I make no apology for writing about Kevin Street Garda station again.
Today, Spanish archaeologists found what they think are the remains of Red Hugh O’Donnell.
Such is their dedication to history, that they closed a street in the city of Valladolid and began the search for the remains of the man who led the campaign against British occupancy of Ireland back in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Indeed, he went to Spain after the Battle of Kinsale in 1601 to seek the help of King Philip. He died there.
Here, we have the 1,000 old remains of St Sepulchre’s Palace at Kevin Street. But the only recent find there was plastic Wavin Pipes.
They were found when unsupervised work was carried out there and damage was caused to the remains of the centuries old buildings.
And just in case curious Dubliners might see what’s going on there now – I haven’t a clue – a new solid steel black gate was erected between the centuries old pillars of the entrance gate to block our view.
The authorities say it was always there. And that is simply a lie.
The Spanish care about Irish history. But we don’t.
I have sent questions to the Minister for Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht, but I haven’t received a reply.
Some Garda unit or other is occupying the buildings vacated by Gardai who moved into the new building next door.
But despite hopes that in the first interest, proper excavation and preservation might be carried out and then the public might see the buildings as part of a Swift Experience – Jonathan Swift was a regular visitor to St Sepulchre’s – the gardai are staying put, the Office of Public Works and Dublin Corporation between them couldn’t give a damn.
We should have known when our own city council destroyed Wood Quay.
Our city is run by philistines. Those charged with preserving sites such as Kevin Street couldn’t be bothered.
I suspect that if someone suggested demolishing Newgrange for a new road, our authorities would enthusiastically back the plan.
It’s so very, very sad.
Paddy's World 