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Cork County Council’s Historic Monuments Advisory Committee and Heritage Unit recently hosted an information session and presentation on the Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023

Cork County Council’s Historic Monuments Advisory Committee (HMAC) hosted a morning seminar in County Hall which was attended by over 100 people from all over the Country. The presentation was an initiative of the County archaeologist Annette Quinn who invited experts from the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to present an overview of the newly enacted Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 to interested parties. Talkers included Sean Kirwan and Connie Kelleher from the National Monuments Service. The seminar was attended by other Local Authority archaeologists and conservation officers. The majority of attendees were archaeologists from the private sector. Dr Fergal Donoghue of Archaeological Management Solutions (AMS) also spoke on the Town Walls of County Cork GIS project, another initiative of the Cork County archaeologist Annette Quinn.

The event was an invaluable platform for stakeholders to engage with experts and gain a deeper understanding of the proposed changes to heritage protection in Ireland.

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Celebrating Cork Past 2024

[Update from Celebrating Cork Past Committee]:

Celebrating Cork Past 2024, takes place this year on Friday 22 November from 14:00 to 17:00 in the County Hall, Carrigrohane Road.

The afternoon will see a celebration of the fantastic work of Cork’s heritage and historical groups and societies in 2024 - city and county – with a presentation highlighting many key projects and achievements and there will also be an update from the Celebrating Cork Past Committee regarding recent heritage trajectories from the local to national level including various initiatives and schemes, etc.

The Celebrating Cork Past Committee endeavours to recognise and honour the wonderful heritage work being undertaken by groups throughout the city and county, and there will be a number of awards on the day in recognition of this work.

With this in mind, you are cordially invited to attend on the day, whether you are a local heritage/historical group/society or simply someone with a keen interest in the heritage of Cork, city and county combined. To indicate your interest in participating on the day, please email Committee Chairperson Richard T. Cooke (richardtcooke@yahoo.com as well as the Cork County Heritage Office (corkheritage@corkcoco.ie) by Friday 25 October 2024.

Thank you to those groups who have already registered and entered in this year's awards and all heritage groups in Cork are encouraged to participate, either by being present on the day or by applying for the awards.

Details of projects being entered in this year’s awards, and which will be included in the Celebrating Cork Past 2024 Presentation, must also be submitted by Friday 25 October 2024, to the aforementioned email addresses. Projects can be of a varied nature, from local historical journals and series of events to local exhibitions, physical projects or video documentaries/podcasts. Best projects will be announced on the day.

Celebrating Cork Past 2024 promises to be a most memorable occasion for heritage groups throughout the city and county to meet one another and highlight to one and all, what they are about, what pride they take in their local place and all the heritage it encompasses.

The Celebrating Cork Past Committee looks forward to hearing from you.

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Future Proofing History: Plans for a New Guide to County Cork's Commemorative Landscape

A uniquely future orientated reflection of County Cork’s rich historical past is set to commence with the announcement that Cork County Council will develop a comprehensive guide to commemorations from 2025 to 2040. The initiative is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media.

Mac Conmara Heritage Consulting will develop the guide, which will serve as a resource for documenting, understanding, and celebrating the memorial landscape across the county. Through a process of public consultation and community engagement, it will offer insights into how historical and contemporary events may be remembered in the years to come.

Welcoming the initiative, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll, said "This guide will become an essential tool for locals, visitors, historians, and cultural enthusiasts alike, offering a supportive resource for memorials, monuments, and commemorations throughout Cork for the next fifteen years. I am confident that this project will enrich County Cork’s commemorative and cultural legacy and will ensure that our commemorative landscape continues to inspire and educate future generations."

Renowned as experts in the field of cultural heritage, Mac Conmara Heritage Consulting will work closely with historians, local heritage, and community groups to map out County Cork’s rich commemorative landscape. The consultancy, led by historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara, has a proven record of preserving and interpreting Ireland’s history.

While the project will be largely informed by the results of public consultation, highlights will include a focus on the centenary of key events such as the Irish revolutionary period, with updates to historical sites like Béal na Bláth, Kilmichael amongst others.

The cultural legacy of the county will be a central theme with suggestions on how to honour the county’s creative writers, artists, poets, and musicians. These may include sculptures, murals, public art, bursaries, or festivals, which will ensure the county’s cultural heritage is celebrated for years to come. The county’s inextricable connection with the Irish diaspora through places such as Cobh will also be a focal point, presenting opportunities to build on County Cork’s connection to the global Irish community.

Over the coming months, community consultation will be undertaken to ensure that the guide is reflective of the broader opinions in the county. An online digital survey will also invite members of the public to contribute ideas on what they believe should be commemorated.

If you are a local heritage or community group, or an individual who wants to suggest a commemoration for inclusion, email commemorations@corkcoco.ie for more information. The completed guide is scheduled for release in 2025.

Further information on the project is available via:

https://heritage.heritagecork.org/.../county-cork....

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Budget 2025 as it relates to Heritage - Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

With regard to investment in Heritage, Minister of State Noonan stressed that the 2025 allocation, an increase of 12% on current funding and 11% on core capital , was a confirmation of the Government’s ongoing commitment to the conservation and management of Ireland’s heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.

Welcoming a Budget 2025 allocation of €172m for Heritage, he explained: “The Government has today continued its unprecedented investment in nature and heritage, with a record €172m – an increase of 11.5% on last year. This funding includes a record €78m for the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This will enable us to expand our investment in the protection and restoration of our National Parks and Nature Reserves, implement conservation measures in our most precious places for nature, support vulnerable habitats and species in the wider countryside, tackle wildlife crime, and continue the transformation of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Crucially, it will underpin the enormous effort underway to prepare a national Nature Restoration Plan.

“Today’s allocation will also allow us to increase support for the conservation of our archaeological and built heritage through the hugely impactful Community Monuments Fund, Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund, including conservation advice grants to help bring vacant traditional buildings back into residential use.

“I am also pleased to announce that today’s package includes funding to help us progress Ireland’s bid to have sites on the World Heritage tentative list placed on the UNESCO World Heritage site list”.

Other Heritage priorities funded by Budget 2024 include:

• Investing in the protection and restoration of Ireland's National Parks and Nature Reserves.

• Increasing investment in high nature-value habitats that support a range of vulnerable species.

• Building on our capacity in nature protection and law enforcement to tackle wildlife crime.

• Meeting our EU and International obligations under European Directives and international commitments.

• A 13% Increase in funding the Heritage Council to expand its range of heritage sectoral supports and capacity building, including in relation to the National Biodiversity Data Centre and extend its grant schemes, public engagement programmes, and research, policy, and education initiatives.

• Continuing the implementation of Heritage Ireland 2030, Ireland’s heritage plan and Programme for Government commitments.

• A 15% increase in operational funding for the National Monuments and National Built Heritage Services to record, conserve, and promote our archaeological and built heritage.

• Extending the roll-out of professional heritage positions in Local Authorities to support the protection, management, and promotion of heritage assets under Local Authority control (Heritage Council).

• Maintaining and invest in waterways through Waterways Ireland and support and investing in cross-border initiatives under Shared Island and NDNA, such as the Ulster Canal and the Narrow Water Bridge.

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Budget 2025 for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and the Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, today (2 October) announced details of €1,271,989,000 in funding allocated to the Department in Budget 2025 which will see increases across all areas with a total 6% rise across the Department.

Funding for 2025 is increasing for all areas under the Department while supports for agencies in sectors continue to grow. This follows record funding in recent years which saw the overall budget for the Department since 2019 increasing by 58%. Budget 2025 will enable backing for new strategies and schemes in Tourism and Media, while additional funds will help further grow the Arts, the Gaeltacht and Sport.

Minister Catherine Martin said: “My Department oversees sectors that have a tremendous impact across the whole of society. These areas have seen massive growth in recent years, and with that growth have come massive challenges. Throughout my term as Minister, it has been a priority of mine to ensure that these challenges can be responded to, by building resilience, embedding sustainability, and ensuring that we have capacity across the board.

“Budget 2025 maintains and increases funding across a wide range of key initiatives. For artists and arts workers, we have retained the world-leading Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme with a further allocation of €35 million for 2025. While a Government decision will be required on the future of the scheme when this three-year pilot comes to an end in 2025, I have made my own views on the importance of retaining and expanding the scheme very clear. The Arts Council will receive record funding again in 2025, increased now to €140 million, and support continues for Culture Ireland and Creative Ireland.

“The new 8% uplift under Section 481 for feature film productions with budgets of up to €20 million is very good news for the industry and sends out a strong international message that aligns with and bolsters our infrastructure, facilities, experienced crews, creative talent and beautiful scenery. The separate new tax credit for unscripted productions, which is subject to European Commission approval is also welcomed. The credit will be available at a rate of 20% on qualifying expenditure of up to €15 million and projects will be required to pass a cultural test.

“Ireland’s visual effects (VFX) sector is highly regarded internationally. I welcome Minister Chambers’ signal that his Department will examine opportunities for incentives for its growth over the coming year.

“The tourism sector has been through severe challenges in recent years, and funding of over €226 million in 2025 will build and sustain core capacity in the industry. This allocation will support the work of Fáilte Ireland on enhancing the tourist experience and assisting tourism businesses in Ireland through work in areas such as festivals, digital transformation, and sustainability. It will also assist Tourism Ireland in marketing Ireland overseas as a compelling visitor destination. Tourism Ireland estimate that for every €1 invested in overseas marketing, about €25 comes back to the economy from overseas visitors’ spend on the ground in Ireland.

“These measures are coupled with the new €170 million Power Up Grant, announced by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and consisting of a flat grant of €4,000 for commercially rateable premises in the retail and hospitality sectors. This will support the hospitality sector to deal with increased energy costs in recent years, in particular electricity costs.

“The importance of supporting a healthy media sector is also reflected by the increased allocations I have secured in Budget 2025. In addition to the €4 million for new Media Fund schemes which was already agreed in the summer, €6 million will be provided for news and current affairs content, ring-fenced for the commercial radio and TV sector. This will be done through the Sound and Vision scheme and will be the first time news and current affairs are to be included. I will include the necessary legal underpinning for the change in legislation that I will bring to Government shortly, following which Coimisiún na Meán will develop the detailed Scheme. The measure will also be subject to State Aid approval by the European Commission.

“Budget 2025 also reaffirms our commitment to progressively support our public service broadcasters, RTÉ and TG4. TG4’s total funding has been increased to €60 million, a total increase of almost €23 million or 61% since I began my term in 2020. This will consolidate the provision of high quality Irish language content, including the continued development of Irish language children’s programming and film and drama production. It is also central to the successful delivery of the Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. The Department will work with TG4 and Coimisiún na Meán to further realise its strategic plan over the coming years. As was previously announced, combined public funding of €225 million will be provided to RTÉ to enable it commence the roll-out of its new strategy and continue to serve Irish audiences with impartial news and current affairs, and high quality content across all genres.

“Since taking office as Minister, I have delivered significant increases in support for all of the sectors under the remit of my Department, including for Culture and the Arts, as well as unprecedented funding for diversity and inclusion in Sport. I have also ensured that the Irish language, and the Gaeltacht as its beating heart, have been supported to levels never seen before – as demonstrated by the 48% increase in funding for the sector since 2020.

“Each of the measures announced today will continue to strengthen and support the sectors of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in 2025 and beyond.”

Minister Thomas Byrne said: “In relation to the Gaeltacht and the Irish language, Budget 2024 saw us, for the first time ever, break the €100 million mark in funding. Budget 2025 sees a further increase to €107 million to support the sector. This increase will allow us to move forward with the delivery of both the Digital Plan for the Irish Language and the Strategy for the Language-based Arts, while also investing in the provision of youth services in the Gaeltacht in order to further strengthen the language planning process.

“At present, the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2024 is making its way through the Houses of the Oireachtas and I can confirm that Údarás na Gaeltachta will receive increased funding of €1.9 million under Budget 2025, to further develop employment opportunities for the people of the Gaeltacht. This is fundamental in maintaining Irish as the spoken language of these communities.”

Key highlights of Budget 2024

Tourism

The Department’s Tourism Services programme aims to support the tourism industry to recover and grow in a sustainable way.

• Budget 2025 has maintained the substantial support that the Government has provided over the last number of years to the tourism sector. Last year’s once-off allocation of current funding is now mainstreamed and will allow the tourism agencies to continue their valuable work in supporting the sector

• The Tourism Marketing Fund allocation of €61.4 million will support Tourism Ireland’s major marketing campaigns overseas. These campaigns support the extension of the tourism season and regional growth, and include a new sustainability campaign

• Budget 2025 also includes a specific allocation of €3.2 million to support tourism businesses, including a new Business Events Strategy; additional funding under the Regional Cooperative Access Scheme to encourage new access and maximise the potential of existing services to the regions; and funding to support the tourism agencies to continue to develop and promote Ireland as the Home of Halloween

• 2025 will also see a continuation of Government capital support for the development and enhancement of the tourism product. €36.5 million in capital funding is allocated to Fáilte Ireland to continue its work in this area and on new projects.

Arts and Culture

The Department’s Arts and Culture programme aims to promote and develop Ireland’s world class artistic and creative strengths at home and abroad, maximising their societal and economic value for the country, and supporting Arts and the entertainment sector to develop and grow.

• Record funding for the Arts Council of €140 million will enable further investment in programmes for young people and children, as well as additional support for artist, venues, and production companies

• Increased support for Culture Ireland, resulting in the highest ever allocation of €8 million in 2025, will empower more Irish artists to launch and develop their careers on an international stage

• Screen Ireland 2025 allocation of over €40.85 million will provide for talent development and retention across the sector, following Ireland’s successes on the global stage over the last year

• The Basic Income for the Arts Scheme, launched in 2022, has funding of €35 million in 2025. The scheme is funded beyond the end of the three-year pilot in August, providing flexibility for successor support

• Further support for Creative Ireland, to underpin the Department’s commitment to building for a better future through supporting participation in creative cultural activity

• Increased support for the National Cultural Institutions, with an additional €3.8 million, including pay, to enhance their core programme, learning and outreach activities

• An allocation of €2.5 million to support the ongoing development of our Night-Time Economy. This allocation will support the 9 Night-Time Advisors across the country and a new grant scheme to support small, grassroots venues which are so important in generating vibrancy and cultural diversity in our night-time economy

• €2 million in capital funding over the next three years for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for refurbishment of the organisation’s regional and outreach centres

Gaeltacht

The aim of the Department’s Gaeltacht programme is to support the Irish Language and to further strengthen its use as the principal community language of the Gaeltacht.

• Increased investment of €1.9m in Údarás na Gaeltachta to sustain and expand funding schemes and to capitalise on opportunities in the green economy in Gaeltacht areas

• Continued investment of over €1.5m to support delivery of the provisions of the Strategy for the Language-Based Arts

• Funding of nearly €2m for the delivery of the Digital Plan for the Irish language and for the roll-out of expanded youth services in the Gaeltacht at an estimated annual cost of over €1m.

• Increased funding of over €1.5m for the development of Irish Language and Cultural Centres across the whole island.

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Budget 2025 for Department of Rural and Community Development

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State, Joe O’Brien TD, have announced a Budget package worth €472 million for 2025.

The funding provided to the Department will breathe new life into towns and villages and support the development of rural and urban communities throughout the country.

Demonstrating the Government’s continued commitment to ‘Our Rural Future, the Department’s Rural Development programme has over €212 million in funding available, which will be delivered through a range of vital schemes. These include the Rural Regeneration and Development Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and LEADER. Additional funding will be provided for the Local Improvement Scheme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and CLÁR, bringing their funding levels to €15 million, €20 million, and €11 million respectively in 2025.

Funding increases for the Department’s work in relation to islands are also included, with total funding increasing to €16 million, covering capital investment and the provision of transport services to our offshore islands.

€260 million is available for the Department’s Community Development Programmes, including the work of the Charities Regulatory Authority. The two main schemes in this area, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, and the Community Services Programme, will have combined core funding of over €100 million for 2025. This funding will support the ongoing promotion of social inclusion measures and the provision of vital community services throughout the country.

The allocation for Community Development also provides funding of €22 million under the Community Centre Investment Fund– an increase of €1 million in 2025 – to support the upgrade, renovation and refurbishment of community centres across the country.

Speaking, Minister Humphreys said: “I’m very pleased to have secured funding of over €472 million for my Department of Rural and Community Development as part of Budget 2025. This funding will ensure communities across the country can benefit from a range of supports, including the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER, and the Community Centre Investment Fund, all of which are making a hugely positive difference in our towns and villages.

The level of funding secured as part of the Budget really does demonstrate Government’s ongoing commitment to building strong, vibrant and sustainable communities throughout Rural Ireland.

In addition to over €234 million secured for community infrastructure the Budget will support work to provide opportunities in rural communities, by promoting remote working, helping to regenerate our towns and villages, supporting rural economies, and many other activities.”

Minister Humphreys continued:

“Having led this Department for the past four and a half years, I have seen first-hand the positive changes that we are seeing in rural communities. There are now more people living in Rural Ireland, more people working in Rural Ireland and there is more investment in Rural Ireland than ever before. I have no doubt these positive developments will continue through the delivering of the investment secured as part of Budget 2025”.

Minister of State O’Brien added:

“Budget 2025 further builds on my commitment to supporting social inclusion, community development, and the community and voluntary sector. Increased funding for the Community Services Programme in particular, bringing funding to €55.4 million, will help to assist social enterprises that provide valuable services in our communities. I am also pleased to announce I have secured an additional €1 million euro for a further expansion of the Empowering Communities Project which will see more community workers being deployed in some of the most disadvantaged communities across the country.”