A Co Meath Traveller group which is to receive a gift of some 60 acres of farmland from an elderly local farmer last night said it does not intend to use the "generous donation" to establish a halting site.
Navan Travellers' Workshops (NTW) Ltd, a registered charity, said it is exploring a number of possible ways in which the land, located at Carnaross, Kells, might be used. These include the establishment of a heritage park, a museum, an organic farm and a horse stables with a workshop. Tin and copper smithing might also be taught there.
A spokesman last night said it does not intend to sell any of the land to finance the plans, but fundraising may need to be undertaken. He stressed that discussions on how best to utilise the donated land had not been completed.
The group had been delighted to accept the offer of the land when it was first made by Brian (Barney) Kearney, who is in his 80s. A statement yesterday evening said the group had been "surprised" when Mr Kearney approached it with his offer.
"We have set up a board of trustees to oversee this development and are finalising the details. Can we stress however that it is not our intention to use this generous gift for a halting site," the group said.
"We would hope to work with the local community in bringing a richness of culture and reviving traditional skills to the area. We would hope that one day tourists, schools and the local community would experience the benefit of a heritage park in the locality."
Speaking to The Irish Times yesterday, Mr Kearney said he is already living in a house which belonged to his late brother, John. This is located on adjoining land to his farm.
"I never had any trouble with the Travelling community . . . sure they're human beings like you and me and anyone else. They were born and they will die and they'll leave the world. The Lord will judge them the same as anyone else," he said.
He was aware that some of his neighbours may have been unhappy about his decision to donate the land to the NTW. But it was his land to do with it as he wished. "What I'm doing is doing what I want to do anyhow. When I started it first my neighbours were coming and asking what [was] I doing. I said it was my land."
He added that it could take up to a year for the transfer of the land to a trust to be completed. "There'll be nothing done until it is legally done," he said.
Some estimates have put the price of the land being donated by Mr Kearney at €1.6 million.
Mr Kearney also said in media interviews yesterday that he had previously considered giving the land to the local health board, but had received no word back on this proposal, which he mentioned to a local politician.
Afterwards, he prayed for guidance in a church in Navan, and then decided to offer the land to the NTW. But he experienced some difficulty in his attempts to secure the services of a solicitor.