NO SNOW, not even a hint of frost and the darkness seemed closer to night than early morning. But the gloomy conditions did not deter one of the largest gatherings ever to attend the winter solstice at Newgrange, Co Meath.
Many of the first-timers yesterday were surprised that it was so dark. Solstice regulars who welcome the vigil as the beginning of the end of winter are philosophical.
Everyone loves a light show and words can never convey the joy of seeing the sunrise after the longest night.
For once the dramatic standing stones, that initially appear to be watchers keeping vigil until daylight reveals their true form, were outnumbered by humans. Instead of the usual mood of celebration, a sense of purpose prevailed as conversations were far from casual.
Recession Ireland had decided to use its voice and any Government Minister would do.
Sets of eyes scanned the horizon seeking a sun that was there, somewhere behind the clouds, yet reluctant to emerge. Communal attention drifted from the ridge across the valley and settled on an orderly band of protesters, a woman’s embarrassed laugh prefaced her comments to her friend. “I thought they were carol singers, but they’re wearing gas masks. It’s something to do with the environment.” The friend was intent on photographing the solstice. “What time does the sun shine?” she asked, “why is it still so dark?”
Mary Mulligan, principal of St Joseph’s Secondary School for Girls in Navan, was pleased to see that the visiting dignitary was none other than Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn, and she challenged him over cutbacks that have limited the guidance counselling available in secondary schools.
The protesters were not complaining about educational cuts. “We are here,” said Richard Hunter of the Boyne Valley Awareness Group, “to alert the Minister and everyone else to an environmental scandal, another one that is about to endanger this Brú Na Bóinne area of Co Meath.” An increasing number of mobile phone cameras were held up towards the protest as professional photographers focused on the silent group although there were also a number of primary school children wearing Santa hats and confident that Father Christmas was their best bet for the future.
A blonde woman in white protective clothing removed her gas mask and outlined her grievances to a stern-faced man. She said she had first learned about a proposed biomass furnace and waste processing plant “only two weeks ago and quite by chance. Aside from the obscenity of the thing, it was the absolute secrecy of it all.” He listened impassively before gesturing at the great megalithic tomb behind him, and remarked: “Funny how we can get some things so right, well at least our ancestors did, and other things so wrong. What is the point of all these county councils?” Most of the protesters remained silent, holding out posters, several of which were directed at the Environmental Protection Agency, begging it to fulfil its function: “Protect our health, our heritage, our agriculture, our tourism, our quality of life.”
Mary Cassidy waited to speak to the Minister and described herself as a Meath woman.
“I love my home, I want to live here. I endure the commuting to Dublin to work because I want to stay here. But now this vile monstrosity is being imposed on my home,” she said.
The low sound of a lone bodhrán suggested that perhaps the sun was about to break through. The grey sky showed a tentative strip of pale yellow that quickly receded. A couple of protesters made their way through the crowds offering handouts and leaflets and were greeted with interest and promises of support. “We already see chimneys polluting the Boyne Valley,” said Aisling Law of Rossnaree House, “I feel very sad this solstice day that such a project is afoot as the large Fingal waste disposal unit has been rejected, more pressure is again put on Co Meath to take Dublin’s waste. Having campaigned to protect the Boyne salmon, now we face the prospect of a tributary of the Boyne being undermined.”
As Ruairí Quinn took his leave from the monument, he looked across the historic agricultural landscape and was an easy target for protesters. On being told about the proposed industrial park, he expressed shock: “This is the first I have heard of this.”
Patricia Lenihan smiled wryly; “My husband’s family have lived here for 250 years and our son has been refused permission to build on our own land by Meath County Council and yet a processing plant has no problem destroying our environment – and no one bothered telling us.”
The custodians of the valley, the ancient architects of Newgrange, will be angered at such disregard for their legacy.
