Motorway vs. archaeology, as EU sues Ireland

The European Commission is beginning legal action against the Irish government over the construction of the M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara.

Tara is the historical home of the High Kings of Ireland, and a major archaeological site. Its monuments include the Mound of the Hostages, built between 2,500 and 3,000 BC -- through its passage, a sunbeam determines days in the Celtic calendar. Another is the Stone of Destiny, which was said to roar when the future king touched it.

Ireland's National Roads Authority said before construction began that it was "unlikely that any major archaeological site would be uncovered during the construction stage". Already numerous finds have been made, though there is great disagreement about how significant they are. The official stance is "preservation by record". Archaeological sites uncovered are being logged and removed, and the roadway proceeds.

It's been an on-going story for months, with many protesters and a Save Tara campaign. This is the first time the EU has gotten involved. It's expected they will say that Irish law does not offer enough protection to archaeological sites.

See the latest from the Evening Echo...

For some previous installments on the topic:

Ireland temporarily halts M3 work after find (Bloomberg, May 2007)
Ancient sites dismantled along M3 route (Irish Times, March 2007)
Roestown monument at Tara removed (Indymedia Ireland, March 2007)
Tara's landscape - protest and destruction (Indymedia Ireland, Feb 2007)

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We have women's trip to Ireland each summer, and the history there is amazing. I'm always on the lookout for interesting, relevant items, and will post whatever I find in our Ireland category.
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