Two prominent archaeologists at NUI Galway are among the objectors to a planning application for a construction and demolition waste recycling facility just 1,500m (4,900ft) from the Hill of Tara in Co Meath.
In a joint submission, Conor Newman and Joe Fenwick say the development at Garlow Cross, is entirely inappropriate and will impact on the unique cultural, historical and archaeological heritage of this "singularly important landscape".
They also claim it would be against the expressed wishes of Minister for the Environment Dick Roche who last year said he would impose robust controls with regard to Tara and "ensure appropriate policies are in place to provide for the future protection of this area".
If the application is granted they say it would be "official approval of a flagrant act of environmental and cultural vandalism". Fourteen observations in all have been made to Meath County Council on the proposal which has been lodged by JMP Construction Ltd of Philpotstown, Garlow Cross. The site is also close to the proposed M3/N3 interchange at Blundelstown.
In a separate submission, Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, lecturer in Celtic Studies at the National University of Ireland Maynooth and campaigner against the route of the M3 because of its proximity to Tara, has said the site "is in the heart of the Gabhra valley between the two hills of Tara and Skryne that constitutes Tara's heartland".
She also claims the site is in an area that has been recognised in various reports "as being of the highest archaeological significance and sensitivity".
The council is due to decide on the application next month.