Government fails to protect national treasure left to us by our ancestors

AS an Irish-Canadian I am appalled at the failure of the Government to protect the country’s ancient heritage in the Tara-Skryne Valley.

Despite significant Irish and international concern over the impact of a major motorway through this unparalleled historic complex, the Government refused even to consider viable alternative routes. So now we must watch the destruction of what should have been a fully protected monument, indeed a World Heritage site, throughout the valley. I have been fortunate to be able to return to my grandparents’ ancestral homeland and to have walked with deep emotion through the Tara landscape.

Now I and so many others must witness this shameful failure by a Government that claims to honour the traditions and heritage bequeathed to us by our Irish ancestors. The time is late, but I only hope that somehow, in some way, the remarkable gift of the Tara-Skryne landscape will be appreciated and duly preserved as the Irish treasure that it is.