What Does the Heritage Office Do?
The office works to:
- Help people learn about and feel proud of Galway’s heritage.
- Give advice and information on all kinds of heritage topics.
- Encourage people and groups to get involved in protecting heritage.
- Make sure heritage is looked after in the best way possible.
- Carry out the Galway County Heritage Plan (2017–2022) with help from the Heritage Forum.
- Gather information and do research on Galway’s heritage.
- Make sure heritage is considered in all areas of local planning and policy.
What is Heritage?
According to Irish law (the Heritage Act, 1995), heritage includes things like:
- Old buildings and monuments
- Archaeological finds
- Historic objects
- Natural features like rocks and waterways
- Shipwrecks
- Parks and gardens with historical value
But in County Galway, heritage also includes things that are special to the local culture, such as:
- The Irish language
- Folklore and traditional ways of life
- Placenames
- Traditional crafts
- Family history (genealogy)
- Local history
These are all seen as important parts of what makes Galway unique.
Heritage Plan & Heritage Forum
Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2017-2022
Galway County Heritage Plan 2017-2022 is the third Heritage Plan for County Galway and carries forward the overall aim of the previous plans, “to place heritage and biodiversity at the heart of public life in the county”. This will be achieved through increasing awareness, participation, enjoyment, knowledge and understanding of our shared heritage to lead to its proper conservation, management and protection and safeguarding it for future generations.
Vision
The rich heritage and biodiversity of County Galway will be cherished, valued, conserved and enhanced in a manner that is respectful of our past, mindful of our present needs and sustainable for future generations.
Objectives
Three overarching objectives have been identified that will underpin the delivery of actions under five key themes (see below). These objectives are:
- to increase awareness, appreciation and participation
- to gather and share knowledge
- to manage and conserve our heritage, including biodiversity.
Themes
Actions will be specified under the following five themes:
- community engagement
- education and training
- research and information
- Galway County Council: people, property and works
- stakeholder engagement and pursuing opportunities with other partners.
Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2017-2022
Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Forum
The Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Forum comprises sectoral interests including local government, state agencies, non-governmental organisations, farmers and other landowners, local and regional development agencies, the education and heritage sector, and the community and voluntary sector.
The Heritage and Biodiversity Forum was established in 2004 to provide advice and guidance regarding the development and implementation of Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Plans, and develop and review annual programmes of work.