Serving People – Preserving Heritage

Catherine Desmond, Archaeologist, National Monuments Section, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

The Role of the Department in relation to Built Heritage

To protect, maintain, conserve and preserve the built and natural heritage of our country

Departmental Structure

Heritage and Planning Division

1. National Monuments Service

2. Heritage Policy and Architectural Protection Section

Main Built Heritage Areas

Protection and Conservation Unit Archive and Survey Unit Planning and Licensing Unit National Inventory for Architectural

Heritage Architectural Protection Heritage Policy Unit

Legislative Background

National Monuments Act 1930-2004

Planning and Development Act 2000

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Ministerial Consent

In accordance with Section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930, as amended, where a national monument of which the Minister or a local authority are the owners or guardians, or that have been the subject of a preservation order, Ministerial Consent is required in order:

a. To demolish or remove it wholly or in part or to disfigure, deface, alter, or in any manner injure or interfere with it, or

b. to excavate, dig, plough or otherwise disturb the ground within, around, or in proximity to, or

c. to renovate or restore it, or

d. to sell it or any part of it for exportation or to export it or any part of it.’

National Policy on TownDefences

The known and expected circuits of the defences (both upstanding and buried, whether of stone or embankment construction) and associated features of all town defences are to be considered a single national monument and treated as a unit for policy and management purposes. There should be a presumption in favour of preservation in-situ of archaeological remains and preservation of their character, setting and amenity.

National Policy on TownDefences

Planning and Development Act 2000

Planning and Development Act 2000 (Part IV):local authority measures Protect single structures: include

individual lengths of town wall and its features on the Record of Protected Structures

Preserve the character of an area: designate a specific part of a walled town or distinct area of it as an Architectural Conservation Area

The local authority is required to protect, to educate and to enforce the legislation

Both types of protection may be used together

Architectural Conservation Area

The Planning Authority can target policies and manage change on a wider scale than by dealing with individual structuresACA designation protects the exteriors of structures within the boundaries in order to preserve the character of the area

The area may include some or many protected structuresAll involved must co-operate for the designation to be effective

Town Planning and Structures

Enhancing the natural and built heritage

Role of State Agencies

National Museum of Ireland The Office of Public Works The Heritage Council Local Authorities Failte Ireland

Irish Walled Town Network (IWTN)

Founded by the Heritage Council of Ireland in 2005

To work with local authorities in managing, conserving and enhancing historic walled towns in Ireland

To identify, preserve, protect and enhance the national heritage

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What is a town?

Irish Medieval Towns Main Street forming the spine

with narrow lanes running off it at right angles

Towns built around early ecclesiastical sites

Most had a market place, a church, often a castle and sometimes defences

Deliberate man made extensions over time

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Urban Archaeology

Examples of Public Realm Plans in Ireland

Athenry

Streetscape Enhancement

Cashel

Improved lighting in public areas

YoughalImproved

Signage and orientation panels

Fethard

Historic Features

Walled Town Gateways

FUNDING

•Department funding for structures in public ownershipseveral town and city walls projects

CONTACT US Any plans or programmes or any queries or

clarification required should be forwarded in writing at the earliest opportunity to:Development Applications SectionDoEHLGDún ScéineHarcourt LaneDublin 2

Ministerial Consent and Notification for attention of Director of National Monuments Section-Guidance Document on consent available

RMP and Urban Archaeology Surveys available in all Local Authorities

Department website www.archaeology.ie Department publications www.environ.ie