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Harpers show their mettle in Tara motorway protest THE
HARPERS of Ireland recently demonstrated their objection to the continued
destruction of the historic and cultural sites at the Tara/Skryne valley
resulting from the current route of the M3 motorway.
Ireland is unique in the world in having a musical instrument as its national
emblem.
This indicates the primacy of the harp in Irish culture.
The sites currently under threat have been inextricably linked with the
harping and bardic traditions for more than 2,500 years.
Tara was the gathering place for thousands of harpers to 142 kings and
the harp was an integral part of the ancient Irish parliament at Tara.
The harp has been used in the coat of arms of Ireland since 1270 and is
the symbol of the Irish State today.
It is found in the seals of the President, Taoiseach, Tánaiste,
Government Ministers, on State currency and is the insignia of the Irish
Law Courts.
Many of the harpers leading the protest have represented Ireland all over
the world.
In a statement they said: “We wish to continue to do so with pride
in a country, which provides necessary transport infrastructure without
destroying its valuable and irreplaceable cultural heritage.
“We ask Government to act without delay in rerouting the M3 motorway
away from the Tara/Skryne valley using the shorter, cheaper route that
does not impact so disastrously on our shared cultural heritage.” |
