Annual Report 2005 - The Heritage Council

MESSAGE FROM COUNCIL
2005 was a year of two Councils.
Together with my colleagues and friends from
the Heritage Council 2000-2005 my period
of tenure ended in July. In evaluating the
effectiveness of our work it was pleasing to
note that, when appointed, the new Council
members would be the proud occupants of
Council’s new headquarters at the Bishop’s
Palace in Kilkenny, and would inherit a
full staff complement. In addition core
programmes had continued in often difficult
circumstances (in particular our grants
programmes and partnership with local
authorities) supported by an ever increasing
public awareness of the significance of our
national heritage. All of this demonstrated
that Council had built on the foundations
that it had inherited. I thank all of the school
of 2000-2005 for their commitment and
dedication to the work of the organisation.
Without their input the heritage of Ireland
would be at much greater risk.
As chairperson of Council I was privileged
to be offered a further period as chair in
October. I was reappointed along with sixteen
other members, four of whom were also
reappointed, providing a very necessary
degree of continuity in membership. The
new Council is in the process of developing
its new five-year programme, in a context
where the Minister has reinforced clarity
regarding its role. New and exciting tasks
completed in 2005 point the way towards
significant further work to be undertaken. A
focus on raising awareness through improved
internal and external communication has
been demonstrated through our work on
heritage week, as well as through better use
of information technology. The local authority
heritage programme continues to excel in
securing involvement at a local level, and new
policy proposal for the maritime heritage and
inland waterways will soon take its full effect.
Council’s role in strategic (and sometimes
contentious) planning matters continues in
a quiet and effective manner. Notable long
term proposals have been provided in regard
to major infrastructural projects in Meath and
Waterford, and the commitment to the Irish
Walled Towns Network is showing benefits for
all our stakeholders. The place of our small
towns and villages in the landscape received
particular emphasis during the year, as did
grant support for a wide range of buildings
at risk. Natural and cultural heritage,
respectively, derived ongoing benefit from
Council’s National Biological Records Centre
and its Museum Standards and Accreditation
Programme.
I look forward with enthusiasm to working
together with all our partners in the months
and years to come.
Dr Tom O’Dwyer
Chairperson
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T h e H e r i t a g e C o u n c i l