Minister thanks all in County Carlow for 'resounding success' of Heritage Week

As the 25th National Heritage Week drew to a close yesterday (Sunday, August 25th), Minister for Heritage and Green Party TD for Carlow Kilkenny Malcolm Noonan praised the community groups and volunteers across Carlow who made the week such a success.

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Speaking after his final event of the week - a boat trip on the Barrow on Bád Keppel - Minister Noonan extended his thanks to all the communities who participated, organising events, walks, talks and presentations and opening up community halls, churches and other public spaces to bring people together to connect with their local heritage. He also extended a special thanks to Carlow County Council’s Heritage Officer, Eoin O’Sullivan and Biodiversity Officer Shane Casey for coordinating an engaging programme of events.

“For me this Heritage Week was a resounding success in Carlow,” he said. “With almost 40 events taking place in Carlow alone, it’s growing in strength and numbers year on year. It highlights the need for continued investment in our built, cultural and social heritage - not just at government level, where I have increased investment substantially over my four and a half years as Minister for Heritage, but also at local authority level, as we continue to see the crucial role played by our Heritage Officers, Biodiversity Officers, and our library services in promoting, protecting and celebrating local heritage.

“It’s important that elected members are aware that heritage matters to people and that they understand the need to invest in heritage plans in their annual budgets so we have a cohesive and proactive approach to investing in the built and architectural heritage of our towns and our villages. It’s an investment that we see time and again pays back dividends in the cultural and social benefits to our communities, but also in economic returns driven by tourism and the wider economic value of our heritage.”

Minister Noonan finally extended his thanks to the Heritage Council, CEO Virginia Tehan, Chairperson Dr. Martina Maloney, and the entire team. “The Heritage Council coordinates Heritage Week nationally with our team of Heritage Officers across the country. This small team is now overseeing one of the biggest celebrations of heritage to be found anywhere in Europe, and as another successful week draws to a close, I want to commend them for taking National Heritage Week from strength to strength with each passing year.

“I was also encouraged this week by the fact that so many minority groups are finding space to celebrate their heritage during Heritage week. That's something that, along with the Heritage Council, I have been keen to support and encourage, particularly for our Traveller community and new communities.”