TARA: UNESCO status is only a distraction

Very well said! –Irish Independent, Tuesday 22nd April 2008
UNESCO status is only a distraction

I AM writing in relation to Environment Minister John Gormley's calls for the Tara Skryne Valley to be considered for nomination to UNESCO's World Heritage List (Irish Independent, April 12).
This list represents cultural and natural heritage properties of "Outstanding Universal Value" from signatory nations to the World Heritage Convention. It also affords a veil of protection to these sites
by requiring that they are managed in a way which will preserve their value for future generations.
As one of Ireland's most eminent and important historical sites, the Tara Skryne Valley, I believe, meets UNESCO criteria and clearly demonstrates this "Outstanding Universal Value".

However, central to this is the notion of integrity, which signifies the "wholeness" or "intactness" of the site and is the benchmark upon which it may be inscribed to the list. It is interesting therefore to consider Mr Gormley's intentions to have Tara nominated to the list when it will clearly be in breach of one of its central tenets.

The proposed M3 motorway which passes within 1km of the Hill of Tara has already brought with it irrevocable destruction of our most sacred of landscapes. Its cultural and historical value to the Irish people is deserving of a national recognition and protection, before international recognition.

No inscription to the World Heritage List will legitimise the ongoing work of the M3 motorway through the Tara Skryne Valley, nor will it bestow an air of respectability upon the office of Mr Gormley.
It would also not serve the credibility of UNESCO well to inscribe a site which at present is witnessing an erosion of the very qualities for which it is proposed it should be listed.
I can only hope that bringing UNESCO's attention to the matter will encourage the rerouting of the motorway to a more suitable site, of which there are many, and bring with it future inscription to the World Heritage list, which it deserves. I can also only wish that Mr Gormley will emerge from behind the distraction World Heritage status offers and make a decision in the best interests of our nation and our heritage.
IAN LACEY
GOREY, CO WEXFORD & UCD