Publications
Co. Louth Visitors Survey 2012 (2013)
This report presents the findings of the Co. Louth Visitor Survey 2012 conducted between June and August 2012. The aim of the research was to profile inbound visitors based on demographic, behavioural and motivational characteristics.
By far the most popular reason for visiting the county was to visit Heritage Sites at 18%. A further 12% was specifically for photography purposes, 8.8% to visit family or relatives, 6.7% for sightseeing purposes and 3.8% for genealogical reasons.
Identifying the main reason why people visit Co. Louth and the factors that influence their decisions can help to understand people’s motivations and therefore assist in future marketing efforts for the county.
Town Centre Health Check - Kilrush, Co. Clare (2012)
The Heritage Council completed the first Town Centre Health Check for Kilrush in County Clare in partnership with Clare County Council, Kilrush Town Council and the Kilrush Tidy Towns Group, in accordance with the S28 Retail Planning Guidelines and best practice town centre management. The Town Centre Health Check provides a robust dataset, which establishes a useful ‘baseline’ for comparison with future Town Centre Health Check assessments of Kilrush and surrounding towns
Download Town Centre Health Check - Kilrush, Co. Clare [PDF 12.1 MB].
Record of Protected Structures - Draft List (2011)
The Heritage Council has estimated that there are 38,171 protected structures in Ireland. It has published an index to the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) held by each planning authority. For the moment it should be considered as a work in progress, but it provides a framework for keeping tabs on the total numbers.
Download Record of Protected Structures - Draft List [PDF 125KB].
Wicklow Town – A Gallery of Shopfronts (2010)
Prepared by Wicklow Town Forum & Wicklow County Council. This is an inventory of shopfronts in Wicklow Town Centre along with guidance for their ongoing repair and renewal. The publication highlights the important role of shopfronts in contributing to the unique and historic character of towns and villages, and seeks to provide practical guidance and promote good practice among shopowners and others. Hard copies are available on request from Deirdre Burns, Heritage Officer, Wicklow County council dburns@wicklowcoco.ie.
Download Wicklow Town – A Gallery of Shopfronts [PDF 13.3MB].
County Wicklow Biodiversity Action Plan 2010-2015 (2010)
Published by Wicklow County Council with the support of the Heritage Council. The biodiversity of County Wicklow contributes enormously to the local economy, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and forestry, but also in less apparent ways such as flooding abatement and erosion control. While often taken for granted, the maintenance of good biodiversity in County Wicklow is crucial also to the protection of our scenic landscape, and to ensuring the continuation of the associated benefits for our quality of life, recreation and tourism.
Download County Wicklow Biodiversity Action Plan 2010-2015 [PDF 7MB].
Cork City Biodiversity Action Plan 2009-2014 (2009)
Published by Cork City Council. The Cork City Biodiversity Action Plan identifies the amazing wealth of wildlife and nature that exists in Cork City. The plan also sets out actions to raise awareness and help to protect and enhance Cork City’s natural heritage.
Download the Cork City Biodiversity Action Plan 2009-2014 here [PDF 1.2MB]
Nature in the City: A Guide to Biodiversity in Cork City (2009)
Published by Cork City Council with the support of the Heritage Council. This booklet helps to raise awareness of the wealth of nature in Cork city and indicates where and how nature in the city can be seen and enjoyed. This publication also gives practical tips on how to improve biodiversity and where to get further information and advice.
Download Nature in the City: A Guide to Biodiversity in Cork City (Part 1 of 2) [PDF 3.6MB].
Download Nature in the City: A Guide to Biodiversity in Cork City (Part 2 of 2) [PDF 4MB].
Copies are also available from the Planning and Development Directorate, City Hall, Cork City. Tel: 021 4924757, email: heritage@corkcity.ie or visit www.corkcityheritage.ie
Wildflowers of Cork City and County (2009)
A new and exciting book on the wildflowers of Cork city and county by Tony O’Mahony, has been recently published by The Collins Press. This book is a stimulating and contemporary account of the flora and habitats of Ireland’s largest county. A handsome mix of spectacular photography and fascinating facts, Wildflowers of Cork City and County provides a wealth of botanical data for both the professional botanist and enthusiastic amateur alike.
The book is largely based on botanical records collected by self-taught botanist, Tony O’Mahony, in his forty years exploring the highways and byways of the County. Tony was awarded an Honorary Master of Science degree by UCC in 2006, in recognition of his contribution of Irish botanical studies. This work is comprehensive and is an enduring contribution to the understanding of Cork’s plants and wildflowers. No one with an interest in flora should be without this book.
Funded by Cork City Council, Cork County Council and the Heritage Council, the development of this book is an action of the Cork City and Cork County Heritage Plans.
Wildflowers of Cork City and County can be purchased online through The Collins Press by clicking here or at any good book bookstore.
For further information, photographs, images or interviews with the author please contact:
Gillian Hennessy: Tel: 021-4347717 / e-mail: gillian@collinspress.ie
Con Collins: Mob: 087-2513922 / e-mail: con.collins@collinspress.ie
Niamh Twomey, Cork City Heritage Officer: Tel: 021-4924018
Sharon Casey, Cork County Heritage Officer: Tel: 021-4818000
Biodiversity & Development in County Kildare: Good Practice Guidelines for Developers (2009)
Published by Kildare County Council. This publication is designed to help developers understand the need for biodiversity conservation in terms of planning and legal requirements including the Wildlife Act (1976), Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 and the E.U. Habitats Directive (1997) and the importance of biodiversity and natural habitats. This leaflet has been produced in recognition of the fact that nature conservation 'adds value' to new development. It advises on the benefits of biodiversity and how biodiversity conservation can be integrated into the development process.
Download Good Practice Guidelines for Developers [PDF 2.4MB].
Biodiversity & Development in County Kildare: Good Practice Guidelines for Householders (2009)
Published by Kildare County Council. The aim of this leaflet is to provide information to householders about biodiversity outlining simple steps to promote awareness of habitats and our natural heritage. While some of the information is targeted at special groups, it is all relevant to protecting and increasing biodiversity in your area.
Download Good Practice Guidelines for Householders [PDF 1.5MB].
Directory of Archaeological Sources Relating to Co. Kildare (2008)
Published by Kildare County Council with the support of the Heritage Council, as an Action of the Kildare Heritage Plan 2005 - 2009. This directory is intended to provide a practical, comprehensive and user-friendly reference book to archaeological source material for County Kildare.
Download Directory of Archaeological Sources Relating to Co. Kildare [PDF 3MB].
A Geological Field Guide to Cooley, Gullion, Mourne & Slieve Croob (2008)
Published by Louth County Council, with grant support from the Heritage Council and the Geological Survey of Ireland. This book was compiled as a field guide to the geology (and geography) of the greater Carlingford Lough region (north Louth, south Armagh and south Down), and written to maximise its value to senior secondary teachers (and to college lecturers). It aims to show educators how they can use some of the best and most accessible field sites in the region to teach essential elements of the Leaving Cert and A Level geography curriculum (and geology where this is taught in a few northern schools and on undergraduate courses).
Download A Geological Field Guide to Cooley, Gullion, Mourne & Slieve Croob here [PDF 4.2MB].
Ecological Survey for Moynalty, Co. Meath Local Area Plan (2008)
Published by BEC Consultants for Meath County Council with support from the Heritage Council. A habitat map for Moynalty in Co. Meath has been produced to aid in the finalisation of Local Area Plan for the town. Recommendations are also made regarding the future management and development of the areas surveyed.
Download Ecological Survey for Moynalty Local Area Plan [PDF 2.3MB].
Ecological Survey for Slane, Co. Meath Local Area Plan (2008)
Published by BEC Consultants for Meath County Council with support from the Heritage Council. A habitat map for Slane in Co. Meath has been produced to aid in the finalisation of Local Area Plan for the town. Recommendations are also made regarding the future management and development of the areas surveyed.
Download Ecological Survey for Slane Local Area Plan here [PDF 2.3MB]
The Geological Heritage of Meath (2007)
Published by Geological Survey of Ireland & Meath County Council with the support of the Heritage Council. This report documents what are currently understood to be the most important geological sites within Meath by the Irish Geological Heritage Programme of the Geological Survey of Ireland. It proposes them as County Geological Sites, for inclusion within the Meath County Development Plan.
Download The Geological Heritage of Meath (Part 1 of 5) [PDF 1.2MB].
Download The Geological Heritage of Meath (Part 2 of 5) [PDF 1.7MB].
Download The Geological Heritage of Meath (Part 3 of 5) [PDF 1.6MB].
Download The Geological Heritage of Meath (Part 4 of 5) [PDF 1.5MB].
Download The Geological Heritage of Meath (Part 5 of 5) [PDF 1.6MB].
County Wicklow in Prehistory (2007)
Published by Wicklow County Council. This informational brochure provides an overview of the history and sites of interest dating from the prehistoric period in County Wicklow.
County Wicklow in the Early Middle Ages (2007)
Published by Wicklow County Council. This informational brochure provides an overview of the history and sites of interest dating from the Early Middle Age period in County Wicklow.
Download County Wicklow in the Early Middle Ages [PDF 10.4MB].
County Wicklow in the Later Middle Ages (2007)
Published by Wicklow County Council. This informational brochure provides an overview of the history and sites of interest dating from the Later Middle Age period in County Wicklow.
Download County Wicklow in the Later Middle Ages [PDF 9.1MB].
Exploring the Mining Heritage of County Wicklow (2007)
Published by Wicklow County Council. As well as providing information on mining heritage, the publication is designed to encourage visits to each area by visitors and Wicklow residents. The publication contains a map showing Mining trails at each site, these correspond with recently developed way marked walks at Avoca, Glenmalure and Glendassan.
Download Exploring the Mining Heritage of County Wicklow here [PDF 2.3MB]
Awareness & Appreciation of the Coastal Environment in County Fingal (2007)
The objective of this study was to inform Fingal County Council of the levels of awareness and appreciation in the local community of coastal and marine environments to contribute to the optimal use of Fingal County Council’s resources when preparing relevant materials for effective interaction with the general public. If you work for a Local Authority/NGO or related organisation on communication initiatives you may find this report helpful to your work.
Download Awareness & Appreciation of the Coastal Environment in County Fingal [PDF 770KB].
Kildare's Hedgerows: An action of the County Kildare Heritage Plan (2006)
Published by Kildare County Council with support from the Heritage Council. Kildare’s network of hedgerows is a huge asset to the county for agriculture, landscape, water quality, carbon sequestration, employment and our wild flora and fauna. The survey was conducted by Neil Foulkes and funded by Kildare County Council and the Heritage Council. The aim of the survey was to record the extent, species composition, structure, condition and management of the county’s hedgerows.
Download Kildare's Hedgerows [PDF 740KB].
Survey of Rare/ Threatened & Scarce Vascular Plants in County Meath (2006)
Published by BEC Consultants for Meath County Council. Using published and unpublished sources, a list of rare/threatened and scarce plant species that have been recorded within Meath County was compiled.
Download Survey of Rare/Threatened & Scarce Vascular Plants in County Meath [PDF 2.1MB].
A Guide to Cork City's Historical Plaques & Signs (2006)
Published by Cork City Council. Historic Plaques are to be found throughout Cork City, on street corners, bridges, above shop fronts and houses and in gardens and parks. Some commemorate achievements by outstanding individuals; others highlight special or sacred places and structures, while more again mark street names and laneways. Collectively, plaques in Cork emphasise the enormous diversity of Cork’s Heritage - from ballerinas to breweries.
A Guide to Cork City’s Historic Plaques and Signs was officially launched by the Lord Mayor Councillor Deirdre Clune on Wednesday 14th June 2006 in the Cork Vision Centre, North Main Street, Cork.
This publication was produced following on from a study undertaken by the Cork City Council with the support of the Heritage Council. It highlights a selection of the plaques that were recorded during this study. A full record of known plaques are listed to the back of the publication. This publication seeks to encourage both the citizens of Cork and its many visitors to stop and observe the craftsmanship of these plaques and the story that they tell.
Download A Guide to Cork City's Historical Plaques & Signs [PDF 1.8MB].
A Guide to Historic Ironwork in Cork City (2006)
Published by Cork City Council. This booklet provides an introduction to the history of Historic Ironwork in Cork City. It includes information on the various styles, materials and properties of Historic Ironwork in the city and helps to highlight the distinctive character and tradition of this ironwork. The booklet also illustrates the incredible variety of Ironwork in the City from railings, gates, balconies, door panels and boot scrapers to lamp posts and bridges. The booklet also offers advice on how best to maintain this important element of the Heritage of Cork City.
Download A Guide to Historic Ironwork in Cork City here [PDF 5.4MB].
A Guide to Protected Structures in Cork City (2006)
Published by Cork City Council. Cork is a city which is steeped in history and Heritage. The built environment of Cork illustrates the special character and uniqueness of the city through its buildings and structures. In a city that is rapidly changing it is worth acknowledging and celebrating our Built Heritage while also looking to the future as the buildings we erect today will be our legacy for future generations.
This guide provides practical introduction to Protected Structures in Cork City and seeks to provide general information and advice to members of the public, building owners and occupiers. The publication also gives an insight into some of the fascinating buildings and structures. It is hoped that this booklet will clarify facts and dispel myths on what a protected designation means, how it is made and why and what assistance is available to help owners and those entrusted with the care of such structures.
Download A Guide to Protected Structures in Cork City here [PDF 236KB].
Guidance Notes for the Appraisal of Historic Gardens, Demesnes, Estates & their Settings (2006)
Published by Cork County Council. The aim of the Guidance Notes for the Appraisal of Historic Gardens, Demesnes, Estates and their Settings is to provide a steer to developers who are planning development within designed landscapes as to how to design such development to minimise impacts on its setting, and how to appraise such impacts. Cork County Council has won an award from the IPI and the UK Landscape Institute for this guidance.
Guide to Recording of Built Heritage (2006)
Published by Cork County Council. The aim of the Guide to Recording of Built Heritage is to promote awareness of built heritage and to guide community groups, school groups and heritage organisations with an interest in collecting heritage information in their local area how they can carry out a survey of their built heritage.
Offaly County Council Heritage Awareness Research (2006)
The research outlines the its Objectives, Quantitative Survey of Heritage Awareness, Summary & Conclusions and Qualitative Discussion of Heritage in Offaly.
Download Offaly County Council Heritage Awareness Research here [PDF 541KB].
An Archaeological & Historical Assessment of Cruicetown Church & Graveyard, County Meath (2005)
Commissioned by the Cruicetown Cemetery Conservation Committee. This report contains an archaeological, historical and architectural assessment of the church and graveyard at Cruicetown, Co. Meath. This information will provide a baseline of information on the site prior to remedial works within the graveyard area.
Download An Archaeological & Historical Assessment of Cruicetown Church & Graveyard [PDF 9.4MB].
Inventory of Archaeological & Architectural Sources for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (2005)
Published by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The Inventory of Archaeological and Architectural Sources for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is intended to be the first port of call for anyone undertaking research into the built heritage of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
Download Inventory of Archaeological & Architectural Sources for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown [PDF 3.2MB].
Landscape Character Assessment of Co. Clare (2004)
This study built upon an earlier pilot study undertaken by the same team in 1999 that sought to investigate the suitability of using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) as a basis for landscape character assessment. The pilot study essentially assessed the currently available digital data relating to landscape such as geology, land cover, natural and cultural designations. The study sought to develop landscape types using only the GIS system.
Click here to download chapters and sections from this publication >
Invasive Alien Species in County Meath
This presentation details the invasive species of plants, animals and mollusks discovered in County Meath.
Download Invasive Alien Species in County Meath [PDF 1.8MB].
Bridge Usage by Bats in County Leitrim & County Sligo (1999)
The main objective of this survey was to provide further evidence of the extent to which bats rely on bridges as roost sites. The survey was conducted between late April and mid-November 1998 in north Leitrim and selected regions of Sligo. A total of 174 bridges was surveyed. Recommendations are made regarding bridge maintenance procedures and the conservation of bat roosts in bridges.
Download Bridge Usage by Bats in County Leitrim & County Sligo here [PDF 839KB].