Hill of Tara / M3 story hits NPR in US

by Andrew McGrath - The Tara Foundation Sat Aug 19, 2006 17:05 tarafoundation at eircom dot net

This radio programme reproduces more or less the standard media line which you get here. "Well I'm not opposed to Progress or Development or The Celtic Tiger, but I think that the Government are being wrongheaded about this and should really reconsider." In other words, it advances a line of argument that is doomed from the outset because it embraces the State consensus.
Does anybody not get the picture by now? That this route was chosen purposely to go as close to Tara as could be managed? That the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004 was designed to remove protection of heritage per. se., and open it to destruction for any reason? The Act says so, in black and white.
Meanwhile, the site at Carrickmines is being destroyed for a motorway whose upgrades alone are set to cost €1 billion minimum.
Meanwhile, the OPW are vandalizing Skellig Michael.

Because the State consensus is that the construction industry must be kept breathing by any and all means necessary, however much taxpayer money is required, and however many national monuments need to be destroyed. And that criminal speculators must be favoured whenever transport policy is being framed.

by Ciaran Thu Aug 24, 2006 20:17

Andrew. I think you miss the point. Word about what is happening has now reached a couple of million people in the US thanks to the program. That's a positive thing.

It is a much stronger campaign strategy than sending out pleas on Indymedia for another camp to be set up on Tara, when there is already one there that needs our support. http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/08/01/18293686.php
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/77689

There is also a lawsuit concerning the National Monuments Act that needs support.
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75561

And there is a demonstration on Aug 31st at Chester Beatty Library that needs people to attend.
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78056

by Andrew McGrath - Tara Foundation Sat Aug 26, 2006 21:15

We were not calling for "another camp" at Tara; we were arguing the need for an international presence there. It has and had nothing to do with the present camp there, which if its aim is to secure media attention to what is happening there, is not succeeding in its object.

Those listening to the programme, apart from being misled that opposition to the road is entirely of the "We're not against this road, or progress, or going forward" which is the line that Mr. Salafia appears to favour, are being given to understand that local people are in favour of the road also. The fact that the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004 explicitly removes any statutory heritage protection from Irish law is not being made. Thus far, the Supreme Court has given the go--ahead for Carrickmines to be bulldozed. So, given the worst case scenario, if the Court ends up ruling that the Act is constitutional, what happens then?

Are plans being made to ask very pointed questions of the NRA at their presentation, as opposed to simply standing outside with placards? One could start by asking what business a body whose business is road-building is doing in charge of archaeological excavations. I refer specifically to the outrageous remarks made in the NPR broadcast by someone who is supposedly an archaeologist, though I have never before heard an archaeologist speak with such contempt for her own discipline. Are there plans to challenge the NRA on these remarks?

by M. Ni Bhrolchain - Save Tara Sat Aug 26, 2006 22:28

I would like to draw your attention to part of what meath county council is presenting as part of Heritage Week, see below.
Here are more opportunities to ask questions of the actual people involved in the excavations or at least those who are overlooking them.

Tour of M3 Excavations at Roestown

Location: Roestown, Roestown is located just off the N3, approx. 1km
from Dunshaughlin, Meath
Date: 28/08/2006 - 28/08/2006
Time: 2-3pm
Tour of M3 excavations at Dowdstown
Tour of M3 excavations at Dowdstown

Location: Dowdstown, Dowdstown is accessed off the Dowdstown-Ballinteer
road, west of Garlow Cross, Meath
Date: 29/08/2006 - 29/08/2006
Time: 2-3pm
Tour of M3 excavations at Castlefarm
Tour of M3 excavations at Castlefarm

Location: Castlefarm, Castlefarm is on the Maynooth Road, just outside
Dunboyne, Meath
Date: 30/08/2006 - 30/08/2006
Time: 2-3pm

Good of them to allow the public see their work.
Hope that some of you can turn up and ask questions about burial sites
in particular.