The architect and sculptor Éamonn O'Doherty has condemned Galway County Council for its policy of replacing dry-stone boundary walls in its road-widening schemes with ugly concrete post-and-rail fences.
He said that this policy was all the more disheartening since increasing numbers of local people in the area were going to great trouble to front their houses with new dry-stone walls - "even if some of the houses themselves are atrocious".
"A section of stone wall was recently demolished just 100 yards from the Blue Flag beach at Traught, not far from Kinvarra, and they have also made an unholy mess of what used to be a pretty little crossing of the Kilcolgan River at Caherapheepa."
Mr O'Doherty said that this was happening even though it was quite clear that the tradition of building dry-stone walls was still very much alive. However, the county council would only reinstate a stone wall if the farmer or landowner specifically requested it.
"Otherwise these walls are replaced by a concrete post-and-rail fence, which is seen as requiring no maintenance, and then they plant hedgerows in the hope of covering it up. But well-made dry-stone walls need little or no maintenance either.
"If the county council has no standards, how can it expect the ordinary Joe Soap to have any? And it's not just 'blow-ins' who are giving out about it. The locals are, too, because dry-stone walls are such a tradition in the area."
Galway County Council's policy contrasts starkly with the practice in north Wales, where road boundaries are meticulously finished in newly-built slate or stone walls which not only look much more appropriate but also perpetuate a strong local craft.
Attempts to contact the county council were unsuccessful. Its Gort office, which covers Kilcolgan and Kinvarra, stated: "We don't talk to the press."
