SIGNIFICANT archaeological finds dating back to 2000 BC, which were discovered some years ago on a small island off the Connemara coast, are being allowed to disintegrate due to erosion, it is has been claimed.
The finds, on Omey island near Claddaghduff, north of Clifden, Co Galway, include an early Christian village and an ancient church in remarkable condition, which was preserved after being submerged in sand for centuries. They were discovered after a storm exposed human remains in a nearby cliff face.
Excavation work was carried out under the auspices of the National Monuments and Historic Properties Section of the Office of Public Works. But local community groups who are dismayed by the recent deterioration of the site allege that this work was not completed. They say funds should have been allocated to preserve the site.
They are particularly angered by a move to begin another dig on a nearby island while historic walls on Omey are being broken by the sea and their stones scattered along the shore.
According to Cleggan/Claddaghduff Community Council, human remains were stored in plastic bags in a ramshackle hut, some of which have since been swept out to sea by a storm. The council, which has been campaigning to have work completed on Omey, stepped up its efforts after the Office of Public Works recently started excavations at High Island where an early Christian monastery was discovered.
The council chairman, Mr Laurence Conneely, accused the OPW of adopting a high handed and arrogant approach to Omey, which he felt should have been protected in the first instance. "From the outset the site on Omey island was recognised as being of major importance, yet the building of a wall in 1992 which would protect it from the sea was declared unfeasible on cost grounds.
"A greater amount of human remains than expected was found and post excavation, archaeological analysis is still being carried out. The storage of these remains, some in a hut on the site after it was abandoned, some in plastic bags, is nothing short of scandalous. We're deeply upset by this."
Local interests had received only minimal information on the High Island dig while the Omey difficulties had undermined people's confidence in the OPW. "We demand the right to be consulted and to be part of the debate concerning how our heritage is investigated and the remains of our forebears are treated," Mr Conneely said.
The OPW, however, said the work at High Island was separate and different from the Omey case.
The Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Higgins, said: "At Omey, coastal erosion had exposed quantities of bones on the shores and a rescue excavation was undertaken. This proved to be much more extensive than originally envisaged and the director of the excavation is being asked for proposals to complete the work."
The Minister said that excavation work at High Island was part of essential conservation work.
