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Famine Artefacts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019

Tuesday, 23 July 2019

Questions (3009, 3010, 3019, 3020, 3022, 3024, 3030)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

3009. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has responded to a request from a group (details supplied) to investigate the Woodenbridge Famine site in County Wicklow using a professional company that specialises in such works. [31864/19]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

3010. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the works she will undertake to protect the 1847 national monument on the Woodenbridge Famine site in County Wicklow that a group (details supplied) has indicated needs protection; and if she has requested an official from her Department or the National Museum of Ireland to visit the site to ascertain the importance of the site, which is not indicated as a national monument on maps. [31865/19]

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Colm Brophy

Question:

3019. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department will investigate the Woodenbridge famine site; if not, if advocate groups will be allowed to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32449/19]

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Colm Brophy

Question:

3020. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will protect the national monument located at the Woodenbridge Famine site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32450/19]

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John Lahart

Question:

3022. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has plans to examine geophysically a site on Coillte lands in Woodenbridge, County Wicklow (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32643/19]

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Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

3024. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on an investigation of the Woodenbridge famine site and the protection of the site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32684/19]

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Paul Murphy

Question:

3030. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has considered giving permission to a group (details supplied) to have a specialised company investigate the Woodenbridge Famine site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33249/19]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3009, 3010, 3019, 3020, 3022, 3024 and 3030 together.

I am advised that a granite pillar was brought to the attention of my Department’s National Monuments Service as possible evidence of the existence of a famine graveyard at the location in question. However, I understand that the Department’s view is that the origins and associations of the pillar are unlikely to relate to burials.

While there is insufficient evidence at this point for the marker to be recorded as an archaeological monument, I understand that the Department has given guidance to assist local investigations to find out more about it and will also be happy to provide advice on any such further information that may come to light.

If the group to which the deputy refers wishes to arrange an archaeological assessment of the site, the best course of action would be for them to contact the landowners, and if the latter are agreeable, to then submit any necessary license applications to the Department for approval in accordance with the National Monuments Acts.

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