56 Comments

• johnshiel | Jul 03, 2012, 10:32 AM EDT

  Eamonn, I appreciate your courteous and civil style of participation. You set a commendable example for desirable decorum in a forum like this. May we all be nudged toward your gentlemanly tone.

• sirpeter | Jun 22, 2012, 08:17 AM EDT

  bunkerhill.Hope you're husband gets well soon.I wouldn't take much notice of Bythebay.She is quite happy to jump to conclusions that it was Americans who damage these ancient sites.I guess her reasoning comes from the fact the chipped pieces were taken away.Been a native of Ireland I very much doubt native born vandals would have been bothered to take the chips of stone away with them.This would lead me to believe it MIGHT be a tourist who wanted a souvenir to take home.But that would be just a theory and just an opinion.It's not even an educated guess.We just don't know who did it.By the way chances are your post was not censored.It was probably too long.IC ask for peoples opinion but don't want too much of it.;))

• bunkerhill | Jun 19, 2012, 03:51 PM EDT

  I did make a sympathic comment on behalf of my husband Bunkerhill who is not well but it was censured as I am sure this one will be. I can see that the Irish of today are a completely different breed from the wonderful people we knew. I am so sympathic to all the decent, well educated Irish as this site is for the "stage Irish" the Irish who would get up on vaudeville stages and portray themselves as drunks for a great deal of money. This group continuously denigrated the Irish but their power is over except on this site. So no censure this post.

• bunkerhill | Jun 19, 2012, 03:32 PM EDT

  Actually I am Bunkerhill's wife as he is not too well. I did not have the time to read all the comments and really don't understand who would do something like this and why. Ireland is an ancient country on the edge of the known world for so many centuries and yet a center even in the dark ages for learning and beautifully illustrated books. Ireland's prehistoric past is just now coming to the fore with the sites of 1,375 castles having recently been published. I know the list is legitmate because of a now destroyed castle, little known castle being published. Only a great deal of research could have revealed the information provided in this list. My question is, and I didn't have the time to read all the comments, why are Americans implicated. I don't know any group who loves Ireland more than Americans. I do have Irish cousins who were extremely upset about the highway going through prehistoric sites and the seeming unconcern of other Irish. Ireland is on the verge of reclaiming it's lost prehistoric history and maybe there are others who would want to deny them their legacy. When I get time I will look through all the comments to find out what led to the theory that it was Americans who vandalized these ancient sites. For myself, it doesn't make any sense.

• sirpeter | Jun 17, 2012, 12:41 PM EDT

  angrypaddy.You're a simpleton.While United States exports to the rest of the world have grown 55 percent over the past decade.American exports to China have jumped 468 percent.President Obama announced a new initiative that aims to double American exports by 2014.A major focus of that effort is China, now the world’s second-largest importer behind the United States.You think it's that's simple.Get back into your trailer and cut out some coupons.

• Bythebay | Jun 16, 2012, 03:59 PM EDT

  CCTV cameras will have to be put up at sites such as this to catch the US tourists who pillaged it. Their disrespectof heritage sites knows no bounds. This is why so many tourist attactions are more closely policed, why many artifacts are no longer shown to US toursts. Their tourist dollars in no way compensate the country's taxpayers for the havoc they wreck.

• Bythebay | Jun 16, 2012, 03:55 PM EDT

  angrypaddy, those of you in the US will be facing dire consequences when you default on July 1 when your Congress and President can't agree a solution to your $15 trillion debt, the most debted country in the world. Turn your attention then to your problems and stop using Ireland as a smokescreen for the ineptitude of those of you in the US who are too stupid to even realize the horrendous situation you're in. You are the pawns of the Chinese who own your debt.

• Danno | Jun 16, 2012, 01:35 PM EDT

  Morons, pure and simple. They need to be found and put to work cleaning and scrubbing the country's Heritage site's.

• WoundedKnee | Jun 16, 2012, 02:29 AM EDT

  molliepmac---"Yes I understand now about ciaradexy." Does everyone here dislike ciaradexy? She probably gets off on that, she's a troll with too much time on her hands.

• Kendall | Jun 15, 2012, 03:59 PM EDT

  I was filled pride concerning our fans at the Euro cup. Now my heart is sad and disappointed.

• molliepmac | Jun 15, 2012, 02:57 PM EDT

  angrypaddy; Yes I understand now about ciaradexy. In an earlier post she condemds tourists at Newgrange and the Cliffs and now she claims she is a tourguide. If you are right we taxpayers are subsidising her via IMF, UK Treasury etc. ciaradexy, I see from your posts on other topics that you switch from pro American to anti – does it depend on what mood you are in. I wonder where you are a tourguide? Not in Meath. When were you last at Tara? Which part of the Campaign to re route the M3 were you a part of? The FACT is the motorway is visible from parts of the Hill. Using CAPITAL letters to say it is NOT does not alter the facts. It is also a FACT that the Hill is the centre of a massive complex now cut in two by the motorway - 40 archaelogical sites destroyed. Anyone who wishes to find out more will find plenty of info on the Net.

• Bythebay | Jun 15, 2012, 02:19 PM EDT

  US tourists are well known in Ireland for their disrespect of Ireland's heritage. From taking church records to souvenirs of standing stones and other violations of our country, they know no bounds. It's part of the US demeanor, a country that wages unjust wars, lies to the UN and conduct incusions into countries which violate those countries rights, they of course have no hesitation or respect for any country or any country's heritage.

• angrypaddy | Jun 15, 2012, 01:51 PM EDT

  Taraskryne, Pay no attention to CIRA:she is unemployed single mother of two sits at home in her subsidized house google's everything and pretends she is involved in everything She is a prime example of a delusional Celtic Tiger Cub who does not take her med's

• ciaradexy | Jun 15, 2012, 12:45 PM EDT

  Angrypaddy, tho Eastern Europeans dont need citizenship as they can move around Europe freely. Why do you call migrants to Ireland 'excreta'? DO you class all those Yanks who are related to irish migrants who left here as 'excreta'? Theyre exactly the same.

• ciaradexy | Jun 15, 2012, 12:43 PM EDT

  Mollie, as someone who protested against the bulding of the motorway and now as a tourguide, the motorway IS NOT visible from the hill and it ended up not even a 10th as bad as we thought it was going to be but the residents who wanted the motorway to allow them to commute to and from work easier won out in the end.

• Portia777 | Jun 15, 2012, 11:13 AM EDT

  CelticQueenUSA. yes, we can account for the mentality. It is just so hard to believe it as we tend to judge others by our standards.Our own Gov- paid for by us destroyed many sacred stones, and even stole some, in case people remember the truth of our past. All is not as presented.

• CelticQueenUSA | Jun 15, 2012, 10:26 AM EDT

  To assume an American tourist did this is as silly as can be. We have thousands to relics of our historic significance. We cannot account for the mentality of the individual that did this but we can only hope he is now cursed for all eternity!

• molliepmac | Jun 15, 2012, 10:22 AM EDT

  My point - The M3 destruction set a dangerous precedent – if the State destroys monuments are any safe or sacred. I have to apologise for an omission in my earlier post. Of course a great many Irish citizens lead the protests against the current M3 route- including locals -and were abused and ridiculed – but correctly predicted the consequences. A prime example – the overestimation of the traffic – leading to subsidy – leading to the abandonment of the proposed Navan rail link –promised for 30 years – got to keep folks on the motorway paying the tolls! Why a long winding route - why no interchange to take traffic from Trim? Yes Ciaradexy do visit Tara the motorway is visible from The Hill- I have the photos.

• CelticQueenUSA | Jun 15, 2012, 10:13 AM EDT

  There is no understanding some minds that live today. What kind of thrill did the person get with his abominable behavior trying to ruin something 5,000 years old? I hope there is a good old Irish curse that we don't know about that this person will never have a day's peace, happiness or prosperity for the rest of his lifetime. If it does not exist I call upon the Higher Powers that be to start one with the first whack they took to this reminder of where the Irish have been and go on from here.

• Portia777 | Jun 15, 2012, 09:59 AM EDT

  RedBranch Theory 2. Love it.

• citizen69 | Jun 15, 2012, 08:23 AM EDT

  Its bad enough when idiots spray paint graffiti onto historic monoliths but to try to destroy ancient stones that have stood undamaged for thousands of years says a lot about modern society. These monuments were built by our ancestors, the original neolithic settlers who lived here before the Normans, before, the vikings, before the Gaels, before the Celts. These are the people with whom we still share most of our genes.

• boydshield | Jun 15, 2012, 06:14 AM EDT

  Does it matter who struck it the Lia Fail? To me and many million, it is a part of Ireland rich history on the inauguration mound. I want them caught and a stiff, still sentence imposed.

• RedBranch | Jun 15, 2012, 06:06 AM EDT

  Theory 1. Could this be some disoriented muslims on some mini-Irish Hajj attempting to stone the devil as in stoning the jamarāt.

• RedBranch | Jun 15, 2012, 05:56 AM EDT

  Theory 2. Last year I observed a man of middle age and then some standing at said stone and conducting unusual movements with his hands as if he were receiving some strange power from it. Considering its association with fertility I suspect he was looking a Viagra substitute. Perhaps it didn't work out so he returned, angered and determine to destroy what he couldn't possess. After all every man kills the thing he loves as Oscar would say...

• IrelandNorth | Jun 15, 2012, 05:48 AM EDT

  There is absolutly no evidence as to who is responsible for this act of cultural vandalism, and consequently their nationality remains uncertain. Alas, this inconvenient truth is unlikely to deter serial posters from an Ulster Unionist/British Loyalist background posing as native Irish from using any and every news story to drive a wedge between Ireland and Irish-America. (Rumour has it that alan[Bythebay]07 was seen running away from the secene with a sledge hammer laughing hysterically back towards Drumquin, Co Tyrone.) Normally I dont't do curses, but may the curse of Dermot Mc Murrough be upon them - whoever they were!

• Taraskryne | Jun 15, 2012, 05:29 AM EDT

  Ciara dexy you are mistaken. The M3 IS visible from the Hill. Stand beside the statue of St Patrick and see for yourself. If you stand at the end of the Banqueting Hall it is even AUDIBLE. Check it out. They lied. Of course.

• sirpeter | Jun 15, 2012, 04:01 AM EDT

  EamonnDublin.That wouldn't be morally right.I only comment on this site because it's not too heavily moderated.BytheBay is a pure idiot.But she is entitled to be an idiot.It kinda annoys me why you put Éamonn,Dublin, Ireland at the end of every comment considering we know your name is Eamonn and we know where you are from.But I have to live with it. lol.

• EamonnDublin | Jun 15, 2012, 02:53 AM EDT

  I wish to make a suggestion to the commentaters/readers of this board. Totally and utterly ignore any and every comment from "ByTheBay", regardless of how insulting and/or infuriating it might be. In that way, he/she/it will be able to converse only with himself/herself/itself. I cannot say that this will drive him/her/it mad, as he/she/it has already more than accomplished this feat. I am serious - we should just IGNORE! I start from NOW. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• aloistmartin | Jun 14, 2012, 06:31 PM EDT

  torbreezy@ Half of what it means to be Irish, is having one of those things in yur oun backyard ! Since there are no more Druids ( Or Dragons ) to guard them; I. suggest a couple of Thugs in Dark Green Ski Masks and Black Leather Jackets !

• KathleenBerrio | Jun 14, 2012, 06:29 PM EDT

  Yeah, Bythebay, we Americans always travel on planes with hammers.

• torbreezy | Jun 14, 2012, 05:36 PM EDT

  If the monument were as revered as it is alleged, why didn't the authorities ensure its safety by some security system?

• YoungPike | Jun 14, 2012, 04:02 PM EDT

  Feckin' eejits!

• citizen69 | Jun 14, 2012, 03:01 PM EDT

  A totally outrageous attack on an ancient monument by complete idiots. But these monuments must be kept in their natural setting. Even the modern paving around the stone should be removed. I've seen stones entombed in a concrete bunker for their protection at it totally destroys the atmosphere. Thankfully these kind of things happen very rarely.

• ciaradexy | Jun 14, 2012, 02:46 PM EDT

  Oh and in 1900, the government was British NOT Irish so learn some history also the M3 is over 2KM from the hill. Its neither visible not can you hear the traffic from it.

• ciaradexy | Jun 14, 2012, 02:45 PM EDT

  pilib, Newgrange and the Cliffs were over run with tourists so unfortunately they had to add visitors centres etc which kinda ruined the place for the rest of us. Also, why are you speaking like George Dildo? Bythebay is a regular poster so why not direct your posts to him instead of to everyone else or do you have some form of autism?

• pilib04 | Jun 14, 2012, 02:09 PM EDT

  Bythebay (who apparently lives in the rural midwest U.S.A., says that Tara has stood for centuries unmolested. Goes to show how completely ignorant Bythebay is, when it comes to Ireland. Bythebay continues his ignorance when he suggests that the Irish don't fence in their important sites. Apparently Bythebay has never been to the Cliffs or Newgrange otherwise he would know how ridiculous his statement is.

• pilib04 | Jun 14, 2012, 02:03 PM EDT

  It is absolutely disgraceful the way successive Irish governments have allowed Tara to be vandalized. Going back to 1900 when the British-Israel Association vandalized Tara, the Hill has been under seige. Why no government has been willing to protect the Hill of Tara is completely beyond me. It's harder to get to the Cliffs of Moher than Tara. There's not a whole lot you can do to the Cliffs. Tara should be secured by fence, similar to Newgrange, and public approach limited. This doesn't even address the disrespect that the Roads Authority showed by taking the M3 through Tara.

• molliepmac | Jun 14, 2012, 01:23 PM EDT

  Sadly Irish politicians, Meath Council and the National Roads Authority signalled a lack of respect for our heritage when they constructed the M3 motorway through the Tara landscape destroying 40 monuments and burial grounds. There were 2 other equally viable routes available - why the current route -destroying among other sites Lismullin Henge National Monument? Who benefited? Many of the diaspora in the US protested and called for the area to be protected while the Irish born sat back and let it happen. Only 12000 vehicles a day use the disputed 5 miles of motorway past Tara - that’s 6000 in each direction. There is a shortfall at the two tolls and so the road is subsidised - payment made to its Spanish owners - by the taxpayers of Europe and the US via the IMF.

• EphraimKibbey | Jun 14, 2012, 12:31 PM EDT

  First - My condolances to the Irish and my shame-filled apology if it did happen to be one of my countrymen. Second - if the pieces were taken for profit rather than souvenirs, watch ebay for them. Anyone stupid enough to do this is probably stupid enough to list them or peddle them near the site to tourists. Third - I think razor wire would detract from the beauty of your heritage sites but there must be thousands who would love the job as watchmen. If paid watchmen would be too costly, consider volunteers. Many of our heritage sites and museums operate with the help of pensioners and those well off enough to have time to help out. As many have commented. the US has been dealing with this kind of behavior for many years. While we have many honorable citizens, it only takes one idiot a few minutes to destroy a national treasure. I have not yet seen Tara but once I had gone to all the expense of getting there, I would be willing to pay the extra added to the entry fee that would be needed to provide for its security.

• Conchubar | Jun 14, 2012, 11:52 AM EDT

  bythebay certainly DOES have issues. This damage was "No doubt done by US Tourists.." Y'know, the ones who bring hammers on their trip just in case they want to damage a heritage site or take home mementos. I've personally witnessed hoards of Irish youth here for summer jobs walking in drunken groups, puking on sidewalks and passing out in doorways. Does that mean all Irish are "amoral"? Does it mean that any acts of vandalism done here were "No doubt" done by the Irish? Bythebay is living proof that bigotry isn't an American trait.

• sidhemajik | Jun 14, 2012, 11:40 AM EDT

  I'm an American and have been to Tara many times. This sickens me greatly. I have more respect for Irish heritage sites than for the ones in my own country. I think this is an "idiot" problem and condemning an entire nationality is a bit strong. One of the things I love most about Ireland is that people can experience the heritage sites in a personal way without a guide spewing a speech at you. Walking the land and feeling the energy is the best way for me to connect with my ancestors. Anyone that would damage something so sacred is a "piece of crap" as a human, no matter what their nationality.

• rab1 | Jun 14, 2012, 11:33 AM EDT

  this was a deplorable, criminal act regardless of the nationality of the lowlifes who did it, but i must say...sounds like bythebay has some issues...

• wdwrkr371 | Jun 14, 2012, 11:25 AM EDT

  O for god's sake it was not the entire population of America that attacked this monument either.

• mhichil | Jun 14, 2012, 11:07 AM EDT

  portia777 is the only one here with the insight... thanks

• Bythebay | Jun 14, 2012, 10:51 AM EDT

  bear0222013, it's lawless, amoral America unleashing itself on Ireland's heritage. This is why US tourists are so disliked in Ireland. They're ignorant. It will cost more money policing them than their tourism provides.

• Bythebay | Jun 14, 2012, 10:48 AM EDT

  phiggins, then you're one of few. US tourists seem compelled to leave with some remnants of the Irish countryside to "prove" they were in Ireland, conversation pieces. They're generally ignorant. Tourists from other countries likewise have ancient heritage sites and respect them unlike those from the US. This Hill of Tara stone is one of thousands all around the Irish countryside never vandalized by the people of Ireland.

• phiggins | Jun 14, 2012, 10:28 AM EDT

  Regardless of whether it was an American, Irishman, or any other nationality. It was a moron. Does it matter if it's a moron from Ireland or America or anywhere else. @Bythebay - I am a US tourist who has never taken anything back to the US from Ireland other than amazing memories. I do however agree most tourists don't understand the importance of heritage sites - neither do some of the Irish either.

• Bythebay | Jun 14, 2012, 10:16 AM EDT

  This vandalism was no doubt done by US tourists who wanted mementoes of their visit. They have no knowledge or understanding of the importance of these heritage sites.

• Mousemess | Jun 14, 2012, 10:12 AM EDT

  Is mor an trua e.

• Bythebay | Jun 14, 2012, 10:05 AM EDT

  bunkerisland, razor wire and chain link fencing are for you in the US. Your tourists need education about respect for historic sites. This monument has stood among the Irish people for centuries unmarred. It's not the Irish people who need education about it or to be barred from it.

• Mousemess | Jun 14, 2012, 10:02 AM EDT

  Portia, This is an international phenomenon that I call "bored youth raised without knowledge of right from wrong."

• Bythebay | Jun 14, 2012, 09:59 AM EDT

  WoundedKnee, you in the US don't allow anyone near your monuments unsupervised because you consider your public untrustworthy. The US has destroyed more of its cultural and historical heritage than Ireland ever did.

• wdwrkr371 | Jun 14, 2012, 09:59 AM EDT

  Why always jump to condemn the entire population because of the disgusting act of a few.

• Portia777 | Jun 14, 2012, 09:37 AM EDT

  interesting, how it is perfectly legal for Government agents to demolish and destroy our heritage? like Bru Na Boinne now known as Disney Grange world wide but not other people.? Strange mentality all right. One law for the elite and another for the rest.

• bunkerisland | Jun 14, 2012, 09:30 AM EDT

  Let us not condemn the entire population as a result of a senseless act of a few. One would suspect ignorant youth who have no understanding of history. Perhaps the culprits will be identified. Should we surround every heritage site with razor wire and chain link fencing? Perhaps improved educational efforts would reduce such disregard for the contributions of our ancestors?

• WoundedKnee | Jun 14, 2012, 08:20 AM EDT

  The Irish have a really terrible record as regards protecting their cultural heritage. Thank Goodness they don't have the Pyramids, they'd have knocked them down to build suburbs!