More than 250 protesters have prevented a contractor from restoring the controversial interpretative centre site at Mullaghmore to its original state. "It is our Alamo, we are not going to buckle," Mr Sean Roche, a resident of Mullagh more in the Burren, said on Saturday.
By High Court order, the Office of Public Works has until May 30th to dig up the car parks built as part of the preliminary construction work for the centre. Planning permission for the controversial development in the Burren National Park was refused by An Bord Pleanala last March.
When the employees of the Ennis-based contractor arrived to carry out the work at 10.30 a.m. they were blocked from getting to the site with their three lorries, which carried a crane and a digger. The contract is believed to be worth £850,000.
"Tell them put the money in our hospital and feed the people of India after the earthquake. It is crazy," said Ms Rona Lyons, president of the Irish Countrywomen's Association in Corofin. "It is bad enough our beef is being burnt," she added.
After a good-natured standoff of about half an hour, the vehicles were allowed to pass along the narrow road between Killinaboy and Boston so they could turn around and leave. Cheers went up as the vehicles left the area and the drivers waved and one hooted his horn.
Mr Pat Flanagan, of the Burren National Park Support Association, said people had kept a vigil since 8 a.m. "There was an instant reaction from people when the rumour went out a couple of days ago that the contractor was moving in on Saturday."
Residents, including children, came from nearby villages of Killinaboy, Corofin, Tubber, Ruan and Ballyvaughan. They were supported by Fianna Fail TD Mr Tony Killeen.
The protesters were "decent, hard-working people" who felt excluded from the court actions which had taken place, he said. They believed an application for retention of the car parks should have been made.
"Most of the stuff is no more offensive than Burren stone. It seems like not just an act of vandalism but an act of vindictiveness against the Burren communities."
The issue has split the party in the area. Mr Killeen's colleague, Mr Brendan Daly, has also declared his support for the residents. However, much of the protesters' anger is directed at the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, who was elected in the Clare constituency.
"We are determined that the car parks will not be interfered with. We feel it is now up to the Minister. She must now take action," Mr Flanagan added.
A Department spokesman said that it was a legal issue. The matter had been decided by Clare County Council, An Bord Pleanala and the courts. "The OPW are carrying out the work following a High Court decision. Failure to comply with that order would be contempt of court."