WHY ARE THERE SO MANY ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS LEFT UNTOUCHED IN IRISH FIELDS?

The Grianan of Aileach, County Donegal

It’s not surprising to find that stone forts on mountain-tops, or stone circles, pillars or dolmens have survived for up to five thousand years as they would be hard to move. What does seem strange is that even today farmers rarely knock down the ring-forts, or raths, thousands of which are to be found all over the countryside, even in the middle of cultivated land. 

A rath is a raised earthen circle of varying size, usually topped by trees or bushes. Archaeologists say the raths were erected by the ancient Irish for protection at night. They would gather inside the circle in simple huts, with their animals. Rath forms the first syllable of many Irish place-names. 

Traditionally, Irish country folk believed that they shared the land with many beings other than themselves. Everyone knew that raths were fairy forts, inhabited by the little people and anyone who dared interfere with one would be sure to bring bad luck on himself, family and animals. This strongly-held belief turned the raths into mini nature-reserves for animals and wild flowers. The only time it was permissible to disturb the land inside a rath was when a newborn, unbaptised baby had to be buried. 

The sense of place is very strong in the Irish character. The land is loved for itself as well as for the income it brings. Every area is rich in associations with the near, distant and legendary past. Every ancient stone has a story. 

Bismark seems to have recognised that the Irish were good at leaving things as they have always been. He suggested that if the Dutch were sent to Ireland, they would feed Europe, whereas the Irish in Holland would drown.

More information: Irish Heritage

Source: Why do the Irish? by Fiana Griffin

Ruins, for me, are the beginning. 
With the debris, you can construct new ideas. 
They are symbols of a beginning. 

Anselm Kiefer