The Hill of Tara was the gathering place for thousands of harpers to 142 kings, and the harp, which has been used in the coat of arms of Ireland since 1270 and is the symbol of the Irish State today, was a vital part of the ancient Irish parliament at Tara.
The protesters claim that the sites currently under threat are clearly linked with the harping and bardic traditions for more than 2,500 years.
They further point out that Ireland is embarrassed internationally by the profit-driven, short-sighted planning demonstrated by this threatened destruction, especially when the World Monument Fund has placed Tara on its list of 100 most endangered sites worldwide.
The gathering of Irish harpers assert that it represents a cultural loss and they say that the sound of Tara’s harp will not be drowned out by traffic jams and the cash registers of toll gates.
Other protests in support are being held in support of Tara and the Irish harpers, with demonstrations raking place in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The New York event is organised by Irish Grammy Award-winning singer Susan McKeown and the Irish Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon has agreed to speak at it.
