A group of international W.B. Yeats scholars has objected to plans to build a dwelling house on land next to Thoor Ballylee in south Galway.
Galway County Council granted permission on October 25th for construction of a single-storey dwelling house on private land adjoining the 16th century tower where the poet once lived and worked.
Ireland-West Tourism and a Californian-based Yeats scholar, Ms Linda Satchwell, had objected to the original planning application, and Ms Satchwell has now lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála.
Ms Satchwell's appeal is supported by Prof Roy Foster, the poet's authorised biographer, and Prof Richard Finneran, Hodges Chair of Excellence Professor at the University of Tennessee and an editor of works on and by the poet. The Irish Georgian Society and the Galway branch of An Taisce have also pledged support for the appeal.
The Irish Georgian Society points out that the tower is a national monument, a protected structure, and the proposed development would diminish every aspect of its historic character.
Correspondence in the planning file includes a letter dated July 10th, 2002, from heritage service Dúchas to the Minister of State and Galway east TD, Mr Noel Treacy, stating that it had "no archaeological objection" to the development.
A separate letter received from Mr Treacy by Galway County Council on June 11th, 2002, strongly recommends that "immediate and urgent priority attention be given to" the application with a view to it being "granted at the earliest date possible", and asks for "prior notice" on the decision.
However, a letter from Ireland West Tourism on June 11th, 2002, says the proposed dwelling will be clearly visible from the tower, particularly from the viewing platform on the roof.
Yeats had the viewing area specifically erected to that he could admire the surrounding, unspoilt countryside, Mr Brian Flynn, Ireland West Tourism chief executive, states. The proximity of the development would be a retrograde step for the 20,000 "plus" visitors who visit the tower and spend time in south Galway ever year, he says.
In her appeal, Ms Satchwell says the integrity of the tower will be threatened by a development in such close proximity. Yeats had declared the tower to be the symbol of his life and work, and his most revered volume of poetry, The Tower, was written there.
Ms Satchwell says the poet had shared an allegiance with both the land and the building. Uncannily, one of his poems, A prayer on going into my house, predicted this situation. "God grant a blessing on this tower and cottage. . . and should some limb of the devil Destroy the view by cutting down an ash That shades the road, or setting up a cottage Planned in a government office, shorten his life, Manacle his soul upon the Red Sea bottom."
Prof Foster states that he is a frequent visitor to Thoor Ballylee and is a great admirer of the "sympathetic and deeply atmospheric" restoration carried out by local people.
A proposed bypass is already threatening to ruin nearby Coole Park, Prof Foster says, and a battle is on in Dublin to save the poet's last residence, Riversdale, from "demolition and re-development".
The planning application was lodged in December 2000 and, shortly after Ms Satchwell's first objection, approval was given. The application states that the farmer who owns the land wishes to build a house for his son and that this is the only area not subject to flooding.
The planning approval includes an enurement clause that restricts use of the dwelling to the applicant and his family, heirs and executors, administrators or persons involved in agricultural-related activities unless otherwise agreed by the planning authority. The agent for the applicant, Mr Oliver Higgins, said the centre of the site was 80 metres from the tower.