Works begins in Kilkenny on countywide Heritage Strategy

Kilkenny’s heritage should be cherished, understood and enjoyed by current and future generations. This is the core of the work of the Heritage Office at Kilkenny County Council, and the motivation behind the preparation of a Heritage Strategy for the county, which is currently being prepared.

At the recent meeting of Callan Thomastown municipal district, councillors were given a presentation on the forthcoming plan by the council’s Heritage Officer, Regina Fitzpatrick.

The new strategy plan will cover the years 2026 to 2030 and is at discussion paper stage - hoping to get the people of the county talking about their heritage and how to preserve it.

Councillors heard from Ms Fitzpatrick that ‘this strategy will help preserve, protect, and promote the rich heritage of our county within a local, regional and national context’.

Local heritage projects have always been supported in the Callan Thomastown district.
Last May, MEP Seán Kelly visited Callan to officially launch a new heritage trail. Designed to be walked, the trail highlights places of interest with information signs and finger-post directional signs have been erected around the town.

In Ms Fitzpatrick’s presentation, last week, councillors heard that Kilkenny County Council are committed to making this new strategy inclusive and reflective of the values and aspirations of the people of Kilkenny. Therefore, all residents, local organisations and stakeholders in Kilkenny’s heritage are invited to participate in the consultation process by sharing their views on the actions required to safeguard and promote the heritage of Kilkenny. This input will shape a strategy that represents the diverse heritage of County Kilkenny.

Kilkenny’s heritage is that which makes the county unique, what gives it its special character and its ‘sense of place’.
Heritage has many values including social, environmental, cultural and economic.

Protecting and enhancing our heritage is vital to the health, well-being and quality of life of our communities and provides a basis for local economic development and innovation in tourism, agriculture, education, entertainment and business generally.

Our heritage is there to be experienced and enjoyed as part of everyday life by everyone in the community.
County Kilkenny has rich and varied built, natural and cultural heritage resources. Landscapes, rivers, woodlands, hedgerows, geology, plants and animals are all part of our natural heritage.

Archaeological sites and other buildings and structures such as houses, shops, churches, bridges and mills are features of our built heritage. Our cultural heritage includes aspects of heritage such as traditions, practices, knowledge and skills, which are an expression of our culture.

Members of the public are invited to share their thoughts on local heritage.
Email your thoughts, suggestions and/ or comments to heritage@kilkennycoco.ie or send a written submission to Heritage Officer, Community and Culture Section, Kilkenny County Council, Patrick Street, Kilkenny City, R95 N28F.
Submissions are open until March 28. Following this a series of stakeholder and public consultation events will take place and a draft County Heritage Strategy will be prepared.
The draft County Heritage Strategy, will go on public display with a public consultation period during the summer. Once approved the Strategy will be the guiding document for the Heritage Office for five years.