What is Heritage and why is it important?
In general terms, heritage is what we have inherited from the past, that would remain untouched, but it is much more. It is a link to our past which helps us understand our traditions and how we have evolved as society. Heritage makes the essence that brings us together as a community.
Heritage includes monuments, archaeological objects, architecture, flora, fauna, landscapes, seascapes, geology, wildlife habitats, heritage parks & gardens, inland waterways, and language evolution.
Continued restoration, upgrade and maintenance of heritage objects and archaeological areas make an ever-present part of heritage.
Cultural heritage is the heritage of tangible (buildings, monuments, landscapes, archive materials, books, artworks, and artefacts) and intangible (folklore, traditions, language, and knowledge) heritage assets of a group or society that is inherited from past generations.
The act of keeping cultural heritage from the present for the future is known as conservation which is promoted by cultural and historical museums and cultural centres.
Architectural heritage refers to buildings or structures of historical or cultural importance, which are a vital part of the country's heritage and require conservation.
Archaeological heritage includes structures, constructions, groups of buildings, developed sites, moveable objects, monuments of other kinds as well as their context, whether situated on land or under water.
Ireland’s seas, lakes and rivers contain an immense wealth of archaeological sites, wrecks and objects. The leaflet below highlights how we can all play our part in preserving and protecting our rich underwater archaeological heritage.
Natural heritage includes culturally significant landscapes, biodiversity (flora & fauna), and geodiversity (mineralogical, geomorphological & paleontological materials)
As the result of passing of the Heritage Act, 1995, the Heritage Council (An Chomhairle Oidhreachta) was established.
- The Heritage Council is a public body whose mission is to develop a wide understanding of the vital contribution that our heritage makes to our social, environmental & economic well-being.
To learn more about Irish legislation regarding Heritage, please view the Heritage Act, 1995 - Irish Statute Book.
- Useful Publications:
Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023
Advise to the Public on Ireland’s Underwater Archaeological Heritage
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What is 'The Record of Protected Structures'?
The Galway City Development Plan 2017-2023 sets out a strategy to protect and enhance the architectural and built heritage of the city. This includes the designation of structures as protected structures and their inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS).
The purpose of the RPS is to record and maintain details of all protected structures within the city.
A protected structure is a structure, which the city council considers, is of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. Examples of protected structures within the city include: St. Nicholas' Church, the lighthouse at Mutton Island, the timber sculpture at the Salmon Weir Bridge and the King George V post box at Courthouse Square.
The Record of Protected Structures is available for inspection at City Hall or on the City Councils website. An inventory and external photograph of each protected structure is available on the City Councils Online Planning Enquiry System.
These details may be viewed by using the select arrow and then 'double-clicking' on a protected structure icon on the map.
View the Record of Protected Structures
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What are the Implications for Owners and Occupiers of Protected Structures?
It should be noted that normal planning exemptions do not apply to protected structures.
Any person who without lawful authority causes damage to a protected structure shall be guilty of an offence. Where a structure is protected, the protection includes the interior and exterior of the structure, its curtilage and other structures within that curtilage.
Even certain works on protected structures that are normally considered exempted development may still require planning permission if those works affect the character of the structure. Most protected structures in Galway City are also recorded monuments because they have pre 1700 fabric in them. Many buildings might also have an architectural protection under National Monuments Legislation, and it is owner’s responsibility to check whether this is the case. Any works within a recorded monument require a ministerial consent from the National Monuments Service. That means that such work would require planning permission.
No work should commence without confirmation from local Authority of what works can be exempt or permissible.
For normal planning applications, when the question arises whether a development requires a planning permission, an owner or occupier can seek a Section 5 Declaration from Galway City Council, which confirms the kind of works that could be carried out, without materially affecting the character of the structure and therefore would not require planning permission.
For development involving a protected structure, under Section 57 of the Planning and Development Act as amended, the Local Authority can issue a Declaration which sets out the extent of works that can be exempt.
To apply for the declaration, a Request for Section 57 Declaration Form must be submitted to the Planning Department.
Request for Section 57 Declaration Form
The Council is normally obliged to issue this declaration within 12 weeks of the request being made. The applicant will be contacted within that period to arrange an appointment for a suitably qualified person to carry out a detailed survey of the internal and external features of the structure.
Measures to Assist Owners and Occupiers to Preserve a Protected Structure
Grants are available for protected structures and sites within an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and Historic Structures Fund (HSF). Some heritage funding might also be available under the Heritage Council Community Grant Scheme for those applicants who have a Conservation and Management Plan put in place.
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Heritage Schemes
Galway is rich in built and archaeological heritage with little over 4050 protected structures. Within Galway City alone, 620 protected structures have been listed.
Heritage Schemes currently available to owners and custodians of protected structures and archaeological monuments:
Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS)
Historic Structures Fund (HSF)
Community Monuments Fund (CMF)
These are national schemes, operated at the local level by each Local Authority.
The Heritage Council supports a wide range of heritage projects throughout the country through their annual grants programme.
To view the available funding schemes, please visit Projects offered funding by the Heritage Council | The Heritage Council
Every year (usually the end of November) the Department notify Local Authorities of the scheme(s) available and provide a detailed Circular which contains guidance booklets, application forms and other documentation for the execution of the grant scheme.
An advertisement is then published in the local paper, on Galway City Council’s website and on social media, and submissions of applications are welcomed by a date specified by the Department in their Circular.
The details regarding each scheme are as follows:
Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS)
The allocation for Galway City Council under the scheme for 2024 is up to €123,200.
Built Heritage Investment Scheme relates to maintenance & small-scale repairs of protected structures listed on the Record of Protected Structures or those proposed to be listed but not yet formally approved. Thatch structures are also eligible. Details of qualifying works are included in the BHIS Circular (please see attachments down below).
Funds available from min. €2,500 to max. €15,000.
Based on the assessment of applications, the individual local authorities will allocate funding to each of the successful applicants. Priority will be given to small-scale, labour-intensive projects.
Applicant is required to provide a minimum of 50% of the total project cost.
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How to Apply:
Private applicants or community groups who are the owners or custodians of historic structures should:
-Complete Form A
-attach a comprehensive Method Statement
-submit to their Local Authority before the closing date (usually in January). This date is determined by each Local Authority, applicants are advised to check with their Local Authority for correct date.
BHIS 2024 Booklet Guidance for Applicants
BHIS 2024 Guidance Application Form A
BHIS 2024 Application Form A Checklist
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Eligible applications will be assessed for selection under the following criteria:
- Significance of the structure
- Efficacy of the works
- Quality of the methodology and technical merit of the works proposed
- Employment Benefits
Progress reports are required to be submitted by the Applicant usually in June (1st progress report), September (2nd progress report), and the final report on completion of a project or by the deadline specified in the Circular (usually first week of November).
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Non Qualifying Works:
- Routine maintenance and minor repairs (see above paragraph)
- Alterations or improvements
- Demolition
- Restoration and reconstruction
- Non-essential works
- Pre-existing works
- Certain works relating to external walls and damp-proofing
- Certain external joinery, e.g. double glazed units, storm glazing, replacement of historic glass with energy-efficient glass
- Certain energy efficiency works, e.g. installation of micro-renewables
- Public Realm Works (ACAs)The full details of the qualifying works can be found on the Built Heritage Investment Scheme Circular, available on all Local Authority websites.
For further information regarding this scheme, please contact the Architectural Conservation or Planning Office of your Local Authority or Built Heritage Policy Unit, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Custom House, Dublin 1, D01 W6X0 or email BHIS@housing.gov.ie.
Winacre Lodge, Barnacranny, Bushy Park, Galway - funded under BHIS 2023
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Historic Structure Fund (HSF)
The HSF runs alongside the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) which invests in smaller scale conservation works. Applications in respect of an individual structure can be made to both schemes, but funding may only be awarded from one scheme in any one year.
The core aims of this fund are to:
- enable larger scale conservation works to be carried out on historic structures which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support;
- encourage the regeneration and reuse of historic structures and to help to conserve protected structures and other historic buildings;
- support the investment of private capital in labour-intensive projects to conserve historic structures in public and private ownership for community benefit.
- support employment in the conservation and construction industries.
- build resilience in our historic structures to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change.
The Historic Structures Fund provides capital funding for works to qualifying structures which include the following:
(i) Protected Structures: Structures in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) of each Local Authority;
(ii) Structures eligible for or proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved for inclusion.
(iii) Structures or works within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances apply.
(iv) Vernacular structures - Vernacular structures are ones that are built to no formal plan. They are generally modest buildings constructed using traditional methods and simple materials that were local to the area or readily available.”
The Historic Structures Fund 2023 will be structured as follows:
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Stream 1
Available funds: Grants between €15,000 and €50,000
What will be funded: Essential repairs and small capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of historic structures to safeguard the structure and keep it in use
Maximum Grant: 80% of eligible costs max.
Stream 1 - Historic Shopfronts sub-stream
Available funds: Grants between €15,000 and €50,000
What will be funded: Essential repairs and small capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of historic shop facades, windows, signage and other associated details to safeguard them and keep them in use.
Maximum Grant: 80% of eligible costs max.
Stream 2
Available funds: Grants between €50,000 and €200,000, or in exceptional circumstances over €200,000. Grants may be phased over two years. Successful applicants should check their Letter of Offer for details of how funding is to be spent over the two years, where applicable.
What will be funded: Larger enhancement or significant refurbishment projects involving historic structures, where a clear benefit to the community and the public has been demonstrated.
Maximum Grant: 50% of eligible costs. In exceptional circumstances a higher percentage may be sought, subject to a max of 80%.
Projects in Partnership
Available funds: To be determined on a case by case basis.
What will be funded: Works to care for historic structures and buildings in public ownership and improve recreational infrastructure and public access to these heritage assets
Maximum Grant: Will not generally exceed 50% of the project cost
Vernacular Structures Stream **
Available funds: Grants between €5,000 and €10,000
What will be funded: Essential repairs and small capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of vernacular structures to safeguard the structure and keep it in use.
Maximum Grant: 80% of eligible costs max.
** Vernacular Structures Stream - The purpose of the stream is to support conservation repairs and small capital works to vernacular structures that are not listed in Local Authority Records of Protected Structures or otherwise legally protected. Such structures may be located within an Architectural Conservation Area.
A grant of over €200,000 may be awarded in exceptional circumstances where a case is made by the applicant in relation to the significance of the project and the works proposed.
- Ineligible Works for funding
Please see page 5 of the Guidance Booklet for Applicants for further details on Qualifying Works. - The following will not be eligible for funding:
- Projects or elements of projects where works have already commenced prior to grant award
- New build or extensions
- Works not in accordance with sound conservation methodology and practice
- Purchase of lands or buildings
- Feasibility studies
- Conservation plans or other non-capital expenditure, except where such is directly ancillary to capital works being funded under HSF.
HSF 2024 Guidance Booklet for Applicants
HSF 2024 Guidance Application Form
- For further information regarding this scheme, please contact the Architectural Conservation or Planning Office of your Local Authority or Built Heritage Policy Unit, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Custom House, Dublin 1, D01W6X0 or email HSF@housing.gov.ie.
- Community Monuments Fund
The Community Monuments Fund will enable conservation works to be carried out on archaeological monuments, which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support. It aims to build resilience in monuments enabling them to withstand the effects of climate change. The fund also aims to encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation. The Scheme has three streams of funding, all of which offer up to 100% of eligible costs.
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Stream 1 - Grants up to €100,000 for essential repairs and capital works for the conservation of archaeological monuments.
Stream 2 - Grants of up to €30,000 for the development of Conservation Management Plans/Reports and detailed Specification of Works aimed at identifying measures for conservation of archaeological monuments and improving public access.
Stream 3 - Grants of up to €30,000 for the enhancement of access infrastructure and interpretation (including virtual/online) at archaeological monuments
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What is an Architectural Conservation Area and what can I do within it?
An Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) is a place, area, group of structures or townscapes, taking account of building lines and heights, that is either of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest in its own right or which contributes to the appreciation of protected structures.
Galway City Council has a duty, under planning law, to protect and enhance the built heritage of the city. A measure to achieve this is through the designation of Architectural Conservation Areas. To date eleven areas have been designated as ACAs in the City Development Plan 2017-2023. Each of these areas represents different periods and functions in the development of the city.
The eleven areas designated as ACAs are as follows:
The City Core ACA
Lower Dominick Street ACA
The Crescent/Sea Road ACA
The Long Walk ACA
St. Nicholas Street ACA
St. Mary's Terrace ACA
1-6 Dock Street ACA
Eyre Square ACA
11-18 University Road ACA
7-14 Presentation Road ACA
34-48 St. Marys Road ACAFurther Information
Policies on protected structures and ACAs are contained in Chapter 8 of the Galway City Development Plan 2017-2023.Further information regarding protected structures and architectural conservation areas may also be obtained from the 'Architectural Heritage Protection - Guidelines for Planning Authorities', DoEHLG 2005, www.housing.gov.ie or through the Heritage Council, www.heritagecouncil.ie.
Galway City Council can also advise on good conservation practice and development proposals. For further information and advice please contact: The Planning Department, Galway City Council, City Hall, College Road, Galway. Tel: 091 - 536599 Email: planning@galwaycity.ie
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Heritage Plan
In 2003, the Heritage Council prepared guidelines for the production of Local Heritage Plans. Galway City Heritage Plan 2016-2021 follows these guidelines, while being tailored to the particular heritage requirements for Galway City.
Galway City Heritage Plan 2016-2021
The aim of the heritage plan is to identify, raise awareness of and promote the conservation of built, natural and cultural heritage of the city.
The plan sets the overall framework for this work, which is to be carried out over the next 5 years. The plan outlines the heritage objectives expressed in themes and the associated actions, which is intended to pursue and develop.
Themes
Actions have been specified under the following five themes:
1. Promotion of Heritage Awareness and Appreciation.
2. Promotion of best practice in Heritage Conservation and Management.
3. Collection and Dissemination of Heritage Information.
4. Communicating Heritage to a wide audience and promotion of partnership.
5. Caring for our Heritage while acknowledging the economic and tourism value to Galway City.
- Useful links:
The Heritage Council https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/
An Taisce, The National Trust for Ireland https://www.antaisce.org/
Galway City Biodiversity http://galwaybiodiversity.com/
Biodiversity Ireland National Biodiversity Data Centre
Galway Rural Development https://www.grd.ie/biodiversity
Waterways Ireland https://www.waterwaysireland.org/
The Barna Woods Project http://galwaybarnawoods.com/
Irish Wildlife Trust https://iwt.ie/
BirdWatch Galway http://www.birdwatchgalway.org/
Invasive Species Northern Ireland https://invasivespeciesni.co.uk/
An Bruach Thoir https://www.bruachthoir.com/
An Coimisinéir Teanga https://www.coimisineir.ie/
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Heritage Forum
The Galway City Council Heritage Forum 2023 has been established for the purpose of reviewing the old Heritage Plan, and finalising and overseeing the implementation of the 2024 – 2029 Heritage Plan.
Heritage Forum Membership 2023
Chairperson: Dr Jim Higgins, Heritage Officer, Galway City Council
Mary Clancy History Department, National University of Galway
Derrick Hambleton An Taisce Galway Association
Meave Williams Community Heritage Interest
Paula Kearney Biodiversity Officer, Recreation & Amenity, Galway City Council
John Olney Archaeologist, National Monuments Service
Micheál Mac Aoidh The Bruach Thoir Language Planning Committee
Christy Kelly Former Chief Technician of Galway City Council
Cllr John Connolly Galway City West
Cllr Frank Fahy Galway City Central
Brendan Mulligan Chartered Engineer
James Reynolds Conservator, Galway City Museum
Brendan Smith the Galway National Park City, Tuatha of Terryland Forest Park
Galway City Heritage Plan 2016-2021
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Galway City Heritage Office
Local Authorities appoint Heritage Officers to support the integration of heritage conservation into their activities and to enhance heritage at a local level.
The Heritage Officer for Galway City Council is Dr Jim Higgins
Contact Details:
Heritage Officer,
City Hall,
College Road,
Galway
Tel: 091 536599
Email: heritage@galwaycity.ie
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The Heritage Council of Ireland
Established under The Heritage Act 1995, the Heritage Council is a public body whose mission is to develop a wide understanding of the vital contribution that our heritage makes to our social, environmental & economic well-being.
The Heritage Council has a particular responsibility to promote interest, education, knowledge and pride in national heritage. In its current strategic plan "Our Place in time" the Heritage Council has set out its core principles and goals.
Contact:
The Heritage Council,
Rothe House,
Kilkenny,
Ireland.
Tel: 051 7770777
Email: mail@heritagecouncil.com
Web: www.heritagecouncil.ie
Videos from 13th Galway City Heritage Conference 2023
This year’s heritage conference focused on Exploring a Rich Heritage of River Corrib - from Galway Bay to Lough Corrib.
Please see video presentations of the speakers:
Dr. Cóilín Ó Drisceoil - The Archaeology of Irish rivers
Dr. Barry O’ Reilly - the Vernacular Heritage of the Corrib region.
Dr. Jim Higgins - Conserving Three Galway Castles.
Michael Gibbons - The Prehistory of the Corrib, new discoveries.
Karl Brady - Spectacular underwater discoveries from the Corrib, an update.
Anthony Previté - The Ecclesiastical Heritage of the Corrib Region.
Mary Clancy - Corrib Stories, a Social History
Marie Boran & Bridget Clesham - The Landed Estates and Big Houses of the Corrib Region.
Colm Ó Riordan - Galway’s new Corrib Bridge.