Appointment of heritage professionals across Ireland signals new era for protection of heritage

It is anticipated that by the end of 2026 a full complement of local authority archivists, architectural conservation officers and archaeologists will be in place, ensuring comprehensive nationwide coverage of crucial heritage protection functions for the future.

This is part of an overall allocation of €5m to the Heritage Council aimed at strengthening heritage protection measures and improving accessibility to heritage at local level. It will also support the already fully resourced biodiversity and heritage officer networks. Established by the Heritage Council in 1999, the local authority heritage officer programme has been hugely successful. The are 31 local authority heritage officer posts. The local authority biodiversity officer programme was established by the Heritage Council in 2022. Currently there are 29 biodiversity officers in place.

The introduction of the expanded scheme will ensure that essential specialist professional resources are in place to protect local heritage and provide increased public services. It is being implemented by the Heritage Council in collaboration with the County and City Management Association (CCMA) with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Despite a direct correlation between funding allocated to heritage projects in a local authority area and the number of heritage professionals they employ, only a limited number of local authorities have appointed the full range of such professionals. Currently, only 23% of local authorities employ an archaeologist, 64% an architectural conservation officer and 65% an archivist (see infographic below). With today’s announcement every local authority will have the opportunity to appoint the full complement of heritage professionals within the next two years.

Welcoming the announcement at Butler House and Gardens in Kilkenny today, Minister Noonan said:

“2025 promises to be yet another groundbreaking year for nature and heritage with an overall funding allocation of €172m – an increase of over 11% from last year. I am particularly pleased to be able to announce the imminent recruitment of much needed heritage professionals to local authorities all over Ireland, including the proposal to appoint an archivist in my own county of Kilkenny. The Heritage Council, in coordination with the CCMA, are ideally placed to deliver these new networks, having worked together to recruit a full network of biodiversity officers in recent years, as well as the long-running heritage officer network.”

Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, added:

“Our local authorities are guardians of vital heritage resources standing at the forefront of heritage management and protection. This role makes them ideal partners for the Heritage Council in promoting and implementing best professional practices for the preservation of our valuable, but fragile, built, archaeological and archival heritage. The fulfilment of this scheme will not only create new jobs for heritage professionals, but also strengthen the heritage sector, and addressing areas of heritage stewardship that has been neglected in the past. To truly protect our heritage, we must ensure that that all aspects of heritage are respected, not just a select few. By establishing these networks of professional posts now we are securing the future protection of our heritage. We extend our thanks to Ministers Darragh O Brien and Malcolm Noonan for their support, not just this year, but over the lifetime of the current Government.”

Coilín O Reilly, Chair of the CCMA Rural Development, Community, Culture and Heritage (RCCH) Committee said:

“The RCCH Committee is pleased to be part of this significant partnership with the Heritage Council, marking a fresh departure in our collective efforts to enhance heritage protection across the country. This collaboration represents a welcomed and strategic step forward in ensuring that our built, archival, and archaeological heritage is preserved and properly managed at the local level. This initiative will not only strengthen the role of local authorities as key custodians of our heritage, but it will also provide critical support to the local authorities in promoting best practices across the sector. This new phase of cooperation highlights the shared responsibility of safeguarding our nation’s invaluable cultural assets and ensuring their protection for future generations.”

Beginning in early 2025, the Heritage Council will collaborate with local authorities to initiate the recruitment of new Architectural Conservation Officers and Archivists. The recruitment process for archaeologists is anticipated to follow at a later stage. It is planned that between 20 and 30 new heritage positions will be created during 2025, reflecting a strong commitment to addressing gaps in heritage expertise and capacity.