Public Meeting, Clonmacnoise World Heritage Site Bid.
Last night's well organised meeting in Clonfanlough Hall drew a huge crowd of about 250. Thanks to the ad hoc committee Edel Anderson, Niall Darcy, Anthony Kelly, Noel Higgins, Dermot Nally, Patricia Anderson and Sean O'Asceogh. The meeting, which was chaired by Noel Higgins, was addressed by local reps Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy, Eamonn Dooley and Sinead Moylan-Ryan and by Rev Graham Doyle, Rector of Athlone. An apology was recieved from Connie Hanniffy who was out of the country.

A general discussion followed; the main theme was that while nobody was opposed to the proposals for a WHS status for Clonmacnoise it should not come at any price. The previous week's presentation did not constitute consultation, did not address the concerns of the community and that the time frame could not be acceptable. The site is not under any threat and is well cared for by the OPW. It was agreed that the County Manager be approached with a view to delaying the process to allow meaningful input by the local community. A petition to this effect was drawn up and signed by more that 250 people.

The question of representation was discussed. The proposed Buffer Zone covers a wide area on both sides of the Shannon. Also several interest groups are involved including farming, tourism, local residents, grave yard committee etc. The ad hoc committee, plus the public representatives, were mandated to continue in the interim until a broad based committee could be proposed, probably consisting of reps from sub-groups comprised of area or interest groups.