County Sligo Heritage Office

‘To secure benefits for the heritage of County Sligo and to increase awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of it for all’

The Heritage Office is committed to providing high quality advice on all matters relating to heritage issues and is responsible for developing policies and priorities for the identification, protection, preservation and enhancement of Sligo’s heritage. It also seeks to assist the development of the Local Authorities heritage strategy and policy, advising on heritage impacts and consequences. Central to the services provided by the Heritage Office is the promotion of interest, education, knowledge and pride in the heritage of county Sligo, and in so doing, increasing awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of the county’s heritage. The development of a co-ordinated heritage strategy at county level is a key recommendation of government policy as outlined in the National Heritage Plan (2002) and the National Biodiversity Plan (2002).

 
This is being achieved through:

• Establishment of the County Sligo Heritage Forum
• Co-ordination and implementation of the County Sligo

Heritage Plan 2002-2006 which focuses on:

1. Collection of heritage data

   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

2. Local Authority heritage management

   To propose high quality advice to 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

3. Raising heritage awareness

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

4. Promoting best practice

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

The County Sligo Heritage Plan has commenced a new and exciting period for heritage conservation in Sligo, based on partnership and co-ordination amongst all those with an interest in and remit for heritage management in the county. The Heritage Plan which was launched in 2002, is now entering its third year of implementation. As one of the first of its kind in Ireland, it is a concerted effort to establish objectives and set priorities for our shared heritage. The emphasis is on shared responsibility for the protection and conservation of Sligo’s heritage resource. Copies of the County Sligo Heritage Plan 2002-2006 are available from the County Sligo Heritage Office or can be downloaded from the council’s website - www.sligococo.ie

Collection of Heritage Data
- Achievements in 2003

• Audit of geological sites in County Sligo in partnership with the Geological Survey of Ireland
• Audit of Archaeological objects held in museum collections in partnership with the National Museum of Ireland
• Thatch Survey of county Sligo
• Collation of scientific papers relating to the geology, flora and fauna of County Sligo.
• Completion of a biodiversity audit of County Sligo

Heritage Management
- Achievements in 2003

A key role for the Heritage Office is the provision of high quality advice to the Sligo Local Authorities on policies and priorities relating to heritage and to support them in the integration of heritage conservation into their activities. This is achieved through heritage appraisal of development plans and local area plans, and the development of heritage training and structured input of heritage advice.

Raising Awareness
- Achievements in 2003

• Continued to advise on the development of a County Museum for Sligo
• Facilitation of the Schools heritage and IT programme through the launch of the Sligo Seashore CD and website (www.sligoseashore.com), which won first prize at the European eSchola e-Learning Awards in 2003.
• Development of a Field Monument Pilot in North Sligo
• Hosted a 2 day Community Heritage Seminar
• Publication of Heritage Matters (4 issues)
• Hosted heritage exhibitions (2)
• Promotion of the Heritage in Schools Scheme

Promoting Best Practice
- Achievements in 2003

• Ongoing provision of advice to communities/individuals developing heritage initiatives and facilities
• Caring for Collections Course held for community museums/heritage initiatives in Co. Sligo.

Physical Heritage Projects
- Achievements in 2003

• Sligo Cemetery Gate Lodge conservation grant allocation of €40,000 secured from the Urban & Village Renewal Regional Operational Programme 2000-2006 to carry out conservation works during 2004.

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.