COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

QUESTION NO. 17

QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

"Noting the Reply to Question No. 11  at the Council meeting of 9th December re the implementation of the County Heritage Plan, to ask the Manager if he can provide an up-to-date Report (i) on the survey work carried out at Palmerstown Church and Graveyard as part of the survey of archeologically important structures, and (ii) the development of a Local Heritage Plan in collaboration with a local community group for the Mill Lane area of Palmerstown?"

REPLY: Palmerston Church and Graveyard

(i)                 Palmerston Church and graveyard were subject to two surveys in the past year.  An archaeological condition assessment was undertaken by a qualified archaeologist in September 2012.  This project was 75% funded by a contribution from the Heritage Council under their programme of support for County Heritage Plan projects.  A number of actions recommended in the assessment report were fulfilled, including the engagement of an archaeologist to oversee and work with a local group of volunteers to remove rubbish and overgrown vegetation from the site, working to recommended archaeological guidelines for activities within protected sites.  These clean-ups occurred over a number of site visits early in 2013.

The report also recommended the engagement of an architectural conservation consultant to address issues pertaining to the structure of the church, gravestones, and the graveyard walls.  An architectural conservation assessment was therefore also commissioned and this was undertaken in March 2013 with a final report received in May 2013.  Maintenance recommendations arising from this report are to form part of a programme of works to be agreed with the Conservation Officer and Public Realm, budget and schedules permitting.

(ii)               A number of discussions and three formal meetings have been had between the Heritage Officer, local community representatives and Stewart's Hospital Library regarding the undertaking of a Local Heritage Plan.  Most recently, following a meeting on 8th November 2013 , the community have organised a team of volunteers to begin researching specific topics of local heritage interest. This will form the basis of an information gathering exercise to support the preparation of the Local Heritage Plan.  Progressing this Local Heritage Plan is listed as one of the target actions in the Heritage Officer's work programme for 2014.