Who is to say what is, or is not, a beauty spot?

(copied to the editor) Mr Bazley, Following Tamboran Resources Pty Ltd public information meetings, I noted that on two occasions you stated that no hydraulic fracturing operations for gas extraction will be conducted in or near beauty spots/tourism areas. You also said that one of the test locations for fracturing for shale gas would be the area around Kiltyclogher. Kiltyclogher is exactly on the border of counties Leitrim and Fermanagh. It is a small village comprising of one shop, two bars and two fine churches - not exactly a tourist destination, one might assume. However, it also boasts a number of ancient sites in its vicinity including standing stones and the beautifully preserved 4,000-year-old burial chamber of Prince Connell. It is the location of the much-visited home place of one of the significant figures in Ireland's history, Sean Mac Diamarda, who died in the struggle for the right of this country's people to determine their own destiny. Kiltyclogher annually hosts vibrant arts and music festivals, has a thriving theatre and a large tourist hostel. The visitors to this whole region do not arrive in town buses nor are they nose-to-tail queues of caravans and motor homes. Instead it is visited by people who walk the hills, cycle the by-roads and who return year after year to experience the tranquillity of the area. You have stated your family's connection with County Leitrim and your appreciation of its beauty. I believe that my information above reveals only too clearly your total lack of knowledge of this region. And your statement that your company will avoid hydraulic fracturing in beauty spots demonstrates the most astonishing degree of condescension, arrogance and ignorance on your part. Who are the arbiters of where is, or is not a beauty spot? Tamboran Resources? Your actions will turn this area into an industrial landscape. I respectfully suggest that the Tamboran executive widen their research beyond the geographical, scientific surveys currently being conducted and look more carefully at history, culture and expectations of Irish communities. Yours etc, Valerie Bailey, Corralubber, Ballinagleragh, Co Leitrim For more letters to the editor, see this week's Anglo-Celt.