ONE OF Donegal's richest areas of heritage may disappear if drastic measures are not taken to preserve it, a local development group has claimed.
In Narin, Portnoo and Rosbeg tucked between Gweebarra Bay and Rosbeg Bay, on Donegal's south west coast, can be found some of the country's most precious monuments, including monastic remains on Inishkeel island the ancient Doon Fort and Kilclooney portal dolmen, considered one of the country's finest.
But according to the local Community Co operative Society these monuments have already fallen into disrepair and despite protests nothing is being done to save them.
Group vice chairman the Rev Michael Classon said the co operative has lobbied the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Higgins, but an impasse has been reached.
"The Minister has agreed that both Doon Fort and Inishkeel Island are national monuments but has said in several Dail responses that because they are in private ownership, their maintenance is not the responsibility of the National Monuments and Historic Properties Service of his Department.
What we want to know is whose responsibility it is to maintain them," he told The Irish Times.
Three years ago the co operative initiated a FAS scheme which employed the services of an archaeologist supervisor to begin repair work to Doon Fort, which dates back about 4,000 years. This work was prevented on the grounds that the fort was privately owned.
"We have this ridiculous situation where, on the one hand, these monuments are being called national monuments and are attracting thousands of visitors every year, while, on the other hand, the State is not taking on the responsibility of maintaining them," Mr Classon said.
On Inishkeel island, the site of St Conall's Monastery, a cousin and contemporary of St Columba (Colmcille), livestock graze and bones from the graveyard are visible.
Members feel they are fighting an uphill battle without the support of the State.
In 1990 a standing stone on Narin beach, dating back hundreds of years, was shattered by cars racing on the sand.
They have also witnessed the removal of many valuable, artefacts from their place of origin.
About £100 was given for a Spanish Armada cannon by a Northern Ireland collector for his private collection.