Rathmore

baaba maal

Ah- that ties in with the response I got via the heritage officer- they are aware of the situation and are going to follow up. I will let you know as further responses happen.
I accept that it was a legitimate dig, but I would like to know the rational behind it, and obviously why it was left in the state it was.

cfuserkildare

Was this done as a licensed dig?
If so, then whoever did it was totally inexperienced, there are bones scattered all around the mound, bones severed in the hole, and over-all it is very messy.
Has anyone checked if a license was actually applied for and given.
When I was up there talking to the Gardai when I reported it, they contacted the church minister and were told a local archaeologist did it, but it was all very vague.

Bonedigger

Have you been there in recent days cfuser?Is it as it was several months ago?
I think the National Museum issues the licenses - I'd contact them if you haven't done so already.I'd also contact the National Monuments Service again too.
It doesn't make sense why this was dug in the first place!

cfuserkildare

I have been onto the NMI and am awaiting results of their investigation.
Hopefully something positive will happen.

cfuserkildare

Hi Folks,

I was up at the site today,

Holy F**K-Ups Batman,

Somebody has removed the top of the mound and used the grass and soil to refill the hole.

Unfortunately, who-ever did this has still left bones all over the place, and probably damaged anything below where the stone has now been inserted vertically in the hole.

Pics up in a while.

baaba maal

Is it just me, or does it look like they attempted to make it look like the cross was never excavated? The sods of long grass are clearly packed around the base of it even though the cross was lifted completely out of the excavation.

cfuserkildare

When I finally got a response from the Gardai last year they contacted the COI Minister who said an archaeologist had done it??
However, I had my doubts then and I have a feeling that somebody has as you say attempted to hide the ghastly deed and hope it goes away.

I have been on to the NMI and am awaiting a result, although nothing came of my report last year.

Hopefully this time if enough people complain then surely something must happen.

Bonedigger

Has the cross been put back in its original position?
It looks like it may have been put to one side to create a bit of space - they're hardly going to use that spot for future burials or are they?!!

cfuserkildare

Hey Bonedigger,

Not sure about the original position as I only discovered the place after the excavation had been carried out.

According to the Duty Officer at the NMI, this is already within the boundaries of a protected monument, ( Rathmore Motte) so technically the mound should not have been touched in the first place, never mind re-using it.

cfuserkildare

Just a quick update,

The original dig was carried as a licensed dig?!?

Then the top of the mound has been removed and used to refill the excavation and also support the " Cross " as part of this " Licensed Dig ".

WTF, are these people still in pre-school day-care??

Shameful, absolutely disgusted that this mess was made officially.

slowburner

It certainly was a dreadfully shoddy piece of work but there's not a whole lot that can be done about it at this stage. There is no point in revisiting the subject again and again just to give out.
Thread has run its course.