Sligo Borough Council - Heritage Office

Heritage Office

The Heritage Office was established within the Sligo Local Authorities in June 1999, and is located in Sligo County Council offices at County Hall. In 2001, the Heritage Office worked to promote interest, education, knowledge and pride in the heritage of County Sligo. Sligo County Council seeks to facilitate appreciation and enjoyment of the national heritage and in doing so co-operate with other bodies in the promotion of its functions. The Heritage Office is committed to providing high quality advice on all matters relating to heritage issues. It also seeks to assist the development of the Local Authority’s heritage strategy and policy and to advise on heritage impacts and consequences. During 2001, the Heritage Office has continued to play a role in developing and implementing heritage policy in County Sligo.

The Heritage Act (1995), defines heritage as including the following: monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, heritage gardens and parks and inland waterways. Heritage is a reflection of natural processes and human influences upon a landscape. This interaction is portrayed in many different ways, perhaps through a particular building style, or a traditional shop front. The heritage assets of County Sligo provide a unique cultural identity, which also has an important national and international dimension. Our cultural heritage is a measurable index of quality of life and is an important social, educational, recreational, tourism and aesthetic resource for the people of Sligo. Nationally, the Government through the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands is currently preparing a National Heritage Plan and National Biodiveristy Plan; both see the production and implementation of local plans on a county basis.

County Sligo Heritage Forum
In 2001, the Heritage Office on behalf of the Sligo Local Authorities began the process of developing a County Heritage Plan. The process was informed by the guidance set out in 'A Methodology for Local Authority Heritage Officers for the preparation of County Heritage Plans' as proposed by The Heritage Council (2001). This recommended the establishment of a County Heritage Forum. The role of the Heritage Forum is to oversee the development and implementation of the County Sligo Heritage Plan.

In the context of the expertise and resources available, the Forum will seek to outline the actions needed to sustain and enhance the heritage of County Sligo and in doing respond appropriately with local solutions. It will be the first time that the diverse concepts regarding the value of and future of Sligo’s heritage will be co-ordinated and articulated in a strategic manner. In doing so, it reinforces the value of preparing a single strategy and framework for heritage management locally.

The County Sligo Heritage Forum had its inaugural meeting on the 5th April 2001 in the Development Centre, Cleveragh, Sligo. Membership of the Forum is drawn from Local Government, Local Development, State agencies, Educational Institutes, Farming Sector, Community and Voluntary Sector and the County Sligo Heritage Groups.

County Sligo Heritage Plan 2002-2006
The Heritage Plan, developed by the County Sligo Heritage Forum and co-ordinated by the Sligo Local Authorities, will be the first Heritage Plan for Sligo and will begin a new period for heritage conservation, based on partnership and co-ordination. Until now, the care of heritage has been the remit of different agencies, interest groups and individuals, but this has occurred in the absence of a strategic overview of the heritage issues pertaining to Sligo specifically.

In drawing up the County Sligo Heritage Plan the Forum will enter a broad consultation process with various sectors. Through extensive public consultation, the heritage priorities and objectives for County Sligo will be identified and the actions needed to achieve these will be set out over the five-year period of the Plan. It will be the first time that the diverse concepts regarding the value of and future of Sligo’s heritage will be coordinated and articulated in a strategic manner. In doing so, it will reinforce the value of preparing a single strategy and framework for heritage management locally. The Heritage Plan will be in place in early 2002.

Key Initiatives undertaken in 2001
Schools Heritage and IT Programme
Following the success of 'Exploring the Fieldfences of County Sligo' which involved eight primary schools in County Sligo exploring their local heritage using ICT skills, the Heritage Office in partnership with Sligo Education Centre initiated a second phase of the pilot which focuses on Sligo's coastal heritage. 'From Skerrydoo to Carrickfadda - an exploration of the Sligo Coastline' involves twelve primary schools along Sligo's coast. Through the project it is hoped that heritage awareness is increased and that students will have an opportunity to develop ICT skills to record and disseminate their findings. An innovative aspect of the second pilot is the provision of local heritage expertise to the schools. During the winter months each school received a visit from a local heritage expert, thus providing support for the teacher and students while developing links with the wider community through an evening lecture series based in the twelve schools. This second phase of the schools heritage and IT pilot will be completed in June 2002.

Village Design Statements
In September 2001, local communities in Ballisodare and Grange had an opportunity to be involved in the future design and planned expansion of their villages, through their participation in the production of "Village Design Statements". The pilot programme is a partnership approach involving both local communities, Sligo County Council and The Heritage Council.

A ”Village Design Statement“ is a non-statutory, simple but effective design guidance document, which aims to reflect the visions and desires of local people working in partnership with Sligo County Council to determine the future expansion of these two villages as envisaged within the County Sligo Development Plan. The ”Village Design Statement“ is a pro-active approach to enable local communities to participate in the management and shaping of change by providing design guidance which demonstrates how the distinctive local character of these villages can be protected and enhanced, and how new development can be sensitively accommodated whilst respecting this local character.

In addition to conducting extensive site surveys and analysis, community design workshops will be held in Grange and Ballisodare in January 2002. The workshop intends to give local residents an opportunity to voice their opinions about their village, and how they would like to see it evolve in the future. Using a variety of techniques, the workshops will undertake an appraisal of each village by those who know it best - the local community - under the guidance of the team, who can help local residents see their village in a new light, and provide professional advice whenever necessary.

The completed Village Design Statements will be presented to the communities in April 2002. Further design statements will be undertaken within County Sligo in 2002.

Seminars
The Heritage Office considers that increased awareness of heritage is central to its function. In addition to being a public information service and a provider of advice within the Local Authority, a number of awareness initiatives were undertaken in 2002 which included a Hedgerow Management workshop and a seminar on Community Graveyard Management. In October the Heritage Council held a Conservation Plan Workshop in the Model::Niland Art Gallery, Sligo.

Heritage Matters
This quarterly publication is provided by the Sligo Local Authorities to reflect the wide range of heritage initiatives within County Sligo and the activities of the County Sligo Heritage Office. Through Heritage Matters, people can stay in touch with all the latest developments in heritage issues, get simple explanations of technical and legal matters affecting heritage.

Understanding the implications of legal, planning and management processes surrounding heritage items can sometimes be confusing. Understanding Heritage is a regular feature in Heritage Matters and features simple explanations of complex heritage issues. Caring for heritage is a regular feature of Heritage Matters providing hands-on advice on the practical care of heritage items. While Heritage Happenings provides information on the heritage events taking place in County Sligo.

The County Heritage Programme is funded primarily by Sligo County Council, Sligo Corporation and The Heritage Council. In each programme area, partnerships have been developed and additional funding accessed from relevant sources.

County Heritage Office Staff
Siobhán Ryan - Heritage Officer Sinead McGrath - Administration

For More Information Contact
The Heritage Office, Sligo County Council, Riverside, Sligo. Telephone: 071- 9157444 / 9157443, Fax: 071-9141119 Email: heritage@sligococo.ie 29 Heritage Office - Initiatives Undertaken in 2001 - The quarterly Heritage Matters magazine, produced by the Heritage office.

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In 2001, the Heritage Office worked to promote interest, education, knowledge and pride in the heritage of County Sligo. Sligo County Council seeks to facilitate appreciation and enjoyment of the national heritage and in doing so co-operate with other bodies in the promotion of its functions. The Heritage Office is committed to providing high quality advice on all matters relating to heritage issues. It also seeks to assist the development of the Local Authority’s heritage strategy and policy and to advise on heritage impacts and consequences. During 2001, the Heritage Office has continued to play a role in developing and implementing heritage policy in County Sligo. The Heritage Act (1995), defines heritage as including the following: monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, heritage gardens and parks and inland waterways. Heritage is a reflection of natural processes and human influences upon a landscape. This interaction is portrayed in many different ways, perhaps through a particular building style, or a traditional shop front. The heritage assets of County Sligo provide a unique cultural identity, which also has an important national and international dimension. Our cultural heritage is a measurable index of quality of life and is an important social, educational, recreational, tourism and aesthetic resource for the people of Sligo. Nationally, the Government through the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands is currently preparing a National Heritage Plan and National Biodiveristy Plan; both see the production and implementation of local plans on a county basis. County Sligo Heritage Forum In 2001, the Heritage Office on behalf of the Sligo Local Authorities began the process of developing a County Heritage Plan. The process was informed by the guidance set out in 'A Methodology for Local Authority Heritage Officers for the preparation of County Heritage Plans' as proposed by The Heritage Council (2001). This recommended the establishment of a County Heritage Forum. The role of the Heritage Forum is to oversee the development and implementation of the County Sligo Heritage Plan. In the context of the expertise and resources available, the Forum will seek to outline the actions needed to sustain and enhance the heritage of County Sligo and in doing respond appropriately with local solutions. It will be the first time that the diverse concepts regarding the value of and future of Sligo’s heritage will be co-ordinated and articulated in a strategic manner. In doing so, it reinforces the value of preparing a single strategy and framework for heritage management locally. The County Sligo Heritage Forum had its inaugural meeting on the 5th April 2001 in the Development Centre, Cleveragh, Sligo. Membership of the Forum is drawn from Local Government, Local Development, State agencies, Educational Institutes, Farming Sector, Community and Voluntary Sector and the County Sligo Heritage Groups. In the context of the expertise and resources available, the Forum will seek to outline the actions needed to sustain and enhance the heritage of County Sligo and in doing respond appropriately with local solutions. It will be the first time that the diverse concepts regarding the value of and future of Sligo’s heritage will be co-ordinated and articulated in a strategic manner. In doing so, it reinforces the value of preparing a single strategy and framework for heritage management locally. The County Sligo Heritage Forum had its inaugural meeting on the 5th April 2001 in the Development Centre, Cleveragh, Sligo. Membership of the Forum is drawn from Local Government, Local Development, State agencies, Educational Institutes, Farming Sector, Community and Voluntary Sector and the County Sligo Heritage Groups. County Sligo Heritage Plan 2002-2006 The Heritage Plan, developed by the County Sligo Heritage Forum and co-ordinated by the Sligo Local Authorities, will be the first Heritage Plan for Sligo and will begin a new period for heritage conservation, based on partnership and co-ordination. Until now, the care of heritage has been the remit of different agencies, interest groups and individuals, but this has occurred in the absence of a strategic overview of the heritage issues pertaining to Sligo specifically. In drawing up the County Sligo Heritage Plan the Forum will enter a broad consultation process with various sectors. Through extensive public consultation, the heritage priorities and objectives for County Sligo will be identified and the actions needed to achieve these will be set out over the five-year period of the Plan. It will be the first time that the diverse concepts regarding the value of and future of Sligo’s heritage will be coordinated and articulated in a strategic manner. In doing so, it will reinforce the value of preparing a single strategy and framework for heritage management locally. The Heritage Plan will be in place in early 2002. Key Initiatives undertaken in 2001 Schools Heritage and IT Programme Following the success of 'Exploring the Fieldfences of County Sligo' which involved eight primary schools in County Sligo exploring their local heritage using ICT skills, the Heritage Office in partnership with Sligo Education Centre initiated a second phase of the pilot which focuses on Sligo's coastal heritage. 'From Skerrydoo to Carrickfadda - an exploration of the Sligo Coastline' involves twelve primary schools along Sligo's coast. Through the project it is hoped that heritage awareness is increased and that students will have an opportunity to develop ICT skills to record and disseminate their findings. An innovative aspect of the second pilot is the provision of local heritage expertise to the schools. During the winter months each school received a visit from a local heritage expert, thus providing support for the teacher and students while developing links with the wider community through an evening lecture series based in the twelve schools. This second phase of the schools heritage and IT pilot will be completed in June 2002. Village Design Statements In September 2001, local communities in Ballisodare and Grange had an opportunity to be involved in the future design and planned expansion of their villages, through their participation in the production of "Village Design Statements". The pilot programme is a partnership approach involving both local communities, Sligo County Council and The Heritage Council. A ”Village Design Statement“ is a non-statutory, simple but effective design guidance document, which aims to reflect the visions and desires of local people working in partnership with Sligo County Council to determine the future expansion of these two villages as envisaged within the County Sligo Development Plan. The ”Village Design Statement“ is a pro-active approach to enable local communities to participate in the management and shaping of change by providing design guidance which demonstrates how the distinctive local character of these villages can be protected and enhanced, and how new development can be sensitively accommodated whilst respecting this local character. In addition to conducting extensive site surveys and analysis, community design workshops will be held in Grange and Ballisodare in January 2002. The workshop intends to give local residents an opportunity to voice their opinions about their village, and how they would like to see it evolve in the future. Using a variety of techniques, the workshops will undertake an appraisal of each village by those who know it best - the local community - under the guidance of the team, who can help local residents see their village in a new light, and provide professional advice whenever necessary. The completed Village Design Statements will be presented to the communities in April 2002. Further design statements will be undertaken within County Sligo in 2002. Seminars The Heritage Office considers that increased awareness of heritage is central to its function. In addition to being a public information service and a provider of advice within the Local Authority, a number of awareness initiatives were undertaken in 2002 which included a Hedgerow Management workshop and a seminar on Community Graveyard Management. In October the Heritage Council held a Conservation Plan Workshop in the Model::Niland Art Gallery, Sligo. Heritage Matters This quarterly publication is provided by the Sligo Local Authorities to reflect the wide range of heritage initiatives within County Sligo and the activities of the County Sligo Heritage Office. Through Heritage Matters, people can stay in touch with all the latest developments in heritage issues, get simple explanations of technical and legal matters affecting heritage. Understanding the implications of legal, planning and management processes surrounding heritage items can sometimes be confusing. Understanding Heritage is a regular feature in Heritage Matters and features simple explanations of complex heritage issues. Caring for heritage is a regular feature of Heritage Matters providing hands-on advice on the practical care of heritage items. While Heritage Happenings provides information on the heritage events taking place in County Sligo. The County Heritage Programme is funded primarily by Sligo County Council, Sligo Corporation and The Heritage Council. In each programme area, partnerships have been developed and additional funding accessed from relevant sources. County Heritage Office Staff Siobhán Ryan - Heritage Officer Sinead McGrath - Administration For More Information Contact The Heritage Office, Sligo County Council, Riverside, Sligo. Telephone: 071- 9157444 / 9157443, Fax: 071-9141119 Email: heritage@sligococo.ie 29 Heritage Office - Initiatives Undertaken in 2001 - The quarterly Heritage Matters magazine, produced by the Heritage office.

© Sligo Borough Council, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo, Ireland. T: 071 9114400 F: 071 9114499 E: info@sligoborough.ie