Heritage Council

Wednesday 17th June 09 Ireland’s National Heritage Officer Programme is today celebrating its 10 year anniversary. In 1999, the Heritage Council established a three year pilot Heritage Officer Programme which sought to place heritage expertise within local authorities.

Speaking about the programme, Heritage Council Chief Executive Michael Starrett said, “In 1999, the Heritage Council recognised that local authorities were strategically best placed to encourage and support heritage management at local level and had the opportunity to shape and showcase the heritage strengths and identity of the city or county in which they operated. The Heritage Officer Programme has been extremely successful, and today there are 28 Heritage Officers in local authorities across the country”.

“The appointment of Heritage Officers has allowed improved connectivity and dialogue around heritage issues between local authorities and heritage services within the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and other government departments. Over the past 10 years the need for heritage expertise within local authorities has grown, the legislative framework for the protection of the environment and heritage has become more complex, and the Heritage Officer’s workload has increased exponentially”, added Starrett.

Project work carried out by the Heritage Officers is strategically driven by City and County Heritage Plans and, where applicable, Local Biodiversity Action Plans. In addition to promoting interest, pride in and understanding of our national heritage, Heritage Officers play a key strategic role in advising on local authority plans, policies and programmes.  

Over the last 10 years, Heritage Officers have been involved in a myriad of projects including policy formation, survey work, development control and forward planning, capital works, biodiversity enhancement and allocation of heritage grants, awards and bursaries. In 2000, 12 heritage projects were run through local authority heritage offices. In 2009, in excess of 300 heritage projects will be managed through the heritage offices, in addition to policy and advice work.

In 1999, Jim Higgins was appointed the first Heritage Officer to the state in Galway City Council.
Speaking about his position, which he still holds, as Heritage Officer for Galway City Council, Jim Higgins said, “There is more interest in and a wider appreciation of heritage now than there was when I became the first Heritage Officer in 1999. Interest now spreads across built, cultural, archaeological and natural heritage. The heritage officer role has enriched the lives of many and great credit is due to the Heritage Council and local authorities who have signed up to making heritage relevant, part of development and a part of the everyday life of Ireland’s citizens”.

In addition to providing advice on new projects and developments some of the highlights in Jim’s role as Galway City Heritage Officer include his involvement with An Coiste Loganamnacha / Placenames Committee and Gaillimh Le Gaelige, which promotes the use of the language around Galway City; conservation works and archaeological digs at Merlin Park Castle and Terryland Castle; publication of Galway’s Heritage, currently in its 20th volume; establishment of a folklore scheme converting taped interviews about life in Galway onto disc; and publication of the Record of Protected Structures for Galway City in 2007.

[ENDS]

Note to Editor
The Heritage Council is the statutory body charged with identifying, protecting, preserving and enhancing Ireland’s national heritage. National heritage includes Monuments, Archaeological objects, Heritage objects, Architectural heritage, Flora, Fauna, Wildlife habitats, Landscapes, Seascapes, Wrecks, Geology, Heritage gardens and parks, and Inland waterways.

Established under the Heritage Act 1995, and operating under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Heritage Council provides advice to the Minister, and partners and networks with Local Authorities and a wide range of other organisations and individuals to promote Ireland’s heritage.
The Heritage Officer Programme is run by the Heritage Council and supported through the National Heritage Plan and the National Biodiversity Plan.  

Further information
Michelle Guinan
MKC Communications
T. 01 703 8604 / 086 384 6630