Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
10. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position on the significance of the recent uncovering of an ancient monastic settlement beside the Drumholm Church of Ireland graveyard, near the village of Ballintra, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38472/13]
View answerI am aware of the reported archaeological find at Drumholm graveyard on foot of recent excavations carried out under licences issued by my Department under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004. The licenses relate to investigations associated with an application to Donegal County Council under the planning Acts for an extension to the graveyard and the provision of a new vehicular entrance and additional car park spaces. The graveyard is the location of a number of monuments already listed in the record of monuments and places under the National Monuments Acts.
Holders of excavation licences under the National Monuments Acts are required to submit a preliminary report on the excavation to my Department and the National Museum of Ireland within four weeks of completion. A detailed report must follow within 12 months of completion of excavation. An assessment of the significance of the reported find in this case, taking account of its context within the ecclesiastical complex of which it forms part, will be commenced by my Department once the preliminary report is received. An inspection of the site will also be carried out as part of that assessment.
If it transpires that the find is as significant as has been suggested, it will indeed be a valuable addition to our archaeological heritage that will further highlight and demonstrate the continuity of worship that has taken place at the site for many generations. The Church of Ireland authorities and the local community are meanwhile to be commended on their stewardship, care and management of the monument site, which has facilitated and made possible the recent reported discovery.
I welcome the Minister’s positive response. I am glad he commended the local community on its stewardship of the site, as it deserves it. The archaeologist working on the site has said he cannot overstate the national importance of this significant and exciting ecclesiastical site. The sooner the archaeological investigations to which the Minister referred are completed, the better. The site needs to be designated as a national monument. It is also clear that some sort of commitment of funding from the Minister’s Department will need to be forthcoming in the not-too-distant future so the site can be excavated and developed to its full potential. The Minister seems to be positively disposed to this. I hope this will be moved on to some practical support from the Department, which everyone involved would welcome.
I agree with the Deputy that this is a major discovery. The connection with St. Columba is also very important. Whatever expertise and professional resources the Department has at its disposal will be made available. I am looking forward to the deliberations on the site. I hope the significant excitement and expectations about the site will be fully realised and that the site will be of the significance and importance that we hope it will. Obviously, this will have to be confirmed by the archaeological investigation.
