What is Heritage?

Our heritage comprises of:

Built or Tangible

Our historical sites, buildings, monuments, objects in museums, artefacts and archives.

Built heritage refers to human-made structures, such as historic buildings, sites, and monuments, that reflect a society’s historical, artistic, architectural, or technological achievements.

Natural 

Our waterways, landscapes, woodlands, bogs, uplands, native wildlife, insects, plants, trees, birds and animals .

Natural heritage refers to a region’s biodiversity, geodiversity, and natural features—such as landscapes, seascapes, waterways, woodlands, bogs, uplands, habitats, and native wildlife, including plants, insects, birds, and animals

Cultural/Intangible

Our traditions, customs, beliefs and values, sports, music, dance, literature, folklore, crafts and skills. 

Heritage is important because ...

In helping shape our identity, our heritage becomes part of what we are. Our expression of this identity shows others what we value; it highlights our values and priorities.

Our heritage provides clues to our past and how our society has evolved. It helps us examine our history and traditions and enables us to develop an awareness of ourselves. It helps us understand and explain why we are the way we are.

Heritage is a keystone of our culture that plays an important role in our politics, society, business, and world view. It informs, influences and inspires public debate and policy both directly and indirectly.

Preserving (our) heritage is important because...

A local heritage project can be much more than just preserving and protecting artefacts of the past.

An important part of the Heritage Council’s work is to encourage local communities to take responsibility for and participate in the development and conservation of their heritage.

Projects to enhance local heritage have the potential to re-energise neglected areas and provide opportunities for local people to re-view, re-engage with and re-interpret their heritage.

Such projects help generate a greater sense of pride and belonging in the local area through increased participation...and sheer enjoyment!

Crucially, maintaining and enhancing our heritage provides a basis for local economic development and innovation in tourism, agriculture, entertainment, education and business generally.

Tourism

Ireland’s heritage is world-renowned, the heart of the Irish tourism industry, attracting overseas visitors and bringing investment into local economies.

Cultural tourism and activity holidays in our natural landscapes and countryside continue to grow, outperforming all other tourism sectors.

Agriculture

The quality of our natural heritage is at the core of our quality agricultural produce. We rely on healthy ecosystems for nutrition and food security, clean air and fresh water.

Heritage is fragile, it delivers so much in terms of important human experience and enjoyment. It enriches our lives, allows us to define ourselves but needs constant protection and development.

It is essential that the significance of our heritage is acknowledged by government and reflected in appropriate and reformed structures and increased funding.

This will ensure that the best elements of our heritage will be passed on to our children and their children in turn.