Sligo Heritage Office

During 2007, the Heritage Office continued to promote interest, education, knowledge and pride in the heritage of County Sligo, while seeking 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 2007, 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 spanning the period 2002-2006. During 2007, Sligo saw the launch of the second heritage plan for the county. The County Sligo Heritage Plan 2007-2011 is an agreed action plan developed and overseen by the County Sligo Heritage Forum with the support of the Heritage Office of Sligo County Council.

COUNTY SLIGO HERITAGE FORUM

The County Sligo Heritage Forum membership is drawn from local government, Local Development, state agencies, educational institutes, the farming sector, the community and voluntary sector and County Sligo Heritage Groups. Through the County Sligo Heritage Plan 2007-2011, the members work to secure benefits for the heritage of County Sligo and seek to increase awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of it for all. The Heritage Forum met four times during 2007 and agreed terms of reference in February 2007. The Forum membership was increased to allow for the engagement of key sectors. It was also agreed by the Forum to establish four working groups in the areas of, archaeology, natural heritage, architecture and cultural heritage in order to increase involvement and participation of interested parties in the delivery of the heritage plan over the coming four years. All working groups met at least once by the end of 2007. The working groups have been established on a pilot basis and the process will be reviewed at the end of 2008.

COUNTY SLIGO HERITAGE PLAN 2007-2011

The Heritage Plan, developed by the County Sligo Heritage Forum and co-ordinated by the Sligo Local Authorities was launched during April 2007 and heralded a new period for heritage conservation at local level, based on partnership and coordination.

In drawing up the second County Sligo Heritage Plan the Forum entered a broad consultation process during 2006. Through extensive public consultation, the heritage priorities and objectives for County Sligo were identified and the actions needed to achieve these were set out over the five-year period of the Plan. It is the second time that the diverse concepts regarding the value of and future of Sligo’s heritage will be coordinated 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

To advise on, promote 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 decisionmaking in the county.

Key Initiatives in 2007

• Continued Habitat mapping in the county with a focus on Sligo City ahead of the review of the Sligo and Environs Development Plan.
• Historic Graveyard Survey of selected baronies in the County. This will be completed during 2008.
• Compilation of an archaeological excavations database for County Sligo.
• Condition reports were commissioned for two medieval churches in Sligo.
  

BEST PRACTICE IN HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

To propose and advise on, best practice standards for heritage conservation and management among key stakeholders and practitioners.

Key Initiatives in 2007

• Continued provision of heritage training and advice for Sligo Local Authorities.
• Liaised with Community and Enterprise Office in relation to collecting data on historic graveyards in County Sligo and their associated burial ground registers.
• Provision of Owners Day during April 2007, with over 140 delegates.
• Completion of a Conservation Plan for Inishmurray, County Sligo.
• Commissioned a Biodiversity Action Plan for Sligo in partnership with The Heritage Council.
  

AWARENESS AND EDUCATION

To facilitate and strengthen the awareness, understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of Sligo’s heritage.

Key Initiatives in 2007

• Continued to support the local authority in developing a County Museum Service
• Continued the Field Monument Advisor Scheme initiative in County Sligo with updating of the FMA database for Sligo.
• Heritage awareness/biodiversity survey. 
• Ongoing provision of advice to communities undertaking heritage projects.
• Ongoing development of Heritage Office website.
• Continued with press releases and radio interviews.
• Co-ordination of Heritage Week 2007 at county level.
• Publication and launch of County Sligo Heritage Plan 2007-2011.
• Publication and launch of the Natural Heritage of Sligo poster.
  

PROMOTING PARTNERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION

To promote greater co-operation and co-ordination between all sectors of society for the benefit of heritage in Sligo.

Key initiatives in 2007

• Continued to support the work of the Heritage Forum (4 meetings during 2007)
• Established four working groups to support the work of the Heritage Forum.
  

PROVISION OF HERITAGE FUNDING

Key initiatives in 2007

• Administration of the following heritage grant schemes:
  • LA protected Structures Grants
  • Community Heritage Grant Scheme
  • Heritage in Schools Scheme

SUPPORTING INTEGRATION OF HERITAGE POLICY IN DECISION MAKING

Key initiatives in 2007

• Provision of Heritage Policy advice for Development Plans – ongoing.
• Attendance and contribution at Major Planning Application Meetings
• Review of Environmental Impact Statements as required.
• Liaised with Forward Planning Unit re Strategic Environmental Assessment as required.
• Supported Sligo Local Authorities in review of the County RPS and the Ministerial recommendations transmitted to the Local Authority during 2006.
  

PROVISION OF HERITAGE INFORMATION

Key initiatives in 2007

• The Heritage Office continued to provide a heritage information service to LA staff, elected members and the general public on a broad range of issues by correspondence, email and phone.
• Maintained the heritage section of Sligo County Council website by updating regularly.