BY NUALA MCALOON

Belleek historian John Cunningham has hit out at what he describes as a 'concerted attempt' to remove the Janus Figure from the Caldragh Graveyard, on the Boa Island, and place it in the Ulster Museum, Belfast, without a public debate.

The condition of this unique two-headed Celtic god-like figure has recently being discussed and feared disintegration within the next five or 10 years, despite being in its current location for the past 2,000 years.

But, Mr Cunningham, a prolific author, was adamant the figure must remain in situ: "This iconic figure of Ireland's history and heritage belongs in Fermanagh and must be retained there. This image features in almost every guide book to Ireland in any language and in almost every book on Celtic and Pre-Christian art.

"The Janus figure does need care and attention", he agreed, "but this should be done in the place it has been for anything up to 2,000 years. This can and should be done."

And, he added that this was not the only important feature of Caldragh Graveyard.

"A Maguire headstone marks the burial spot of six generations of the Junior Branch of the Maguires of Fermanagh from the time they lost their lands after the 1641 Rebellion when they retreated to the island with their bodyguard of the Mc McCabes, whose descendants have only recently died out on the island.

"There is also an enigmatic Síle na Gig stone figure of which there are only about 90 to be seen in the whole of Ireland. Caldragh Graveyard is also reputed to have had a church until 1822, according to The Lady Dorothy Lowry-Corry, the distinguished Fermanagh antiquarian writing in 1933 in the Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. This site is a treasure trove of Fermanagh history and heritage", he went on.

"I believe a full archaeological investigation of Caldragh should be carried out, access pathways made and glass shelters be provided for the figures to protect them from the elements, with full explanatory signage at a minimum.

"The site properly deserves an interpretative centre where all of this diverse heritage could be explained. Such a centre would help regenerate west Fermanagh and be a powerful tourist attraction for the Kesh, Pettigo, Belleek area, as well as for Boa Island and its people."

Meanwhile, Cormac Burke, the Curator of Medieval Antiquities at the Ulster Museum said it had been a long-term aspiration of his former colleague, Richard Warner in conjunction with the DoE to have the figure preserved indoors.

"The museum would feel that there is a strong case for the Janus Figure to be taken in out of the weather and placed in a secure environment and replaced with a replica on the site."

He said it was a matter of weighing up the long-term future of the monument, taking into consideration the case for a sheltered environment.

Mr Burke said a separate fragment of the same statue had been found in the late 90's and remained on the site.

The only way the two pieces could be reconstructed in context, he said, was in an indoor environment as this would involve other matter as well as the stone.

Another alternative he suggested, was to have shelter erected for the Janus Figure on site in Cladragh Graveyard itself.

The resolution of the matter he said, would, however rest with the landowner on whose private property the figure is located.