The second Battle of Tara isn’t over yet

ENVIRONMENT Minister Dick Roche recently launched a study of important battle sites and vowed to amend the National Monuments Act to protect them, saying: “Battlefields … can increase our knowledge and understanding of momentous events in Irish history.”

The Gabhra Valley has been the scene of many battles and “momentous events”, not least the legendary Battle of Gabhra and Achall (Skreen) between the King of Tara, Cairpre Lifechair, son of Cormac mac Airt, and the Fianna.

The king himself and many heroes are said to have perished in the conflict and were buried in the area.

One poem mentions a “sad mound” holding “the long grave”. Just over 1,000 years ago, in 980, the Battle of Tara was fought between the Irish king, Malachy II, and the Norse King of Dublin, Olaf.

Presumably the battle casualties were buried in situ somewhere in the valley.

Are their bodies being dug up in advance of the construction of the M3? In 1798, there was another battle of Tara between Irish rebels and crown forces.

It was perhaps because of the extraordinary historical pedigree of Tara that Daniel O’Connell saw fit to hold a monster meeting on the hill in 1843, said to have been attended by one million people.

Is Mr Roche’s interest in battlefields too late to ensure the preservation of the sites in the Gabhra Valley and Tara?

Despite recent initiatives, it is rather ironic that this minister, along with his predecessors Dempsey and Cullen, chose this moment in history to do battle with Irish citizens who wish to see our heritage, and above all Tara, granted a modest degree of legal protection. The Battle of Tara is not yet over.

Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin

School of Celtic Studies

NUI Maynooth

Co Kildare