Re: Planning application by the ESB to Sligo County Council for planning permission to erect a 36.5m high mast carrying Whip and Drum type antennae, at Cairnís Hill Co. Sligo No. 97/147.
Following the enactment of the Heritage Act, 1995, the Heritage Council was appointed on 10th July, 1995. Under section 6(1) of the Act, the functions of the Council shall be to propose policies and priorities for the identification, protection, preservation and enhancement of the national heritage, including monuments, archaeological object, heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, heritage gardens and parks and inland waterwaysí. Under section 6(3) it states that ëthe Council shall in particular - (a) promote interest, education, knowledge and pride in, and facilitate the appreciation and enjoyment of the national heritage, (b) co-operate with public authorities, educational bodies and other organisations and persons in the promotion of the functions of the Councilí. It is in this context that the Heritage Council recommend that Sligo County Council give due consideration to the comments presented below, when assessing the merits of the planning application.
The proposed development would severely detract from the amenity of the megalithic tomb cemetery on Cairns Hill, and the archaeological landscape in which it is situated. The complex consists of 2 passage tombs, which form an extension of the great megalithic cemetery of Carrowmore/Knocknarea. The closest passage tomb is just 1700m away, close to the Garavogue River, in Abbey Quarter townland. The positioning of these monuments and the aspects of siting and intervisibility are an integral component of the archaeological landscape. Our knowledge of this complex of monuments is increasing and recent work carried out by Stefan Bergh (1995 Landscape of the Monuments: A Study of the Passage Tombs in the Cuil Irra Region, Co. Sligo Ireland. University of Stockholm) has highlighted the fact that an important aspect of the tombs on Carns Hill are their siting and their ìdirected visibility. The Carns Hill West tomb (RMR 14:231) has directed visibility to the west into the central part of the Cuil Irra peninsula. The tomb in Carns Hill East (RMR 14:232) has directed visibility to the west and north-east. Any development which degraded this aspect of the tombs would not just have a localised affect on the Carns Hill site but would degrade the whole of the Cuil Irra passage tomb complex.
The positioning of the 36.5m high tower would alter the integrity of the landscape in this area and render it impossible for the public and specialist alike to fully appreciate the siting of the C™il Irra passage tomb complex. The net result will be to degrade one of the most important heritage landscapes of the country. On the basis of the above the Heritage Council advises that Sligo Co. Council reject the application.
The Heritage Council
May 1997