Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 May 1996

Vol. 147 No. 5

Adjournment Matters. - Kiltalown (Dublin) Archaeological Sites.

Mr. Hayes

I assure the House that the overt filleting operation which took place on the previous Adjournment matter will not occur on this one, which will be much more subtle and convivial. I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter for the Adjournment; I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Carey, and congratulate him on the work he is progressing so effectively in his Department, particularly for the western seaboard.

The Kiltalown site in west Tallaght takes up 20 acres. Most of the area has unemployment rates of 80 per cent, there are connected large-scale problems and the social amenities are minimal. For a considerable period the west Tallaght heritage group and other people in the community have looked for a heritage site within the area. Tallaght is the size of Limerick — 97,000 people live there — and we want a heritage site because we recognise the importance of heritage to the local people. It will give them a sense of belonging to the area and of achievement for the works completed locally.

The Kiltalown site is most interesting and the Minister will be aware of two major archaeological finds there in the last year. The first is a Pale ditch, 180 metres long, dating from the Act of Parliament in 1794. It is an extensive archaeological find which was recorded and validated by the Office of Public Works in February. The second was a standing stone, which is between 5,000 and 6,000 years old. The inclination and axis of the stone point to 19 extensive monuments recently found on Tallaght Hill.

We argue that this area has heritage and, consequently, tourism potential which we believe should be developed as part of a heritage park, not just for the people of west Tallaght but for the Dublin region. South Dublin County Council currently has plans to develop a small number of houses on the site but most people in the area are completely opposed to this. We want the support of the Minister and the Government for preserving the heritage of west Tallaght through these new finds and ensuring that, if funds are made available, we can develop the site into an international heritage park.

Community spirit in west Tallaght is second to none; the people have worked exceptionally hard with State and local agencies to develop the community. They are looking to the Government and the Minister to do everything in their power to develop this community-led initiative and ensure the heritage of the area is handed on to another generation.

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. Carey)

I thank Senator Hayes for raising this matter. There are two archaeological sites at Kiltalown. Tallaght, County Dublin which have recently come to the attention of the National Monuments Service. The first is a linear earthwork in two sections which is similar in form to the sections of the Pale ditch identified at Balally and Ballyogan in South County Dublin. It is characteristically located at the foot of the Dublin Mountains. This accords with the account given by Ball. There is a local tradition in Tallaght that the Pale ditch ran through the grounds of the Dominican Priory in the village. It is probable that it continued further west as there was a castle at Jobstown in 1654 and Kiltalown House was built on the site of an early church. The second item is a granite standing stone, just over one metre in height, which is located west of Kiltalown House in an area where there are a number of Bronze Age burials. It is positioned similarly to the nearest standing stones at Boherboy, that is, on relatively level grassland at the base of the foothills.

Both sites have been added to the Sites and Monuments Record and will be included in the Record of Monuments and Places. They were brought to the attention of the National Monuments Service by the heritage awareness group in Tallaght. The latter has presented a submission to South Dublin County Council outlining the history of the area and calling for the preservation of local features which include, inter alia, the Pale ditch and standing stone.

I am aware of plans by South Dublin County Council to sell the lands to the north and west of the monuments to facilitate a private housing development. The local group is opposed to this and wants the lands preserved as a park. In the council's plans for housing there would be a green area which would preserve the standing stone but only part of the Pale ditch. The other part of the ditch would be lost through the construction of the proposed new by-pass extension to the south although a route for this has not yet been definitively decided.

Representatives of the National Monuments Services are due to meet the council on 10 May to discuss their proposals and informal on-site discussion has already taken place. The National Monuments Service is concerned to ensure that the two sites are protected. It would prefer to see the route of the proposed by-pass extension moved further south, away from that portion of the Pale ditch which would be threatened. If, for reasons connected with the alignment of the road, it cannot be moved, the National Monuments Service would insist on full excavation of that part of the ditch being removed.

There are an estimated 150,000 archaeological sites and monuments in the State but only a select number can be presented to the public. While the monuments in question are of importance, the National Monuments Service has no plans to develop a heritage park at this location. It would, however, be supportive of any initiative which would preserve the monuments in situ. I urge the Senator to prevail on South Dublin County Council and the heritage group to form a partnership for which aid might be forthcoming.

The Seanad adjourned at 4.20 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 15 May 1996.