THE ancient High Crosses in Monasterboice are under threat of crumbling away and a major conservation programme has been undertaken to save some of Ireland's most spectacular historic gems.

'Every aspect of how best to secure the crosses is being considered,' stated archaeologist Margaret Gowen who is part of the Monasterboice project.

A recent community gathering at the Naomh Mairtin complex, part of the local consultation process, heard a number of suggestions, including the possibility of moving the crosses to a secure, indoor centre with exact replicas replacing them.

The project is expected to take up to two decades.

' We have to try and halt the deterioration and that will come in stages,' stated Ms Gowen.

The elements have impacted on the world famous crosses as well as increased traffic vibration from the nearby M1.

The Monasterboice Monastery enclosure itself dates to St Buite who died in 521AD.

The three feature crosses are the West (Great) Cross which stands at 7m, the High Cross and the famed 1,000 year old St Muirdeach's Cross, a replica of which stands in the Victoria and Albert Museum in Kensington, London, along with some of the greatest wonders in world heritage.

Vandalism has been raised as a real fear, given that the burial ground is so accessible all year round.

Work also needs to be carried out on the surrounding wall.

In the region of 70,000/100,000 visitors a year descend down the small country roads to the complex, which is manned by expert volunteer guides from the local area.

During the height of the tourist season, up to six buses could arrive at a time, causing severe problems in relation to traffic flow as the road is also busy with local traffic.

Fears have also been expressed about the round tower which stands at about 35m.

At one stage it was 40m but after being struck by lightning, the cone shaped roof was destroyed.

The very foundations, dating to the Viking period in Irish history, will have to be fully investigated.

- HUBERT MURPHY