The Save Tara Campaign has learned that a slip road will
pass within 7 metres of a souterrain at Lismullin in the
Gabhra Valley, Co. Meath instead of the supposed 100
metres. Protesters stopped construction work and tree
felling at the site of the souterrain this morning 22nd.
February. The structure has not been excavated as it was
not one of the sites initially listed as being impacted
by the motorway route.
This souterrain is just the latest in a line of new sites
that are coming to light in this area after the initial
surveys had been carried out. They include the ancient
temple, a wood henge, that was declared a National
Monument in May 2007. The geophysical survey had failed
to identify the huge site. Soon afterwards a souterrain
was discovered close to the henge and during excavation a
huge decorated stone was uncovered bearing megalithic art
that is very similar to that found at Newgrange and
Knowth (c.3000 B.C). This again showed the connection
between Tara and the Gabhra Valley as the nearest example
of megalithic art is to be found in the passage tomb of
the Mound of the Hostages on the summit of the Hill of
Tara. In terms of style this example also bears a
remarkable similarity to that found in this monument. The
stone had been split in ancient times to fit into the
souterrain and the remaining section may lie somewhere
else in this archaeological complex.
The ancient promontory fort of Rath Lugh watches over
this entire area and the M3 is planned to pass within 20
metres of this site despite NRA assurances that it would
be 110 metres away from it. Minister John Gormley placed
a Temporary Preservation Order on Rath Lugh but this will
not prevent the road from passing dangerously close to
the foundations of the Rath that include an esker - an
unstable geological feature made up of sand and
gravel.
Dr. Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin said: "This
proves again, if proof were needed, the rich
archaeological heritage of the Gabhra Valley and that
this route should never have been chosen for the road. We
call on Minister Gormley to act now before another
archaeological site is destroyed. All these sites are
part of the greater Tara landscape. Another major mistake
has been made in the location of this souterrain. How
many more mistakes have been made or will be made?"
ENDS
Media queries:
Dr. Muireann Ní
Bhrolcháin
Tel: 087-9249510
E-Mail: info@savetara.com
Web site: http://www.savetara.com
Location Map.
Related Articles:
Photos of threatened souterrain.
Newly discovered National Monument on the route of the
M3.
Minister Gormley places Temporary Preservation Order on
Rath Lugh.
Megalithic art found at Lismullin Souterrain.
TARATARATARA - NEWS and LINKS
4th week - Feb 2008
