Motorway to pass near ancient site

The road will be close to the ancient monument

Plans to build a controversial motorway near one of Ireland's most historic sites have been given the go-ahead.

Environmentalists and historians warned that the Hill of Tara and its ancient burial site in County Meath was too important to be tampered with.

The proposed M3 was an issue in the recent Meath by-election.

It will be built near the existing Enniskillen to Dublin road, which can be gridlocked at peak times.

The National Roads Authority had argued that the motorway was needed because it can currently take up to two hours to travel the 25 miles between Navan and Dublin.

'Treasure trove'

However, some historians objected to its route past an area which they view as a treasure trove of archaeological finds and Ireland's equivalent of the Egyptian Valley of the Dead.

Irish Environment minister Dick Roche confirmed on Wednesday that the motorway would go ahead but promised that extra care would be taken to protect the area's heritage.

Campaigners remain unimpressed, although the proposed route is further from the Hill than the existing main road.

Tara, known as Temair in Gaeilge, was once the ancient seat of power in Ireland - 142 kings are said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times.

In ancient Irish religion and mythology Temair was the sacred place of dwelling for the gods, and was the entrance to the otherworld.