Council launches new five-year plan to conserve and promote heritage
Patricia Fallon Local Authority Liaison Officer with Heritage Council, Dara Wyer (KCC), and Cllr Ivan Keatley
KILDARE launches new Heritage Plan Kildare County Council has launched the Kildare Heritage Plan 2026–2031, to conserve, promote and celebrate the built, natural and cultural heritage of the County Kildare over the next five years.
The plan was developed following an extensive consultation process with public engagement at both pre-draft and draft stages.
The County Kildare Heritage Forum, which includes representatives from community groups in archaeological and built heritage sectors, local heritage organisations, semi-state agencies, elected members and council staff, reviewed all submissions received.
These submissions helped shape the Plan’s strategic objectives and specific actions.
The plan acknowledges that heritage requires both protection and promotion, and the plan sets out five strategic objectives, firstly, to increase understanding of County Kildare’s heritage through awareness, education and training.
The council also wants to promote best practice in the conservation and management of the county’s heritage resources, and the heritage officer Dara Wyer would also like to collect and share information about Co Kildare’s heritage and undertake surveys and research to inform policy.
He also want to promote heritage as a resource that contributes to quality of life and to the cultural and economic development of the county, and to foster stewardship and wider community involvement in Kildare’s heritage.
"This plan is a welcome update to Kildare’s heritage policy and reflects our commitment to protecting, researching and promoting the county’s rich history, culture and natural heritage,” said cllr Ivan Keatley, chair of the, planning, enterprise and economic development strategic policy committee at the county council.
“Building on the success of previous plans, it supports continued work in heritage conservation, research and public engagement.
“It is fitting that the plan is launched during National Heritage Week, and I would like to acknowledge the many groups and individuals whose dedication helps protect our shared heritage.
"It has been a fascinating process developing this plan in conjunction with the County Kildare Heritage Forum and following on from the wider consultation process with the public,” said Mr Wyer.
“The five strategic objectives and the 60 identified actions provide a clear roadmap to identifying where heritage needs support, or where we need to find out more about a heritage issue or where we need to promote it better.
“The heritage and nature team in Kildare County Council will be working closely with the people of Kildare on implementing these actions and we are excited to be involved in this process".
