The Heritage Council Podcast Series

Each year The Heritage Council awards the Heritage Hero Award to an individual or organisation that has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the protection and promotion of heritage in Ireland. 

In today’s podcast Greg chats with Patrick Boner from Burtonport, Co Donegal, winner of the Heritage Hero Award 2021. Patrick Boner has been involved with local heritage projects in west Donegal for over 20 years and has been involved with many projects in Burtonport and the Rosses.

He is author of ‘The Story of The Cope’, an acclaimed social history of Templecrone Agricultural Co-operative Society and is currently writing ‘Her Story - Sally the Cope’, continuing his focus on the cooperative movement locally. He has researched and produced the Dungloe Heritage Trail, contributed articles to several local history publications, magazines and local newspapers and has played a proactive role in commissioning reports and conservation works on heritage sites/buildings in west Donegal including the Cooperage in Burtonport.

Understanding the value of sharing heritage and reaching new generations, Patrick has embraced social media, promoting local projects online. He has also spoken to students in local schools and has organised field trips and boat tours to islands in the region, including Rutland.Through his involvement in heritage, he has acquired a personal collection of items, maps, photographs, postcards and documents, some of which he has now donated to the County Archives, County Museum, and Central Library to benefit future researchers, students and the whole community. He has made an outstanding and tireless contribution to the preservation, conservation, and promotion of heritage in west Donegal, has a passion for promoting the digitalisation of archives and has been involved in the organisation of many National Heritage Week events.

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

The building which houses the Heritage Council in Kilkenny, which has historic links to former President Barack Obama is one of the oldest continuously used structures in Ireland.

It was constructed by Bishop Richard Ledrede (Bishop from 1317-61) using the stone from three parish churches. These churches had possibly fallen out of use after the devastation caused by the Black Death.

Bishop Ledrede was obsessed with combating heresy and he played a primary role in confronting witchcraft.

The Heritage Council moved into the former Bishop’s Palace , now called Áras na hOidhreachta in 2008. It was officially opened by President Mary McAleese, following a lengthy programme of conservation works by the OPW.

Excavations have shown there was much earlier occupation in this area. A monastery in this location from around 600 AD, was associated with St Canice.

Further excavations provided evidence, dating from the 10th and 11th centuries of antler comb manufacture and enclosure ditches.

Christian burials from the 8th – 10th centuries were also found at the lane at the front gate, proving this location is a vital link to Kilkenny city’s history.

The Palace continued as a Bishop’s residence, and centre of administration, during the medieval period.

During the wars of the 17th century the structure fell into ruin, and in the 1650s was described as being fit for cattle.

John Kearney, Bishop of Ossory from 1806-13, lived in the building. Remarkably, he was the great-great-great grand uncle of President Barack Obama.

The grounds were enlarged in the mid-19th century and a considerable amount of landscaping provided the outline for the garden’s current appearance. 

In today’s podcast, Colm Murray, Architecture Officer with the Heritage Council, provides a unique insight into a building which has been part of our history for centuries.

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

Tá ról riachtanach ag Oifigigh Oidhreachta Údarás Áitiúla, ag cur oidhreacht na hÉireann chun cinn, ag cruthú na bpolaisithe agus ag tabhairt comhairle ‘s eolais faoi cúrsaí oidhreachta. Sa phodchraoladh atá againn inniu, táimid ag céiliúradh Seachtain Náisiúnta na hOidhreachta 2021 in éineacht le beirt Oifigeach Oidhreachta a dhéanann cur síos ar an obair a dhéanann siad chun oidhreacht ár dtír a chosaint.

Míníonn Máiréad Ní Chonghaile agus Conor Nelligan eabhlóid na seachtaine, conas go bhfuil sé ceann de na himeachtaí cultúrtha is mó anseo in Éirinn gach bliain agus an ról atá aici ag cothú spioraid an phobail trasna na tíre.

Anuas ar sin, tabharfaidh siad a dtuairim faoin tábhacht a bhaineann lenár noidhreacht a chosaint don todhchaí atá romhainn.

Bain taitneamh as an seó.

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

The prestigious Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI) exists to set the benchmark for achieving ‘excellence’ across the Irish museum sector.

Established by The Heritage Council 16 years ago, selection under the programme is seen as a major accolade.

Each museum in the programme goes through a rigorous process to achieve high standards across a range of areas. These include how they care for their collections, as well as the manner in which they provide their education and exhibition programmes.

In total, 47 have reached the pinnacle of the programme, having achieved full accreditation.

In today’s podcast, Lesley-Ann Hayden, MSPI Coordinator, and Brian Crowley, Curator of Collections in Kilmainham Gaol, take us through the evolution of the programme, its importance to the sector, and what the future holds for Irish museums.

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

What is heritage? 

It’s the culmination of our shared experiences over the millennia; it’s the who we are and where we’ve come from.

It’s the cultures and traditions which have fashioned the inhabitants of this island.

It’s the habitat and wonders of the natural world all about us.

So much goes into contributing to our collective memory; there are stones and buildings that speak of former days; our seascapes, wild places, gardens, parks, inland waterways, folklore and craft, all contain their own mysteries and harbour their own stories.

Over the past 16 years, National Heritage Week has been a focal point, bringing together communities and people across the country and is now one of the most significant dates in Ireland’s cultural calendar.

Last year, it catered for more than 800 projects and in response to COVID-19 guidelines, National Heritage Week last year moved away from events only, and invited heritage enthusiasts to create projects which could be shared online.

As a result of continued public health restrictions, National Heritage Week 2021 will retain the project element introduced last year.

“Open the door to heritage” is this year’s message from the Heritage Council.

In particular, we’re calling on ‘heritage newcomers’ to get involved in the celebration and we’re also encouraging those who may not traditionally feel included in heritage matters to get involved.

One of Ireland’s leading advocates for the promotion of heritage is Christy Cunniffe from Clonfert, Co Galway, who with more than 30 years of involvement in the sector, won last year’s coveted ‘Heritage Hero’ award.

In today’s podcast, he talks about the importance of National Heritage Week, which he says is a celebration of much we hold dear - and so much that we should preserve.

Let’s hear from Christy Cunniffe..

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

Ireland’s network of heritage officers are employed by local authorities, in partnership with The Heritage Council.

 

This initiative was started by the Heritage Council in 1999, and has been supported by them ever since through funding and technical support.  

 

Based all around the country, heritage officers play a key role in promoting awareness, pride and conservation for biodiversity and heritage.  

 

In today’s podcast, our guest is Shirley Clerkin, Heritage Officer with Monaghan County Council, who is a member of the Local Authority Heritage Officer Network. 

 

Shirley explains the importance of this partnership, the work of heritage officers, the value of biodiversity and heritage for sustainable development, and what we can do to be part of the solutions for biodiversity.

 

On with the show..

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube

The National Biodiversity Data Centre, which was established by the Heritage Council in 2007 collects and manages data on Ireland’s biodiversity.

 

The Data Centre is jointly funded by the Heritage Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

 

In order to conserve Ireland’s biodiversity, we need to document what biodiversity we have, understand how it is distributed across the island of Ireland and its marine waters, track how it is changing over time, and communicate the importance of conserving biodiversity. 

 

Addressing these knowledge gaps and building the scientific evidence base to help its conservation is central to the work of the Data Centre.

 

In addition to the core work, funding is provided to oversee and assist with implementation of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan (2021-2025), which is endorsed by over 61 governmental and non-governmental organisations in Ireland.

 

In today’s podcast, Dr Liam Lysaght, Director of the Data Centre, explains why it was established and the strategic importance of its work, Oisin Duffy, Surveys and Records Officer, talks about the Citizen Science Portal and Niamh Phelan, Biodiversity Engagement Officer, discusses the Data Centre’s outreach and training work.

 

On with the show..

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

Irish towns, seeped in history and with stories going back centuries are embedded in the Irish folk memory.

 

In order to preserve this vital part of our ancient past, the Irish Walled Towns Network (IWTN) was established by the Heritage Council in 2005.

 

It exists to help these urban centres become better places to live, work and visit.

A walled town is a town that had walls and features like gates, towers, and earthen ditches built around it, to defend the occupants, and control the flow of people and revenue in and out of the town. They were also seen as status symbols reflecting wealth and influence.

 

While some walled towns date back to the Viking period, the majority date from the Anglo-Norman / medieval period. However, there are some examples of towns that were walled in the 1600s. 

 

Town walls and their associated features are now recognised as National Monuments.

 

Most walled towns have only sections of the walls remaining, however, the circuit of the walls usually mark and define the historic core of the town.

 

In today’s podcast, Ian Doyle, Head of Conservation with The Heritage Council, explains the importance of the scheme, and why walled towns remain an integral part of Irish life to this day.

 

He also discusses Irish Walled Towns Network grants for interpretation and events projects, which support initiatives that help make the towns better places to live and to help raise awareness about the important heritage of the town, which leads to increased tourism and pride of place. 

 

Numerous interpretation and conservation projects that the Irish Walled Towns Network has supported have gone on to win awards like Chambers Ireland, and Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) Community and Council awards.

 

On the show we also chat with, Róisín Burke, Project Manager of the Irish Walled Towns Network, who gives an overview of the all-island organisation, with members from north and south of the border  

 

And finally we chat with Sarah McCutcheon, Executive Archaeologist with Limerick City and County Council, and Vice- Chair of the Irish Walled Towns Network Committee, who discusses the achievements to date in Kilmallock and Limerick City.

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

In today’s podcast we travel to Tralee, and hear how the town has been revitalised by a communal coming together to protect its past.  

 

Under the Historic Towns Initiative, a programme of investment to enhance Tralee’s historic buildings was set in train.

The Historic Towns Initiative which is run by the Heritage Council in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, promotes heritage-led regeneration in our historic towns.

A number of bodies - ranging from Kerry County Council to the Irish Georgian Society - contributed to the project, along with significant community involvement including children from a local secondary school who painted a series of murals based on the built heritage of the town.

The project involved the conservation repair of historic wrought iron railings at Day Place with all ten building owners coming together to embrace the project.

Main contractor, Ned O’Shea & Sons, and Brendan St. John, a blacksmith carried out conservation repair of all railings at the front of a terrace of ten buildings, developed by Justice Robert Day, circa 1805. 

In addition, funding provided under the HTI went towards the conservation of historic window joinery at 17 Denny Street (built circa 1825), which included conservation repair and refurbishment of surviving original sash windows.

The street was laid out by Sir Edward Denny, a Tralee landlord, following demolition of Tralee Castle, which had been located in the heart of the town centre since the 1240s.

In this episode we chat with Victoria McCarthy of Kerry County Council, blacksmith Brendan St.John and Eileen Nolan, the owner of 17 Denny Street.

Enjoy the show!

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

Every street corner, every meandering alleyway, every old shop façade tells its own story.

 

Our streetscapes are woven into the heart of Irish life and are a crucial part of our heritage.

 

The Historic Towns Initiative – run by The Heritage Council in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage – aims to protect and preserve a vital thread in Ireland’s past.

 

This year, a €1.5m fund had been made available for the heritage-led regeneration of 10 towns after a competitive process.

 

These include Tralee, Co Kerry; Ballyshannon, Co Donegal; Ballina, Co Mayo; Roscommon, Co Roscommon; Sligo, Co Sligo; Tramore, Co Waterford; Birr, Co Offaly; Enniscorthy, Co Wexford; Navan, Co Meath and Callan, Co Kilkenny.

 

The money will provide a vital jobs boost and act as an economic stimulus, helping to rebuild local economies with heritage as a focal point.

 

The Initiative follows on from similar highly successful programmes in 2018, 2019 and 2020. 

 

Last year, €1m in funding was available under this scheme.

 

In today’s podcast, Ian Doyle, Head of Conservation with The Heritage Council, explains the key components of the scheme, and how it plays into an overall heritage strategy.

 

The programme is a joint initiative between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Heritage Council.