gold

Maudi

We have untold amounts of gold objects on display and hidden away gathering dust in our museums worth many millions..couldnt we just make copys of these items and sell the gold ?along with fine gaels planned forestry sale among ideas it might help realise economic recovery

gobnaitolunacy

We could photocopy the Book of Kells and flog that too.

Neutronale

Maudi wrote: »

We have untold amounts of gold objects on display and hidden away gathering dust in our museums worth many millions..couldnt we just make copys of these items and sell the gold ?along with fine gaels planned forestry sale among ideas it might help realise economic recovery

"Untold" is an interestiing word!

I reckon the items involved are worth far more than their mere gold values. I doubt that there monetry value would do much to impact on the balance of payments deficit.

corktina

Maybe we should sell them off alright BUT there is no point whatsoever in making copies...so that's a saving to be had!

Peregrinus

The bullion value of gold artefacts in the nation museum is pretty modest. I doubt if there is more than a couple of kilos of gold all told.

The artistic and cultural value is much greater, and if you were going to sell them, then you would sell them as artefacts through auction houses, not as bullion for melting down.

But, if you're going to sell of the national cultural patrimony, why confine yourself to items made of gold? The value of the paintings in the National Gallery's collection would easily dwarf the entire contents of the National Museum and the National Library combined; why not flog them off? And then there's archaeological sites up and down the country that could be sold; someone could do a very nice High Kings Theme Park at Tara, and with a bit of ingenuity the Rock of Cashel could be refurbished and extended as a Celtic-themed hotel, conference center and banqueting facility. And Dublin Castle occupies prime land which would have considerable revelopment potential, even in today's depressed market.

pedroeibar1

Peregrinus wrote: »

.........with a bit of ingenuity the Rock of Cashel could be refurbished and extended as a Celtic-themed hotel, conference center and banqueting facility. ............

You forgot about the golfcourse and helipad!

Maudi

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

You forgot about the golfcourse and helipad!

all great ideas guys what with all the above and the forests sure . we'l be in the red again.

Peregrinus

I don't have a problem with selling off forests, if you're trying to draw a parallel between selling forests and selling cultural patrimony. Pine plantation forests are a crop, planted for commercial exploitation, and the question of whether you harvest the trees and sell the timber or sell the trees as standing timber seems to be one of no great moment. Which will secure the best outcome for the public purse? I don't see that there's anything else at stake.

Manach

Or we could construct motorways through areas of significant history interest such as the Hill of Tara. Oh wait....

Maudi

Manach wrote: »

Or we could construct motorways through areas of significant history interest such as the Hill of Tara. Oh wait....

ahh wasnt that the cockroach?and then he slithered off to europe.