Kilkenny City Walls Conservation Plan

Kilkenny City Walls Conservation Plan

Built/Urban Heritage & Archaeology

On behalf of Kilkenny Borough Council, Dúchas and An Taisce, Oxford Archaeology was commissioned by The Heritage Council to produce a conservation plan for the City Walls of Kilkenny. 

It is anticipated that the Conservation Plan will be of use for: 

• Improving local understanding of the walls and their significance
• Promotion of the recognition and protection of the walls
• Encouragement of management schemes for effective maintenance
• Guidance for repairs and conservation
• Protection of the setting from adjacent developments
• Improving access to the walls.

In addition, the Conservation Plan will consolidate the extensive documentation relating to the City Walls found in local records, historical mapping and national documents. The data can then be disseminated in a manageable form, from which the policies for protection and preservation can be developed.

  • Published by: The Heritage Council
  • Author(s): Oxford Archaeology
Irish Water

Irish Water

Natural Heritage & Biodiversity

This document outlines the threats to Irish water quality - in our rivers, lakes and seas. It suggests ways that we can better manage our water and outlines the aims of the Water Framework Directive.

The Water Framework Directive came into force on 22 December 2002 and covers water resources throughout the EU. It addresses all water, from groundwater to coastal areas of sea water, and gives us a framework for dealing with both water quality and water quantity.

  • Published by: The Heritage Council
Recommendations for the Establishment of a Biological Records Centre

Recommendations for the Establishment of a Biological Records Centre

Natural Heritage & Biodiversity

The recommendations contained in this policy paper set out how a National Biological Records Centre could be established, and identifies the resources needed.

The National Biodiversity Data Centre was established subsequent to the publication of this paper. The centre ensures that the existing information is managed effectively, it makes information more readily available to all interested parties, and stimulates interest in Ireland’s rich natural heritage.

  • Published by: The Heritage Council
Human Remains in Irish Archaeology

Human Remains in Irish Archaeology

Built/Urban Heritage & Archaeology

This publication sets out the main issues - scientific, legal and ethical - involved in the excavation and treatment of ancient human remains and arrives at some conclusions about best practice in this aspect of Irish archaeology.

Ancient human remains merit special consideration as archaeological objects for a number of reasons. Not least of all is their emotive power, offering startling and immediate contact with the dead and a powerful reminder of the inescapable fate of the living. To archaeological specialists they constitute a valuable historical and scientific resource, inscribed with evidence of the working life, living conditions, diet, traumas and diseases of past generations. To developers and planners ancient human remains bring added complexity to projects impacting upon the archaeological heritage.

  • Published by: The Heritage Council
  • Author(s): Jerry O'Sullivan and Jim Killgore
Review of Interated Coastal Zone Management and Principles of Best Practice

Review of Interated Coastal Zone Management and Principles of Best Practice

Natural Heritage & Biodiversity Underwater & Maritime Heritage

The Heritage Council commissioned the Coastal and Marine Resources Centre in Cork to carry out a review of best practice in Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) at a national and international scale.

The aim of the report is to:

  • Providing a succinct review of best practice procedures for ICZM.
  • Summarising the findings of those practices most commonly used at different levels of administration and those that seemed to be more site/area specific.

Common principles were identified from international projects, particularly the EU Demonstration projects, including the Bantry Bay Charter. Examination of the Irish experience of ICZM formed a substantial section of the research. Techniques in the implementation of the ICZM and mechanisms to engage the public and other involved agencies are also reviewed.

  • Published by: The Heritage Council
Financial Support for Architectural Conservation in Ireland

Financial Support for Architectural Conservation in Ireland

Built/Urban Heritage & Archaeology

Having observed the difficulties experienced by owners and funding bodies, the Heritage Council commissioned this research on the various methods of support and their effectiveness in providing access to funding and achieving high standards of architectural conservation.

Based on the findings of this research, a number of recommendations have emerged, which if implemented would, in the Council’s opinion, provide greater efficiency and quality as well as cost-effective support for our architectural heritage.

  • Published by: The Heritage Council
Bere Island Conservation Plan

Bere Island Conservation Plan

Natural Heritage & Biodiversity Underwater & Maritime Heritage

This Conservation Plan  for  Bere Island  addresses  both  heritage  conservation  and  the sustainable development of the island, taking into account the environmental, social and economic aspects of future

developments.

The Plan was developed by  the  Bere  Island  Community  with  assistance  from  a  consortium  of  specialist consultants and co-funded by Cork County Council and the Heritage Council. It is  not  an  economic  development  plan  for  the  island  but  a  framework  within which any subsequent development plan should operate.

  • Published by: The Heritage Council
Conservation Plan: Rothe House, County Kilkenny

Conservation Plan: Rothe House, County Kilkenny

Built/Urban Heritage & Archaeology

Rothe House is one of the earliest and most important historic places in Kilkenny, and indeed in the entire region. The Conservation Plan methodology, introduced into Ireland in 1998 by the Heritage Council, provides a framework and a vision for the future of Rothe House.

The vision for Rothe House involves ensuring the protection, long-term survival and enhancement of the complex, in addition to promoting and interpreting the history of the house to the public.

  • Published by: The Heritage Council
  • Author(s): Elizabeth Ozmin, Babita Sharma and Gerald Wait
Policy Paper on Heritage Awareness in Ireland

Policy Paper on Heritage Awareness in Ireland

Education & Training

The Heritage Council has outlined key policy recommendations in this paper. These aim to improve levels of awareness and understanding by the public of our heritage and to secure greater participation by communities in all aspects of heritage activity, including policy development and its implementation.

This report presents the results of the first ever survey of the general public in Ireland of heritage awareness. The survey results clearly illustrate the importance the public place on heritage in Ireland today, the perceived benefits of heritage and its conservation, and commonly held attitudes towards the protection of our heritage.

  • Published by: The Heritage Council