Charging for access​… :(

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CianMcLiam C
CianMcLiam Jun 6, 2006 22:21:32

Though I was warned beforehand that landowners at two sites I was planning on visiting on the Beara Peninsula were charging people to visit sites on their land I still felt ripped off and annoyed that people can get away with profiting from our heritage. I really got the feeling I was being taken for a mug, along with every other visitor who comes along. Anyone know whats the legal standing on this? I wouldn't feel so bad if they were offering a tour or some insight into the significance of the site but I got the impression these people didn't give a hoot what I was going to see as long as I coughed up (and were laughing all the way to the bank at the plebs that part with their cash so easy).

Both places gave me a crummy photocopied sheet with scant information, is this how they are getting away with it ie. charging for the sheet rather than for access?

P Pete G
Pete G Jun 6, 2006 22:28:25
Replying to CianMcLiam

Stonehenge, Rollrights and Stanton Drew circles all charge an entrance fee.
Avebury has a car parking fee
wotcha gonna do eh?

R ryaner
ryaner Jun 6, 2006 23:59:41
Replying to CianMcLiam

<Though I was warned beforehand that landowners at two sites I was planning on visiting on the Beara Peninsula were charging people to visit sites on their land I still felt ripped off and annoyed that people can get away with profiting from our heritage. I really got the feeling I was being taken for a mug, along with every other visitor who comes along. Anyone know whats the legal standing on this?>

Sounds well dodgy to me. Do the 2 sites have the minister for the arts, culture and the gaelteacht signs beside them that you see at a lot of places? If so, then surely nobody except the authorities can charge to visit; if not, then wouldn't a route through to stopping the rip be to get them recognised?

Did you enquire of the landowners for just exactly what you were paying for? Maybe that's a dumb question but a bit of umbrage may have elicited some guilty response. The landowner owns the land but does he own the monument? I downloaded the National Monuments Act (1930) and the National Monuments Amendment Act (1987) out of curiosity but never read them. I'll glance over them tonight.

This is the link for the National Monuments (Amendments) Bill 2004:

http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/bills28/bills/2004/2404/b2404d.pdf

The older 2 mentioned above can also be found close by.

F FourWinds
FourWinds Jun 7, 2006 07:03:50
Replying to CianMcLiam

If they are national monuments and have a proper sign-board then access should be free.

Unfortunately, when some of the National Monuments were pruchased by the state a right of way was not always purchased (D'OH!). This is the problem with Carnbane West at Loughcrew. The landowner says no right of way was included in the purchase. Duchas* say different. Stalemate, because Duchas won't go to court for it.

The best bet is to check at the local council offices to see if rights of way exist. If they do then you can not be charged ... but you must stick to the path (obviously).

If there isn't a right of way then they can charge you for access.


* I know they ain't called that now, but it's easier to write Duchas :-)

B BuckyE
BuckyE Jun 8, 2006 12:53:16
Replying to CianMcLiam

Have the owners had problems with trash and vandalism, or damage to crops? Do visitors park cars in awkward places? Do the owners have to mow around or otherwise spend time tending the monuments' space; or plow around it? Are they just tired of a bunch of geeks knocking them up?

Does an access fee discourage the gits?

I only ask out of curiosity.

M Moth
Moth Jun 8, 2006 22:31:17
Replying to CianMcLiam

Hmmm. It's not exactly good!!! But tbh, I'd rather pay a (small!!) charge than have them make it awkward etc to get to the monument as so many landowners seem to....

love

Moth