The Turoe Stone, which to date has withstood over 2,000 years of such abuse, is to be moved from its current location on a privately-owned pet farm near Loughrea to the new Galway City Museum.

The 90cm-high stone is described as a preChristian Celtic phallic symbol by an international archaeological journal, which adds that the flowing design on the tip of the monument "can easily be interpreted as ornamental semen".

"It is amazing that such a wonderful object . . .

resembling (and obviously as important) as the Navel Stone at Delphi, has survived in Ireland up to the 21st century, remaining outdoors, " noted the journal.

The Turoe stone had already been moved once before, around a century ago, from its original position at the nearby Rath of Feerwore, which translates as "fortified farmstead of the big men".

Environment minister John Gormley has admitted there was some local opposition to this latest move, but though the stone is situated on private land, it is a national monument owned by the state which has an onus "to secure its integrity in the longer term".

The proposed move has been communicated to local public representatives and to the landowner, said Gormley in the Dail last week. "To date, my department has received one letter from a local member of the public objecting to the proposal, " he said.

However, there is some compensation for the locals who are losing their star tourist attraction and talking-point. Gormley has promised them a "high-quality replica" which, he said, has already been completed and will be put in place at the same time as the original stone is moved.

"You wouldn't know the difference, " said an Office of Public Works (OPW) spokesman of the replica. OPW looks after all national monuments on behalf of the Department of the Environment and will oversee the move.

Indeed, the replica may even be an improvement as the Turoe stone is currently covered by a small shed-like structure to protect it from weathering.

This was introduced as a temporary measure in 2005 but the shed has remained in place since.

This temporary measure has proven insufficient to protect the phallic monument from further damage. A recent examination of the stone found that while the cover had reduced the effects of lichen, this only revealed previously unnoticed damage. It had also "not eliminated the risk of freeze/thaw damage, " Gormley explained.

Consequently and following the advice of the Director of the National Museum, Pat Wallace, it was decided to move the stone indoors to ensure "it remains in good condition and retains its unique decorative figures."

"There is increasing evidence at European level that the effects of climate change can have serious implications for archaeological monuments, " said the Environment Minister.

Already, high crosses at Clonmacnoise, Co Offaly, a stone carved in the La Tene style formerly located at Killycluggan, Co Cavan, and crosses at Durrow, Co Offaly have all been moved to indoor locations either in their vicinity or to a museum to protect them from adverse weathering and contact, said Gormley.

Ten years ago, a large Celtic cross which stood in the middle of the main street of Kells, Co Meath was moved off the street after it was hit by a truck. The cross is now located in front of the Kells Heritage Centre in the town and is now covered by a canopy.

Gormley denied that moving national monuments indoors to protect them against weather damage was an official policy of his department.

"The question of whether any other monuments under threat of damage may require protection from the elements in a similar way will be considered, as appropriate, on a case-by-case basis, " the minister said.