Fears are growing once again over the future of the once-iconic "Quiet Man" cottage, after it emerged that no action has been taken to restore the dilapidated property to its former glory since it was designated a protected structure a year ago.
In July 2014 members of Galway County Council unanimously agreed to add White O'Morn cottage, in the Connemara village of Maam, to its list of protected structures.
The successful campaign to safeguard the future of the remote dwelling, which featured in the 1952 John Ford-directed movie starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, was welcomed at the time by A-list celebrities including Liam Neeson and Michael Flatley.
But some supporters of the project have raised concerns that no substantive steps have been taken over the past 12 months to secure the site, which has fallen into disrepair and ruin since the filming of the classic movie, from further deterioration.
Read more: Why "The Quiet Man" endures
And calls have been made to introduce further legislation, in the form of granting the property endangered status, which campaigners say would give Galway County Council the power to demand action from the site's owner.
The cottage, which had been the subject of an adverse possession case until earlier this year, has been under the ownership of California-based Greg Ebbitt since 1985.
Ebbitt has come under fire in recent years for the lack of progress in restoring the dwelling – which at present is little more than a pile of rocks – into what would undoubtedly be a huge tourist attraction to the throngs of "Quiet Man" fans who flock to nearby Cong, Co. Mayo every year.
Ebbitt, a builder, has repeatedly claimed that it's always been his ambition to renovate the cottage, but stressed he has received no cooperation from the Irish government.
But campaigners said they fear the continued stalemate could continue until all physical traces of the iconic dwelling are lost forever.
Read more: John Wayne’s Irish roles beyond "The Quiet Man"
Belfast-born Paddy McCormick, who runs the White O'Morn Cottage Community Group said, "Yet another year has passed and still no action, substantive or otherwise, has been taken to actually protect the ruin of the 'Quiet Man' cottage. There is not so much as a sign at the location.
"To my knowledge there has been no communication, nor even a discussion regarding any possible future action. In fact, there appears to be no prospect of any action at all in the short or medium term by anyone.”
Local councilor Tom Healy, who seconded last year's motion to safeguard the property, said, "It's a great shame that there has been no movement on the site over the past year and it would be heartbreaking if it remains this way."
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