TaraWatch

Lismullin Henge • Gabhra Valley, Ireland

by Jarrett A. Lobell, Archaeology Magazine

Early last year, archaeologists working on the route of a controversial highway near the village of Lismullin, Ireland, stumbled across a vast Iron Age ceremonial enclosure, or henge, surrounded by two concentric walls. The 2,000-year-old site is just over a mile from the Hill of Tara, traditional seat of the ancient Irish kings and site of St. Patrick’s conversion of the Irish to Christianity in the fifth century A.D. The discovery of the massive henge, measuring more than 260 feet in diameter, confirms the long-held belief that the area around the hill contains a rich complex of monuments.

The extraordinary amount of archaeological remains on the Hill of Tara–burial mounds, religious enclosures, stone structures, and rock art dating from the third millennium b.c. to the twelfth century A.D.–makes it Ireland’s most spiritually and archaeologically significant site. Construction of the new M3 highway, meant to ease traffic congestion around Dublin, threatens not only the Hill of Tara’s timeless quality, but also newly discovered archaeological sites in the surrounding valley.

Lismullin, seen above in an aerial shot taken during excavations, and other sites that stand in the way of the new road are now approved for destruction. Although archaeologists and concerned Irish politicians are rallying support worldwide for the protection of the Hill of Tara, the iconic site remains in great peril. At press time, the European Commission had initiated legal action against the Irish government over the M3, charging Ireland with failing to protect its own heritage.

Tara site named in top 10 archaeological discoveries

Irish Independent
By Colin Bartley
Monday December 31 2007

Campaigners for the preservation of the Tara-Skryne Valley were celebrating yesterday when the Lismullen national monument was named as one of the 10 most important archaeological discoveries of 2007.

The 2,000-year-old henge, discovered in March, has been a major obstacle in the completion of the M3 motorway around the area of the Hill of Tara.

‘Archaeology Magazine’, the Archaeological Institute of America’s highly regarded publication, listed the find.

The Tara-Skryne Valley was also listed in the top 100 most endangered sites by the World Monuments Fund.

Members of Tarawatch say this announcement caps off “what has been a very successful year for the Tara campaign”.

Vernon Mount, the 18th-century villa in Cork, also made the top 100 most endangered sites list. The World Monument Fund again puts down planning issues as the main problem in this site, claiming a stalemate between owners and the Cork County Development Plan is causing deterioration.

The owners, a motocross club, say the lands around the house need to be rezoned to fund the work needed to renovate it.