The Heritage Council (HC)
An Chomhairle Oidhreachta
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The Heritage Council (HC) Church Lane Kilkenny Ireland Tel. + 353 56 777 07 77 Fax + 353 56 777 07 88 heritage@heritagecouncil.ie www.heritagecouncil.ie |
Establishment and Mission
Council Members and Staff Members
Current and Future Activities
Present and Future Priority Fields
- Heritage research/surveys, analysis and evaluation: advise on, promote and contribute to the surveying, analysis, dissemination and monitoring of a comprehensive and up-to-date national heritage databases using advanced information and communication technology (ICT) systems, which can provide heritage input into the formulation and implementation of sustainable economic, social and fiscal policy frameworks.
- Evidence-based policy advice: propose quality, evidence-based policy advice and priorities to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government and others to ensure the protection and sustainable management of the cultural and natural heritage and assist in meeting national requirements under the provisions of international agreements and conventions.
- Heritage infrastructure: in seeking to promote co-ordination of activities relating to its functions, the Council will encourage and facilitate the strengthening and deepening of legislation, mechanisms and structures at a national, regional and local level. This will contribute to greater co-operation and co-ordination between all sectors of society, balanced national and regional economic growth and development and ensure that heritage considerations are at the very heart of society and public life.
- Best practice in conservation and sustainable heritage management: promote and advise on international best practice standards for heritage conservation among key stakeholders and practitioners and to strengthen the development and acceptance of economically and environmentally sustainable management of heritage in Ireland.
- Raising awareness and appreciation: strengthen and consolidate the increased awareness, understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the natural and cultural heritage and translate them into achievable, meaningful and tangible policy proposal. These will highlight the economic, social, educational and environmental benefits.
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Background and Mission
Establishment
The Heritage Council (HC) was established under the Heritage Act, 1995. It is an independent state-sponsored body which has a statutory responsibility to propose policies and priorities for the identification, protection, preservation and enhancement of the national heritage.
Heritage is defined as including:
- monuments;
- archaeological objects;
- heritage objects;
- architectural heritage;
- flora;
- fauna;
- wildlife habitats;
- landscapes;
- seascapes;
- wrecks;
- geology;
- heritage gardens and parks;
- inland waterways.
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Mission
The mission of the Heritage Council is as follows:
- Propose policies and priorities for the identification, protection, preservation and enhancement of the national heritage;
- Promote interest, education, knowledge and pride in, and facilitate the appreciation and enjoyment of the national heritage;
- Co-operate with public authorities, educational bodies and other organisations and persons in the promotion of the functions of the Council;
- Promote the co-ordination of all activities relating to the functions of the Council.
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Council Members
The HC has 17 Council Members, with a variety of expert backgrounds, appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Four Members and the Chair will finish their term of office at the end of 2007 and the others will continue until 2010.
| Chairman Tom O’Dwyer (outgoing) |
Chair of Teagasc. Formerly served as Chef de Cabinet to two Irish European Commissioners and as Director General in the European Commission |
| Anne-Marie Caulfield | Principal Officer of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Governement |
| Betty Coffey |
Former Cathaoirleach, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council; former member Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company; former member, EU Committee of the Regions |
| Billy Colfer | Chairman of Wexford Historical Society. Chairman of Fethard Castle Ltd. Board member of Hook Heritage Ltd. and the Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig |
| Prof. Gabriel Cooney | Associate Professor UCD and Head of the Department of Archaeology |
| Ted Creedon | Broadcaster, archaeological expertise |
| Brendan Dunford | Coordinator LIFE nature project, Burren; expertise in interaction of agriculture and natural heritage |
| Deirdre-Ellis King (outgoing) | Dublin City Librarian |
| Dr. Caro-lynne Ferris | The Countryside Access and Activities Network, Northern Ireland |
| Rhonwen Hayes | Artist and musician |
| Maurice Hurley (outgoing) | Cork City Archaeologist Ex-Chair of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland |
| Mary Keenan | Landscape horticulturalist Past President, Tree Council of Ireland. Parks Department South Dublin County Council |
| Noel Keyes | Former Cathaoirleach, Bray Town
Council Chairman Wicklow Heritage Forum and Bray Heritage Centre |
| Martina Moloney | Louth County Manager |
| Nioclás Ó Conchubhair (outgoing) | Gaeltacht/Irish language heritage
expertise Former Senator and member of Galway County Council |
| Finola Reid | Landscape and gardening
expert Particular knowledge and expertise in historic gardens |
| Virginia Teehan (outgoing) | Director of Hunt Museum; Archivist |
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Staff Members
The Council has a secretariat with around 15 staff. Michael Starrett is the Chief Executive.
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Work Style
Tasks of the Council
The Heritage Council seeks to protect and enhance the richness, quality and diversity of our national heritage for everyone. It works with its partners, particularly at local level, to increase awareness of our national heritage and to highlight its importance to public policy and everyday life.
The Council proposes policy to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, on a regular basis.
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Substructure and Working Groups
There are 4 Statutory Committees:
- Standing Committee on Architectural Heritage;
- Standing Committee on Archaeology;
- Standing Committee on Wildlife;
- Standing Committee on Inland Waterways.
And 3 Non-Statutory Committees:
- Museums & Archives Committee;
- Education and Communications Committee;
- Finance / Audit Committee.
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Type of Advice
The HC mainly derive their policy papers (advice) from the standing committees where issues are aired and the appropriateness of advice is discussed. The various committees are composed of Council members and specialists in the various fields.
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Council Meetings
The Council agree to meet six times in the year ahead; this agreement is taken at the September Council meeting. The meetings for 2007 will take place on 15 February, 19 April, 7-8 June in Wexford, 26 July, 11 October and 14 December.
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Activities in the EEAC Network
The Council has been involved in the early years of the network and became member when membership was introduced in 1997. It is an observer to the Working Groups Agriculture and Biodiversity.
The Heritage Council hosted the 10th EEAC Annual Conference 2002 in Kilkenny on Agriculture and nature in an expanding Europe.
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List of Selected Publications
You can search for the full list of policy advice in our Search Engine which also includes the titles in English of publications available in original language only.
- National Rural Development Strategy 2007-2013, (April 2006);
- Conserving Ireland's Maritime Heritage, (April 2006);
- National Development Plan 2007-2013, (March 2006);
- Agri-environment scheme (REPS) 2007-2013, (December 2005);
- National Countryside Recreation Strategy, (December 2005);
- Ireland's Waterway Corridors and the National Heritage, (August 2005);
- National Biodiversity Plan, (May 2005);
- The Plan 1997 - 2000;
- Policy Paper on Agriculture and the National Heritage;
- Policy Paper on Forestry and The National Heritage;
- Policy Paper on State Sector Expenditure on Heritage;
- Policy Paper on The Role of the Heritage Council in the Planning Process;
- Archaeology and Forestry in Ireland;
- Taking Stock of our Ecclesiastical Heritage;
- Evaluation of Environmental Designations in Ireland - 2nd edition;
- Policies and Priorities for Ireland's Landscape, Conference Papers, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, (April 1999);
- Policy Paper on the Future Development of Ireland's Inland Waterways;
- Impact of Agricultural Schemes and Payments on Aspects of Ireland's Heritage;
- Policy Paper on Urban Archaeology and the National Heritage;
- An Assessment of Farming Prescriptions Under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme in the Uplands of the Burren;
- Policy Paper on Heritage Awareness in Ireland;
- Urban Archaeological Practice in Ireland;
- The Provision of Genealogical Services in Ireland;
- Caring for Collections - A Manual of Preventive Conservation;
- Heritage Appraisal of Development Plans - a Methodology for Planning Authorities;
- A Guide to Habitats in Ireland.
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