5 Things I love

Mutant Space - 5 Things I Love

The Hill Of Allen

The Hill of Allen (Cnoc Alúine in modern Irish, Cnoc Almaine in older), is a hugely significant hill standing parallel to the ancient Bog of Allen (largest bog in Ireland) . It is located near the village of Miltown, about five miles from the town of Newbridge Co. Kildare. The Hill was associated with the legands of Fionn Mc Cumhail and is documented in Irish folklore as being the the home or base of Na Fianna (Fionn’s army), the protectors of ancient Ireland.

Since the early 1960’s a Roadstone quary has caused the destruction of more than half of the original hill. The dynamite continues to blow, and the hill continues to dissapear. Weather this is legal or not is very unclear. It seems a group set up to protect the hill a few years ago discovered corruption and illegal activity involving Roadstone and Kildare County Council.

We live in a time where we have a chance to stop and look at ourselves and what we value as a nation. Is this new era going to be remembered for something other than the glutonous, materialistic, money obsessed society we associate with the boom? We, and our political leaders must finally see that we have valuble possesions on our island that does not need to be bought. And if its money and jobs your after then consider the tourism and educational possibility’s of a guided tour trough the wood surounded path up sacred Cnoc Alúine.

Eoghan Burke (Fia Rua)