COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

MOTION NO. 26

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

That a discussion takes place on the implications of the Heritage Plan for this Area Committee with particular reference to Palmerston and the Liffey Valley.

REPORT:

The objectives and actions listed in the Heritage Plan are structured so as to be set in a broad, county-wide context.  No one location or village area is mentioned over another for specific action in the Heritage Plan.  This allows for individual projects in different locations to be identified on an annual basis by the County Heritage Forum and the Heritage Officer. 

This year, 2011, Palmerston featured nationally as the location for the BioBlitz biodiversity recording event in May, when Waterstown Park hosted the only urban location for this event.  National profile was given to the village and to the impressive biodiversity resource in the Park.  Local radio stations were fully involved in the project and the event was very successful in raising awareness of the importance of ecologically-managed parks like Waterstown in an urban setting. 

In general, on-going projects currently operating under the Heritage Plan will also have a positive impact on Palmerston and the Liffey Valley, as well as on other locations in the County.  In particular, the collation of data for the County Heritage Database will assist in making heritage information for areas like Palmerston more accessible.  Additionally, the County Habitat Mapping Project that is currently underway will likewise provide additional information on the natural heritage of the Liffey Valley and other localities in the County.       

Potential Heritage Plan projects for 2012 were discussed by the County Heritage Forum at a meeting of the Forum on 9th November.  The Forum aims to realise a fair spread of projects across the various locations in the County, focusing very limited funds only on high priority and achievable actions. 

Funding applications are currently being made to the Heritage Council’s County Heritage Plan Programme for 3 targeted projects, one of which will involve a survey of the churchyard in Palmerston. A range of other heritage projects may also be possible under the SDCC Heritage Plan budget, depending on financial resources for 2012.