An Taisce Main Site  

An extract from his 1948 Radio Address:

"In all but the most backward countries organisations exist which have for their object the protection and preservation of things of natural beauty or of human interest within their boundaries. These need protection against dilapidation, against injury, whether caused by carelessness, ignorance or ruthlessness, against sequestration for private ends, and in respect in recent times often against the action of public bodies. Here in Ireland (1948) one aspect of the subject has received attention – the preservation of the more important ancient monuments, historic or pre-historic, in which the country is so rich. But many other aspects – for instance the provision of open spaces, large or small, for the health and enjoyment of the people, the care of much that is of national interest, the prevention of disfigurement of towns and countryside by injudicious building, by advertisement, by the ruthless claims of industrialism – these have as yet received little (insufficient) attention in Ireland. It was to provide an organised body to watch over these matters that An Taisce was established. It was founded by persons varying widely in rank of life, in school of thought, in social and political outlook but all holding the belief that the Trust can and will perform a useful national service. Ireland, with its comparatively small population, its few great urban areas and its limited industrialization, has not been in much danger of spoliation from the causes mentioned. A few miles out from our larger cities we find ourselves already in unspoiled countryside and our towns have suffered little from undesirable modern tendencies (1948) But things are changing, and it is time that a solid body of public opinion organises to safeguard our treasures both of the past and the present, for the benefit both of ourselves and our successors.