Publications
This is the Landscape publications section. Here you can find all publications, reports and presentations for this heritage area of interest.
Historic Landscape Characterisation in Ireland - Best Practice Guidance (2013)
This guidance is intended as a contribution to the Government’s emerging National Landscape Strategy. Drawing on a variety of disciplines such as archaeology, geography and architecture, Historic Landscape Characterisation attempts to describe and document the character of different landscapes in order that they may be valued for the social resource that they are, and managed as historical capital. Managing the landscape is not just about looking after the protected or iconic parts that we are all generally familiar with, but it must also be about understanding and caring for everyday and undesignated places as well.
Climate change, impacts & vulnerability in Europe (2012)
This European Environment Agency (EEA) report presents information on past and projected climate change and related impacts in Europe, based on a range of indicators. The report also assesses the vulnerability of society, human health and ecosystems in Europe and identifies those regions in Europe most at risk from climate change.
View the summary report on Climate change, impacts & vulnerability in Europe (2012) [pdf 6.7mb]
High Nature Value Farming Publications (2010/11)
The Heritage Council has grant-aided the 'European Forum for Nature Conservation and Pastoralism' (EFNCP) to undertake work on high nature value (HNV) farming since 2010. EFNCP has produced three reports on how HNV farming can be better supported in three case study areas: the Aran Islands, North Connemara and the Iveragh Peninsula, these documents can be downloaded below.
Proposals for Ireland’s Landscapes (2010)
This document reflects new ideas regarding how we might manage, plan and conserve Ireland’s landscape into the future. It is based on the work of the Heritage Council and many of its Irish and European partners in seeking, over a ten-year period, to promote the implementation of the European Landscape Convention (ELC). The Convention offers us a new way of thinking about our landscape - one that places people, and their active participation in shaping their landscape, in a central position. The proposals made in this paper are not about freezing the development of the Irish landscape. Instead, they seek to manage change in a proactive, informed and inclusive manner.
Click here to download Proposals for Ireland’s Landscapes 2010 [PDF 4MB]
Click here to download the Summary Document - Proposals for Ireland’s Landscapes 2010 [PDF 3.2MB]
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].
The Irish Landscape 2009 Conference Papers (2009)
The timing of the 2009 Landscape Conference and the publication of these papers could not be better. In the current economic climate it allows us to consider how others in Europe and beyond have faced up to the challenges of living in, planning for and managing their landscapes. It also allows us to consider how agencies in Ireland that oversee or encourage uses of the landscape view those activities in a wider landscape context. Furthermore it provides a platform for individuals and communities that have taken initiatives in the absence of any overall strategy for the Irish landscape to share their experience, their successes and their failures.
Landscape Highlights: Heritage Outlook 2004 - 2009 (2009)
To celebrate the Landscape Conference in October 2009 The Heritage Council published a special edition of its magazine Heritage Outlook bringing together all the landscape articles featured in the magazine between 2004-2009.
Download Landscape Highlights: Heritage Outlook 2004 - 2009 [PDF 11MB].
Landscape Character Assessment in Ireland: Baseline Audit & Assessment Update (2009)
Minogue and Associates were commissioned by the Heritage Council to update the LCA Baseline Audit and Evaluation report published in 2006. The aim of this report is to provide a factual update of research set out in Section 3 of the 2006 Baseline Report (only). The same full and detailed review, consultation and analysis undertaken for the Baseline Report has not been undertaken for this research.
The Voice on the Ground: A Survey of the needs of Burren Farm Families (2009)
Published by Burren Beo Trust with support of the Heritage Council. Given that farmers own and manage the majority of land in the Burren, Burrenbeo Trust are very clear that farmers have a critical role to play in the conservation of the Burren. In practice however, many of the decisions in relation to the Burren have been taken at a distance from the area and its farmers. Burrenbeo Trust believed that it was time to actively seek out the voices of the farming community.
They enlisted the support of the Burren IFA to work with them and develop the research objectives collectively. Once the funding was in place Burrenbeo recruited the services of a researcher to develop, pilot and analyse the findings of the survey. The researcher (Dr. Kathy Walsh) was officially appointed in January 2009.
Download The Voice on the Ground: A Survey of the Needs of Burren Farm Families [PDF 1MB].
Download The Voice on the Ground: Foreward [PDF 1MB].
Download The Voice on the Ground: Executive Summary [PDF 43KB].
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
Traditional Buildings On Irish Farms (2005)
'Traditional Buildings On Irish Farms' outlines the significance of Ireland's Farm Heritage from the 'Big House' farm to small farmyards and how practices have changed over the years. It also provides insights into how to protect Irelands Farm Heritage or the future and offers guidelines for the repair and maintenance of traditional buildings and farmyards.
Download Traditional Buildings On Irish Farms here [PDF 2.5MB]
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]
Our Limestone Heritage (2008)
Published by the Irish Wildlife Trust with support from the Heritage Council. Ireland is home to extensive areas of ice-scoured limestone pavement; a rare and endangered habitat. The bare expanses of limestone, now criss-crossed by deep fissures, date back to glacial times. Within the island of Ireland there is estimated to be 36,300 hectares of limestone pavement. Most is found in Counties Clare and Galway, with the most southerly outcrop in Killarney National Park and the most northerly area in Ballintra in County Donegal. In Northern Ireland limestone pavement is restricted to west Fermanagh.
Review of Policy on Forestry & the National Heritage (2008)
This review of Heritage Council forest policy was carried out by a team of six foresters and ecologists at the request of Woodlands of Ireland. The review was carried out by collating and analysing published, grey, and oral information relevant to forest management in Ireland. The emphasis was on science-based knowledge, but the team also drew on its considerable collective experience of working in the forestry sector. Submissions were sought from all interested parties, and a public meeting was held to present draft conclusions followed by discussion.
Download Review of Policy on Forestry & the National Heritage 2008 [PDF 1.8MB]
Ireland's Coastal Geology (2007)
The role of geology in Ireland’s coastline, and discussing human impacts and geology.
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].
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]
A Guide to Habitats in Ireland (2007)
Published by the Heritage Council, 2007 (original published in 2000). This publication sets out a standard scheme for identifying, describing and classifying wildlife habitats in Ireland. It also covers natural, semi-natural and artificial habitats of terrestrial and freshwater environments, of inshore marine waters, and of urban and rural areas.
The classification is presented within a hierarchical framework and is designed for application at a variety of different levels in terms of scale, detail and user expertise. It is intended as a first-step approach for general habitat recording rather than a basis for detailed study and evaluation. The availability and widespread use of a standard classification scheme is important in helping to standardise data collection on habitats which, in turn, will assist in the management and conservation of Ireland's natural heritage.
Please note that the 2007 reprint contains Notes to Readers - this includes additional information on the links between a number of Irish habitats and EU annexed habitats.
Farmland Habitats (2007)
Farmland habitats are of crucial importance to our native Irish wildlife. Important wildlife habitats may be designated as Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) or Special Protection Areas (SPAs). This publication describes the types of habitats that may be found on Irish farmland, their usefulness for wildlife, and the farmer’s role in maintaining and enhancing wildlife.
Ireland's Coastal Heritage (2006)
This publication highlights the threats to Ireland’s coastline, providing many little-known facts about our coastal heritage.
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].
Landscape Character Assessment in Ireland: Baseline Audit & Assessment (2006)
Published by the Heritage Council, 2006. The brief for this study was to inform the implementation of Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) in Ireland. Its objectives were to provide recommendations for full LCA coverage, to review and compare LCA methodologies and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of existing LCAs. It also sought to provide an overview of good practice in other EU member states and to inform national policy on landscape issues and help ensure that LCA provides value for money.
Download Landscape Character Assessment in Ireland:
Baseline Audit & Evaluation: Review Forms (March 2006) [PDF 404KB].
Geographical Exploration, Investigating Ireland’s Heritage (2004)
The Heritage Council, in cooperation with City of Dublin VEC - Curriculum Development Unit (CDU) published this workbook to support the revised Geography Leaving Certificate which was introduced to schools in September 2004. It is a comprehensive workbook that covers the broad context of the physical landscape and the impact of human activities on the physical environment and it has been very well received to date from both teachers and education inspectors.
The workbook includes 17 exemplar field studies along with sections on the place of heritage in the curriculum and the skills required in fieldwork. It adopts a step by step approach to field studies and includes a variety of resources including maps, photographs and identification sheets for use in the field.
This publication is not available in PDF format on this website, please email eva.hornung@cdu.cdvec.ie to order a hard copy of this book.
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 >
A Review of Ireland’s CAP Rural Development Plan 2000-2006: Implications for Natural Heritage (2003)
A practical appreciation of the workings of the Rural Development Plan and its effects on natural heritage values. Focuses on pastoral farming systems, and the contribution that these systems make to the maintenance of the natural heritage interest of the Irish countryside.
Download Review of Ireland’s CAP Rural Development Plan [PDF 1.2MB].
Recording & Conserving Ireland's Industrial Heritage (2002)
The remains of our industrial past can be seen throughout the country: bridges, canals, railways and stores still in use, all bear testimony to the work of past generations. However, there are other signs too – derelict buildings, rusting machinery, lone chimneys marking the sites of once-thriving industries. The Heritage Council is conscious of this often-neglected part of our heritage, and in this publication seeks to raise awareness of what we have as well as giving simple guidance as to how to record and conserve it.
View Recording & Conserving Ireland's Industrial Heritage [pdf 7.5mb].
Conserving Hedgerows (2002)
This publication prvides information on planting and maintaining hedgerows, threats to hedgerows and the role of local authorities.
Forestry & the National Heritage: A Review of the Heritage Council's Forestry Policy (2002)
The Heritage Council's 1st Policy Paper on Forestry & the National Heritagewas published in 1999, three years after the Government's Strategic Plan forthe forestry sector (Forest Service, 1996). The most important changes since 1996 have been stimulated by international policy developments. Currently, the emphasis is on sustainable forestry management, arising from recent international agreements and certification of forest products. The other significant policy changes are to legislation relating to forestry and the introduction of the Native Woodland Scheme.
Policy Paper on Ireland's Landscape & the National Heritage (2002)
The approaches proposed here are designed to allow those with responsibility for the management and development of landscape to assess the policies they are implementing against specific indicators relating not only to heritage value/quality but also aspects such as economic development, social aspects and potential for land use change.
Download Policy Paper on Ireland's Landscape & the National Heritage here [PDF 286KB].
The Impact of Agriculture Schemes & Payments on Aspects of Ireland’s Heritage (1999)
This publication examines the impact of agriculture schemes and payments on aspects of Ireland's heritage, with an emphasis on the natural environment.
An Assessment of Farming Prescriptions under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme in the Uplands of the Burren Karstic Region, Co. Clare (1999)
An examination of farming prescriptions under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) in the Burren Karstic region, with a focus on grassland management in the upland areas which are designated almost in their entirety as both proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHA) and as proposed Candidate Special Areas of Conservation (pCSAC) under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997.
Policy Paper on: Agriculture & the National Heritage (1999)
If existing schemes are to be retained the Council considers the recommendations contained in this report to be essential for the identification, protection, preservation and enhancement of the national heritage. However, the Council’s work in other areas, particularly its examination of state sector spend on heritage, suggests that the potential impact of agriculture as a whole extends beyond these schemes and impacts on the entire socio-economic structure of the countryside.
Download Heritage Council's Policy Paper on: Agriculture & the National Heritage here [PDF 78KB].
Policy Paper on: Forestry & the National Heritage (1999)
Forestry has considerable potential to enhance Ireland’s biological and landscape diversity, offering aesthetic and amenity benefits while safeguarding our existing heritage and providing real economic benefit to local communities. However, it also has the potential to cause considerable damage to Ireland’s heritage. The recommendations in this report seek to ensure the identification, protection, preservation and enhancement of the national heritage within the context of the Heritage Council's Strategic Plan.
Download Heritage Council's Policy Paper on: Forestry & the National Heritage here [PDF 106KB].
Archaeology & Forestry in Ireland (A Review) (1998)
Recognising the need for policies beneficial to the development of forestry in relation to environmental and man-made heritage, this publication is a review of the existing structures, and includes the author's recommendations towards aiding future policy drafting. With the increased interest in and awareness of environmental and heritage issues, it is hoped that this report will make a positive contribution to the progression of sustainable development strategies at all levels in Ireland.
Download Archaeology & Forestry in Ireland here [PDF 1.29MB].