'Clear direction and leadership': New heritage strategy unveiled for Kilkenny

Kilkenny’s heritage is our story, and it is our duty to safeguard it for the generations to come, voluntary and statutory bodies involved in the newly launched County Kilkenny Heritage Strategy 2026-2030 say.

Heritage is not just something we preserve. It is who we are, and it lives and breathes with us. All of our heritage, whether built, natural, or cultural, reflects what we value, what we protect, and what we pass on. It reveals how we see ourselves and how we care for one another, the Strategy explains.

The comprehensive, 60-plus page blueprint from Kilkenny County Council and the County Kilkenny Heritage Forum was devised and completed with the support of The Heritage Council. It sets out a very clear vision and mission, values, objectives and strategic goals for the next five years, acknowledging the opportunities and threats ahead in the current world climate.

Speaking at the launch, Deirdre Cullen, Leas-Cathaoirleach, Kilkenny County Council, said: “This Strategy provides clear direction and leadership to guide heritage action across the county over the coming years, ensuring that our natural, built and cultural heritage is protected, understood and valued now and for generations to come.

“County Kilkenny’s heritage is a defining element of our identity and sense of place. It shapes the character of our towns, villages and landscapes; reflects generations of creativity, resilience and endeavour; and underpins quality of life across the county.

“Our heritage supports community wellbeing, cultural participation, sustainable tourism and economic activity, delivering social, cultural and economic benefits for those who live, work, visit and invest in Kilkenny.”

Virginia Teehan, Heritage Council Chief Executive, said the local authority has shown leadership over many decades in the appreciation, protection and promotion of the rich history and heritage of both the city and county.

“Heritage is not only central to our identity and sense of place; it is also a catalyst in the local economy. Heritage Council research published in 2024 estimates that the heritage sector contributes €4.6 billion in annual economic output in Ireland, underlining the important role heritage plays in supporting employment, investment and vibrant communities.

“Through the Ceangal programme, The Heritage Council is committed to continuing to work positively with Kilkenny County Council to strengthen local heritage services and support the partnerships that are essential to good heritage management,” Ms Teehan added.

Regina Fitzpatrick, Kilkenny County Council Heritage Officer, said the Strategy is grounded in a set of core values that emphasise inclusivity, creativity, accessibility, quality and most importantly - collective responsibility.

“These values are reflected in six objectives: recording what is at risk of being forgotten; conserving what matters deeply to people; maintaining the threads of memory in everyday landscapes; providing access to heritage as a shared right; embedding heritage in decision making across Kilkenny County Council services and in community life, and enhancing Awareness of the value, importance and relevance of heritage in our everyday lives.

“This strategy is framed by the urgent need for climate action and the protection of nature, and it recognises the deep interconnections between heritage, environment and sustainability,” she added.

Cllr Fidelis Doherty, Co-Chair of the County Heritage Forum, said: “I would like to sincerely thank all those who contributed to the preparation of this strategy. To the members of the Heritage Forum, thank you for your expertise, commitment and generosity of spirit. To the many community groups and individuals who took part in consultations, thank you for sharing your knowledge and vision. To Kilkenny County Council and The Heritage Council, thank you for your continued support and leadership.

“Today is not the end of a process. It is the beginning. Over the next five years, this strategy will provide a framework for action. It will help us record what is at risk of being forgotten, conserve what matters most to people, improve access to heritage, strengthen communities, and embed heritage more deeply in decision-making across the county,” Cllr Doherty said.

The comprehensive Strategy recognises that Heritage in Kilkenny is not managed by a single authority. It is realised through a collaborative system - formal and informal, institutional and voluntary, managed and spontaneous. “The effectiveness of this system lies not in central control but in its capacity to foster connection, share power, and sustain relationships over time.

“This heritage strategy provides a framework within which this collaborative system can thrive—so that all those who care for Kilkenny’s heritage can continue to do so, together, and with purpose,” the blueprint concludes.

For more information and to read the strategy visit: www.kilkennyheritage.ie.