World heritage sites: a tale of two Taras

I WAS delighted to learn that the government, following a recent report by UNESCO and the world conservation body IUCN, has at last recognised the importance of Tara as a World Heritage Site, and reversed its decision to build a major component of national infrastructure in the area.

This is wonderful news and has restored my faith in the institution of democratic, far-sighted and principled government.

I refer, of course, to the enlightened government of Montenegro — and most especially its environment minister Boro Vucinic — in relation to plans to build a hydroelectric dam at the Tara River Canyon in that country.

With the recent deluge of planning applications towards the development of sites in and around the proposed M3 Blundelstown interchange at the foot of the Hill of Tara, I wonder whether IUCN/UNESCO could take a look at a small river valley near our own Tara and advise the Irish Government accordingly?

Joe Fenwick

Department of Archaeology

NUI Galway

University Road

Galway