Sligo County Council is inviting everyone to have their say on the Draft County Sligo Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy 2023 -2030.
Council invites submissions on Draft County Sligo Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy
PJ O’Neill (Moygara Castle Conservation Ltd.) Veronika Zemska (Stone Art Conservation) and Grellan Rourke (Blackwood Associates) inspecting conservation works to the west gate of Moygara Castle, funded under the Community Monuments Fund.
With the deadline for submissions fast approaching (Wednesday 9th August) Sligo County Council is inviting everyone with an interest in the built, natural and cultural heritage of the county to have their say on the Draft County Sligo Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy 2023 -2030.
The draft Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy has been developed by Sligo County Council working with the members of Sligo Heritage Forum. Sligo Heritage Forum is a heritage partnership between local government, state agencies, development agencies, educational institutions, farming organisations, education and training agencies and the heritage community and voluntary sector. All with an active interest in or responsibility for Sligo's heritage.
The draft Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy has been informed by the results of previous Heritage Plans for the county and pre-draft consultation undertaken with key stakeholders and the local community in March 2023. The draft Sligo Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy seeks to establish an ambitious vision for the management and conservation of our built, natural and cultural heritage in the changing context of the climate and biodiversity crisis.
The national heritage landscape has changed significantly in the last few years particularly with the publication of the new National Heritage Plan - Heritage Ireland 2030 - and the current preparation of a new - National Biodiversity Action Plan – for Ireland. The draft Strategy has considered these and how it can best reflect these changes at county level.
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr. Gerard Mullaney outlined that;
‘It’s important to acknowledge the excellent work of the heritage sector and local communities in caring for Sligo’s heritage resources. Heritage is so important for Sligo’s identity and for the sense of place and pride it provides within local communities. I am encouraging everyone with an interest in the built, natural and cultural heritage of County Sligo to make a submission on the draft Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy and to consider what they can do to support its implementation in the coming years.’
Cllr. Donal Gilroy, Chair of Sligo Heritage Forum added;
‘I would like to acknowledge and thank the members of Sligo Heritage Forum and the Heritage Office, Sligo County Council for their work in preparing the draft Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy for Sligo. We are casting a wide net in this draft consultation and are encouraging everyone in the county to join in the conversation about what heritage means to them and to get involved in shaping the draft Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy for the county.’
The draft strategy aims to inspire our community to know, value and care for Sligo’s unique heritage and biodiversity and to increase awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of our shared inheritance for all.
Four strategic themes have been established to facilitate structured heritage development and to articulate the strategic areas of focus, which will guide the delivery of the County Sligo Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy 2023-2030:
- Raise awareness of Sligo’s heritage and biodiversity
- Promote best practice in heritage management
- Support community participation in heritage plans and projects
- Commission research and collect heritage data
For each strategic theme, a number of key priorities have been identified to guide action in support of the delivery of the County Sligo Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy 2023-2030.
Submissions on the Draft County Sligo Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy 2023-2030 are invited via any of the three options below:
Online: By making a submission online via the Consult Sligo website at https://consult.sligococo.ie
By email: By sending a submission to the Heritage Office, Sligo County Council at heritage@sligococo.ie
By post: By addressing a submission to Siobhán Ryan, Heritage Officer, Sligo County Council, Heritage Office, Sligo County Council, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo, F91 PP44.
All submissions by email or post shall be clearly marked ‘Submission – Draft County Sligo Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy 2023-2030’.
Please note that all submissions received by Sligo County Council will be made available to the public. Please do not include personal, confidential, or other sensitive information in submissions.
The closing date for submissions is 4pm, Wednesday 9th August 2023.
