Rock The Castle

by the accountant Thu Apr 06, 2006 00:14

How much was raised by the Dinner in Drimnagh Castle?
It was billed as a fundraiser for the legal fund but nothing has been heard of how much was raised?

by c murray - TaraWatch Sun Mar 26, 2006 13:11 dotliath at gmail dot com n/a 0877765289

i didn't realise that there were so many pd supporters on indy.
Mc Dowell has created a cult. We will keep going for the following reasons:

The Strategic infrastructure bill of 2006 which will pass through the Dail , given the over-all majority of FF/PD coalition erodes the citizen's right to access judicial review of planning decisions.
This bill will affect Rossport, Tara, and the CPO's on the Shannon Tunnel. The latter two are being built by a division of Haliburton)

PD mc Dowell managed to keep The indaver project down at Poolbeg out of the SIB equation, but not Rossport. He opposed the inclusion of the incinerator in his back yard, but not the other infrastructure projects.

The re-structuring of An Bord Pleanala and the High Court to fast track lobby proposals by vested interests indicates that this issue is very much a future issue.

There is a political principle involved in opposition to corruption and the fight at Tara includes future and past legislative decisions.

I for one am not happy about the kow-tow to the corporate interests or the legislation that erodes my democratic rights.The diversity of issues involved in the creation of awareness , be they academic, political, or just plain old principled will continue.
Partnership, Progress and Prosperity sold the FF brand, you buy it. shame.

by rose empire Sun Mar 26, 2006 12:31

im not sure that jady's comments are so off the mark. and its all interlinked with the way this campaign seems to be fought.

she talks of leftists.
im not sure there are any "leftists" involved in this campagin.

the arguments made focus on obscure legal definitions of what a national monument is and horror of horrors the fact that the landscape at tara or landscapes in general is not defined as such.

[the legal system is there to serve certain interests -not to serve justice]

what about the fucking people involved in this
what about issues of roads and global warming
destruction of heritage for profits....haliburton is involved
iraq
war
oil

how is this campaign
the fight to save tara
anything other than a conservative attempt to save something that to be honsest is of no importance to anyone appart from maybe a few academics

how many people care about the spatial patterning of later bronze age barrows?
how is it of any relevence?

because that is what this campaign seems to be about.

and yeah...

"our present and our collective future come before some forgotten history.
Let us tear down this wreck and build a new society, one looking forward not back."

by Phuq Hedd Sun Mar 26, 2006 00:08

I've seen you post several comments now which are all short, uniformative and contain nothing but your speculations. You end these with a brave signature statement of your "dissent". The comments aren't here so that you can have a jolly old debate with some imagined "leftists". If you even read the original posts you'd notice that local people were employed during the renovation, that the history is anything but forgotten. If you then took a giant leap of imagination you'd be able to guess that this would be good for tourism. But, no, you'd rather have a "debate".

Don't bother. This is where news is posted. Not puerile chatroom debates.

by [email protected] Sat Mar 25, 2006 23:35 jady4evergp at hotmail dot com

One would imagine that a leftist organisation and leftists in general with their incessent ranting about putting people first etc. would realise that our present and our collective future come before some forgotten history. Let us tear down this wreck and build a new society, one looking forward not back.

A Dissent, Jady.

by Micke Jinks - Save Tara - TaraWatch Sat Mar 25, 2006 23:21 Texas, US

I applaud the work done for this Banquet; many dedicated people worked hard. Expecially enjoy the photos as they give those of us unable to attend a sense of "being there"! THANKS

We have one goal: Save Tara from M3!

by c murray - Tarawatch Sat Mar 25, 2006 21:09 dotliath at gmail dot com n/a 0877765289

Not v good on this aspect. But the ambit of Tara:
the complex or core zone is a protected area. this was defined
by experts from discovery programme, expert witnesses and state appointed lackeys. The gov does not have to take cognisance of the complex as an area that deserves protection because in Irish legislation there is no definition of landscape as monument.There is in effect no protection for the complex.
this was reported on heavily during the court proceedings.
The 38 sites being excavated are being treated as single sites, of these the contention is that there is no inter-relation between them, the claim is that 3 are medieval or post-medieval, 9 /19thcentury and 26 are pre-historic.The case sought judicial review of minister Roche's decision to grant the licences and
the issue of his bureaucratic directions or what our lawyers termed his unreviewable discretionary powers.
In terms of campaign, we would , as the experts would view the whole landscape as protected and integral. I think maps defining the core -zone are on the hilloftara site. The only excavation programme ongoing in Tara is the excavation of sites along the M3 route.Baronstown 1 lies within the state defined core-zone and is subject to the roads programme.
i'd like to see a film or documentary book on all thirty eight sites,
because that is an area that has not been explored as yet.
In terms of looking at this issue now , the complex is under threat from mis-mangement , bad law and corrupt lobbying. The issue of interpretative centres and re-zoning around the complex would also have grave repurcussions for the integrity of the whole.

The state contends that the idea of landscape as monument does not exsist. A landscape which contains monuments is the driving point of their argument, that ,they say is mutually exclusive. A monument does not exsist unless something is done to it, i.e , it is protected, listed, altered, carried away or demolished.

In fact both the complex and the newly discovered monuments within the core zone are threatened by the dilution of heritage law and current legislation.

by rose empire Sat Mar 25, 2006 20:18

the 18 miles thing is

arguing that "tara" is not an isolated hill but a clearly definable complex of monuments and sites approx 18 miles (if that is the figure) around tara,

sort of a demse of tara

this complex is bound by a linear earthwork to the east (if i remember correctly)
and a series of 'forts' to the west.

by TG4 Sat Mar 25, 2006 19:51

There was some chef's programme on the other night, with a character talking about a boundary of 18 miles around Tara - any idea what that was?

by rose empire Sat Mar 25, 2006 19:46

tara will never be saved through the courts.

have you not realised yet that the legal system is not there to deliver justice but to serve the fuckin ruling class?

tara will never be saved by petitions signed by "eminent" academics
or movie stars (in all honesty who gives a fuck what steward townsend or his girlfriend think)

nobody really cares too much what "eminent" accedemics think (apart from themselves).

ps if tara is the rome of ireland then burn it down
pps what vincent salafia would not do for his ego

by chris murray - TaraWatch Sat Mar 25, 2006 18:22 dotliath at gmail dot com n/a 0877765289

A louden guitar has gone missing.
Two silver lamps also.

The D.O.E. which took over the role of Duchas , along with the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland has not begun archiving the reports on the 38 sites excavated.

Minister Roche states that there will be a consolidation of effort
to create a separate and equilvalent protection for heritage.

He claims that elements of Aarhus will be transposed into Irish Law as part of the Planning and development Act 2006.

The state contends that there is no inter-relationship between the 38 sites at the Tara complex.

The State contends that no national monument was discovered in the Tara complex. This would invoke a section 14(a)4, in which the director of the National Museum wd be informed. A new EIS, An bord Pleanala and a cessation of works.This has not happened. Oral evidence and affidavitt evidence points to two disputed sites.

The code of practice governing the activities of the NRA is undated and non-stautory.

locus Standi: or standing will become a big issue in the new
Strategic Infrastructure bill , when it becomes harder to access the courts for the purpose of judicial review. only recognised NGOs will have access to the process, and they must have as their stated aim the protection of the Environment and be operating for 12 months before seeking review of planning decisions.

The issue of the constitutionality of the minister's directions on the Carrickmines complex has been deferred on a few occassions. this would have direct implications for the Tara Complex. The last defferral was on the 16th Feb 06, the day Minister Roche launched the Strategic Infrastructure Bill.

OVERVIEW:

2003: Abolition of Duchas (M.Cullen TD)
2004:1930 National Monuments Act updated to allow for the
Minister to give directions to demolish ,or destroy a national monument. (M. Cullen TD).
2000-2006 (Inception of NRA, Code of practice gov NRA signed/undated by Sile De Valera @ Dept of Arts , Heritage, Gaelteacht and the Islands)
2003: Heritage portfolio dropped.
2004/2005: Heritage comes under the aegis of D.O.E.
2003-2006:NRA operates under an undated Code of Practice
which is non-statutory. Minister who acts through the agency of Duchas now has Duchas divided between OPW and Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland.
Guess what they keep losing files.

Two Planning and Development Acts written into legislation.
No separate and equivalent edifice of protection in Irish law for heritage.

by Elaine Sat Mar 25, 2006 17:33

Re: Photographer (If that's your real name?)
"How about some commentary or context instead of just uploading all your pictures?"

Read the title ... 'Photo-Essay'.
And no, I didn't upload all my photos, here are a couple more of two of the speakers, the third speaker being Vincent Salafia himself ... I have also put up a photo of two Celtic Crosses at Tara just for you.

Mr. Cody McCone, Esq., of the New York City law firm, O'Dwyer &
Bernstien, represented the Brehon Law Society at the Tara litigation
benefit at Drimnagh Castle.
Mr McCone is a past President of the Brehon Law Society, an
Irish-American Bar Association of 300 attorneys who are currently
deeply involved in the current immigration legislation sponsored by
Senators McCain and Kennedy. He spoke in detail on that issue, as well as the concerns in the Irish-American, and American archaeological community, about the preservation of Irish heritage. He flew in from New York specifically to attend the benefit.
http://www.odblaw.com/cmc.html

Mrs. Aideen Ireland, President of the Royal Society of Antiquaries
(RSAI), was a guest speaker. More than 100 years ago this society
campaigned vigorously to have ill-considered excavations by the British Israelites on the Hill of Tara stopped. Her society is opposed to the current route of the M3 motorway and they recently held a conference on Tara.
http://www.rsai.ie/index.cfm?action=obj.display&obj_id=93

Re: Scruffy Type
"is the man in the suit and tie who got the thanks owner of the castle?"

No but perhaps he should be. He is an old friend and long-time tireless campaigner (ex Carrickminders) Vincent Salafia who recently got saddled with a 6 figure legal bill for trying to defend the Hill of Tara in the High Court.
Chris Murray, the woman in the photograph with Vincent, is the main mover (if not THE main shaker) behind the scenes at Tara Watch. It was she who organised the benefit at Drimnagh and had the dedication to turn up early that morning to set the tables and chairs, organise the bar/ heating/ taxis/ linen/ caterers ... the list goes on. It was a privilege to work with her and the other volunteers who gave their time willingly for a great cause. What we won't do for Tara?
If anyone deserved to dress up to the nines and party (after the hard slog of the campaign so far) then these guys do.

The campaign goes on ... It ain't over til it's over!

Cody About To Bless The Profiteroles And Chocolate Sauce

Mrs. Aideen Ireland, President of the Royal Society of Antiquaries

Two Crosses At Tara

by c murray - TaraWatch Sat Mar 25, 2006 14:36 dotliath at Gmail dot com n/a 0877765289

Drimnagh Castle in the eighties was a roofless ruin. A small dedicated band of locals, an taisce and Peter Pearson set up a committee to fund -raise for its ongoing restoration. The roof was hand carved
with an adze by two french -roofers. Conor Rush carved figures and a geometric garden was laid.
Many many kids learnt stone work, woodwork and handicraft there. It is a beacon for stories, legends and song in the area. The kids in the schools can tell you about the Bridal of drimnagh and how Eleanora died, about the O'Byrnes , the O tooles. The context is that our layers of story and myth and collective identity derive from places where these people walked and lived. Tara is a place of legend and story , that needs preserving as it is. Our symbols and artistic inspiration derive from our relationship with place. At a deeper level, or layer ,our collective identity and community consciousness is identifyed with our relationship to place. The fight for Tara is a fight that recognises
how crucial it is to us as a people to recognise and celebrate this history. There are many disparate groups involved in this fight and many different approaches to how to fight this battle. Each person involved has a particular need to bring this issue into the public domain and keep it there.

Politically, the unanswered questions about the disputed sites at Barronstown and Collierstown have not been taken on by the opposition parties.
The contention that of the 38 excavated sites not one is a national monument is risible.
The denial of any interrelationship between the sites by the gov archaeologist is laughable.
Tarawatch will continue to publicise these issues, go to court, use the media and get the information out there.
The method statements for the current excavations and the archaeogical reports are public domain
and inaccessible.

Since the aboilition of Duchas in 2003, there is no code of practice for the identification, excavation and demolition of these sites.
DOE is 2 years behind in scanning and archiving the excavations.
we have photographed the 'digs' and the lack of ethical management of baronstown one is startling.

In terms of direction for the campaign, there are more fundraisers.The supreme court is in the offing
and the local groups are launching a petitions campaign in Europe.
The link at the end has a to do list for anyone interested in the campaign and a button that can be
put on web-sites for the on-line petition.

Thank you to everyone who attended, we were waterlogged, delivieries were late, Mick's guitar is missing, we'll get it back - but Drimnagh's success story indicates that a small dedicated group of people can achieve something amazing.

by scruffy type Sat Mar 25, 2006 14:07

if so he looks very nouveau riche. I have never seen such a photo with such a friendly caption on indymedia before. Is this what happens when you start looking for donations?

by madam k Sat Mar 25, 2006 13:39

A long days journey into night.The pink ladies pulled together while the men were suitably absent.
Great night, great photos Elaine.... oh and the barstaff were absolutely fabulous!

by Photographer Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:27

A picture paints a thousand words. So you just wrote a book on setting up a hall. Well done. How about some commentary or context instead of just uploading all your pictures?

by Elaine Sat Mar 25, 2006 07:38

Our revels now are ended.
These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Ye all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.

( - mister Shakespeare)

That Kids Got Stamina - The Band Have Been Playing For Ten Minutes

You're Going To Break That Bin

This Woman Was In Charge Of The Bar

It All Proves Too Much For Robert

Chris And Vincent - Many Thanks For A Great Night

by Elaine Sat Mar 25, 2006 07:11

Ah, it was magical. A wonderful old Norman castle, the music, the dancing, the bubbles in my glass. How my head spun ... I felt like a girl again.

Waiting For Her Moment - Sasha From Roscommon

Move Them Crazy Legs

Now They're All At It

So That's The Cause Of It All

Y'See, There's Your Problem - You Have A Nest Of Them

by Elaine Sat Mar 25, 2006 06:44

When all was done and dusted, every child in the house washed, the banner was hung and the banquet began. No photos of that as I was far too busy eating. But after the fantastic food and free champagne it was down to the undercroft of the castle for the music session.

Music was provided by harpist Javier Sainz (during dinner), the Sick and Indigent Song Club and Riabla.

Entrance To The Undercroft

Fluffy The Castle Cat - I Said No Photographs!

New Banner Strung From The Rafters

Check Out That Brilliant Wooden Ceiling Above Vincent's Head

Band In The Undercroft