Brendy, thanks for that link. It's good to know that Ireland's government saw fit to protect the Burren by vetoing the planned "development". North Clare's wild Burren is of course much less populated than the Dublin suburbs of Co. Meath, and under less pressure. For now. (I do worry when I see verbiage like "cover the whole thing in a good thick layer of concrete".)

Both Fibula Mattock and our Guest John make valid points about the need for "development and progress", which were necessary and essential to the Celtic Tiger effect and Ireland's current economic prosperity. However, as an outsider but recent visitor and one with a deep affection for the country, it appears to me that Ireland is at the crossroads where it needs to ask, "How much is too much?"

Here in the US, we have a huge country. Nevertheless it's hard to get away from pollution, overcrowding and urban sprawl. Ireland is a small country. Building freeways as fast as you can was the way where I live (in California), and it turned into an endless tail-eating snake of more cars, more houses, more subdivisions, needing more freeways built, etc etc.

I would be interested to know about the rate of immigration to Ireland. Is the country's population growing rapidly, or is this, with regard to the M3 plans, a metropolis/suburb phenomenon?

Take it from a California resident -- Irish planners should take great care and pay respect and attention to their beautiful landscapes. We have seen it here: Once it's gone, it cannot be replaced.

Cheers,
Michael