Draft Westmeath Heritage Plan 2024-2030

DRAFT HERITAGE PLAN 2024 - 2030

Introduction:

A new Heritage Plan is being prepared for Westmeath. The Plan will set out a framework for the work of Westmeath County Council Heritage Office, in partnership with

groups and agencies, to deliver heritage projects within the County.

The Westmeath Heritage Plan 2024-2030 will be the fourth Heritage Plan for Westmeath. It aims to build on the achievements of the previous plans and is written in the context of the national Heritage Plan, Heritage Ireland 2030, and the Heritage Council Strategic Plan 2023- 2028 ‘Our Place in Time’.

Review of the Westmeath Heritage Plan 2018–2023

Progress has been made on implementing most of the actions of the Heritage Plan and many actions are on-going.

examples of projects that have been carried out to date include;

• Management of Invasive Alien Species at Belvedere House, Gardens and Park

• Audit of Geological Heritage sites in Westmeath

• Swift Survey

• Barn Owl Survey & Conservation Measures

• Wetlands Survey (desktop and field survey)

• Survey of Industrial Heritage

• Training in best practice management and recording of historic graveyards

• Conservation works to Athlone Town Wall; The Old Gaol in Fore;

Kilbixy Leper Hospital, Killefree Church in Castlepollard and St Owen’s

Church in Ballymore

• Conservation Plans have been prepared for Court Devenish House in

Athlone, St Feichin’s Bath and Mill, Fore; Killare Church and graveyard,

Templecross Church, Griffinstown Church and Graveyard

• Draft Conservation Management Plans have been prepared for

Belvedere House Gardens and Park and the Hill of Uisneach

• Digital Interpretation of the Bronze Age Trackway in Mayne

• Lidar Survey of Hill of Uisneach

• Training in Oral History & An audit of Oral Heritage Recordings

• Westmeath Field Names Recording Project

*A full review of the Actions of Westmeath Heritage Plan 2018-2023 and links to related project reports is provided in Appendix 2 of the Draft Westmeath Heritage Plan 2024-2030

Consultation sessions on the Draft Westmeath Heritage Plan:

Tues 5^th Sept 6pm -7pm - Mullingar Library (Creative Space)

Fri 8^th Sept 2:30 – 3:30pm - Kilbeggan Library

Mon 11^th Sept 7pm - Zoom Meeting – register your interest in attendance heritage@westmeathcoco.ie and the meeting link will be emailed to you  

Tues 12^th Sept 6:30-7:30pm - Athlone Library

Thurs 14^th Sept 6:30-7:30pm - Castlepollard Library

Consultation

The consultation period on the Draft Westmeath Heritage Plan 2024-2030 will close on 15^th September 2023

Written submissions:

When making a submission please state what group (if any) you represent.

Submissions can also be made via email: heritage@westmeathcoco.ie and  post to; The Heritage Office, Áras an Chontae, Mullingar, Co Westmeath

If you would like  more information on the process please email heritage@westmeathcoco.ie

Please click here to view the Westmeath Heritage Plan 2018-2023

Please click here to view Heritage Project Reports