Letter to the Editor: 'Ruination' of the Hill of Tara
(Editor, Meath Chronicle)
Dear sir - The OPW, Meath Co Council and whoever else has an input and say over how the Hill of Tara is managed and developed must make a decision soon before this national treasure is let go to rack and ruin and damaged irreparably.
They must decide whether it is a National Heritage Site, a children's playground, a public park or a training centre for sports people.
While genuine visitors are to be welcomed and encouraged, there are far too many people who use it as one of the aforementioned uses other than appreciating it as a heritage site. Dogs are let roam freely to defecate wherever they want. The fairy trees are near ruin due to the amount of coins being hammered into them and other objects being tied to them, the most recent addition being facemasks. With the recent inclement weather much of the grass has been turned into mud by the constant trodding over it.
The most recent "development", and I use that word lightly, is the bulldozing of the grass bank and hedge opposite the gift shop and café. This bank has been there for way over 50 years and was used by locals and visitors alike as a resting point after the trek around the hill. The area has now been covered over with bland cobble stones and is nothing more than an eyesore.
The lack of public parking needs to be addressed urgently. Every weekend the approach roads are partially blocked by parked cars making driving hazardous for local farmers and visitors alike.Hopefully someone in authority will realise what a treasure we have on our doorstep and stop the ruination before it is too late.
Yours,
Jimmy Rafter,
Tara.
(Editor, Meath Chronicle)
Dear sir - Spring is in the air! And the honey bees! If you want to learn more about beekeeping or about honey bees, how the honey bees have divided their tasks, why they swarm, why they produce honey, what their role is in our biodiversity, their specific diseases and pests and many about honey bees, the Royal County Beekeepers’ Association (RCBKA) plans to organise a spring beekeeping course for beginners. The course will start later than usual this year.
The webinar course (using the platform ZOOM) will start 12th April next, followed byfive more sessions. The course follows the Federation of Irish Bee Keepers Association (FIBKA) syllabus for beginners. A practical session followed by an exam however, may not take place due to COVID pandemic restrictions in place. If you are interested in this course or have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the committee members, using the following link:rcbkabeginners@gmail.com.
Thefee forthe courseis set at €105, which includes the RCBKA membership 2021.
Yours,
Frankie de Dobbelaere,
Dunsany.
(Editor, Meath Chronicle)
Dear sir - While sadly so many support services are being cut back and reduced due to the global pandemic, Dublin based charity Anam Cara, have expanded their support services for bereaved parents living with no surviving children. Whilst this group had being operating in Munster, there is now a dedicated group for those living in the Leinster area.
It is heart-breaking that there is a demand for this support group and those living with no surviving children require this lifeline. As a bereaved mother I know the intense grief, loneliness, pain and loss we feel, however the death of your only child is something I cannot imagine, to me it’s the cruellest loss of all. It is vital that we expand and offer these specific groups.
A bereaved parent recently acknowledged the support from the group, saying: “I can honestly say that I never felt more at ease than in the company of this group of parents who have also experienced the death of their only child. There was no judgement and no one was afraid to talk of their children’s lives and deaths for fear of upsetting the other”.
To find out more about this group and other services Anam Cara offer free of charge, visit their website www.anamcara.ie or email info@anamcara.ie
Yours,
Sharon Vard,
CEO, Anam Cara.
(Editor, Meath Chronicle)
Dear sir - Meath Partnership, members of the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) have acknowledged the publication of the Government’s Rural Development Strategy – ‘Our Rural Future’. As one of Ireland’s 49 local development companies (LDCs), Meath Partnership welcomes the ambition of the policy announcement and its potential for Co Meath.
Local Development Companies such as ours have been pillars of rural development for over 30 years. Covid-19 and the rollout of the National Broadband plan provides an opportunity for a reimagining of the potential of rural areas. The strategy identifies the creation of ‘Local Master Plans’ to meet the long term needs of rural areas. Local Development Companies, with our track record in rural development and strategic planning will be central to this process.
The LEADER programme has been identified as a key measure in this plan. As the providers of LEADER across the country we welcome the continued commitment to this critical programme and call on the Government to fully support LEADER through maximising EU funding and Exchequer co-funding in the years ahead. LEADER can provide the required development capacity and finance needed to deliver measures identified in the strategy. Furthermore LDCs have been at the forefront of the emerging Smart Village concept which will be a major element of the next round of EU programming and an important element of any successful Rural Development approach.”
The role of Local Development Companies is interwoven throughout the strategy. As providers of employment support measures such as the Rural Social Scheme, Tús and Community Employment and the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, as well as outdoor recreational and walks measures, our LDCs will be vital partners in ensuring that the ambition of this plan is realised.
We look forward to working positively with Government in this endeavour.
Yours.
Michael Ludlow,
CEO,
Meath Partnership.