County Roscommon HERITAGE PLAN 2017 - 2021 Incorporating County Roscommon Biodiversity Plan Prepared by County Roscommon Heritage Forum County Roscommon Heritage Forum wishes to acknowledge the role For further information contact: of the Heritage Council in initiating and supporting the preparation of this Heritage Plan in association with Roscommon County Council. Heritage Officer, In addition, the Forum acknowledges the support of the Heritage Roscommon County Council, Council through its contribution to the funding of the post of the Áras an Chontae, Heritage Officer and the implementation of projects under the Roscommon, Roscommon Heritage Plans 2004-2008 and 2012-2016, in Co. Roscommon. association with Roscommon County Council. Telephone: 090 6637135 Images courtesy of: Email: [email protected] Mick McCormack, Frank Scott, Roscommon County Council, Drum www.roscommoncoco.ie Heritage Group, Glynn’s Photography, Google, Gerard O’Loughlin, Breffni Ireland Ltd, JG O’Donoghue, Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, www.heritagemaps.ie, Blackwood Associates Architects & Castlecoote House. © Roscommon County Council 2017 The aim of the County Roscommon Heritage Plan is to continue to create and promote an increased knowledge, awareness and appreciation of the natural, built and cultural heritage of County Roscommon and to conserve it for future generations - Notice, Care, Enjoy. CONTENTS Page Cathaoirleach - Foreword 4 Chief Executive - Foreword 4 Chairperson of County Roscommon Heritage Forum - Foreword 4 Introduction 5 Context 5 Achievements of County Roscommon Heritage Plan 2012-2016 6-8 Strategic Goals 1-10 9-18 Appendices 19-25 4 HERITAGE PLAN 2017 - 2021 CATHAOIRLEACH, COMHAIRLE CONTAE ROS COMÁIN - FOREWORD As Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council I am delighted to welcome the third heritage plan for County Roscommon. County Roscommon’s heritage is rich and varied. Our wonderful archaeological and mythological heritage is attracting people from all over the world to visit the Rathcroghan Complex, Royal Heritage Site of Ireland. Our medieval heritage is magnificent and attracts national and international archaeological study and visitors to Ballintubber Castle, Roscommon Castle, Roscommon Dominican Abbey, Tulsk Priory, Rindoon and Boyle Abbey. Our historic houses are capturing the imagination of tourists as are our industrial heritage assets. Our natural heritage is an essential aspect of our heritage, described by Starrett (2004:2) as “our living heritage”. People are getting out into the countryside to rediscover our bogs, forests, rivers and lakes through loops, walks and way marked ways. The heritage plan includes Roscommon County Council’s Biodiversity plan. With many community groups already embracing pollinator initiatives, this plan supports continued biodiversity projects to protect our bees and other lesser known pollinators including ladybirds through increased wild flower meadows in our counties villages and towns. Heritage has an intrinsic value which cannot be quantified. It enhances our quality of life and wellbeing. Its significance as a cultural resource has grown in recent years and with that the realization that it has a vital role to play in tourism and job creation. The work of local groups in County Roscommon in recognising their own heritage and their efforts to develop its potential for the benefit of the community is acknowledged and supported through this plan. I would like to pay tribute to our excellent Heritage Officer Nollaig Feeney, who has to be complimented for her way of promoting community engagement with heritage. The phenomenal success of heritage week in County Roscommon each year is testament to this approach which has engendered and garnered the enthusiastic response of the community with an array of excellent heritage events throughout the County. I would like to thank the Heritage Council for their continued support. I would also like to thank all those involved in the preparation of this plan, our heritage officer Nollaig Feeney and the members of County Roscommon Heritage Forum, under the chairmanship of Cllr Joe Murphy for their commitment, expertise and time. Go n-éirí an t-ádh le Plean Oidhreachta Ros Comáin (2017 - 2021). Cllr. Orla Leyden CHIEF EXECUTIVE, COMHAIRLE CONTAE ROS COMÁIN - FOREWORD I welcome the County Roscommon Heritage Plan 2017-2021. Unfortunately in the past “heritage” was at times regarded as being a cost to society, a financial burden almost, only tolerated because it was seen as a moral duty. Fortunately this view of our heritage is very much confined to the past and has been replaced with a great respect for everything associated with it, including the myths and legends, castles and gravestones, mounds and ruins, and much, much more. In fact our heritage is part of who we are, our provenance, our deeper values, defining our history and leaving untold wealth to a nation and people. This shift in understanding is reflected and protected in national / local policies and priorities. The value of our heritage is recognised and valued in all aspects of our lives, not just in our economy but also for our social and community development and, of course to our well-being and quality of life. This Plan links into and compliments existing Roscommon County Council priorities and plans, thus ensuring that our resources will be used to maximise the best outcome for the County. Mr. Eugene Cummins CHAIRPERSON OF ROSCOMMON COUNTY HERITAGE FORUM - FOREWORD The County Roscommon Heritage Forum is a partnership between Roscommon County Council and heritage stakeholders countywide who work closely with the Heritage Council and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to address national heritage priorities, promote national best practice guidance at a local level and meet local heritage needs. The County Roscommon Heritage Forum works to prepare and implement the County Roscommon Heritage Plan. I welcome the publication of this plan and look forward to working with our partners to deliver this plan for the benefit of the people of Roscommon. Cllr. Joe Murphy HERITAGE PLAN 2017 - 2021 5 INTRODUCTION WHAT IS HERITAGE? The Heritage Act, 1995 defines heritage as including monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, inland waterways and heritage gardens and parks. The County Roscommon Heritage Forum also considers that folklore, industrial heritage and local history are important aspects of the county’s heritage. Our heritage is a national asset to be valued and CONTEXT treasured. The people of Roscommon have always had The value of heritage is increasingly recognised at a strong pride, awareness and interest in their built, national policy level as a very positive contributor to our natural and cultural heritage. This is evidenced by the economy for its tourism value and as a driver for rural high levels of community involvement in heritage – at a development, especially in rural areas like Co. Roscommon. very local level and as a means of economic development. This value is a cornerstone of government initiatives such Community development groups, cemetery committees, as Creative Ireland, Culture 2025, the National Landscape tidy towns associations, heritage societies, schools and Strategy, the Tourism Action Plan and ‘Realising our Rural interested individuals are working hard all over the county Potential – Action plan for Rural Development’, all of which to care for their heritage – places, features or sites of highlight heritage as an integral element of landscape and importance to their community, some of which are also society and as a tool for realising our social and economic of national and international importance. These groups potential. work on very tight budgets. Modest support, financial or technical, can make a huge difference to a heritage This national policy filters down to County Roscommon project which seeks to generate jobs, support through the Roscommon County Development Plan conservation or improve people’s quality of life. 2014-2020, the Local Economic and Community Plan The Heritage Council Community Heritage Grant 2016-2021, the Local Development Strategy for delivery programme is recognised nationally for the positive of the LEADER Programme 2014–2020 in County Roscommon, impact it has had and for the great returns that can the County Roscommon Tourism Statement of Strategy be gained from a little financial support. and Work Programme 2017-2022 and the Creative Ireland programme all of which set out strategies and priorities e value placed on heritage by the people of the for leading economic, social and community development county is vital to its enjoyment, management and as well as promoting the well-being and quality of life of protection and makes a vital contribution to a the public and communities. Heritage is at the heart of all community’s sense of belonging and wellbeing. of these plans either directly or indirectly. However heritage needs adequate financial, structural and personnel resources Heritage adds great value to our quality of life to achieve all the potential that is now acknowledged in and makes a great contribution to our social government policy. and economic well being, including employment generation. 6 HERITAGE PLAN 2017 - 2021 COUNTY ROSCOMMON HERITAGE PLAN 2012-2016 What did it do? The second heritage plan for County Roscommon was launched in February 2012. The plan had three objectives and actions