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
Contents Introduction...... 3 Survey...... 6 Photo 1...... 7 Rath Lough Plot A3 Size ...... 8 Photos 2-9 ...... 9 Photo 2...... 9 Photo 3...... 10 Photo 4...... 11 Photo 5...... 11 Photo 6...... 12 Photo 7...... 12 Photo 8 (Front view) ...... 13 Photo 9 (Rear view) ...... 13 Conclusion ...... 14 Appendix Exhibit 1 ...... 16 Appendix Exhibit 2 Witness statement ...... 17 Appendix Exhibit 3 Witness statement ...... 18 Bibliography ...... 19 Survey issued to the following people and institutions (by post and email)...... 20
Contact details
Marcin Sawicti Archaeologist Masters Thesis, Poland Email;[email protected]
Peadar OCeallaigh BSC Hons Surveying Email; [email protected]
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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 Esatern 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 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 7 & 8). 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.
In the early medieval period there was a ring fort constructed next to it and a Rath which is included as a part of defence system around the Tara Complex.
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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 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 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 occurred at Rath Lugh, then they would respond and also commission there own independent survey of the Rath Lugh,
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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.
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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, 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.
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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 Western 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.
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Rath Lough Plot A3 Size (Please see attached file for the original)
Gabhra Independent Archaeological Surveys
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 North West in a straight line.
The protection order runs through the motorway itself. The henge/astronomical calendar is to the west of Rath Lugh.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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A recent survey the “Tara/Skryne Valley National Public opinion Survey” compiled by Red Express iii Report (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.
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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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Appendix Exhibit 2 Witness statement
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Appendix Exhibit 3 Witness statement
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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
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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
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. [email protected]
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected]
Also to the Tara Vigil and Rath Lugh direct action camps.
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