Sir, - I refer to your obituary of Sir Gordon Beveridge (The Irish Times, September 11th). In addition to the excellent work that Sir Gordon undertook at Queen's University, your readers may be interested in a further part of his legacy to Ireland - that of the preservation and interpretation of Emain Macha, Navan Fort in Armagh.
In the early 1980s, active development of a quarry beside the monument caused anxiety among a wide range of people concerned that this important monument was about to be destroyed. In 1985, a planning application for a further extension of the quarry led to world-wide concern and a public inquiry - the longest ever held in Northern Ireland. Finally, the Minister announced that the extraction of stone should cease, which it did on September 30th, 1987.
Sir Gordon took up the baton with the establishment of the Navan Fort Initiative Group. In early 1987 he gathered a number of people with an interest in how the monument should be developed while protecting its integrity and allowing future generations to appreciate the role of Emain Macha in history.
Through a long, arduous and often unrewarding process, Sir Gordon not only helped to achieve the preservation of Emain Macha but also to procure funds for the establishment of a visitor centre which interprets the real and mythological happenings at Emain Macha.
Sir Gordon continued his tireless work for Emain Macha, serving as chairman until last year, when ill health forced him to withdraw.
We are grateful to him for this legacy. - Yours, etc.,
H. E. Roulston, Director, Navan at Armagh Management Ltd, Killylea Road, Armagh.