Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
244. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way in which a town can gain designation as a heritage town or gain heritage status; the process by which a town can apply to be a part of the historic towns initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17149/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Historic Towns Initiative (HTI) is a joint undertaking between my Department and the Heritage Council which aims to promote the heritage-led regeneration of Ireland’s historic towns. This initiative includes works to significant historic buildings, streetscape conservation and the public realm and demonstrates the effective way that heritage can be used to regenerate urban centres.
The internationally recognised practice of heritage-led regeneration shows that heritage can be used to create a desirable place where people can live, visit and do business. It brings economic benefits to enable our historic towns to prosper through increased visitor numbers and decreased numbers of vacant buildings and commercial premises. The towns are selected following a competitive process inviting each local authority to apply in respect of one historic town with an indicative minimum population of 1,500 inhabitants. Priority is given to projects that are ‘plan-led’ and likely to make a meaningful contribution to the heritage-led regeneration of the town. Full details on how to apply for the HTI are available on the Heritage Council’s website.
The Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, along with the Heritage Council, recently announced funding of €1 million, to be shared by six towns under the 2020 programme. These towns are
- Tralee, Co Kerry
- Ramelton, Co Donegal
- Ballina, Co Mayo
- Roscommon, Co Roscommon.
- Sligo, Co Sligo
- Clones, Co Monaghan.
While almost all Irish towns are historic in origin, including those of medieval and pre-medieval foundation, plantation towns, planned estate towns and those established around local industries there is no formal process in my Department by which towns can apply for designation as a ‘heritage town’. understand that in 1991, Bord Fáilte proposed a Heritage Town Programme to transform some of Ireland’s historic towns into tourist attractions in their own right and a total of 34 towns were originally designated as heritage towns under that programme. I also understand that a small number of the towns continue to market themselves under the brand of ‘heritage town’ although Fáilte Ireland is no longer involved in such designation either.
