The last five years have been a period of significant growth for both the heritage sector and the Heritage Council. During this time, annual exchequer funding for heritage has increased from €97.6m to €267.8m. Research undertaken by the Heritage Council estimates that the heritage sector now contributes €4.9 billion to Ireland’s annual economic output.
The increased resources have allowed the Heritage Council to initiate new programmes, grant schemes and policies. They have also enabled us to carry out new and crucial research into the sector, the findings of which can be seen in the infographics below, and have positioned the Heritage Council’s as leaders within the sector.
This unprecedented period of growth and change has resulted in a more ambitious Heritage Council and heritage sector. The contents on this page are a reflection of how that ambition might manifest into the future.
We have identified five priorities for the heritage sector which if implemented, would represent a significant advancement in our mission of heritage protection and access.
1. Maintain a unified Heritage Unit led by a dedicated Minister for Heritage
The appointment of a junior Minister for Heritage in 2020 marked a turning point for heritage protection in Ireland, leading to a 174% increase in funding, significant staffing boosts, and strengthened legal frameworks.
These accomplishments were supported also by the cohesive structure of heritage functions and aegis bodies within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. e.g. the Heritage Council, the Build Heritage Services Unit, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, National Monuments Service, local government etc.
To continue building on these achievements, it is essential to retain a dedicated Minister for Heritage, and to remain within a cohesive government structure.
2. Review The Heritage Act, 1995
The Heritage Council recently commissioned a comprehensive behaviour and attitudes survey to determine public sentiment towards heritage. One of the most interesting statistics to emerge was that 68% of people believe strongly that we need to protect our heritage, compared with 46% in 1999. This is an uplifting mandate in relation to heritage management, protection and promotion.
However, Ireland has transformed in the thirty years since the 1995 Act was passed. Areas such as biodiversity, heritage at risk from climate change, multicultural heritage, oral heritage and intangible cultural heritage have grown in significance since then.
To be able to deliver on public expectations two actions are required:
- The current definition of heritage needs to be updated to incorporate the current international thinking and best practice about what constitutes heritage in contemporary society.
- The Heritage Council’s role should be strengthened to award it a statutory function in providing evidence-based, independent, policy advice and assessments to the government.
3. Create Heritage Teams in Local Authorities
Local authorities play a key role in the implementation of legislation relating to heritage. This includes water and environmental protection, climate change, planning, and the implementation of Heritage Ireland 2030, Housing for All, Town Centre First and other government policies.
We need to resource local authorities with a full complement of heritage professionals. These teams would be comprised of professionally qualified archivists, architectural conservation officers, archaeologists, curators and other specialist roles where relevant including a marine and coastal heritage officer, or community heritage officer.
A long-term commitment to resource these teams will be a gamechanger for heritage and will mainstream best practice in heritage management across the country.
4. Build a National Centre of Excellence for Traditional Skills
There is a growing shortage of skilled craftsmen and women who specialise in traditional building methods. Research undertaken by the Heritage Council also revealed a lack of existing training in traditional skills (thatching, joinery, masonry, lime mortaring etc.) and an absence of young people upskilling in vital trades.
Unlike other European countries, Ireland does not have a centre of excellence for traditional skills to address these issues.
We need to build a Centre of Excellence in Ireland to train new practitioners, bridge the gap in expertise and ensure that heritage conservation projects have access to the necessary skills, and ensure that these skills are passed down to future generations.
5. Set up a Heritage Research Unit in the Heritage Council
The heritage sector in Ireland engages in a very limited way in evaluation of its work or assessment of its impact.
Research and evaluation is needed to enable evidence-based decision-making, impact measurement, and trend assessments. This is crucial for understanding the contribution heritage makes to identity, the economy, wellbeing, and community empowerment, and for understanding the heritage sector’s composition, capacity, and future challenges.
The establishment of a heritage research unit (to be named ‘The Heritage Counts Unit’) in the Heritage Council has the potential to revolutionise our approach to how we view and resource our heritage sector.
Our Vision for the Future
A more comprehensive overview of our proposals is available in ‘Our Vision for the Future’ document.