The truth about Tara
Over the centuries some of Ireland's most eminent
scholars have engaged with the history and archeology of
Tara in a common endeavour to learn more about this
extraordinary place and determine fact from fiction. More
recent research, most notably by Conor Newman and Edel
Bhreathnach on behalf of the Discovery Programme, means
we are now closer to an understanding of Tara than at any
stage since the first detailed description of the visible
monuments, around AD 1000.
We are none the wiser, however, regarding the NRA's
choice of "preferred" M3 motorway route through the
Tara-Skryne valley, despite the recent rash of full-page
adverts that purport to distinguish the "true facts" from
the "myth".
Are we to understand that the NRA has gone roundabout the
truth and bypassed reality?
JOE FENWICK,
Department of Archaeology,
NUI Galway.
© The Sunday Times, 19th. December, 2004.
