Betina Linke continues doggedly to pursue public representatives in her campaign to save this national treasure. Bertie Ahern has his own problems at the moment but it will be interesting to see if he even acknowledges Bettina's latest letter, some extracts of which I publish below.
"To: Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
"Re: National Monument Grianan Aileach, Inishowen, Co. Donegal
"Sir,
"Neither Rome nor Grianan Aileach were built in one day. But, taking into account the size of any project, it should be finished within a reasonable deadline in mind.
"In the case of Grianan Aileach this deadline has become curiously flexible, unlike the former structure of the monument. In October 2003, one month after the second collapse of the same section of the wall and only a few short months after work finished on the November 2000 collapse repairs, 'making good the poor restoration work done', the conservation architect in charge told a local newspaper that 'the repair work will be seasonal as good weather is required and is expected to take a number of years to complete.' And he continued: 'Two specialists, an engineer and an archaeologist, have been monitoring and advising on the work currently being carried out on the ancient building. The stabilising concrete is being put into the core of the wall at the depth of up to two metres while the dry stone facing is then build to the front.'
"In 2004, Cecilia Keaveney TD addressed a Dáil question to the then -Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Tom Parlon TD, 'if works carried out on a monument (details supplied) in County Donegal were in keeping with the dry stone masonry style that exists in the rest of the structure; if the concrete wall that was constructed is considered to be a permanent job in view of the fact that scaffolding and danger signs are still in place; when it is expected that works will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.'
"And the reply was, that 'a scheme has been devised to prevent structural collapses at this monument. It involves the dismantling of sections which have collapsed or are liable to collapse and the construction of the embedded concrete wall in these areas. Reconstruction of the dry stone walls enveloping the concrete wall will take place as individual sections of the concrete wall are completed. Work commenced in 2003 and will continue until 2005.'
"In 2005 the above-mentioned section of the wall collapsed for a third time, spanning nearly one/fourth of the monument. As in the 2003 breakdown, forces between the concrete embedded and dry stone parts of the wall pulled the misconceived construction down, literally caving in under the pressure, doubling the breach in size each time. It is not unreasonable to presume that between an architect, an engineer and an archaeologist, they should have known better.
"In June 2006 the gate section was taken down as a precaution, showing signs of collapse. The upper platform above the gate was concreted in 2004 and the same effect occurred again between the concreted and dry stone parts of the wall. Building work finished at the end of September 2006. In November 2006 the architect in charge told RTE's north-west correspondent, Eileen Magnier, that Grianan Aileach 'is hoped to re-open next summer'.
"In March 2007, after complaints by the tourism industry, another local newspaper learned 'that the work would be finished by the end of 2006'. The report added: 'When work on the site started it was envisaged that the site would remain completely closed to the public for 2007. However the team involved has made a particular effort to ensure that 75 per cent of the site will be accessible to the public by the end of April this year.' It is highly regrettable that Inishowen's scarce resources have been so grossly mismanaged.
"One of Donegal's if not one of Ireland's finest, historic sites, the pride of every tourist guide, is left defaced and structurally unsound at a time when normalisation through the peace process in the North of Ireland has brought growing and much-needed interest to this part of the country . . .
"Visitors to Inishowen and Ireland do not come because of our good weather. Nor do they come to drive on motorways or look at concrete builds, activities, which I am sure, most of them have plenty of opportunity to follow up without travelling abroad.
"Ireland's natural and historical heritage is outstanding and unique. And that is exactly what each and every one of these visitors from all over the world is expecting to see. Concreting this heritage will prove in time to be a most misconceived concept regarding tourism on this island. With hardly any other natural resources left, it should be worth to reconsider the shape and form of efforts made concerning improvements on the past, present and future of this island."
Considering the phrase that Bertie used to explain the Manchester thousands, maybe he's the very man to give Grianan Aileach a "dig out".