Sir, - While reading the informative article by Colman Cassidy on Carrickmines Castle (August 2nd) I was struck by all the parallels with the events surrounding Wood Quay excavation of the late 1970s, especially as the director of the excavation, Dr Mark Clinton, was one of the archaeological team then.
However, I think that in this new millennium all the principal players in this new controversy should be able to work out some kind of intelligent compromise that allows both for this important medieval site to be resolved archaeologically, and also for the road development to go ahead.
Having visited the site it is my professional opinion as a medieval archaeologist that such a large and complex site cannot be satisfactorily resolved by the end of this month, and that extra time needs to be negotiated between the different parties. In the second place, the constructive suggestions by bodies such as An Taisce about revising parts of the proposed road lay-out should be examined seriously so as to at least preserve the major stone remains of the castle for presentation to the public.
This late medieval settlement site at Carrickmines is actually very different archaeologically to the Viking Age and early medieval urban site at Wood Quay. Its importance cannot be underestimated for those of us who are interested in the rural settlement pattern on the periphery of the immediate hinterland of late medieval Dublin. It would also be a sad day for those of us who are interested in preserving a proper balance in our landscape between new development and what is best of our shared past.
It is also ironic in the context of our commitment to European ideals of conservation and preservation that the excavation of this castle and its environs is going to be halted prematurely at the same time that the international Chateau Gaillard castle conference is concluding at Maynooth. This 21st biannual conference, which is attended by all the most distinguished European castle archaeologists and historians, is being hosted by Ireland for the first time in its long history, from 23rd-30th August this year.
What better present could we give these international delegates than the preservation of at least the core of this unique site? - Yours, etc.,
Prof TERRY BARRY, Department of Medieval History, Trinity College,
Dublin 2.