An important archaeological monument- the neolithic passage tomb of Dowth at Bru na Boinne, Co Meath - has been acquired by the State. The property including 16 acres of adjacent land was purchased privately and the price has not been disclosed. Professor of archaeology, Mr George Eogan, said last night he is "thrilled". The Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Dempsey, announced the acquisition yesterday.
"I am more than satisfied, I am thrilled," said Prof Eogan, who has been working as an archaeologist in the Bru na Boinne area for 40 years. "One does not know what's underground at Dowth. When we started in Knowth we thought there was only one site, and we found one large site and the remains of about 20 smaller sites. I'm sure Dowth is likewise as important, and there will be further archaeological development in that very rich area."
"It is hoped that the presentation works will be carried out next year and that the site will be open to the public for the following season," said Mr Dempsey. Together with Knowth and Newgrange, the Dowth site makes up the archaeological complex at Bru na Boinne (the dwelling place of the Boyne). It also contains a series of medieval earthworks and adjoins Dowth Castle, a medieval towerhouse, and the John Boyle O'Reilly memorial.
According to the Book of Leinster, Dowth was the site of several battles in the late Celtic (Iron) Age and it later attracted Norse and Normans. It was also the site of an extensive early Christian settlement.
"This acquisition completes the process of bringing these three major prehistoric monuments into the ownership of the State," said Mr Dempsey.
He added that the acquisition represented another important stage in the evolution of the site, which already had the distinction of being designated a world heritage site by UNESCO. "The overall development at Bru na Boinne will also make an increasing contribution to local job creation and commercial opportunities," said Mr Dempsey.
He said that while some excavation had taken place in the last century, the tumulus had not yet been extensively explored archaeologically and was to be valued for this undisturbed stage.
It contained two impressive tomb-chambers and passages, one of which was altered by the construction of a "souterrain", a refugestorage chamber, in the early Christian period.