This article is from page 18 of the 2006-05-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
PLANS to partially destroy an historic ring fort on the route of the new Crusheen to Gort bypass, have been attacked by folklorist and author, Eddie Lenihan.
Galway County Council is proposing to flatten part of a “regionally important” ring fort in the townland of Lurga in south Galway.
“It is crazy that they are going to destroy part of this ring fort. Have they learned anything? They are the ones charged with protecting our heritage. It doesn’t make any sense,” Mr Lenihan said yesterday.
The Department of the Environment shares the concerns expressed by Mr Lenihan, who led a successful campaign to prevent the destruction of a fairy tree when the Newmarketon-Fergus bypass was being built.
In a submission to An Bord Pleanala, the department expresses concern that “the significance of impact on the regionally important ring fort, which was considered minor in the Route Selection Report has now become a substantial impact at Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) stage and part of the outer earthworks will be removed by the road.
“This issue was highlighted in 2002, when we wrote asking the Galway Project Archaeologist for details regarding the proposed impact on this monument. In general, the EIS fails to adequately address reasons for impact on archaeological features.”
Mr Lenihan said that he hoped that National Roads Authority (NRA) would consider changing the scheme to prevent any destruction occurring.
“I hope that they will look at the plans again,” he said.
The Department submission states that the EIS fails to consider the overall ecological value of certain sites, based on the habitats and species present and the condition of the habitats.
In its submission, An Taisce states that the impact of the road on turloughs “is a particular issue unique to this road on which it is submitted that specialist advice should be sought and obtained by An Bord Pleanala”.
Others to make a submission on the scheme’s EIS include the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board (SRFB), the Gort Regional Alliance for Community and Environment (GRACE) and environmental consultant, Peter Sweetman. The scheme will involve the severance of 845 acres of farmland along the route.
Galway County Council is the lead agency in the scheme and is intending to compulsory purchase of almost 500 acres of land contained in 103 farms. Objections have been lodged and an oral hearing is to be held later this year.