Heritage Ireland 2030 sets out a joined-up approach across Government, stakeholders and local communities
By Andy Spearman
A ten minute stroll around Drogheda is enough to tell you that Louth County Council has not exactly covered itself in clover when it comes to protecting our built heritage but a new Government plan could change all that.
There are official plans aplenty – Westgate Vision, St. Peter’s Place etcetera – but the most visible action so far has been taken by those two stalwarts John Bannon and Eugene Brannigan who have voluntarily tended to the Old Abbey on a voluntary basis for six or seven years.
Our iconic Laurence’s Gate was only saved from the ravages of 21st century traffic after a successful campaign organised by concerned citizens who were outraged that the 13th century barbican was being damaged on a regular basis by HGVs.
However, since common sense prevailed and the gate was finally closed to motorised traffic in 2017, precious little has been done. The Council’s Heritage officer spoke of wonderful plans being drawn up but they never made it into the public domain and, to date at least, they have come to nought.
Similarly, volunteers from the Red Door Project have done Trojan work in the Dale area of town and have cut back some of the centuries of overgrowth to reveal sections of the historic town walls. Admirable as these volunteer efforts are the fact remains that preservation work such as this is the Council’s job.
Local authorities in other towns of a similar size and smaller, think Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Westport and others, have managed to find the funds and have made much more of an effort in preserving their built heritage. They have certainly reaped the rewards in terms of providing their citizens with a pleasant place to live and to welcome visitors to.
Perhaps the will is there at Louth County Council but their mantra has been that they are starved of funds. A cross-Government policy published yesterday called ‘Heritage Ireland 2030’ could be a game-changer in that regard however.
The strategy underlines the fact that Louth County Council is responsible for the care and management of heritage assets in their ownership but promises to strengthen their role in the management, care and promotion of that heritage.
A statement issued yesterday underlines the importance of collaboration between government, communities, stakeholders, citizens and local authorities. Hopefully that will mean funding also.
It sets out structures through which all of these groups can come together to advance the protection of Ireland’s heritage.
“… An Implementation plan assigning actions and timeframes to responsible parties will be developed within six months of the launch of Heritage Ireland 2030, elaborating on the formation of delivery structures and providing a clear roadmap for implementing actions” the statement says.
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan T.D. said it was heartening to see people accessing national parks, monuments, nature reserves and historic properties during public health restrictions.
“It is more important than ever that our heritage is protected, conserved and restored to ensure that the people of Ireland continue to benefit from the value and well-being that it provides.”
A copy of the Strategy can be accessed here.
