County Sligo Heritage Office

During 2002, the Heritage Office continued to promote interest, education, knowledge and pride in the heritage of County Sligo. The Office seeks to facilitate appreciation and enjoyment of the national heritage and in doing so co-operate with other bodies in the promotion of its functions. The Heritage Office is committed to providing high quality advice on all matters relating to heritage issues. It also seeks to assist the development of the Local Authority’s heritage strategy and policy and to advise on heritage impacts and consequences. During 2002 the Heritage Office has continued to play a role in developing and implementing heritage policy in County Sligo.

The launch of the National Heritage Plan and National Biodiversity Plan during 2002 set out for the first time a comprehensive strategy and framework for the protection and management of the heritage resource in Ireland. The National Heritage Plan recognises the increased focus on, and public support for the protection of our heritage. It recognises that heritage is valued by people not only for its intrinsic value, but for its economic, cultural and recreational benefits. Central to the delivery of both national plans is the increased role of Local Authorities in managing heritage at local level. This process has begun in Sligo through the establishment of the County Sligo Heritage Forum in 2001 and the launch of the first County Heritage Plan for Sligo in 2002. Sligo was one of the first counties in Ireland to produce a Heritage Plan.

County Sligo Heritage Forum

The County Sligo Heritage Forum membership is drawn from Local Government, Local Development, State agencies, Educational Institutes, Farming Sector, Community and Voluntary Sector and the County Sligo Heritage Groups. Through the County Sligo Heritage Plan 2002-2006 the members work to secure benefits for the heritage of County Sligo and seek to increase awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of it for all.

County Sligo Heritage Plan 2002-2006

The Heritage Plan, developed by the County Sligo Heritage Forum and co-ordinated by the Sligo Local Authorities was launched in March 2002 and heralded a new period for heritage conservation at local level, based on partnership and co-ordination. Until now, the care of heritage has been the remit of different agencies, interest groups and individuals, but this has occurred in the absence of a strategic overview of the heritage issues pertaining to Sligo specifically.

In drawing up the County Sligo Heritage Plan the Forum entered a broad consultation process. Through extensive public consultation, the heritage priorities and objectives for County Sligo were be identified and the actions needed to achieve these were set out over the five-year period of the Plan. It is the first time that the diverse concepts regarding the value of and future of Sligoís heritage will be co-ordinated and articulated in a strategic manner. In doing so, it will reinforce the value of preparing a single strategy and framework for heritage management locally. Four key performance areas have been established to facilitate structured heritage development over the next five years, these are:

Heritage information

Collection and Dissemination

To advise on and contribute to, the development of a comprehensive heritage database for Sligo and to ensure the effective use of heritage data in policy formulation and decision-making.
Key Initiatives in 2002

• Continued to collate information on Sligo’s Heritage Resource
• Initiated an audit of buildings associated with Yeats in County Sligo
• Commissioned a review of papers relating to Sligo’s Natural Heritage Resource

Local Authorities and Heritage Management

The Office provides high quality advice to the Sligo Local Authorities on policies and priorities relating to Sligo’s heritage and to support them in the integration of heritage conservation into their activities.

Key Initiatives in 2002

• Heritage training for Sligo Local Authorities - Lime Workshops with Pat McAfee
• Provision of heritage advice to Local Authority Staff
• Provision of advice on Heritage policy for Development Plans
• Supported Sligo Local Authorities in the development of a Draft Record of protected Structures for the draft Sligo and Environs Plan
• Initiated the development of an Indicative Forestry Strategy with The Forest Service
• Conservation reports commissioned for Sligo Cemetery Lodge and Ballindoon Abbey
• Conservation Plan commissioned for Sligo Gaol in association with The Heritage Council

Raising Awareness and Appreciation of Our Heritage

To facilitate awareness, understanding and enjoyment of Sligo’s heritage among the community.

Key Initiatives in 2002

• Continued to support the Local Authority in developing a county museum service
• Initiated a Pilot Monument Watch in County Sligo
• Continued to promote heritage awareness through Heritage Matters (a quarterly newsletter), the development of the Heritage Office website, a Sligo Heritage Seminar (November 2002), four exhibitions and press releases throughout the year
• Development of publications on hedgerow conservation, bat conservation and protected structures in association with the Heritage Council
• Provision of advice to communities undertaking heritage projects
• Development of the Heritage and IT programme and commissioning a heritage education audit of Co. Sligo through the appointment of a Heritage Education Coordinator

Best Practice in Heritage Conservation and Management

To promote, and advise on, best practice standards for heritage conservation and management.

Key Initiatives in 2002

• Two village design statements completed for Ballisodare and Grange, with a further two being commissioned in Easkey and Collooney

The County Sligo heritage Programme is funded primarily by the Sligo Local Authorities and The Heritage Council. In each programme area, partnerships have been developed and additional funding accessed from relevant sources.

County Heritage Office Staff

Siobhán Ryan, Heritage Officer
Sinead McGrath, Administration
Lisa Henry, Heritage Education Co-ordinator
Mark Keane, Field Monument Advisor

The County Sligo Heritage Office may be contacted through:
The Heritage Office, Sligo County Council, Riverside, Sligo.
Telephone 071- 9157444 / 9157443 Fax 071-9141119
Email: heritage@sligococo.ie
Website: www.sligococo.ie