Munster Express Online

A Public Meeting was held in the Heritage Centre last week to discuss the new South Tipperary Heritage Plan 2010 to 2014.

County Heritage Officer Labhaoise McKenna was introduced by Patsy Fitzgerald, Director of the Carrick on Suir Heritage Centre who also chaired the meeting.

Ms McKenna explained that the 2004 to 2008 Heritage Plan was being reviewed and invited the public and local organisations to make submissions to inform the new Plan which will come into play in 2010.

Submission Forms are available to download on website www.southtippheritage.ie or can be requested from the Heritage Officer. The deadline for submissions is Friday 1st May 2009 and the forms can be returned by e-mail to heritage@southtippcoco.ie or by post to Heritage Officer, South Tipperary County Council, County Hall, Clonmel.

If you would like further information or assistance before sending your submission, please contact Labhaoise McKenna at the above address telephone 052 6134821 or at local level Cllr. Patsy Fitzgerald.

Ms. McKenna said at the meeting that the intention of the new Plan is to build on the strengths of the first plan and to identify and address any weaknesses, and she encouraged public participation and Community ownership of the Plan.

The new Plan will cover a wide range of subjects such as monuments, archaeology, architecture, wildlife habitats, flora and fauna, landscapes, geology, inland waterways, heritage gardens and objects.

Ms McKenna’s principal role is to raise awareness, collect data and promote best practice.

Following a Notice of Motion tabled by Cllr. Kieran Bourke at the March Meeting of the Town Council calling for a process to be put in place to have Carrick on Suir included on the list of Walled Towns in the County, M/s McKenna indicated that she would support this initiative.

There were very interesting points introduced from those in attendance including the poor marketing of the town’s many attractions. Helen O’Hanlon who is studying Tourism Marketing at Waterford Institute of Technology and who worked as a tour operator at Ormond Castle last summer was surprised and disappointed at the number of visitors – approximately 4,000 – to the Castle which being the only Tudor Manor in Ireland should be one of the Country’s top tourist attractions.

Michael Barry raised such matters as the Lime Kilns and Famine Wall in Carrick Beg and particularly the matter of the towpath leading from the Bridge to the Navigation.

Michael has spoken loudly about this over the years and the great danger of the Right of Way on that path which has been available to the public for centuries, is in great danger of being lost forever unless some action is taken soon.

Patsy Fitzgerald referred to the difficulties in maintaining the Heritage Centre and the lack of funding available for same. Denis Landy spoke about the loss of snap net fishing on the river, which has been available since the 12th century.

Miss McKenna closed the meeting by announcing that Heritage Week this year will be from 23rd to 30th August with Walled Town Day on Sunday 23rd