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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


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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]


3

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.

http://www.livevideo.com/video/E20DC3CE33AE417A8EBDB62569E32930/megalitic-stone-at-lismullen-1.aspx



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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

http://www.tarapixie.net/

http://www.livevideo.com/video/4EDC2CDDD4F34E7DB9878E9DC660F834/250208-standoff-at-rathlugh.aspx


5

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.


6

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.


7

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.


Rath Lough Plot A3 Size (Please see attached file for the original)


9

Rath Lough Plot A3 Size Plan view (2)


10

Rath Lough Plot A3 Size Section view (3)


11

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.


12

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.


13

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


14

Photo 6

Photo 7

Further damage to Rath Lugh recorded since January 2007.


15

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.


17

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.

http://www.sacredireland.org/


18

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.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 * (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.

[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.

mailto:[email protected]



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