Press Release. Campaign to Save Tara,
4th. May 2007, 15:30.

Arrogance and Ineptitude led to M3 Debacle.

After the recent announcement of the discovery of a National Monument at Lismullin, the Campaign to Save Tara is calling for any decision on the future of the Henge to be postponed until the Election is over.

As far back as 2001 a Government funded research project reported that the whole area around the Hill of Tara comprised a "mosaic of monuments" and should be considered as a whole and interconnected archaeological landscape.

During the preparation for the Environmental Impact Statement, the NRA's own archaeological advisors stated: "The monuments around Tara cannot be viewed in isolation, or as individual sites, but must be seen in the context of an intact archaeological landscape, which should not under any circumstances be disturbed, in terms of visual or direct impact on the monuments themselves". (Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd, Navan to Dunshaughlin Route Selection, August 2000, paragraph 7.3)

In his presentation to the An Bord Pleanála Oral Hearing (2002) Conor Newman, ex-director of the Discovery Programme said: "the valley between Tara and Skryne is chock-a-block with archaeological monuments, and interesting and complex ones at that: indeed it is a wonder that with such results appearing at regular intervals along this route, why was the whole route not surveyed".

He said on the discovery of this present monument: "This is a monument of major significance. It compares with Iron Age monuments found at the related royal sites of Emain Macha and Dun Ailinne, and a discovery of this magnitude in a landscape so heavily invested with ceremonial monuments was predicted from the start. The view expressed on MCC's website report that its position beneath the ceremonial complex on the Hill of Tara suggests that it may have served "smaller or lesser political units" that might somehow have been skulking around the fringes of Tara is frankly asinine".

It is rather surprising that a site the size of Lismullin, where the National Monument was uncovered, did not show up in the geophysical survey but such examinations only reveal the tip of the iceberg as not all archaeological features can be detected by geophysics. This advice went unheeded by the NRA consultants at the beginning of this process.

Questions now arise as to the competence and rigour of the original survey. For example, what other areas of the route through the Valley have been inadequately surveyed or the survey results misinterpreted?

Michael Canney of the Campaign to Save Tara said: "The Lismullin Henge is undoubtedly a major find and its true significance lies in it orientation and proximity to Rath Lugh and the Hill itself. There are clear connections and all the evidence points to this being a major monument located in a large and extensive "Tara Complex", which extends throughout the Valley".

"The Government and the NRA rejected the Discovery Programme research during the route selection process and now, three years and €40 million in archaeological fees later, the motorists of Meath are faced with further delays in delivering much needed infrastructure. If the Government had read their own research, rather that favouring the agendas of powerful local figures, the railway would be built and the Tara Valley would have been given the recognition and protection it deserves".

In a related development Proinsias de Rossa MEP, will raise the matter in the European Parliament on Wednesday next. The petitions committee of the parliament has previously expressed concern about the proposed M3. Mr. de Rossa is keen to ensure that all relevant EU legislation on heritage is applied to the new National Monument. The Labour Party Manifesto, published on Thursday last, explicitly sets out that it is party policy to re-route the most controversial section of the route.

The Campaign to Save Tara is running an election campaign about the Tara/M3 issue. They are seeking written assurances from all parties and local candidates that they will re-route the road should they form part of the next government. The campaign is urging its supporters to "Vote for Tara" on the basis of these written commitments.

ENDS

Media queries:
Dr. Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin
Tel: 087-9249510
Michael Canney
Tel: 086-8528200
E-Mail: info@savetara.com
Web site: http://www.savetara.com