CROSSES UNDER THREAT
A purpose-built tourist centre must be built at Monasterboice to ensure the protection of the ancient crosses there, claims Independent Cllr Frank Godfrey, who recently staged a protest on the issue outside the new Office of Public Works headquarters in Trim, when he also handed in a strongly worded letter to the manager. A motion on this issue will be raised by Cllr Godfrey at the September meeting of Louth County Council.
‘ These unique and valuable High Crosses are being eroded by acid rain and air pollution and must be protected and preserved,’ he said. ‘I understand that the OPW published a major report on Monasterboice about seven years ago, where various options were put forward including covering the crosses and moving the most famous – Muirdeach’s Cross – inside and mounting a copy in its place, but since then, nothing at all has happened. Except that the crosses are being further eroded during that time!’
‘Building a tourist or interpretative centre to house the High Crosses and to give information to the thousands of tourists who visit South Louth must be a priority! We must push this forward and get some action. Funding must be sought from Bord Failte, Cross-Border initiatives, EU and the Dept of Tourism. How can the OPW spend almost €40 million on new offices in Trim in 2010, and yet not have the money to preserve the Monasterboice High Crosses?’ asked Cllr Godfrey, who has received many observations on the state of the High Crosses over the years.
‘ The time for talking is over – it’s high time to protect these priceless treasures for future generations and get them under cover from the growing problem of weathering and deterioration.’