Viewpoint: Kilsaran and respect for Kilcullen

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The decision by Kilsaran to appeal a refusal of permission for an expansion of their Ballysax Hills sand and gravel quarry demonstrates clearly that the company has little respect for Kilcullen's archaeological heritage, writes Brian Byrne.

The refusal of permission by Kildare County Council was primarily based on the impact any extension of operations would have on the nearby Irish Royal Site of Dun Ailinne, for which strenuous efforts are being made to have it nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status as an integral element of six related sites.

The importance of Dun Ailinne is clear not alone from its inclusion in that effort. The excavations on the hill in the 1960s and 1970s, and the current series of summer investigations — both undertaken by eminent US-based archaeologists — also demonstrate this. Kildare’s planners see that too, and understand that what might have been acceptable as a business priority in 1989, when the Ballysax Hills quarry began operations, needs a much more reflective look today.

The recent removal of Liverpool’s World Heritage status by UNESCO, and a likely similar fate for Stonehenge, are warning shots to the Irish Royal Sites campaign. The attributes conveying outstanding universal value, the loss of which was why Liverpool was stripped of its status, are critical in the arguments being made for including Dun Ailinne. If Kilsaran cared about this, they would accept KCC’s decision on the primary archaeological grounds. It’s not as if they are short of sand and gravel resources, they claim they have enough to last the business for a century.

On its website, the company makes much of its archaeological credentials, citing the work in 1997/98 on the Neolithic village discovered at the Brownstown-Corbally facility near Silliot Hill. A very important example that was ‘preserved by record’ at the statutorily required expense of the business. That’s a tragic, and unfortunately legitimate, euphemism for conducting investigation and recording details and photographing the site … and afterwards bulldozing it into extinction. Wood Quay in Kilcullen, if you like.

At this point, Kilsaran have not shown that they have much regard for the greater Kilcullen community, and especially for its heritage going back thousands of years. Their action in this instance doesn’t bode well for any promises the company makes in relation to its various existing and proposed activities around Kilcullen.

As a community, in and beyond our town, we have to show them that this is a matter of serious concern to us.

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