Threat may see Irish high crosses moved
For more than 1,000 years the high crosses at Monasterboice have stood watch over the landscape of County Louth.
Erected in the 10th Century a conservation study has now listed them as being at immense risk.
Their future at the religious site is the subject of public consultation which could result in them being moved.
Weather, vandalism and visitors are cited as the causes for the declining state of the monuments in a report on the future of the site.
Up to 100,000 people are estimated to visit the site every year.
The study commissioned by the Office of Public Works and Louth County Council put forward a number of possible options which include building shelters or removing them from the site and replacing them with replicas.
However, it notes that fencing off the crosses may not protect them, with the cross at Moone on County Kildare sustaining damage after a visitor took a cast of one of the panels. The oily substance they used penetrated the stone and caused discolouration.
The study notes that there will be opposition to moving the crosses....
Read entire article at BBC News
Erected in the 10th Century a conservation study has now listed them as being at immense risk.
Their future at the religious site is the subject of public consultation which could result in them being moved.
Weather, vandalism and visitors are cited as the causes for the declining state of the monuments in a report on the future of the site.
Up to 100,000 people are estimated to visit the site every year.
The study commissioned by the Office of Public Works and Louth County Council put forward a number of possible options which include building shelters or removing them from the site and replacing them with replicas.
However, it notes that fencing off the crosses may not protect them, with the cross at Moone on County Kildare sustaining damage after a visitor took a cast of one of the panels. The oily substance they used penetrated the stone and caused discolouration.
The study notes that there will be opposition to moving the crosses....