Images from Love Tara 2- a March to Save Tara from the M3

by jk Mon Sep 17, 2007 09:35

Campaigners gather to protest M3 motorway route

15/09/2007 - 3:14:32 PM
http://www.eveningecho.ie/news/bstory.asp?j=231540466&p...41226

Hundreds of environmentalists took to Dublin’s streets today, demanding a halt to construction of the controversial M3 motorway through the ancient Hill of Tara.

The peaceful march, the second since mid-July, left for Government Buildings from the Garden of Remembrance, calling on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to intervene and stop work on the multi-million euro road project.

It came as officials from the EU Parliament’s Petitions Committee, which earlier in the year inspected works at the Co Meath site, issued a report condemning the routing of the M3 and the damage to the country’s heritage.

“It was a very strong march,” campaigner Vincent Salafia said.

“We’re happy with how it went.

“I think it focuses attention on the Taoiseach and we’re urging him to step forward and take a leadership role in this.

“We’re not going away until there’s some sort of resolution.”

Protesters of all ages, carrying placards demanding Ireland’s heritage be preserved and the road works stopped, marched to the Office of the Taoiseach at Government Buildings.

Also present was the Union of Students of Ireland (USI), which has added its voice to the campaign.

USI president Richard Morrisroe said: “Mr Ahern is being challenged to revise the route of the M3 because public support hangs on this.”

The second Love Tara march came after An Bord Pleanala last month ruled that the M3 could be built over newly discovered 2,000-year-old ruins at Lismullen, about 2km from the Tara Hill.

It had been examining whether the discovery last April of the ancient ceremonial structure in the motorway’s path would require a fresh planning application by developers.

The board said the find did not constitute a material alteration to the M3 scheme, which it had already approved in September 2003, and gave the project the green light.

But the EU’s Petitions Committee has questioned the route of the motorway and asked why the state puts so much emphasis on roads and so little on rail.

A report is to be forwarded for discussion by the Commission, which sent a reasoned opinion to the Government earlier in the year highlighting the need for a second environmental impact assessment in light of the Lismullen find.

It is understood that Ireland’s official response has been submitted to the Commission for its review.

Further protest events are being planned by campaigners, including a day of action at Tara on Monday and a demonstration by harpers at the Dáil next Saturday.

http://www.myspace.com/taraharpers

by Intensity Tue Sep 18, 2007 10:51

mmm, looks good!

by Shaneo Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:14

good to see the SWP & PBP fair play!

by TaraWatch Tue Sep 18, 2007 12:59 info at tarawatch dot org

Please join us in these events:

by KOM Tue Sep 18, 2007 14:38

Video 1: Events at Rathlugh - 15th September 2007
http://www.livevideo.com/video/C04AD42A9F54438FAAF41B03....aspx

Video 2: Events at Lismulin 12th September 2007
http://www.livevideo.com/video/BB2DEF3A13B74A69B5050ED0....aspx

Video 3: Protest at the Gresham Hotel - NRA Conference - 30th August 2007
http://www.livevideo.com/video/853E3D57754E447A85ADD6E2....aspx

Pictures: Dozens of New Pictures in September's Gallery
http://www.tarapixie.net/images/september07/index.htm

Video 1: Events at Rathlugh - 15th September 2007

Video 2: Events at Lismulin 12th September 2007

Video 3: Protest at the Gresham Hotel - NRA Conference - 30th August 2007

Dozens of New Pictures in September's Gallery

by KOM Thu Sep 20, 2007 17:51

Video: The Tigger Trap - 18th to 20th August 2007
http://www.livevideo.com/video/E637120133F042B3B18AA7FF....aspx

Video: The Tigger Trap - 18th to 20th August 2007

by KOM Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:53

VIdeo: Interview with a Tara Activist
http://www.livevideo.com/video/0C6CC91CAEF94F00A72491EA....aspx

VIdeo: Interview with a Tara Activist

by Fred Johnston Sun Sep 23, 2007 16:13 sylfredcar at iolfree dot ie 087.2178138

There was a huge turnout of harpers from all over the country yesterday, Saturday, opposite The National Library in Dublin and Government Buildings. Paddy Maloney from 'The Chieftains' and actor Stuart Townsend were among those who played or spoke individually against the building of a destructive roadway near the ancient holy site of Tara. There was massive media coverage of the event, which went off peacefully and in fine humour. Regrettably, when the media had drained away and many people were packing up, there was an unfortunate incident when a young Garda appeared to confiscate a placard carried by a woman in the audience, and then quite forcefully tried to restrain another young woman from photographing him. Onlookers couldn't understand the rationale behind an alleged confiscation of a poster and voiced their opinions. It was all short-lived and did not detract from a very successful outing for the harpers and others who had travelled to voice their disapproval of road-building near Tara. Some notable Irish writers have written articles in US newspapers outlining their disatisfaction with the Irish Government's plans for Tara - is it really so curiously impossible to re-route the road project? Perhaps now The Irish Writers' Union and Aosdána can be persuaded to issue joint statements condemning the impending destruction of the ancient site at Tara.

The Harpers of Ireland play for Tara: Dublin September 22nd