Debate contribution: Slieve Gullion Cairn
Debate contribution by Mr Gareth Wilson on .
- MLA
- Mr Gareth Wilson
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 10 March 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Adjournment
- Heading
- Slieve Gullion Cairn
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5437440
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Adjournment debate this evening. At the outset, I thank the Member for her useful explanation of the site issues. I have never visited the site, and I may well have to plan a visit, given what I now know about it. I note that it is the highest surviving passage tomb in Ireland, which, in itself, is reason enough to maintain the site and repair the structure. Some years ago, I visited Newgrange with our local council to discuss issues relating to Navan Fort and its similarities, and I was struck by the history embedded in those types of structures and the importance of retaining and maintaining them for the generations to come. The reports that I have read about the site at Slieve Gullion point to a structure that has been well explored and well used over the course of many years. The roof structure has fallen into some disrepair, hence the need for remedial action to allow the site to reopen to the public. I note from previous references to the site in questions for written answer that work is planned at the site, and my colleague Minister Lyons will no doubt update the House on progress to that end. I trust that work can be scheduled as soon as possible in order to allow the site to reopen to the public. The reopening of the site would, of course, be important for tourism in the area and the general amenity of the local people, who have been rightly concerned by the prolonged closure of the site. I look forward to progress being made on the issue.
277 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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