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Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys.
Rath Lugh National Monument
Survey of the Protection Order area and its Northern boundary
Gabhra Archaeological Surveys
Marcin Sawicti Archaeologist Masters Thesis,
Poland
Peadar OCeallaigh BSC Hons Surveying
Photographs by Rath Lugh Solidarity vigil
Maps available on public display
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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Contents Introduction. ................................................................................................................. 3
Survey............................................................................................................................ 6 Photo 1....................................................................................................................... 7
Rath Lough Plot A3 Size ............................................................................................. 8 Rath Lough Plot A3 Size Plan view (2) ...................................................................... 9 Rath Lough Plot A3 Size Section view (3) ............................................................... 10
Photos 2-9 .................................................................................................................... 11 Photo 2..................................................................................................................... 11 Photo 3..................................................................................................................... 12 Photo 4..................................................................................................................... 13 Photo 5..................................................................................................................... 13
Photo 6..................................................................................................................... 14 Photo 7..................................................................................................................... 14 Photo 8 (Front view) .............................................................................................. 15
Photo 9 (Rear view) ................................................................................................ 15 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 16 Appendix Exhibit 1 .................................................................................................... 18 Appendix Exhibit 2 Witness statement .................................................................... 19
Appendix Exhibit 3 Witness statement .................................................................... 20 Bibliography ............................................................................................................... 21
Survey issued to the following people and institutions (by post and email). ........ 22
Contact details
Marcin Sawicti Archaeologist Masters Thesis, Poland
Email;[email protected]
Peadar OCeallaigh BSC Hons Surveying
Email; [email protected]
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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Introduction.
An independent Archaeological Survey was completed on the Rath
Lugh national monument in the Gabhra valley, Lismullen National
monument area situated 1.5 Kilometres East of Tara and 0.75 North
of Skreen castle, and 400 metres West of they newly discovered
Lismullen Henge.
The survey was completed over two days, Wednesday 13.2.2008 and
Thursday 14.2.2008. The first day was cold, dry and still, and the
survey began at 13.00pm and was adjourned at 4pm. The following
day was also cold, dry and still, the survey began at 9.00pm and was
completed at 4.00pm.
Rath Lugh is known locally as the Mound of the Druids or Rath
Gabhra and is one of seven defences around the hill of Tara.
(Temair).
It is also situated near to the newly discovered “Henge” in Lismullen,
which with its wooden postholes many respectfully suggest is also a
large Astronomical Calendar. The wooden post holes (calendar)
would have been visible from the South Eastern edge (the subject of
this survey) of the Rath of Lugh, the Rath of the Druids.
Opposite Rath Lugh there is a souterrain and a mound burial
chamber in the private land area. This general direction leads off, to
an ancient path up the banqueting hall and entrance to the hill of
Tara (Temair). This path or “Golden mile” would have been a
familiar route to the ancient Chieftains and Druids of Ireland.
Lismullen also has a souterrain with a beehive chamber and many
artefacts including a large decorated Neolithic stone comparable with
the stone outside of the front entrance to Newgrange. (see attached
photographs on page 15). The film of the beehive chamber can be
viewed at http://www.livevideo.com/video/E20DC3CE33AE417A8EBDB62569E32930/megalitic-stone-at-
lismullen-1.aspx
There is a possibility that Rath Lugh was originally a Neolithic
passage tomb, and was used later in the Bronze and Iron Ages.
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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In the early medieval period there was a ring fort constructed next to
it and a Rath which is included as a part of the defence system
around the Tara Complex.
During a previous and as yet incomplete topographical survey
conducted by ACS Ltd, a ball of smelted iron was found on top of the
Rath.
The hill or Rath is best known for its connection to the battle of the
Gabhra River which runs from a spring in the outer part of its wood
into the valley beside it. Lady Augusta Gregory in her book, Gods
and Fighting Men, 1904i, stated that the battle took place at the “hill
of the Gabhra”.
This hill of the Gabhra, the Rath of the Gabhra can only be what we
call today Rath Lugh.
In the Dindschenchasii a poem from Achall tells of the mound of
Finn, the mound of the Druids, the mound of Creidne, cheek by
cheek, south of Temair of the kings, the royal hold. This was
identified as Rath Lugh in The Todd Lectures, series Vol viii, pp 47-
48. 1969.
As well as the horseshoe “c” shaped enclosure, the whole complex has
two main hills (or spirals) which have a ring fort surrounding them
which lead out onto the bulldozed area at its south eastern point (the
subject of the first part of this survey). Rath Lugh extends to the
road to Skreen, to the North East to the South and to the stream in
the West as well as to the well (St Bridget’s) to the East; it is
interconnected to all the other sites named in this document.
Before and after the survey was completed breaches of the protection
order occurred on the 11.2.2008, 13.2.2008 and again on the
25.2.2007. Please see attached exhibits on DVD disc which contain a
film of the breach as it occurred on the 11.2.2008.
Further breaches of the protection order occurring on the 25.2.2008
can be viewed publicly on the website http://www.tarapixie.net/
http://www.livevideo.com/video/4EDC2CDDD4F34E7DB9878E9DC660F834/250208-standoff-at-rathlugh.aspx and dated 25.2.2008.
The Department of the Environment (Katerina Ryan) promised the
authors of this survey that if a breach or proof of a breach has
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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occurred at Rath Lugh, then they would respond and also
commission there own independent survey of the Rath Lugh,
Lismullen, Golden mile Archaeological area. There are also many
burial chambers in this wider area.
Coilte have also said that trees felled in the adjoining Lismullen site
on the 20.2.2008, did not have their permission, but as yet they have
not reported it to the Guarda Siachona.
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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Survey
The first part of the survey, which is contained in this document, has
covered the area of Rath Lugh known as the compulsory purchased
order area.
This area is also under the auspices of a protection order issued by
John Gormley on the 4.9.2007 by the Minister of the Environment,
and is therefore in dispute between two contradicting legal positions,
albeit European law has cited the roadworks, and therefore the CPO
land as illegal.
Working machinery had already heavily damaged the Southern side
of the Rath Lugh National Monument previous to the protection
order being issued by the Department of the Environment.
Approximately 1.5 – 2.5 metres of top soil were removed from the
entire height of the Rath Lugh scar at (16 metres 70 cm from the top
Bulldozer impression to the base of Rath Lugh itself). The
destruction also includes a stone wall at the base, ( see picture on the
next page) the remainder of which travels all over Rath and ring fort.
The base of Rath Lugh is therefore recreated with the help of this
survey and forms the front of the protection order line.
The aim of our survey was to establish the exact position of the
missing wall section and therefore the boundary of the National
Monument itself. We also calculated the distance between the
Compulsory Purchase Order outer edge and the beginnings of Rath
Lugh. The monuments protection should also include a 500 metre
exclusion zone around it, which could therefore incorporate the
Lismullen henge/astronomical calendar itself.
The second part of survey will cover whole Rath Lugh Complex
including St. Bridget’s Well, the earthwork south of the Rath, the
inner Ring fort, the horseshoe shaped earthworks, the stone wall
itself and the 3 souterrains.
The survey was completed using the 1) basic surveying tools: two
measuring sticks (2 and 4 m high), 30m measuring tape and spirit
level. We set up 16 survey points and 14 level points.
2) GPS surveying equipment, some of the results are attached within
this document.
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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All GPS coordinates from Rath Lugh and Lismullen can be made
available on request.
Our clients Tara Solidarity Vigil with Rath Lugh Direct Action
Camp requested this survey, as has everyone connected with the
protest and protest of the wider Tara World heritage site complex.
Photo 1.
South Eastern side of Rath Lugh, as bulldozers damaged it further.
The line on the picture follows the original wall before it was
completely destroyed and it is also a representation of the measured
survey. The walls are still standing just out of view, into the shrubs
and bushes.
We have added the red line to show the shape more clearly.
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
Rath Lough Plot A3 Size (Please see attached file for the original)
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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Photos 2-9
Photo 2
This picture displays one possible route of the M3, through the
Lismullen, Rath Lugh area as envisaged by the current contractors.
The edge of Rath Lugh has been bulldozed away and the route cleary
curves into the site and could have been placed further South East in
a straight line.
The protection order runs through the motorway itself.
The henge/astronomical calendar is to the west of Rath Lugh.
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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Photo 3
This picture shows outer and inner discovery project zones, cleary
showing the irregular route of the motorway. The motorway could be
rerouted further to the East.
Point 25 shows the Rath Lugh national monument.
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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Photo 4
This picture reveals the damage recorded to Rath Lugh since
January 2007, previous to the protection order signed on the
4.9.2007.
All the area covered by the trees and more is the monument of Rath
Lugh.
Photo 5
Showing Lismullen to the West, past the Rath of Lugh, the Rath of
the Druids
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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Photo 6
Photo 7
Further damage to Rath Lugh recorded since January 2007.
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Photo 8 (Front view)
Photo 9 (Rear view)
Photo 8 and 9 show a Neolithic stone which was discovered and
removed from Lismullen, and is currently stored in a warehouse by
ACS Ltd, in Counties Meath or Louth. The stone was used as a part
of souterrain and was originally in another structure, most possibly a
passage tomb. This evidence points to a date earlier than 100 AD to
the Neolithic Period. Film of the passage tomb is also available at http://www.livevideo.com/video/E20DC3CE33AE417A8EBDB62569E32930/megalitic-stone-at-lismullen-1.aspx
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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Conclusion
The main goal of the survey was to establish the exact line of
the destroyed section of the stone wall, this was achieved.
It has also been impossible to separate the Rath of Lugh
from the wider archaeological area of Lismullen and the
Golden mile.This is so because of the feel of the lay of the
land, the interconnectedness of the sites (once you walk in
and around them) and the obvious working relationship,
(both historically and today) the sites have.
As is apparent the edge of Rath Lugh (South East) is only
28.6 metres (nearest point) from the private fence which
determines the privately owned land beyond its line.
Further digger movement and earthworks on Rath Lugh
could cause inevitable damage to this as yet un-researched
heritage site. A survey and archaeological examination in the
context of the Tara Complex is highly recommended.
It is our conclusion that the protection order is in conflict
with the compulsory purchased order. Further the exclusion
zone around a national monument is currently 500 metres,
and only strengthens the protection orders status, especially
as European law as cited the road works and therefore the
compulsory purchased area as illegal.
Considering the importance of the Rath Lugh National
Monument it is recommended that a new route/road be
constructed. The current route is to its determent, as major
vibrations the current route carries will only further damage
the structure even if the current damage to Rath Lugh is
repaired. Rath Lugh can be repaired to its original edge and
boundary.
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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A recent survey the “Tara/Skryne Valley National
Public opinion Survey” compiled by Red Express
Reportiii
(Red C Reports) for SacredIreland
http://www.sacredireland.org/ said
“62% of Irish adults think the road in its current format is
wrong, 58% want the Park/Master Plan instead of the M3
and a bare 30% actually want the M3”
A new route for the M3 is the most sensible solution.
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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Appendix Exhibit 1
Also included with this survey are a video of machinery crossing the
protected area of Rath Lugh. This is also supported by witness sworn
statements.
(See Also breach of 25.02.2008) http://www.livevideo.com/video/4EDC2CDDD4F34E7DB9878E9DC660F834/250208-standoff-at-rathlugh.aspx
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Bibliography
Books
i. Isabella Augusta, Lady Gregory 2007 “Lady Gregorys
complete Irish Mythology” Preface W.B.Yeats. Pub Bounty
Books
ii. Lebor Laignech The Book of Leinster 12th
Century Trinity
College Dublin
iii. Red C Report “Tara/Skryne Valley National Public opinion
Survey” Job No: 31207
Photographs
by Rath Lugh Solidarity vigil Maps available on public display
Websites
http://www.sacredireland.org/
http://www.livevideo.com/video/E20DC3CE33AE417A8EBDB62569E32930/megalitic-stone-at-lismullen-1.aspx
http://www.tarapixie.net/
http://www.livevideo.com/video/4EDC2CDDD4F34E7DB9878E9DC660F834/250208-standoff-at-rathlugh.aspx http://www.livevideo.com/video/E20DC3CE33AE417A8EBDB62569E32930/megalitic-stone-at-lismullen-1.aspx
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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Survey issued to the following people and institutions
(by post and email). 1. Minister John Gormley Minister c/o
Katerina Ryan * (Registered post)
National Monuments Service
Department of the Environment,
Heritage and Local Government
Dun Sceine
Harcourt lane
Dublin 2
[email protected] (to fwd to minister Gormley)
2.Department of Archaeology
National University of Ireland, Galway,
University Road, Galway, Ireland.
3. SACRED IRELAND
Terry [email protected]
4. Gordon Lucas:
c/o Brian Burns
Burns Kelly Corrigan Solicitors
248 Harolds Cross Road.
Harolds Cross.
Dublin 6W
5.Vincent Salafia
Suite 108,
The Capel Building,
Mary's Abbey,
Dublin 7
"Vincent Salafia" [email protected]
6. Eamon P Kelly
Keeper of Antiquities
National Museum of Ireland
Kildare Street
Dublin 2
Also to the Tara Vigil and Rath Lugh direct action camps.