Save Wicklows Ancient East

Watch this -> Save Kilranelagh Video 

Kilranelagh Hill is one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe.  It sits as the central hill in the Baltinglass Hillfort Complex, the largest cluster of ancient Hillforts in Western Europe, which has the potential to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kilranelagh Hill is now under threat by an industrial wind farm proposal by German company, ABO Wind. This proposal to construct 5 x 165m tall wind Turbines (each 40% taller than the Spire), would destroy the Neolithic landscape of Ireland's Ancient East.

From the Neolithic stone circle and it's alignment with the solar solstice, to the burial place of the High King of Leinster, Kilranelagh is one of the most archaeologically sensitive sites in Europe.

“Taken together these monuments constitute a unique archaeological landscape. It’s important that this landscape is protected. These monuments are all legally registered, but we need to give greater attention to how they are protected in a wider context of forestry and wind-farming. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to compare this to the Boyne Valley in terms of it’s importance on the national level. This is a very special part of the cultural heritage of Co. Wicklow.” -Prof. William O’Brien, Professor of Archaeology UCC.

So, as you drive the roads of the South-East, past signs for “Ireland’s Ancient East”, think about that means. We need to protect our heritage for future generations, from those who live here to the visitors who would like to enjoy it.

Electricity must be generated in cleaner ways, but can't we do this without destroying the heritage and landscapes that make Ireland unique in the world? Surely we can do better than destroying the ecology cleaner energy is meant to safeguard? Surely we can do better than shutting down the prospects for struggling rural communities to use their countryside, their landscape, their heritage, in ways to enhance these things?

We are a small community who has so far funded this campaign  on our own, but we need your help to ensure that the destruction of Kilranelagh Hill and the wider Baltinglass Hillfort complex is permanently stopped.

Please help us reach our target. This appeal is to fund our way through the courts and also to show that there is widespread support for preserving our heritage. There's no strength until we come together! Ní neart go cur le chéile!

SaveWicklowsAncientEast 

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Sunset over the Hillforts:

Members of the WWWAG and SWWAG groups:

Boleycarrigeen Summer Solstice:

Boleycarrigeen Blue Moon: