DECLAN KENNY,
Sir, - I have just spent an enjoyable weekend in the National Museum in Dublin, demonstrating hands-on crafts of the Viking age to young and old alike, beside the recently opened Medieval Exhibition. It was the culmination of Heritage Week, and my colleagues and I enjoyed two days immersed in history and culture, courtesy of the forward-thinking staff and management at the museum. Much good work has been undertaken recently to preserve and display our heritage in an engaging and informative way, and I would urge people to visit their museums.
It was hard, however, not think about the occupation a couple of miles away in Carrickmines of a site of such archaeological importance that one expert referred to it as the "Newgrange of the medieval period". Could it only happen in Ireland where we celebrate our culture and heritage on one hand, while burying it with the other?
This is Wood Quay all over again. The depression deepens when we hear the media calling the people occupying the site "eco-warriors".
Perhaps sections of the media are working on behalf of the National Roads Authority? I recall the same media expressed dismay over the destruction of giant Buddhist statues in Afghanistan. Do they have the stomach for something a little closer to home? - Yours, etc.,
DECLAN KENNY,
Celbridge Road,
Leixlip,
Co Kildare.
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Sir, - The National Roads Authority re-routed the Newmarket-on Fergus bypass in Co Clare to avoid a fairy bush. The same authority is about to bulldoze the route of the M50 in south Co Dublin through one of the largest medieval castle sites in Ireland at Carrickmines.
The NRA is obviously away with the fairies. Clearly the Anglo-Normans do not command the same parity of esteem in its Darby O'Gill school of conservation. - Yours, etc.,
ERIN GIBBONS,
Daniel Street,
Dublin 8.