The volunteers who helped to repair a 5,000 year old burial cairn at the top of Slieve Gullion in south Armagh deserve considerable credit for their work on a project of long term importance.
Fears had been growing that the entrance to the huge chamber, which is closely associated with the legend of Cu Chulainn, might become permanently blocked as a result of stones dislodged by weather conditions and the presence of walkers in the area.
However, thanks to the efforts of up to 30 volunteers organised by the Ring of Gullion Partnership, who trekked to Ireland's highest passage grave under the supervision of an archaeologist, access has been successfully preserved.
There will be great satisfaction that an enormously significant site, which is spectacularly illuminated by the setting sun during the winter solstice on December 21 every year, has been preserved for future generations.
