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
5
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
16
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
18
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