Campaign to Save Tara – Press release
Minister places preservation order on Rath Lugh


The Campaign to Save Tara welcomes the decision of Minister John Gormley to place a preservation order on Rath Lugh in the Gabhra Valley at Tara. Rath Lugh is a defensive, promentary outpost of Tara and will be severely impacted by the proposed route of the M3. The Campaign had warned of the impending danger to the Rath in January when heavy machinery was used to fell trees in the area between Lismullin and Rath Lugh – before the NRA discovered that there was a national monument there. This made visible the track of the motorway and its proximity to the huge monument. The NRA were warned during the Oral Hearing of the possible danger to the Rath.

The area under Rath Lugh is an esker consisting of sand and gravel formed in the ice age, a very unstable substance on which to build such a road.

Originally, the NRA maintained that the road would be 100metres away from the Rath but recent surveys and work done by the NRA show that it will be within 20metres – posing a serious threat to the stability of the monument and the esker.

This development shows that the claims of those opposed to this route were correct. There should never have been an attempt to drive a motorway through this incredibly sensitive archaeological area – Tara’s landscape.

M. Ni Bhrolcháin said: ‘The support for the Campaign is growing – this was clearly demonstrated at the recent equinox event when 1,500 people gathered to form a huge human harp on Tara for the international artist, John Quigley. With climate change a frightening reality, it is madness to persist in building motorways instead of public transport.’

Minister Gormley to place Temporary Preservation Order on National Monument at Rath Lugh, Co. Meath

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley TD, has confirmed today (2 Oct. 06) that he has placed a Temporary Preservation Order on a National Monument at Rath Lugh in Lismullin Townland, Co. Meath, adjacent to lands on which the M3 motorway is under construction. Coillte Teo own the land on which the national monument at Rath Lugh is located.

"I have been informed that Rath Lugh is outside the land-take for the M3
although clearly the National Monument is quite close to the perimeter of
the road take. In fact a recent survey confirmed that the monument is
approximately 20m east of the motorway fence line. Special measures are
being put in place to ensure that the monument is not under-mined or
endangered in any way during construction or when the road comes into
operation. The monument will be over 30m from the motorway carriageway when it is completed, said Minister Gormley

"As I have stated previously I am fully committed to preserving the
archaeological heritage of this area and I am taking this measure as I want to ensure that the National Monument which is close to the land take for the road is fully protected and not in any danger at all, "added Minister
Gormley.

The Minister determined that a Temporary Preservation Order should be put in place, initially, to ensure the national monument is protected while he discusses the long-term preservation of the site with Coillte.

So what exactly was the purpose of Rath Lugh historically?
Does anyone know the lore which is associated with the Hill?
Perhaps what link Lamhfada had with it according to mythology, and why?

Gael,

Not sure of its original purpose. It is described as a promontory fort, but to be honest not enough is known about it. I have visited it and was intrigued by it. It's absolutely huge, and it appears to have some sort of a small motte / passage-tomb / mound structure near the top. It's mostly covered with trees, making it very hard to visualise the whole structure.

Would like to know more about its association with Lugh and the legends attached to it. I find Lugh fascinating. If you haven't read it yet, it would recommend our book, Island of the Setting Sun, for interesting stuff on Lugh and Cúchulainn.

I've heard on the TnG 4 documentary entitled "Teamhair" (have ye seen it? what is yere thoughts? Twas available on stream in Éire up to recently) that the site may have some resonance with the famous Cath Gabhra.

Cath Gabhra: Was literally the ending of the Fianna in a bloody civil war. The high king Cormac Arts son took over, and felt the Fianna got out of hand. A divide ensued between Fianna who opposed to the new king and others who supported his. As those who are familiar with the stories and "history" of Na Fianna, the old rivalry between Clann Baoiscne (Fionn (leader), Oscar, Oisín), and Clann Mórna (Goll and Conan) has been a common theme in the stories, and this re emerged in the final battle. Mórna supporting the Ard Rí of Ireland against the other Fianna, namely Clann Baoiscne.. I wont go into the details and ruin the outcome and the great battles that took place in case someone may want to read it in it's literary form some day.

In accordance to the lore, the battle apparently took place in the region. And the dead of the Fianna (on both sides) were apparently buried in a large rath that speakers and professors on the TG4 documentary feel today, that the the mentioned Rath of their burial place could only be Rath Lugh due to its size and the functions of the other hills.

Have they done any excavation on the site, and what have they found Anthony?