The State is in negotiations with a private landowner to purchase the internationally renowned Poulnabrone dolmen in the Burren, Co Clare, it was confirmed yesterday.
The Minister for Arts and Heritage, Ms de Valera, confirmed her officials have met representatives of the landowner four times during the last six months in an attempt to purchase lands containing the 5,800-year-old megalithic portal tomb.
Ms de Valera said the proposed purchase would provide greater public access to the monument which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
However, the Minister said the asking price is not realistic and negotiations are continuing
Though the dolmen - located four miles from the north Clare village of Ballyvaughan - remains in the ownership of Mr Tommy Byrnes, of Newtown, Ballyvaughan, there is a preservation order on the tomb.
In 1986, excavation work carried out by Duchas, the Heritage Service, discovered a burial chamber below the dolmen containing the remains of at least 22 people, buried at the site between 3,800 and 3,200 BC.
