircom.net