LM04_5_Sept07.htm

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Lismullin Advisory Committee Meeting � 5 September

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Present: Mr. Finian Matthews, (DEHLG), Chairperson; Mr. Brian Duffy, Chief Archaeologist (DEHLG); Ms. Catriona Ryan, (DEHLG), Secretary; Mr Gerard Smith (DEHLG); Dr. Patrick F. Wallace, Director, NMI; Mr. Conor Newman (NUI Galway); Prof. Gabriel Cooney (UCD); Mr. Ronan Swan, Senior Archaeologist (NRA).

The members of the committee conducted a site inspection. The site has continued to dry out well allowing work to proceed on the cleaning down of the first quadrant.

The 2nd Report of the site director was circulated to the group. It is intended to have such reports available at weekly intervals.

Dr. Wallace requested that either the Site Director or Mr. Swan give a formal presentation at the start of each meeting, prior to site inspection, so that any developments could be better understood. This was agreed by the committee.

Mr. Swan informed the committee that a communications protocol was being prepared and would be submitted to the group. This has since been agreed and is attached at Appendix 1.

There was a discussion on posting material on the web and it was agreed that, while the NRA and the Department would each post information on their own sites, each party would inform the other of the material being posted. The Chair suggested a press release to highlight web access to material.

Geophysical survey of the site has been completed. The proposed use of ground penetrating radar was discussed and it was concluded that this technique was of questionable value in this instance and would not be used.

Mr. Swan then described the preparations necessary to facilitate the conduct of a magnetic susceptibility survey (Earthsound). The inner enclosure is to be cleaned down (week commencing 10/9/07). The control grids are to be reduced from 5m to 2m. The same staff, using the same tools, are to be employed to ensure consistency of approach.

A revised sequence for the cleaning down of the quadrants was outlined and agreed. The last quadrant to be cleaned down will contain the lowest point of the site, which is the most vulnerable to water damage. This will allow the site more time to dry out.

To guard against future water damage, it is proposed to install a sump to facilitate pumping of excess water off the site.

Mr. Swan explained the importance of installing the sump as quickly as possible, in order to mitigate the impact of severe weather conditions. The sump is to be installed at the lowest possible part of the site, subject to testing for the presence of archaeology, and the water collected will be filtered and pumped off-site, either up onto the ridge or into the field boundary.

The sump is to be 2 metres square, quite shallow and located 3 � 4 metres from the baulk line of the site. On foot of this information, Mr. Newman asked that the sump be deep enough to accommodate a collection bucket which would protect the surrounding soils and prevent clogging. The installation of a sump was approved subject to those conditions.

Dr. Wallace asked about the excavation timescale. Mr. Swan estimated 8 to 10 weeks but cautioned that it would take as long as necessary and progress would be heavily dependent on weather conditions. He pointed out that quadrant C (containing the lowest points of the site) was particularly vulnerable to water settlement and that, if necessary, the number of personnel assigned to this quadrant could be increased if the situation warranted it.

Mr. Newman asked about the plastic covers. Mr. Swan explained that the covers were on site but it had not been necessary to deploy them as yet. There was some discussion around the merits of keeping the entire site covered. Mr. Swan pointed out that the plastic covers promote algae growth and he believed, in any case, that the plastic could be deployed at short notice if required.

Mr. Newman was concerned that some preparations be made for speedy deployment and it was agreed that the covers would be laid out, in an area that is not archaeologically sensitive, and would be arranged in such a manner that they could be put down quickly if the need arose.

Mr. Newman went on to praise the quality of the topographical maps in the site director�s report and asked if the mapping could be extended to include the Gabhra valley. He believed it would be useful to be able to pan out from the pictures in the method statement to see the full curvature of the stream and the lie of the land at this point. Both Mr. Newman and Dr. Wallace were of the opinion that, since the advent of the road would alter the current topography, such mapping would be invaluable in understanding the landscape from a contextual point of view. Mr Swan undertook to provide these images.

The issue of using virtual images to show what might have existed at Lismullin in the past was discussed. The chairman asked to see the existing virtual images (prepared by NRA) and Mr. Swan agreed to circulate them to the members of the committee. The potential use of virtual images will be considered further at the next meeting.

The committee was informed, during the site inspection, that it is considered that the full extent of the souterrain has now been revealed.

Mr. Cooney requested clarification as to what the committee�s role was in respect of the souterrain. The chairman clarified that the Minister had asked the committee to consider the possibility of preserving it in-situ.

Mr. Cooney raised the possibility of dismantling the structure of the souterrain with a view to re-assembling it in another location but it was generally agreed that much of the stonework was in too fragile condition to make such an exercise worthwhile.

Dr. Wallace and Mr. Newman re-stated their views that the souterrain was a national monument because of its location and its associative value with Tara (see updated minutes of previous meeting) but that it could not be preserved in-situ given the constraints of the current route.

The chairman stated that he would be reporting to the Minister on the views of the committee.

Mr. Cooney asked that the report to the Minister reflect the different views of the individual committee members and he is to forward a note on his own position for inclusion in the minutes and subsequent report. He also advised that the report reflect the fact that the committee recognises that any attempt to preserve the souterrain in situ and alter the profile of the road as a result would have a significant visual impact.

It was agreed that the various notes would be forwarded within 1 week and the chairman will report to the Minister shortly thereafter.

Mr. Swan outlined the current proposed next steps in relation to the souterrain, subject to the submission of a report Minister and any consequences arising from same. The proposed procedure would include:

Kevin O�Rourke, NRA. and John McGrath, Meath Co Co, reported back on their undertaking (at 18 July meeting) to re-examine their options with a view to minimising as far as practicable the impact of the road on the national monument.

The engineers presented proposals which are to be further considered by the Committee. On the basis of these proposals it would appear that, when the excavation is complete, it should be possible to cover that part of the site which is under a proposed farm access road parallel to the motorway with what is known as a geo-textile covering and to place a layer of sand/gravel over that. The farm access road as constructed would then protect a greater portion of the remainder of the monument than would have been possible previously and would also act as a barrier to protect the remainder of the monument in the adjoining field from invasive roots resulting from the critical landscaping in this particular area.

Some alterations to the location of the farm access and service roads may still be possible. While such changes would reduce the overall �footprint� of the road, they would also reduce the area available for planting in order reduce the visual and noise impact of the road. These are important considerations for those living close to the motorway and for its visual impact in the valley.

In relation to the landscaping, the importance of planting with native species, preferably with shallow root systems, was emphasised.

The use of a glass screen, as had been used to provide screening in some European cities around particular buildings was also discussed briefly. However, as this would be a highly reflective surface safety considerations would rule out using it in this particular case. Sun reflecting on the glass might also draw more attention to the road, rather than helping to disguise it.

The autocad set of the technical drawings used by the engineers for the briefing are to be sent to the chairman as soon as possible for circulation to the committee. Mr Newman wishes to consider further the curvature of the road in the area. It was agreed that there is still time to consider these issues, as there will be no engineering works in this area for quite a while.

Mr. Cooney and Mr. Newman raised the wider issue of the way in which national monuments are designated as such under existing legislation. Mr. Duffy outlined the present position which is, essentially, that statutory protection as national monuments only extends to national monuments � as defined under the Acts � which are in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister or a Local Authority or in respect of which a preservation order is in force. The committee agreed that the issue of designation as a national monument and proper professional assessment of what is a national monument needs to be addressed in the proposed review of policy and practice in relation to archaeological protection generally.

Mr. Newman advised that he will have lectures most Wednesdays and Fridays during term and will not be available for meetings on those days.

National Monuments Service/National Roads Authority/Archaeological Consultancy Service Ltd.

A key objective for all archaeological works is that there strong and effective communications between the on-site archaeologists and stakeholders. In the case of Lismullin the stakeholders include the statutory authorities, the Lismullin Advisory Committee, the general public (both local, national and international), the media and the professional archaeological community.

The Communications Department, NRA (01-6602511) should be the first point of contact for all enquiries, as they can properly identify the appropriate person to respond within the Authority.

Mary Deevy, Senior Archaeologist, NRA (046-9075033) is the key contact person for all archaeological enquiries relating to Lismullin in particular and to Archaeological Works on the M3 in general.

Aidan O�Connell, Site Director, ACS (041-9835422) is the key contact for enquiries regarding the specifics of the excavation at Lismullin.

Kevin O�Rourke, Senior Project Manager, NRA (01-6602511) is the key contact person for all M3 scheme related enquiries.

R�n�n Swan, (acting) Head of Archaeology, NRA (01-6602511) is the key contact for general archaeological enquiries relating to the NRA.

Regular team meetings of the on-site archaeological team should be held, to ensure that consistency of approach, and for the better management of the excavation e.g. suggestions/recommendations from the Lismullin Advisory Committee.

Weekly reports issued to the DEHLG, while essentially technical, they should be written in a clear style, and should be accompanied by photographs and plans were appropriate to make them more accessible to the general public (Particularly, as it is intended to post such reports on the web).

All site visits pertaining to the media need to be authorised by the NRA�s Communications Department before a media (Print, TV, Web and Radio) site visit takes place.

The NRA�s Archaeology Department needs to be notified via Phone, E-mail, or in person regarding requests for public information or site visits relating to Lismullin. Where possible such visits will be accommodated having regard to the primary objective of excavating the site in accordance with the Ministerial Directions previously issued.

As ACS is the PSCS (Project Supervisor Construction Stage) for Lismullin, they have duties under the relevant Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Acts and therefore visits should be agreed in advance with them. Site visits beyond the bounds of the fenced area at Lismullin need to be agreed with Eurolink/Siac-Ferrovial as they are the PSCS for the rest of the scheme.

In all cases a member of the NRA Archaeology Department will accompany visitors to the site. During such visits senior site archaeologists may be asked to provide updates on the progress of the excavations.