Tara Day Report

national | environment | press release Tuesday August 16, 2005 00:04 by Muireann Ni Bhrolchain - Save TaraSkryne muireann at taraskryne dot org www.taraskryne.org 087-9249510

People respond to invitation to Tara Day

The people of Ireland responded to the invitation to visit Tara on Monday 15th August and groups such as Shelltosea and The Rolestown St. Margaret’s Action Group and Residents against Radiation and those objecting to the Kilsaran Quarry joined the Save TaraSkryne Group in a show of solidarity at Tara. People gathered from 3 pm and brought picnics and discussed the various issues that concerned them.

They were joined by Ciaran Cuffe of the Green Party, and Senator David Norris addressed the gathering. There were aerial photographs taken of the crowd as they stood in a circle on Tara. Photographs were also taken of the archaeological sites along the route. Local people, farmers were present along with those who travelled from as far afield as Galway, Armagh and Cork.

The crowd was also addressed by Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, Julitta Clancy of the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society and by representatives of the other groups present.

David Norris said: “I praise the valiant people who are bravely fighting for these causes all over Ireland. Tara is the heart of Ireland. When you look at this marvellous view it is criminal to even consider building a motorway in the Valley.”

Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, PRO for the Save the TaraSkryne Valley Group said:

“This date has been chosen as it was the occasion of a Monster Meeting held by Daniel O’Connell in 1843. It was attended by an historic 750,000 thousand people. Then they were united in a call for Repeal. We call for the repeal of the Amendment to the National Monuments Act 2004 that drives a coach and four through our past and our history. Tara epitomises what it is to be Irish.”

The crowd were reminded that the place names and the related stories, the history and literature show the importance of Tara, the Gabhra Valley and Achall (Skryne). This landscape is alive with tales of the Fianna, the god Lug, Cú Chulainn and the kings such as Cormac mac Airt.

An aerial shot was taken of the crowd on the Hill at 7pm and people were shown the maps and photographs of sites being excavated and of the stories associated with Tara.

The NRA has concentrated on the archaeology. The importance of Tara, Skryne and the Gabhra Valley lies also in the history and the literature where Tara is undoubtedly the centre of all sources from the beginning of writing in Ireland.