Keep motorway wellclear of historic castle

I AM currently touring Ireland in the rain.

While staying at Coppeen in west Cork I travelled across the Gearagh, up over the hill to Sleveen and west towards Coolea. I viewed in the distance the magnificent Tower House at Carrigaphooca, standing in solitary splendour in a romantic valley.

Carrigaphooca Castle stands as a sentinel in the valley and as a proud symbol of Irish history, which is what I expect to see as a visitor.

As a member of the South Carolina Historical Society in the US, I was appalled to learn that this historic castle is threatened by a planned four-lane highway and two flyovers in its vicinity.

Carrigaphooca Castle stands proudly in testimony to the unique history of the barony of Muskerry and of Ireland. The planned highway and flyovers will soar rudely across the vista surrounding the castle, isolate it from its past and repudiate its proud history.

I urge the authorities and citizens of Co Cork to reject this project and secure for posterity their own unique heritage.

Similarly, the name Tara is redolent of Atlanta, Georgia, and to read of its despoilment is beyond belief.

Touring Ireland in the rain, the history fascinates. The rain does not.

W Gary Nichols

Professor Emeritus of History

The Citadel

The Military College of South Carolina

Charleston

South Carolina

USA