Press Release. Campaign to Save Tara,
6th. June, 22:50.

World Monument Fund decision welcomed.

The Campaign to Save Tara today welcomed the World Monument Fund decision to include Tara on their list of the 100 "most endangered sites". International opinion, particularly among the academic community, and in North America has been vocal in their calls for proposed M3 motorway to be routed away from the Hill of Tara.

According to Dr. Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin of the Campaign to Save Tara,"The government ignored the 2005 statement that was signed by 350 academics from all over the world, including such eminent archaeologists as Barry Cunliffe and Martin Biddle. Perhaps at this, the eleventh hour, the government in waiting will listen to the concerns of the world about the status of Tara and re-route out the Gabhra Valley".

This new designation will bring further pressure on the Government to accept the need for a rethink of this potentially disastrous route selection. It also adds weight to arguments that the whole Tara area should have been considered a "complex of monuments" at the outset.

The recent discovery of a new National Monument at Lismullin has thrown into question the accuracy and competence of the NRA-funded archaeological process, which to date has cost over €40 million.

"This designation comes at a time when negotiations are reaching a critical time for the formation of a potential Fianna Fáil/Green Party coalition. The Green Party has been consistently strong on this issue and we hope that it will further bolster their position in relation to the necessity for a re-route of the proposed motorway", Michael Canney of the Campaign added.

The proposed M3 motorway was to have commenced construction in the summer of 2006 but due to unforeseen archaeological discoveries, particularly at Lismullin, construction proper is yet to begin along the controversial stretch between Navan and Dunshaughlin. Archaeological investigations were originally estimated to cost €10 million but this figure has risen to over €40 million.

Ongoing protests along the route are causing disruption and delay with contractors estimating that work stoppages have cost €50,000 in the last three weeks since archaeology was wrapped up at all but a number of key sites.

The WMF is the foremost private, nonprofit organization dedicated to The preservation of endangered architectural and cultural sites around the world. Since 1965 they have worked to stop the loss of more than 450 sites in over 80 countries. These sites are found all over the world and the 2006 list included 55 countries on all seven continents - Ireland's only site on that list is The Wonderful Barn at Leixlip, Co. Kildare.

The list is announced every two years and it calls attention to the cultural heritage sites around the world that are threatened by such things as neglect, vandalism, armed conflict, or natural disaster. About 75% of the sites that have been placed on the Watch List have been saved or are in the process of being saved.

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

Related Articles:
Hill of Tara set for endangered list.
World Monument Fund, 2008 World Monuments Watch List.