The Dew Of Dear Tara

by Susan Isabella Sheehan-Repasky – Flicker Light Studio Domh MFómh 30, 2007 22:02

Thank you Michelle.
We have just returned from two weeks in the EU.
Anything we have that could be of use to the Tara campaign is available for the asking.

by Michelle Clarke – Social Justice and Ethics Sath MFómh 22, 2007 00:03

Tara by J. Quigley, renowned for his aerial photography.

Susan, I was looking up the site and saw your photos and thought about the considerable contribution these photos make, to the Tara Skryne Gabhra stand for heritage.

Michelle

Quotation

‘I don’t want flowers at my funeral because I know that they would be taken from the forest’………………Consequences by Chico Mendes (1944-1988) Brazilian rubber-tapper and environmentalist

by Michelle Clarke – Social Justice and Ethics Aoine Lún 24, 2007 18:38

Susan

Thank you for advising on the sad outcome from An Bord Pleanala. What can I say? As you say, it is now up to those close to Mr. Salafia to seek means of challenging the construction of the M3.

I found today a book by Maire and Conor Cruise O’Brien titled ‘A concise history of Ireland’ published in 1972.

There is a black and white photo that resembles the Tara seen today. It states that ‘the Hill of Tara’ is in Co. Meath, seat of the half legendary kings and a centre of superstitious awe, traditionally associated with the High Kingship, it was an important burial site in prehistoric times’

Tara is entrenched in history, both pre Christian and Christianity. Tara is listed in top 100 world heritage sites; it is documented in the libraries of our main universities, churches, and other archives.

Ireland made one shrewd move back in 1973 – we joined the European Union. We have been empowered as a nation by joining this Union of States – the main reason being that we were so disadvantaged as a young fledgling state, we received priority funds. The EU have empowered our people with funds since then into education, infrastructure, social programmes and yes there are those who reaped massive benefits and funds……greed, envy, jealousy – those Deadly Sins highlighted by the Catholic Church…….are given the full test in projects like the M3.

Why is it the Celtic Tiger gone Pussy cat is so sacrosanct that it will not, through its planners and councillors, make changes. Surely, they can grasp the historic site of Tara, the High Kings, more importantly the pre-Christian culture; the superstitions, our ancient Brehon Law, the culture of the druids, and most importantly, what is concealed by nature but once was a venue of the High Kings of Ireland. Why do we forget where Tara is situated and the castles that were build in its environs?

If we were the Italians, would we accept our ‘over embellished bureaucracy’ knocking down the Vatican. I could never see this happening. Vatican City is a separate entity in Italy….

As Heritage week approaches – the book for tourists is worth picking up, let us think of the invisible Tara going back a few centuries and Imagine……just Imagine….and ask why is this being allowed happen. Who has the vested interests? Why have they same? and why not embrace change and re-route the M3 or set up a train route or organise a proper transport system? e.g. park in an area Phoenix park and then bus or walk. http://www.heritagecouncil.ie

How can we ignore such Heritage?

Michelle Clarke

Quotations

‘Bombs and Brains’
If protesting against a nuclear bomb implanted in my brain is anti-Hindu and anti national, then I secede by declaring myself an independent mobile republic

I am a citizen of the earth. I own no territory. I have no flag. I’m female but I have nothing against eunuchs. My policies are simple. I’m willing to sign any nuclear nonproliferation treaty or nuclear test ban treaty that’s going. Immigrants are welcome. You can help me design our flag……’

By:

by Michelle Clarke – Social Justice and Ethics Domh Lún 19, 2007 21:56

Susan.

The images of sites at Tara are resounding and highly visually captivating.

Decisions are expected this week so in the wake of the Aer Lingus Shannon crossfire…..let us hope spirituality and Tara takes hold re. the M3.

The Anam Cara site is worth accession…..it gives perspective, vision and hope in the face of Travesty.

Michelle Clarke

Quotation

Born a Slave
‘I was born a slave; but I never knew it till six years of happy childhood has passed away……I never dreamed I was a piece of merchandise
Harriet Jacobs (c1813-1897)
US writer and former Slave…!!!

by Susan Repasky – Flicker Light Studio Déar Lún 16, 2007 22:57

These are fine writings Fred, and I am delighted that you have shared them. I loved the poem, and was especially touched by the writing of Colum McCann, historical questions as seen through the eyes of a child. Out of the entire population of the world who can claim Irish descent, the percentage which is responding/protesting is dismal.

I visited the Anam Cara site, which is beautifully put together and timely in content. I would love to donate some of my own art to the site, in hopes that it would help, even if in the smallest way.

The call for support from artists is essential, and anyone who has a means of contacting those who have the ability to capture the attention of the public certainly would be appreciated.

Blessings,

Susan Isabella Sheehan-Repasky

Quotes

“I have always taken a lesson from something that was told me by a sound man, that is, that everyone, Republican or otherwise, has his own particular part to play. No part is too great or too small, no one is too old or too young to do something.” Bobby Sands – March 9, 1954 to May 5, 1981.

“It is the entitlement and birthright of every person born in the island of Ireland, which includes its islands and seas, to be part of the Irish Nation. That is also the entitlement of all persons otherwise qualified in accordance with law to be citizens of Ireland. Furthermore, the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage.” (Article 2, Constitution of the Republic of Ireland.)

Apathy…. I JUST DON`T GET IT!!!

by Susan Repasky – Flicker Light Studio Céad Lún 15, 2007 01:09

Hi Anarchaeologist .

You ask what’s going to happen to Tara. This is about the Tara Complex, the Gabhra Valley, and the desecration and destruction of ancient burial sites. Even if noted by the esteemed archaeologists who are at this time working at the Lismullen site, the Sacred site will never be the same.

I understand the need for more efficient methods of commuting for the hard working folks who live in the outlying areas. I have traveled the N-3 many times, especially during commute hours. I know how the traffic binds up, and how long it takes to get from Nobber to Dublin. I also know that there are other options which were considered during the planning stages which would have taken the road away from these sites. For whatever reason, the other options were not chosen.

Some questions I asked a few years back are, would you want your most recently deceased loved one disinterred in order to facilitate the construction of an infrastructure such as the M-3? What and how much would you be willing to sacrifice for the ability to arrive at your destination half an hour earlier? Is the memory of our Ancestors important to you? Would you, like Esau, sell your birthright for a bowl of stew?

I am sorry that you don’t get it. I wish I had a better way of communicating to you how I, along with many others, feel. I believe that would make all of the difference in the world.

Blessings,

Susan Isabella Sheehan-Repasky

“I have always taken a lesson from something that was told me by a sound man, that is, that everyone, Republican or otherwise, has his own particular part to play. No part is too great or too small, no one is too old or too young to do something.” Bobby Sands – March 9, 1954 to May 5, 1981.

“It is the entitlement and birthright of every person born in the island of Ireland, which includes its islands and seas, to be part of the Irish Nation. That is also the entitlement of all persons otherwise qualified in accordance with law to be citizens of Ireland. Furthermore, the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage.” (Article 2, Constitution of the Republic of Ireland.)

Related Link: http://www.google.com/search?q=Bunreacht+na+hEireann&bt…earch

On The Hill Of Tara – Patrick

by anarchaeologist – PRA Máirt Lún 14, 2007 23:47

What’s going to happen to Tara?

A bit more of an attempt to concentrate on the hearts and minds of the workers who commute through the valley should be a more effective use of your time and talents. Even at this late stage.

Sorry, I just don’t get it.

by Michelle Clarke – Social Inclusion Máirt Lún 14, 2007 15:19

Susan, we meet again.

What a beautiful poem…one that I have printed out, to hold and cherish of times of old.

The gravestone……the date 1798, the photo gives resonance to a historical time.

I published this yesterday and somehow it has gone amiss.

Tara…..is sacred ground – how else could the history survive?

Let us briefly return to a poem written by Thomas Moore. Tara Hall is a demesne now in ruins when people chose not to buy it, because property was cheap and Independence was uncertain.

The Harp that Once….. (invokes times of yore, of poetry, of mythology, of history, …… a time that people like Maud Gonne, George Russell, Arthur Griffith considered the strong possibility of the Ark of the Covenant being concealed in the mounds, land, in the origin of the High Kings of Tara, St. Patrick, the times of pre-Christianity, the pagans, the Five Roads to Tara that still exist…..

‘The harp that once thro’ Tara’s halls,
The soul of music shed,
Now hangs as mute on Tara’s walls
As if the soul were fled:-
So sleeps the pride of former days,
So glory’s thrill is o’er;
And hearts, that once beat high for praise,
Now feel that pulse no more

But my question is: Has the soul fully fled, can it really flee from such a sacred place?’

Tara was the Emblem of Ireland – What has gone wrong now?

Michelle intervenes
Take time to consider the imagination of the Rowland woman who has written this most spectacular series of Harry Potter books. I looked at her books in a bookshop today and then I found myself exploring a theme…..I thought of law, the Brehon law and looked at a few books there, then I moved to ancient Irish history and bought for euros 8 the completed works of Lady Gregory on Irish Mythology, then I purchased History Ireland noting its feature on Hugh deLacy and the Lordship of Meath. Then I noted the ghost stories of Padraic O’Farrell which brought me right back to days and nights spent in Clare with my grand aunt and all the ghost stories of earlier times. This is a serious contender in the Ireland of the Soul; the anam chara, the fairies, the druids. Does it deserve Irish style Denial?

I have said it before, the soul of Tara cries out, just like the Cistercian Abbey’s in Europe and Ireland struggled from decay and demolition. It is not their perfection that is relevant but it is the soul, the imagination, the history, the present, and for future generations to explore and decide.

The Celtic Dawn; let us not forget the writings of people who saw alternatives to Catholicism and Protestantism, that in fact pre-dated Christianity in Ireland. I moved to the childrens’ section and what was so blatantly obvious is thankfully that children still read the Swans of Lir, the Oscar Wilde tales, Hans Christian Andersen…..so therefore imagination remains with them to be captivated. Like my generation, children will be able to decide what Church they choose to go to, or whether to be agnostic, or to follow the directions of Psychologists like Carl Jung – ‘the Collective Unconscious’, the poetry that ensnares nature as distinct from carbon footprints that will destroy the planet…….

Let us not forget people like Patch Adams, the famous American doctor who brought to medicine a sense of humour. He gained that slight smug admiration from the hierarchy of the day but the most important thing Adams did is creating his clinic which can be accessed on the web and is enlightening to those who suffer from melancholy, depression and other related addictions.  Adams put a smile on a child’s face even in the face of serious illness…..Medicine did not do that. Diversity from within the human being achieved that smile.

I chose this Ghost Story from Padraic O’Farrell’s book Irish Ghost Stories. (He has written books about Irish legends, customs, fairy tales, cures, saints and surnames). Mr. O’Farrell was both an army officer and a gentleman. He served with distinction in the Irish Army.

In the ghost room in Maynooth, the clerical student from County Limerick committed suicide in 1841. He slashed his throat with a raser in the Ghost room. It is claimed that before he died he leaped through the window. 19 years later another student did the same thing, of course the verdict was – he was mentally disturbed. An abundance of stories are told about the ghostly figures that roam around the room during the day. One tells the story of a student – he was shaving when he noticed a figure standing behind him, miming the drawing of a rasor across the jugular vein!!!!

Many years ago, Dr. Thomas O’Fiach (later Archbishop of Armagh and also a Cardinal) made a study of the Ghost Room while he was President of the College. In his study, he claimed there were factual events that occurred in the Ghost Room.

Let us not forget the Ghosts of Tara tonight…….and the ghosts of all our dead who fought for Irish Freedom and Equality. That goes for the Ghosts also which are our heritage.

Again I ask has the Church taken a position here; what about Opus Dei, the Columban Fathers, the Church of Ireland…….?  William Butler Yeats, Lady Gregory, George Russell and many others went to great lengths to ensure our alternative Irish mythology was documented and restored…..surely this includes the sacred sites like Tara.

Quotation

‘Romantic Ireland is dead and gone, it is with O’Leary in the grave’
William Butler Yeats

Romantic Ireland comprises beauty, climate, nature, environments, wildlife,………

by Susan Repasky – Flicker Light Studio Céad Lún 08, 2007 01:43

Dear Con,
I have sent you an email giving you permission to use this. I apologize, for I fear that I spelled your name incorrectly :–(
Blessings,
Susan Sheehan-Repasky

This Well Is Sacred – The Well Of The White Cow, The Hill Of Tara

by Con Connor – Ireland’s Druidschool Céad Lún 08, 2007 01:24

Thank you, blessings to you.

With your permission I would add this poem to the page shown below. Please email me if this is OK

Grá
Con