From US to sacred Tara
My ancestors were from Ireland. They came to the United
States because they were starving, but that doesn't take
the Celt out of my soul, or make me any less proud of my
heritage.
I anxiously await the day when I can finally see Ireland
for myself.
One of the first places I will visit is Tara, the seat of
the Irish kings and the spiritual heart of my ancestral
homeland.
I see you are contemplating a highway through the
valley.
Yes, I know we have this problem in the United States,
where the almighty dollar is king, but I had thought you
were smarter than that.
If anything, Americans look to Europe as an example of
how we should protect our own historical places for
future generations.
How could you even consider this? This is madness!
If nothing else, realise how many tourist dollars Tara
represents to your country. Money talks.
When we, the descendants of displaced Irish, visualise
Ireland we see bright green, rolling hills, standing
stones, castles, rocky shores and . . . Tara, the
spiritual heart of Ireland.
Will the constant rumbling of passing cars and trucks
forever mar the peace of this timeless place?
For shame. If only I could see it once in its existing
state, before you ruin it forever.
MAIRE QUILTER,
Bloomington,
Indiana,
USA.
© The Irish Independent, 18th. December 2005.
