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Newry and Armagh MLA Aoife Finnegan and Slieve Gullion Councillor Mickey Larkin have welcomed progress on repair works at the South Cairn on Slieve Gullion, with the historic passage tomb set to reopen shortly.
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Finnegan said the South Cairn had stood on the summit of Slieve Gullion for thousands of years and was "part of who we are, our landscape, our history, our mythology and our identity." She said the news was "fantastic" for South Armagh and for everyone who treasured Slieve Gullion and the area's history and heritage.
She said that when access to the Cairn was closed because of safety concerns, local people had been understandably worried that the monument could remain inaccessible for a prolonged period, adding that she had raised those concerns directly and pressed the Department for Communities for clarity on the repairs, the funding required and a clear pathway towards reopening.
Finnegan said she was delighted work was now progressing and that the Cairn was moving closer to being accessible once again. She commended those within the community who continued to protect and promote local heritage, and thanked everyone involved in carrying out the specialist works on what she described as an incredibly important and sensitive historic site.
She said Slieve Gullion belonged at the heart of the story of South Armagh, and that she would continue working to ensure the area's heritage received the recognition, protection and investment it deserved.
Cllr Larkin echoed his colleague's sentiments, saying the Cairn was part of the area's heritage and history and was worth protecting. He described the news as "brilliant" for the local community and for the many walkers and visitors who made the journey to the summit of Slieve Gullion.
He said the South Cairn had endured for thousands of years and that it was the community's responsibility to protect it and pass it on to future generations. He said he looked forward to seeing the works completed and people once again being able to enter Cailleach Beara's House and experience what he called one of the great treasures of South Armagh.
