BIPG is a community group working to sustain the island population through the creation of employment, promoting community initiatives and supporting local businesses.
Overview
Bere Island Projects Group (BIPG) has been active on Bere Island since 1987. It is a community group, serving the people of Bere Island by working to sustain the island population through the creation of employment, promoting community initiatives and supporting local businesses and community groups. BIPG employs four full-time staff and is run by an elected voluntary committee drawn from the permanent resident population of Bere Island.
Programmes
What is the Heritage Funding this year:
In 2003 the island population, together with the Heritage Council and Cork County Council came together to look at ways of preserving Bere Island’s unique culture and heritage and to prevent de-population of the island. As a result of these discussions the Bere Island Conservation Plan was drawn up to serve as a blueprint for the future development of Bere Island, which would preserve it’s natural landscape and architectural heritage and create employment sympathetic to the island’s natural environment.
Since 2003, the Heritage Council has funded a full-time development worker to implement the Bere Island Conservation Plan. The development worker is now based in the offices of Bere Island Projects Group and works on initiatives which include the preservation and development of the island’s World War One military fortifications as visitor attractions, assisting the Bere Island Aquaculture Group with their cultivation of oysters, seaweed and scallops, promoting tourism initiatives and arranging cultural and heritage events on the island.
Futher Information
Bere Island Projects Group
Ballinakilla, Bere Island, Co Cork.
T: +353 27 75099
www.bereisland.net