Vol. 285 No. 3
asked the Minister for Local Government if by way of a tabular statement he will indicate the steps that have been taken to ensure the success of the European Architectural Heritage Year; and if he has any proposals for securing improvements in legislation or other measures with this objective in view.
27.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he proposes to encourage citizens to take an active interest in the preservation of the historical monuments and cultural features in their town and communities with a view to maintaining and nurturing the architectural cultural heritage as part of the country's national identity; and if he will protect and assist the preservation of these monuments.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.
As I have indicated in previous replies to the Deputy, the co-ordination of activities in connection with European Architectural Heritage Year was entrusted by me to the National Committee which I set up in June, 1973. I am not sure what kind of tabular statement the Deputy seeks but, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report a list of activities sponsored by or organised in association with the National Committee.
An allocation of £30,000 over a three year period was provided to finance the activities of the National Committee. I am also sponsoring a film on the architectural heritage entitled—"Places for People" the premiere of which will be held shortly. As regards legislation, the Local Government (Planning and Development) Bill, 1973, the Report Stage of which will be taken shortly, strengthens the powers of planning authorities in relation to the preservation of buildings and structures of architectural, historical and artistic interest. The activities undertaken at national and local level during the year evidence the interest of the general public in the architectural heritage. I am confident that this interest will be maintained.
Following is the statement:
European Architectural Heritage Year, 1975.
List of activities sponsored by or organised in association with the National Committee.
The Irish campaign to mark European Architectural Heritage Year has involved a wide cross-section of the community in activities either directly or indirectly marking the year. These may be summarised as follows:
Seminars: The series of seminars organised by An Foras Forbartha and the Institution of Engineers of Ireland which was commenced in December, 1974, was completed. The second seminar "The Parameters of Choice" was held in Cork on 4-6 February, and the concluding seminar "Maintaining the Heritage" in Dún Laoghaire on 2-3 April.
Éigse Uladh '75 (7-9 March) organised by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, concentrated on Irish architecture and featured the Europa Nostra Exhibition, two showings of the film "Janus" and exhibited some work by the architectural students in Bolton Street.
Féile na Máighe was held in Kilmallock this year (24-27 April) and had EAHY-75 as its theme. The Europa Nostra Exhibition was on display with the award-winning entries in the schools competition "Fine Buildings and their People". A booklet "Old Kilmallock" by Mainchín Seoighe was published to mark the event.
Schools: The judging and presentation of awards in the two major schools competitions "Fine Buildings and their People" and "New Look" took place during February, March and April. The former attracted entries from 275 groups of children aged 10 to 14 and approximately 300 children submitted entries in the "New Look" competition. His Excellency the President presented the awards in both competitions.
A special award to mark EAHY-75 was made in the Young Scientist of the Year Exhibition and was won by a Cork school.
Students: The students of UCD are preparing a wall-sheet on Irish architecture which it is hoped will be useful in schools. Preliminary work has been carried out but the project will not be completed until later in 1975.
The students of Bolton Street are preparing a booklet illustrating the types of vernacular building of historic and architectural interest which is being sponsored by the National Committee and published later this year.
Exhibitions: The RIAI opened in October an exhibition of architectural drawings spanning 200 years in the National Gallery, Merrion Square.
Competitions: The RIAI award scheme for works of restoration on old buildings and modern buildings which harmonise with older environments has been held.
The Irish Concrete Society held a national competition as part of a European competition organised by Cembureau. Six Irish entries went forward to the international competition.
A competition was organised by the National Committee for projects carried out by local authorities, voluntary organisations and individuals.
Winners were: Floodlighting of the historic buildings in Trim; Kildare Market House and Square; Grand Canal Hotel, Robertstown; St. Catherine's, Dublin; Village Improvement Scheme in Tyrellspass, Co. Westmeath.
A selection of the Irish entries is going forward to the European competition.
An award scheme for journalists has been in operation since January in which an award will be made for the best article published during each of the first six months of the year. The competition is sponsored by the National Committee in association with the National Union of Journalists.
Bord Fáilte's special EAHY-75 award in its 1975 Tidy Towns Competition was presented to Tyrellspass on 12th March. An architect has been engaged by Bord Fáilte to survey the village and make recommendations on conservation and improvement.
A national amateur movie-makers competition for films on architectural conservation has been run by the Carlow Amateur Movie-makers in association with the National Committee as sponsors.
Projects: Work is continuing on the two national projects in Holycross village and St. John's Square, Limerick as part of the European Programme of Pilot Projects. Two of the projects included in the Irish programme have been completed. Kilmessan Church was formally opened by the Minister for Local Government and in Wexford the refurbishing of the Old Town Hall for use as a picture gallery has been completed. Problems and difficulties have arisen with a number of the projects but this fact alone provides interest by indentifying various obstacles to conservation work. A report on projects is to be published in November.
Lectures: The Royal Dublin Society marked EAHY-75 in January by presenting two illustrated lectures by the Hon. Desmond Guinness entitled "The Preservation of Buildings in Ireland throughout the ages".
In February RTE broadcast a series of three Thomas Davis lectures to mark EAHY-75 under the title "Builders and Buildings". The lectures were given by Messrs E. McParland, K. Fox and P. Shaffrey.
A number of other lectures have been given in schools, teachers' centres and to local groups around the country.
Irish Architecture—A Future for Our Heritage: This publication by the National Committee which was prepared by the architecture and planning sub-committee was formally launched in January. There is a continuing demand for the booklet which is available to the public free of charge.
Janus: Following the formal presentation of the film by Rank Xerox Ltd. to the Minister for Local Government, a private preview was given to representatives of the Press and members of the National Committee in January. Since then it has been shown at seminars, meetings, Limerick's Civic Week in March, Castlebar's Community Week and in a few schools.
Publications: The National Committee is assisting with two books which will be published during 1975. These are "The Irish Town—An approach to Survival" by P. Shaffrey (O'Brien Press) and "Portrait of Cork" by T.F. McNamara (Mercier Press). It has also agreed to contribute towards the cost of a publication by the Architectural Association of Ireland.
A book relevant to the year by Brian de Breffini entitled "The Houses of Ireland" was published in March, 1975, and other books due to be published are "Irish Vernacular Architecture" by Dr. K. Danaher and "Ireland's Architectural Heritage" by Professor M.J. McDermot. Two reports by sub-committees of the National Committee dealing with pilot projects and legal, financial and administrative problems will be published in November.
Council of Europe: The National Committee was represented by the secretary at the seventh meeting of the international organising committee held in Amsterdam in March. On behalf of the National Committee he welcomed the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe during his recent visit to Dublin when the importance of publicly acknowledging the initiating and organising role of the Council of Europe in EAHY-75 was stressed.
Sundry: Bord Fáilte has presented copies of an EAHY-75 poster to the National Committee which is distributing copies to members of the public on request.
Both the provincial and the Dublin editions of the 1975 Golden Pages Telephone Directory have been issued and feature the EAHY-75 theme on the front and back covers.
The Department of Education circularised secondary schools with a list of text books on the architectural heritage suitable for the teaching of civics.
The Irish Railway Record Society has prepared material for a special touring exhibition to mark EAHY-75. During September this exhibition was on Display in Cork and Limerick, and opens in Dublin in early October.
The National Committee had a stand at the RDS for the Horse Show which was most successful.
A series of six television programmes are to be transmitted by RTE during the autumn.
A lecture and film show was organised for the Irish Girls' Brigade and presented on 20th September, 1975.
The formal opening of Holycross Abbey took place on 5th October, 1975.
EAHY-75 commemorative stamps were issued by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs on 6th October. (5p, 6p, 7p and 9p).
From 29th September to 8th October, Dublin Corporation organised, in conjunction with a number of organisations and public bodies represented on the corporation's architectural heritage year committee, a comprehensive exhibition in the Mansion House on the architectural heritage of the city. The exhibition included lectures, walks and a seminar on the theme "The Changing City".
The Department of Local Government film—"Places for People" will be shown during the Amsterdam conference and will have its Irish premiere early in November.
An Foras Forbartha plan a series of technical "workshops" for conservation experts and a series of evening lectures for a wider audience.
A national conference to conclude the activities of the year will be held in Knappogue Castle, County Clare on 18th-19th November.
I take it the Minister's statement includes all the buildings that were allegedly done specifically for architectural heritage year. I want this because I know a lot of this is bluff. Some of the buildings which were claimed for the architectural heritage year were completed before the year started.
That is not true.
It is true.
I cannot say it is a lie but it is not true. We have too much of this chancing of the arm over there.
Cahir Castle for example. I opened Cahir Castle.
Deputy Lemass is not stating facts. He says we are listing things which were finished before architectural heritage year.
That is the way it appears to me.
Question No. 28.
Is Cahir Castle on the list?
The Deputy can look at it when he gets it.
Who is telling the truth now? Is it on the list or is it not?
I must ask Deputy MacSharry to restrain himself.
There is no doubt about the fact that I will tell the truth. We have proved that before.
Cahir Castle is on the list and the Minister will not admit it.
