Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Thurles

People aren't happy about this Michael Lowry banner erected on a 15th Century landmark

The independent TD has hit back at the criticism, saying he has permission.

MICHAEL LOWRY HAS hit back at criticism over an election banner placed on a monument in Thurles which dates back to 1450.

Historian Mary McAuliffe told TheJournal.ie,It’s defacing a national monument.

“It’s intrusive, it’s treating our built heritage as a commodity –  not as something we should value in and of itself.”

The Tipperary independent TD said he wasn’t aware of the backlash, but that it was private property “and the owner granted permission for it”.

He added, ”As long as I can remember it has always been used for advertising by different local community groups.”

However, McAuliffe said that she was “gobsmacked” when she saw the banner placed on the landmark Bridge Castle.

“I couldn’t believe it – that anybody would use our built heritage to advertise themselves.

It would be like putting ‘Vote for Michael Lowry’ across the Rock of Cashel, it’s the same thing.

“I know they are of different value for people but it’s the same thing.

“Tipperary has some of the best built heritage in the country and should be more protective.”

McAuliffe said she was surprised by the amount of attention a photo of the banner has generated online.

“It’s not just a listed building – it’s a protected structure,” she said.

The tower house was built 1450, according to the Urban Archaeological Survey for North Tipperary.

While it’s not included on the latest record of Protected Structures for North Tipperary, it is recorded on the 1998 Recorded Monuments list, Protected under Section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994.

Read: Into the storm: Scrambling for votes in one of the country’s most volatile constituencies

Read: FactCheck: Did Labour really break a pledge not to increase student fees?

Your Voice
Readers Comments
104
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.