John Gormley asked to redefine Rath Lugh

by Fred Johnston Mon Mar 31, 2008 17:01 sylfredcar at iolfree dot ie 1, Carn Ard, Circular Road, Galway 087.2178138

If poet Seamus Heaney and others of international repute can do it, then it is up to Irish-based writers and artists firmly to show their commitment to preserve the threatened area around Tara. We cannot rely upon politicians to do it; anyone old enough, as I am, to have walked over the site at Dublin's Wood Quay will know that. What about a poetry day at Tara?

by A Friend of Tara Mon Mar 31, 2008 15:57

While 100% opposed to the motorway being forced through the Gabhra Valley, I am also unhappy with some of the "new age" stuff that crept into the campaign. A more down to earth assessment of the situation would be more helpful to the campaign than the "out with the fairies" language used by some of the groups involved in the campaign to save Tara.

And yes, shopping centres and good roads I want, too. But not in the Gabhra Valley or other sensitive heritage areas .

by The Wicked Wizard Mon Mar 31, 2008 14:24

For legal info click on this link

This extract from one of your websites (tarapixie.net) make me want to curl up laughing!! are you lot real? grow up! The tooth fairy doesn't exist (neither does Father Christmas - shh). This counntry wants progress, shopping centres, motorways etc NOt dropouts lazing around protesting about their latest whim.

"Calling all tribal warriors!
The sacred site of Tara (Ireland), the burial ground of our ancestors and the portal to the spirit world, is being desecrated and destroyed by the building of a motorway.

The spirits of the land cry out to all those who love the earth, our Mother, to come to our assistance in halting the destruction.

We call on the tribal peoples of the world to send us your warriors, your elders, your shamans; help us to harness the energies of this sacred place so that we may defeat the dark forces of greed, corruption and brutal stupidity.

Bring us your wisdom, your light and your power.
We send you our blessings."

by Muireann Ni Bhrolchain Fri Mar 07, 2008 22:14

Issued on behalf of the Rath Lugh direct action Camp -

From Save Tara campaigners:
A statement on behalf of the Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp

Statement on behalf of the Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp
21st century souterrain

The Protectors at Rath Lugh have planned a Direct Action method used for the first time on protest sites in Ireland. They have dug a tunnel under the route of the M3 directly in front of the Rath Lugh promontory fort in the Gabhra Valley, Co Meath in Ireland.

The Protectors intend to occupy this tunnel and seal themselves inside indefinitely to prevent construction traffic from passing overhead. They are laying their very lives on the line to protect and preserve Tara’s landscape from the destruction wrought by their own Government.

The Protectors said: “We want to draw attention to the continued erosion of the esker by passing construction traffic, hence damaging the base and foundation of the Rath.”

This is a continuation of their non-violent direct action. The tunnel acts like a souterrain giving the occupant protection and making it very difficult for the enemy to enter.

Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp
For further information ring Derek on 086-845 9279 or Lou on 086-3600478

Link to the video of events 5-6 March at Rath Lugh, Lismullin, Co Meath
http://www.livevideo.com/video/4819A5371FDA46BAB4A42CA1...24420

by W. Finnerty. Fri Mar 07, 2008 20:21

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2008 as Irish-American Heritage Month."

The above is part of a press release dated February 28th 2008 from the Whitehouse.

The full text of the press release can be viewed at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/02/print/2....html .

In response, I copied an e-mail to President George W. Bush today pointing out the way that extremely important heritage sites are being destroyed close to the Hill of Tara - thanks largely to United States of America inspired PPP (Public Private Partnership) schemes (and SCHEMING!!) which are being financed by some of the world's biggest banks.

A copy of the e-mail I used today, which the Whitehouse has acknowledged receipt of, can be seen at: http://www.humanrightsireland.com/CardinalSeanBrady/7Ma...r.htm

Also, and as Church leaders seem to me to have been remarkably silent (so far) on the growing set of Hill of Tara heritage and cultural difficulties, the main addressee of the e-mail at the above address is Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.

by TaraTaraTara Fri Mar 07, 2008 18:07

I found this very distressing, it was bad enough watching the destruction workers launch into the Esker but the tunnell!!!! I am truly humbled by their bravery. I have asked people on healing teams wordwide to send energy to her especially , and to the other Protectors strength and fortitude.

Save Tara, Save life.

by cheeba Fri Mar 07, 2008 15:37

Watch the video posted above...especially the last ten minutes... truely inspirational

by Muireann Ni Bhrolchain Fri Mar 07, 2008 13:12

See the latest video.

http://www.livevideo.com/video/4819A5371FDA46BAB4A42CA1...24420

This is the latest attack and incursion on the esker that forms the base and foundation of the Rath Lugh national monument under Temporary Protection Order by the Minister, John Gormley.
The site foreman has denied that there was any machinery on site - this to a local representative in the area.
See the photo on the front of the tarapixie site, taken yesterday afternoon, the esker material is clearly visible as it seeps out as it has been doing for the past year since the NRA first started cutting trees in January 2007.

by anita greg Thu Mar 06, 2008 01:03 anitagreg at gmail dot com Tower street , Belfast

They can NOT fell any more trees

One of the conditions for Approval of the Road project by an Bord Pleanala was that there would be no felling of trees in the bird nesting season
ie / March to August inclusive
http://www.pleanala.ie/casenum/MS2004.htm

Inspectors report 5 (MS2/RMS2004-PART5.pdf, PDF Format 924kB)

page 995 - section 7 - Flora and Fauna

" (d) Hedgerow and Tree removal or felling shall not be carried out during bird
nesting season of March to August inclusive. "

but the Gards and the workers wont know this unless they are told -
best wishes to the protestors
- there is magic there of course -

Anita Greg
Belfast

by TaraTaraTara Wed Mar 05, 2008 17:36

At approx. 4.30pm a Specialist team of 10 Siac ferrovial workers arrived at Rath Lugh accompanied by A Superintendent and Sargeant from Navan Garda Station, neither one of them displaying their numbers.

The Protectors were told by the Superintendent that there is a pending eviction planned for 6am tomorrow morning. One of the Specialist team began assessing the frontline defences . At this point an experienced Protector informed the Gardai that John Gormley had given a written reply in the Dail last week saying that he intended to make the Esker a protected structure, not just the Rath.

Siac Ferrovial are trying to assert that the CPO line comes right inside the woods and that they can remove trees and the Esker up to that front line.
End Report.

URGENT CALL OUT for anyone who can be there at all tomorrow morning to PLEASE BE THERE.
Also, any Lawyers/ Legal Representation, to record breaches in Health and Safety contravening best practise etc.
ANYONE who has a passion for Tara , you are needed NOW. This is a deliberate and Planned attack. WHAT IS GORMLEY DOING TO STOP THIS?

There will be no need for a Permanent Protection Order if there is nothing left to Protect!!!

This cannot be allowed to happen. SAVE TARA!!!

by Muireann Ni Bhrolchain Wed Mar 05, 2008 16:59

Yes, I know its nearly 5pm. Its deliberate. News just coming in .....

Hi all,
Pass this on
Situation confused but Superintendent, cops, Hargraves and co, workers etc all at RL with a steam roller and a Sat.Nav. Surveying equipment.
Threatening eviction 6am tomorrow.
Everyone please call your contacts, museum, Nat. Monument Service, anyone you have been in touch with recently.
Camp calling for legal observers, help of any and all kinds.
Lou 0863600478
Derek 0868459279
Camp 0863459715
For information.
Muireann

by TaraWatch Wed Mar 05, 2008 14:43

UCD Tara update - Thur 6 March - 6-8 pm

by TaraWatch Wed Mar 05, 2008 13:27 info at tarawatch dot org

Protesters call on Gardai

Meath Post
Tuesday 04 March 2008

Tara protesters are turning to an unlikely source for help in their battle to save the Lismullin henge near Dunshaughlin.

They are calling on the Gardai to halt the advancement of bulldozers on the ancient site, claiming that the construction workers are acting a protection order that has been established in the area.

For the last number of weeks debate has been raging as to whether the site is covered by the protection order or not.

Citing an independent archaeological survey, Vincent Salafia from TaraWatch says work should stop immediately and the Gardai should enforce the preservation order that was initiated in September.

The survey has been performed by a self-described 'turn-coat archaeologist', said Mr Salafia.

"This survey clearly shows that the bulldozers should not be allowed to enter the exclusion zone around the Rath Lugh National Monument - yet the construction company insists on entering the area, with a view to demolishing as much a possible, in advance of a pending court action.

"We hope that the Gardai will use this survey to prevent any further illegal intrusions into the National Monument protection zone", he said.

by Peader Wed Mar 05, 2008 13:04

Terry asked me to define the whole of Rath Lugh. He has forwarded a photo which shows Rath Lugh (and other sites) in a white circle and called Rath Lugh . If you consider your own address, this is the equivalent of saying the kitchen is your address only and the rest of the house is somewhere else and some other address. Ridiculous. I have identified St Bridget’s well on the photo in red.
At this stage it is impossible to be more accurate as we have not completed the second part of our survey; we hope to do this as soon as possible.
The second photograph shows the wider Rath Lugh, Lismullen, Skryne, Golden mile archeaological area.(in red) You will notice (if you enlarge perhaps) a mound to the top (near the Lismullen writing), I believe that this was the most sacred places in Irish history.
You will also notice to the left a wall and earthwork from skreen castle to Rath Lugh, of course there is the newly discovered henge astronomical calendar, as well as evidence for a lake and mill. There is also a large burial mound as large as newgrange, near lismullen, and Finns Mound and souterains. I could go on and on.

Overview

Redefinition of National Monument?

Topography

by Michael Martin - TaraWatch Mon Mar 03, 2008 01:18

Two pics I took in January 2007, less than a fortnight after the NRA started tree-felling on the slope of Rath Lugh. Note the red and white tape running through the forest. People familiar with Rath Lugh will be able to identify the exact spots. I believe this is the NRA's boundary line, and anything below the plastic tape will eventually be removed, unless of course we can put enough pressure on Gormley to include the entire esker in his promised Permanent Protection Order.

by 02 Sun Mar 02, 2008 00:29

They didn't understand.
They couldn''t see the Rath for the trees.
The NRA was no help spending 110,000 on newspaper advertising telling 'the other side of the story'
Perhaps they'll listen now.

by Toto Sun Mar 02, 2008 00:13

This problem was flagged years ago ... no one listened.

Impact at Rath Lugh

by Toto Sun Mar 02, 2008 00:09

This is the TPO map here:
http://www.savetara.com/Download/TPO_Map.pdf

The photo with the road marked and the rath is about 4 years old now

by TaraWatch Sat Mar 01, 2008 21:27

Minister Gormley discussed Rath Lugh national monument.

http://www.rte.ie/radio1/todaywithpatkenny/

(Gormley comes on around half way through the show)

Also, please see: Heaney hits out over 'tar over Tara'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7272705.stm

by Tara Support Sat Mar 01, 2008 20:58

http://www.savetara.com
http://www.tarapixie.net
http://www.sacredireland.org

Tarawatch is linked above... http://www.tarawatch.org

Last week, a small group of people held off over 48 hours the diggers that attempted again
to vandalise Rath Lugh. One woman in particular stopped that through negotiation.

The campaigns are the only thing that stands between the obliteration of the Valley
and the act of vandalism created by FF and crony re-zoners (together with the non-elected
profit driven caudillo body NRA) . The campaigns will be vindicated for consistently
and bravely drawing attention to the complete lack of protection for monuments in a state
where land=profit ;and conservation practices are criminalised.

We ask that John Gormley address the issue of Statutory Protections and instigate
an investigation into the granting of licences by his pre-decessor (again).

We ask that the Health and safety rights of the campaigners are protected.

We have asked Minister Gormley to meet with and discuss the assaults and lack
of protections at Tara, to go some way to alleviating the severe stress that these people
have put up with over a great period of time.

Infrastructure means schools, hospitals and a clean water supply. not a land grab for profit.
Investment means protecting our heritage for generations, not selling it in bits to the
highest bidder.

by Terry Sat Mar 01, 2008 19:12

The people in the camps (we call them protectors) should be being paid by the state for protecting the heritage.
They are their own task force.
The recent independent archeological survey emanated from that task force.
It is up to us all to support them in every way we can.

by Michael Martin - TaraWatch Sat Mar 01, 2008 18:11

For details check link below

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hilloftara/message/8153

by Tara Support Sat Mar 01, 2008 17:11

The campaigners had a few bad days last week, with , at one point they were
reduced to having without any legal support whilst one woman refused the
men access on the basis of the Preservation order (dated Sept 28th 2007).

I can tell people that the woman in question suceeded in holding off the crew
with one laminated copy of that order- and well done.

24 hours later the calls came again, this time the crew wanted access
to the Lugh site and to bring in vehicles. many of us spent the day
between the DOE and the Museum ensuring:

Health and safety of Protestors who are entitled to be onsite as the State really
does not give an eff.

That the incursions onto a protected site are recorded.

The Protestors have rights to protest.

They are (literally) what stands between the destruction of that site and the M£
push-through.

They should not have to put their own health in this situation, but the legislature
has stripped all monuments protection and statutory agencies , thus leaving
Tara completely without protection.

They deserve our thanks for consistently pointing out the anomalies in
protections and they are in good company, with Seamus Heaney calling
the actions of this and previous governments 'a desecration'

Support the campaigns. its one hour out of dublin. you will get a cup of tea.
you will get a tour of the sites and make friends.