Farmers erect no trespassing signs in protest at delays in the building of the Burren Interpretative Centre
Visitors to the Burren will no longer enjoy the privilege of crossing farm land. Farmers in counties Galway and Clare have begun erecting hundreds of 'No Trespassing' signs on their land. The farmers feel that their goodwill gesture of allowing thousands of people to cross their land, has been eroded over the controversial delay of the Burren Interpretative Centre.
Instead of 'Visitors Welcome', it will read 'No Trespassing'.
Farmers Seamus Kelly and Frank O'Grady explain their reasons for erecting the signs and their frustration that the Burren Interpretative Centre has still not been completed.
When you have visitors coming, you have to have a visitor's centre to welcome them.
They believe that they can only continue to work the land in harmony with the large number of visitors if the centre goes ahead.
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has also begun their own campaign against what they call the archaic law of occupiers' liability. Alan Gillis (IFA) explains that while farmers welcome tourists to the area, they will not take responsibility for injury of people crossing their land. Mr Gillis is calling for immediate action by the government to change the law.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 April 1993. The reporter is Gerry Reynolds.
