Anti–Heritage Campaigners Target New Site

Thursday January 13, 2005 16:04

by PP

Anti-Heritage Campaigners, National Rogue Association, vow to extend their program of destruction to include new site at Aughrim in Co. Galway

Aughrim, Co Galway. Site of one of Ireland's largest battles, where 9000 died in 1691. NRA have announced their intent to destroy it.

Anti-heritage protestors, known as the National Rogue Association (NRA), have vowed to take their fight to a new site, it emerged yesterday. Under the slogan of “Out of our cold dead hands would our plans ever be changed” the campaigners announced a further 1300 Million Euros to add to their war-chest, while expanding their program to include a new location at Aughrim in East Galway. To date, NRA protestors have cost tax-payers 17,000 million.

Under the auspices of building roads, to date NRA has successfully targeted a number of key sites including Tara, Carrickmines, and Woodstown in Waterford. “Aughrim presents us with a golden opportunity to tarmac over yet another area of historic importance. A lot of care goes into the planning of roads to ensure we maximise the destruction of these sites. Courtesy of An Bord Stampalla, the “planning system” provides us with the ideal way of baffling anybody who has an interest in raising any concerns; even when their own inspectors recommend refusal, the board insists on approving our proposals.” To date the Bord has rejected no roads.

“We have learnt from Cashel”, the NRA spokesperson said, “there we failed to drive a motorway the Rock. This meant that that road was built, almost on time and almost within budget – without destroying any heritage site. Nor did it ensure a proper row in the courts. We won’t make that mistake again.”

Separately the NRA denied that they had any involvement in the recent decapitation of the Sean Russell statue in Fairview, Dublin. Describing the act as “amateurish” the spokesperson said “that it was a botched job; if it had been us, there would be nothing of the statue left”.

Aughrim is the site of one of Ireland’s largest battles, where 9000 died in 1691 – more than died at Normandy on D-day. Described by historians as “Ireland’s Gettysburg”, the Batle of Aughrim decided the fate of the war between William III and James II.

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Comments (3 of 3)

Wonderful news

by John

Thu Jan 13, 2005 16:27

Ireland urgently needs more motorways. We have fewer motorways than any country in Europe. The Irish economy will not be able to compete unless a proper modern road network is established. In addition, motorways are by far the safest form of road, eight times safer than any other. If you decided that no area where a battle once took place could have a road through it, half of Ireland would have to make do with horses as the only means of transport. No matter where the NRA chooses to build a motorway, these heritage freaks oppose it. If its not snails, its some supposedly rare species of grass. If its not that, its because a few stones have been found that date from Viking times. Now its because a battle took place there centuries ago. Well, a battle took place in Clontarf in 1014, so presumably you believe all the houses and roads around there should be pulled down and the area restored to its 1014 state. The reality is that the heritage freaks are simply against all roads, full stop. They are simply the anti-motoring lobby in a new guise. Time these clowns grew up. A modern economy needs modern roads. These people want an economy where half the workforce consists of archaeologists leisurely digging around for bits of stone, fragments of wood, and the odd bit of pottery. Sorry, but such an economy is not viable these days.

Overkill

by Michael Hennigan

Thu Jan 13, 2005 17:47

Having had the benefit of listening to a reasoned discussion on this issue on RTE's Morning Ireland, what's presented above, could be charitably termed a rant.

The statement- NRA have announced their intent to destroy it - may get attention. Apparently, the road will skirt by one wing of the battlefield and it has been proposed that a viewing structure could be moved.

The NRA is being advised by a historian of the period. He discussed the issue with another historian on RTE who suggested that the road could be built nearby through a bog - apparently that would cost a lot of money.

The historian who opposes the NRA plan said that the NRA's adviser is the recognised expert on the Jacobite-Williamite campaign in Ireland.

The key issue is that the main site of the battlefield will not be destroyed.

tongue in cheek, perhaps?

by hutton

Thu Jan 13, 2005 18:44

"The reality is that the heritage freaks are simply against all roads, full stop" - John. I think the point being made is that roads can be built - such as at Cashel - without whacking heritage.

Re "The key issue is that the main site of the battlefield will not be destroyed" - Michael. Unlikely; since transpired that there are other ancillary roads - as well as the motorway - that impact on the site.

Lighten up lads, I think someone was taking the piss...

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Anti–Heritage Campaigners Target New Site

Comments (3 of 3)