Letter to the Meath Chronicle
by Joe Fenwick,
Department of Archaeology,
National University of Ireland, Galway

Meath Chronicle, Saturday January 27th 2008

Tara 'sold to highest bidder'?
(Editor Meath Chronicle)

Dear sir - It is rather depressing that only now, somewhat late in the day, Meath County Council has become united in its opposition to the M3 twice-tolled motorway. For motorists obliged to use this motorway for commuting purposes the daily toll will amount to e5.20 (or e26.00 a week). But the multiple tolls are only part of the price we, as Irish citizens, will be obliged to pay.

Tara is internationally recognised as a symbol of our nationhood. It is a cultural icon and part of our world heritage. Yet this motorway, and interchange at the very foot of the hill, is destined to gouge its way through Tara's Gabhra Valley and irrevocably undermine the physical integrity of this landscape forever. A rash of secondary development that will inevitably come in its wake will compound the damage still further.

It appears that Tara has been sold to the highest bidder, a business consortium that will stand to reap a substantial profit at our inestimable loss. To add insult to injury, each time we pass through the M3's toll-plaza barriers, we will do so in the knowledge that part of our money will be used to offset the costs of this cultural desecration.

The real toll will be more than monetary; it will be at the expense of our self-respect as a people and dignity as a nation.

Yours,
Joe Fenwick,
Department of Archaeology,
NUI, Galway.