Dear Madam,

A recent Irish Times article described those advocating conservation of the National Monument at Carrickmines as “anti-roads protestors”.  This is incorrect. Many of the conservationists at Carrickmines are car drivers, and believe that the M50 Motorway should be completed.  However they believe the road should be routed around the Monument rather than through it, as show in the original plans.                  

The lands around the Castle including the Jackson Way property were rezoned in recent years. Subsequently the main roundabout and access roads at the Carrickmines junction were increased in size. Sadly, this has resulted in more lands being taken from the Castle grounds.

The site at Carrickmines is of major significance.  It is a four-acre settlement that contains the remains of wooden and stone buildings, mills, forges, a church and either a keep or a medieval hall at its centre.  Towers and curtain walls enclosed it.  So far the area has yielded over 100,000 artefacts.  Experts from the National Museum, and learned specialists at home and abroad have championed its preservation.

Recently Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council redesigned the next junction south on the M50 at Lehaunstown, a mile from Carrickmines to meet the needs of future development.  This provides the precedent for making changes at Carrickmines.   Why is the Council so bent on accommodating a developer’s wishes at Lehaunstown, and yet unwilling to make significant changes to protect the National Monument at Carrickmines?

Referring to those who wish to protect Carrickmines Castle as “anti-roads” is unfair to those who believe that conservation of our past can go hand in hand with development.

Respectfully Yours,

Dr. David Edwards,

Dr. Mark Clinton,

Dr. Sean Duffy,

Mr. Dominic Dunne,

Mr. Ruadhán Mac Eoin,

Ciarán Cuffe TD,

Mr. Anthony Murphy.