Irish Archeological WTF?

[scarlettina]

mevennen has posted about what may be the biggest WTF I've ever read about with regard to archeology. The short version is that the Irish government has decided to run a highway through (or very near; the coverage isn't completely clear on this) Tara, seat of the ancient Irish kings, while archeological discoveries are still being made there. There's been no coverage of this in America that I know of, maybe because the Irish government figures once Americans—especially Irish Americans—get our/their hands on the issue, they'll have practically an international incident to deal with. I find it just appalling (and I haven't been there yet! Wah!). mevennen posted links to a couple of protest web sites that are worth a look see. Go find out more.

Comments

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

I gather from last night that there's been a bit of informal coverage in the States and, bless them, people over there have been instantaneous and militant in their help - it's particularly helpful in the form of email campaigns - details of theseshould be on the website and there's an international day of action planned for July (exact date on the sites, again).

And thank you for covering this.

[dianora2.livejournal.com]

It's not through it, it's near it. It would run near Newgrange as well. It's a huge brouhaha over there, and when you go to the Hill of Tara there are huge banners set up protesting the development, in some rather pointed language. *g*

[dianora2.livejournal.com]

Actually, I just realized I shouldn't have said that so authoritatively about the route, because I'm not 100% sure. But I think that's the deal. Still: WTF indeed.

[oldmangrumpus.livejournal.com]

I'd actually heard about this some months ago. And it's pretty appalling. As someone posts on the original, knowing the Irish government, I suspect a backroom deal, that someone - someone stupid - thought would go unnoticed.

Yeah, right.

[shellyinseattle.livejournal.com]

We actually have already done the equivalent in the U.S.

A highway runs right through the Cahokia mounds, seat of power of the Missippian culture, right next to the largest Native American pyramid in the U.S. where the king lived.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

That is depressing.

[lagilman]

sounds like the Irish Tourism Bord needs to have a discussion with a few of their lobbyists....

"Are you trying to kill us here, man? How're we supposed to sell to the Americans with a howlin' highway running through? They already have highways of their own, they don't want to come here and see any of that! Point that thing elsewhere, you're making us all look like fckuin' idiots, you are..."

[stephen-dedman.livejournal.com]

We've had similar problems here with sites that attract eco-tourists and backpackers. Unfortunately, while governments seem happy to fund advertising campaigns to attract tourists (possibly to keep the advertising agencies on their side), they seem to believe that (i) most Australians would prefer tourists go somewhere else, and (ii) tourists don't vote.

Of course, it doesn't help that our federal government sees environmentalists, archaeologists and historians as the enemy of the mining and farming lobbies that provide a major part of their support, and as critics of their own policies.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the tip. I've signed and passed it on.

[dianora2.livejournal.com]

Also, I read about this in the New York Times weeks ago. It's being covered in the American press, you just didn't see the article. ;)