Ireland's ancient Hill of Tara, once the seat of the high kings, was today named one of the world's 100 most endangered heritage sites.

The New York-based World Monument Fund placed Tara on its crisis list after campaigns and court battles failed to reroute a controversial motorway away from it.

Since 1965, the body has saved 420 irreplaceable sites around the world, including the ancient Buddhist temple of Preah Khan at Angkor, Cambodia, built in 1191.

The planned M3 runs through the heart of the Tara Skryne valley in Co Meath, 1.5 miles from where 142 kings are said to have once reigned.

Opponents have claimed the road, in particular a 34 acre (4000m sq) floodlit intersection north of the hill, will ruin the landscape and destroy many archaeological sites.

In May a massive ancient pagan temple the size of three football fields was unearthed near Lismullen after earth movers began stripping back the soil. The henge has been designated National Monument status dating back to the late Bronze Age/Iron Age.

The site is being examined by archaeologists from the National Museum but it is not clear if it will be saved.

Dr Muireann Ni Bhrolchain, Campaign to Save Tara spokeswoman, said the decision to list Tara will pile further pressure on the Government to rethink the potentially disastrous route selection.

"The Government ignored the 2005 statement that was signed by 350 academics from all over the world," she said.

"Perhaps at this, the 11th hour, the Government in waiting will listen to the concerns of the world about the status of Tara and re-route."

Dr Ni Bhrolchain, lecturer in Celtic Studies at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, also questioned the accuracy of archaeological examinations carried out in the Tara-Skryne valley.

Archaeologists warn the nine-mile stretch of motorway will see at least 28 sites and monuments being excavated.

The National Roads Authority which is managing the project have claimed the new motorway route would be twice as far from Tara as the current Dublin to Navan road.

The NRA has claimed it is 1.5 miles from the top of the Hill to the motorway.

Vincent Salafia of TaraWatch one of the leading campaign groups against the M3, said: "This really is an appeal to both the Irish Government and people to protect our delicate, unique heritage, which is now confirmed to be under the gravest threat."

Work on the M3 was due to begin in summer 2006 but due to unforeseen archaeological discoveries, particularly the henge at Lismullen, full construction is yet to begin along the controversial stretch between Navan and Dunshaughlin.

Dr Ron Hicks, of the department of archaeology, Ball State University, Indiana endorsed the nomination to the 100 most endangered sites.

Announced every two years, the list is compiled to bring international attention to threatened cultural heritage sites. About 75% of sites placed on the list have been saved or are in the process of being saved.

The 2006 list included a famine era "Wonderful Barn", in Leixlip, Co Kildare.

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TaraWatch

World Monument Fund