"Is there no end to this...."

Yes. When its gone.

From the 2001 'Archaeological Features at Risk Report' commissioned by Heritage Ireland

Foreword
The Archaeological Features at Risk Report has indicated how much of the archaeological heritage of Ireland has been lost and the vulnerability of the remaining portion. The report indicates that in the areas studied, 34% of the monuments known to have existed have been destroyed. It suggests that in recent years the rate of destruction, far from decreasing through improved legislation and raising awareness, has in fact accelerated.

General Conclusions 3.3.1 The destruction of archaeological monuments in Ireland has not stopped but has accelerated dramatically in recent years. This is a major problem facing Irish archaeology and one which appears to be getting worse, not better. The destruction of so many monuments in 1998 alone is of extreme concern. These monuments are irreplaceable and are now lost for future generations. If the rate of destruction is allowed to increase, next to nothing will remain of our archaeological heritage in a little over a hundred years.

3.4.2 There is a perception outside the archaeological world that Ireland is full of monuments, and that the loss of a few ringforts or fulachta fiadh is insignificant - a view which must be challenged in the strongest manner. This report has demonstrated that the number of monuments surviving to date is, in most cases, less than 60% and as low as 30% in one county. Yet the rate of destruction in recent times has risen dramatically. It is time that the problems highlighted in this report are aired on a very public platform. All sectors of the community must be made aware of archaeological monuments, what is happening to them, what is encouraging their damage or destruction, as well as the fact that they are an irreplaceable part of our heritage. Language, dress and culture can be, and have been, revived. Archaeology is different. What is gone cannot be replaced. All that can be achieved is the preservation of what survives. This can only happen with the knowledge and participation of all. To achieve this, all forms of mass media, such as newspapers, radio and television, should be utilised to highlight the problems currently faced by Ireland's archaeological heritage.