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HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION SERVICES The protection of the natural and built heritage is an important function of Sligo County Council, a countywide asset that is valuable in its own right but also to the tourism and visitor experience in the County.
Heritage During 2020, the Heritage Office continued to work with Sligo Heritage Forum to oversee the implementation of the County Sligo Heritage Plan (2016-2020). The Forum meets quarterly. The Heritage Plan seeks to protect, conserve, manage and promote the value of Sligo’s heritage in recognition of its significant contribution to the quality of life of communities and the socio-economic development of the county. The Heritage Office has one full time officer, and the heritage programme is supported by Sligo County Council in partnership with The Heritage Council. The Heritage Council provided an allocation of €38,000 towards the delivery of the Heritage Plan in 2020. As the current Heritage Plan will conclude at the end of 2020, preparatory work will be undertaken in Q1 2021 to develop the next Sligo Heritage Plan for the period 2021-2025. During 2020, the work programme focused on increasing heritage awareness and engagement with communities, the conservation of medieval churches, the continued roll out of the Sligo Community Archaeology Programme and progressing conservation plans for Sligo Gaol, the Green Fort, Sligo and the Drumcliffe Monastic Site.
Biodiversity The implementation of the County Sligo Biodiversity Action Plan has been reactivated through funding provided through the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Funding of €36,910 was provided by the Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht in 2020. This supported the preparation of a management plan for designated lands in council ownership at Strandhill and the management of invasive alien species.
Architectural Conservation In 2020, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht allocated a total of €131,350 to Sligo County Council under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (11 projects) and the Historic Structures Fund (2 projects – Temple House and the Metal Man Navigation Beacon). Projects vary from roof repairs, window repairs and general stabilization works. The Heritage Office oversees the delivery of the conservation grant schemes with advice from the Planning and Architectural Sections of Sligo County Council.
Historic Structures Fund 2020 Projects
Funding Allocated
Temple House
€30,000
Metal Man Navigation Beacon
€25,000
SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2020
