Heritage Council

The Heritage Council seeks to protect and enhance the richness, quality and diversity of our national heritage for everyone. It works with its partners to increase awareness of our national heritage.

Conservation Plans

In this section you will find Conservation Plans for historic sites and buildings.

FEATURED CONSERVATION PLAN

Bere Island, County Cork

The stimulus for this Plan arose from the islanders’ concern to ensure the long term survival of their island’s unique features. The significance of Bere Island, as the Plan reveals, is due to the presence of a mosaic of different aspects of its heritage, both built and natural.

Download Conservation Plan: Bere Island [PDF 7.65MB]

Russborough House, Co. Wicklow

Mark Bence-Jones (1978) described Russborough as ‘arguably the most beautiful house in Ireland’ — and there are few who would disagree, given the perfection of its architectural form and the quality of its interiors. Add to this the integrity of the estate, the importance of the designed landscape, its setting on the western side of the Wicklow Hills, and the association with the Leeson and Beit families who created two of the most significant collections of art in Ireland, and it is immediately clear that Russborough is a very important historic place.

Download Conservation Plan: Russborough House, Co. Wicklow [PDF 4.98MB]

Rothe House, Kilkenny

Rothe House is one of the earliest and most important historic places in
Kilkenny, and indeed in the entire region. Saved from a very uncertain future by
the dedication and tireless voluntary work of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society, Rothe House now looks forward to its sixth century in the heart of Kilkenny’s city life.

Download Conservation Plan: Rothe House, Kilkenny [PDF 4.14MB]

Newtown Jerpoint, County Kilkenny

The deserted medieval borough of Newtown Jerpoint, County Kilkenny, located to the west of the Cistercian Abbey of Jerpoint, was once an important town. While Jerpoint is a well-known State property, the importance of Newtown Jerpoint is recognised mostly within academic circles. Its medieval church of St Nicholas now stands in ruins amid the grassed-over streets and the mounds of former houses. This Conservation Plan presents the significant historic documentation for Newtown Jerpoint, notably the first survey of the site in over 150 years.

Download Conservation Plan: Newtown Jerpoint County Kilkenny [PDF 5.31MB]

Lemanaghan, County Offaly

The historic complex at Lemanaghan, with its focus at the early monastic site dedicated to St Managhan, is located at the crossroads between the main Ferbane-to-Ballycumber road, and the Lemanaghan-to-Pollagh road. Close by are a holy well and tree. Linked to these by a medieval trackway or togher is a further Early Christian site known locally as ‘Kell’, or St Mella’s Cell. (St Mella is said to be the mother of St Managhan.)

Download Conservation Plan: Lemanaghan, County Offaly [PDF 1.96MB]

Bolton Library, County Tipperary

The Bolton Library, Cashel, is one of Ireland’s great, but little known treasures.
The bequest of Archbishop Bolton, it provides a rich insight into the cultured
milieu in which such a patron lived and the wide breadth of his learning
and aspirations. It complements other such collections in Ireland, from the
same period, such as the Worth Library and Marsh’s Library, both in Dublin.
The donation of the Bolton Library to subsequent generations provided a legacy
beyond price.

Download Conservation Plan: Bolton Library, County Tipperary [PDF 5.15MB]

St. Brendans Cathedral, Clonfert, County Galway

The Cathedral of St Brendan, situated in the peaceful village of Clonfert in
County Galway, was once a major centre for worship and learning. Its magnificent Romanesque doorway is famous internationally for the beauty of its carved sandstone detail, and the symbolism of its iconography. Many experts have studied, analysed and written about its history, its associations, and its
importance in the ecclesiastical heritage of the country.

Download Conservation Plan: St. Brendans Cathedral, Clonfert, County Galway [PDF 5.88MB]

Saint Lachtain's Church, Freshford, County Kilkenny.

The Church of St Lachtain in Freshford, County Kilkenny is a place of great
antiquity. Its Romanesque porch, facing as it does a busy thoroughfare, is too
often passed at a pace which allows no appreciation of its importance. This
Conservation Plan clearly and unequivocally states the significance of this
monument and gives the church a prominence in the ecclesiastical history of
Ireland which had hitherto been largely unrecognised.

Download Conservation Plan: St. Lactain's Church, Freshford, Co. Kilkenny [PDF 4.79MB]