A PROPOSAL to remove a former British army observation mast from a historic site linked to the O'Neill Clan in Dungannon is being discussed.
The Hill of the O'Neill site attracts thousands of visitors each year and was the former stronghold of Gaelic lord and Earl of Tyrone, 'Red' Hugh O'Neill before he fled Ireland in 1607 during the Flight of the Earls.
The site is also the location of the Victorian-era Ranfurly House, which is used as a visitor centre.
Although the heritage site is managed by Mid Ulster District Council, a towering mast next to the Hill of the O'Neill is under the authority of NI Water.
The structure was built by the British Army and used during the Troubles, but currently serves as a telecommunications tower.
In a letter to Mid Ulster Council earlier this year, NI Water said it was "not in a position to consider removal" of the mast, which Dungannon independent councilor Barry Monteith has dubbed an "eyesore" and a "monstrosity".
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However, at a recent meeting of the council's development committee, it was revealed NI Water is now exploring options that could see the mast relocated from the site, which was the focus of an archeological dig in 2014 by Channel 4's Time Team programme that found items including a drinking vessel believed to have belonged to Hugh O'Neill.
A short-to-medium term plan for the heritage site is being developed under the Mid South West Growth Deal, a regional economic strategy involving three councils.
It is understood the plan could see a new play park created at the site, along with a closed events space.
Speaking at the committee meeting, Councillor Monteith said the current location of the mast will stop the site from reaching its “full potential” and called for discussions about its removal or relocation to be reconvened.
“We can’t develop a strategic plan for developing that site to its full potential while that is still present so I would propose we reignite the meetings that were ongoing a few months back," he said.
“There was some progress made; we might not have got all the answers we wanted but at least we were making conversation...about getting the mast removed."
The council’s assistant director of development, Claire Linney, said the local authority has been discussing the issue with NI Water, who are now looking at a “range of options” for the mast, which along with removal also include reducing the mast's size or camouflaging it.
“NI Water has brought on specialist consultants to look at it as there are a lot of views to take on board from a range of users, and it will take a few months to do," she added.
