The Power of Ireland's Ancient Burial Tombs

Dire Consequences for Casual Disrespect

A chara,

I hope all is well with you. The weather has turned wintery here and it feels like that lovely quiet time before the rush and fun of Christmas.

You were asking for more stories with a bit more punch about machinery failing around fairy forts. Well, I think you will agree that these are very significant.

As I was saying last week, the respectful fear in Ireland, is the belief that terrible consequences will befall anyone that interferes with or damages our ancient monuments.

I will pick up where I left off with the helicopter crashes and go from there. In 2004 there was a bad helicopter crash at Newgrange in County Meath. Newgrange is a world famous 5,000 year old megalithic burial chamber, older than the pyramids of Egypt. A BBC film crew were making a documentary about it and the presenter was walking on top of the mound while the helicopter flew overhead carrying the cameraman, soundman, pilot and another man. The very moment the helicopter flew over the giant mound, a part of the tail broke away and the helicopter spun out of control and crashed in front of Newgrange. It was a miracle that everyone survived.

Some burial tombs in Ireland still hold a lot of power. Another tomb, the Aughrim Wedge Tomb, known locally as the Giant’s Grave, is said by some to be responsible for the fall of Ireland’s richest man Sean Quinn.

In the early 1990’s Sean Quinn had a business empire worth billions. One of the companies in his business empire was granted permission to expand its quarry on the slopes of Slieve Rushen, where the Aughrim Wedge Tomb stood for about 4000 years. Can you believe that the Office of Public Works granted permission to expand a quarry where such an archaeological find stood? It beggars’ belief. So anyway, in 1992 the tomb was archaeologically excavated, recorded, and moved stone by stone to the grounds of the former Quinn Group owned, Slieve Russell Hotel in nearby Ballyconnell as a tourist attraction.

Sean Quinn was well thought of and highly respected in his locality for all the good work and employment he brought to the area over the years. However, when it came to moving that tomb, many locals predicted his downfall, as he was sure to evoke the wrath of the Sidhe (faeries). Sure enough, by 2012 he was made bankrupt, he and some of his family spent time in jail, he lost a business empire worth billions and he has never recovered. Many people associated with his companies are also believed to have suffered.

Worst than that, in 2007 former Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche granted permission to excavate the ancient Lismullen Henge, so that a motorway could be built near the ancient Hill of Tara. Now let me explain. Lismullin Henge was a 4,000 year old astronomical observatory and place of worship for Irish druids. In fact, it was called one of the most important archaeological finds of the century. Again many people predicted disaster would come his way, and some did so very loudly. In 2007, Seannachaí Eddie Lennihan actually warned the Irish Government that they would be cursed if they went ahead and destroying the existing fairy forts in the historic Tara Valley in order to make way for the motorway. Now this is a big deal because the few Seannachaí know their stuff and are very respected.

A spokesman for the National Roads Authority responded to Eddie Lennihan and mocked him, basically saying that the government weren't in the least bit concerned. Then the Minister of Transport Martin Cullen ‘turned the sod’ on the motorway project. This means he dug the first hole to make the road as part of a PR stunt and the motorway build began.

Well, it wasn’t long before Seannachaí Eddie Lennihan’s words came true. In 2008 Ireland fell straight into the Great Recession having to be bailed out by the International Monetary Fund. The same year, Dick Roche was held hostage at gun point by an armed gang in the Druids Glen Hotel. The irony of the hotel name was not lost on him, I’m sure. He also lost his job and was then demoted out of politics. Then in March 2009, Martin Cullen almost got sucked out of a helicopter after the door blew off. He resigned one year later.

During the excavation, the Chief Health and Safety officer on the Lismullen Henge excavation project was seriously injured by a falling tree at Rath Lugh, and not only this, but unfortunately a workman was also killed when he became trapped at Fairyhouse.

I will write to you again next week and if you are on my monthly tradition reminders newsletter, you will get an extra letter this week to help you prepare for this month’s blessing tradition at home.

Take care and I will speak to you soon.

Beir bua agus beannacht,

Róisín Hynes

Sliocht sleachta ar shliocht bhur sleachta.