Limerick seminar highlights the importance of preserving and conserving Ireland's national monuments.
The urgent need for the preservation and conservation of Irish monuments, with the support of every section of the community is stressed at a one-day seminar organised by Muintir na Tíre in Limerick. The seminar 'The Care of the National Monuments of Ireland.' is for anyone concerned about the impact of development on the country’s historic sites.
Professor Michael J O'Kelly of the Department of Archaeology, University College Cork, believes the preservation and conservation of our national monuments is the responsibility of the whole community.
He is concerned about the impact development is having on fairy forts, circular forts which dot the countryside. In the past, these were protected out of superstition and fear of disturbing the fairies. But belief in the fairies is dying. This once secure form of protection is weakening.
More of these sites are destroyed every week now than they were destroyed in the past 500 years.
Archaeologists relied on the fear of calamity befalling anyone who interfered with the ancient forts to keep the sites safe.
But now it’s the bulldozer that’s going to get the works from the fairies if something is to go wrong.
Professor Micahel J O'Kelly believes these ancient field monuments are valuable heritage for the nation.
For the most part our only knowledge of the background of the Irish people must come from these structures.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 25 June 1975. The reporter is Tom MacSweeney.
