Protection of Mayo's Bohea Stone to be raised with minister

THE protection of the Bohea Stone is to be raised with Heritage Minister James Browne.

With carvings that pre-date the pyramids, the rock, which is located along the Tochar Phadraig in west Mayo, is of national importance.

The delay in taking measures to protect it has been raised by Westport's Councillor Peter Flynn.

In a report, he was told a meeting was held in late 2021 with council management and the OPW. But it was now late 2026 and it looks like nothing has happened since, he said, with further deterioration of the stone.

A request had gone up to the minister last year and while it was followed up, a is awaited.

Councillor Flynn appreciated they are reliant on others to make it happen but it needs to move on, saying it is too important a monument.

His colleague Councillor Brendan Mulroy said contact will be made with Minister Browne.

The Bohea Stone has the potential to be a massive tourist boost for Westport, he said, and a lot of people have a genuine interest in it.

In more positive news, Councillor Flynn said the Tochar Phadraig runs by the stone and when you go beyond it towards the Leenane Road it's a swamp. With a small bit of funding that section is going to be drained and a proper path put in, so all the more reason why they need to get the stone protected.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme