Rock of Cashel could disappear from road view

ONE of the most memorable views from any road in Ireland - the dramatic vista of the Rock of Cashel - may be lost forever if the favoured scheme for bypassing the Co Tipperary town is adopted.

Business, tourism and community interests in Cashel had a meeting last week with the South Tipperary county manager, Mr Ned Gleeson, to discuss the £15 million bypass plan and voice their concerns about its impact.

At present, the Rock of Cashel - Ireland's Acropolis - suddenly becomes visible to motorists travelling south on the N8 Dublin Cork road as they round a bend at Ballyknock Hill, just north east of the town.

Whether in daytime or, more spectacularly, when it is floodlit at night, the Rock and its medieval buildings - dominated by a 12th century round tower and a roofless 13th century cathedral - leave a lasting impression.

Though everyone agrees that Cashel badly needs a bypass, the preferred option - designated as the E route - would take the N8 east of Ballyknock Hill, eliminating any view of the Rock for motorists on the Cork road.

Altogether, five options have been identified for the bypass - two to the west of Cashel, routes A and B, and three to the east, routes C, D and E. All five were publicly exhibited last year as part of a consultation exercise.

Mr Ned Flynn, the county engineer, said one of the key issues emerging locally was what impact each of the options would have on the Rock of Cashel - particularly routes A and B, which would pass fairly close to it.

An Taisce opposes these two options on the grounds that they would detract from the Rock, one, of Ireland's most important national monuments. Route A would be 500 metres from its base, while Route B would be even closer.

Mr Flynn said the option preferred by the county council and its consultants, RPS Cairns, was Route E because it would provide "easy access" to Cashel for those who want to visit the town as well as an effective bypass.

He told The Irish Times that Route E would also be shorter and, therefore, cheaper than Route A - £14.7 million as against £15.6 million. But he added that further studies would be needed before a final decision was made.

Ms Mary Mulvey, project manager of the Cashel Heritage and Development Trust, said Route E's saving of £0.9 million, plus 46 seconds of travelling time, was not sufficient to justify eliminating the view of the Rock.

She added that there was "much dissatisfaction" about this and also concern that Limerick and Tipperary bound traffic would continue to come through the centre of Cashel, as well as traffic from the proposed Lisheen zinc mine.

Cashel Heritage was set up to capture more business for the town from tourists stopping to visit the Rock. Ms Mulvey's concern is that tourists will have no incentive to stop in Cashel at all if the view of the Rock is lost.