Kennys Well Plan – Can you help?
The Heritage Office of Kilkenny County Council has commissioned a Conservation Management Plan for Kennys Well – a much loved holy well and historical site in the city dedicated to St. Canice. The plan will focus on the repairs needed to the collapsed boundary wall with the River Bregeagh. It will be drawn up in partnership with our colleagues in the Kilkenny Area Office and also the Conservation Officer, and in consultation with the National Monuments Service, Inland Fisheries Ireland, and the National Parks & Wildlife Service. It’s intended that the plan will be used to strengthen and inform funding applications for the works in 2021. If you have any stories about the well, or old photographs etc, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at heritage@kilkennycoco.ie
National Monuments funding for Kilkenny projects
Minister Noonan recently announced the approval of grants for a wide range of heritage projects under the new Community Monuments Fund, part of the July Jobs Stimulus package. 71 heritage projects across 30 Local Authorities will benefit. The 2 Kilkenny projects funded are the Kilkenny City Walls at the Abbey Quarter and the Medieval Mile Museum. To read the full announcement go to
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/82637-minister-noonan-announces-grants-for-71-projects-under-14-million-july-jobs-stimulus-plan-for-national-monuments/
51% Increase in Heritage Budget
Minister Noonan announced €95.5m for heritage in the Governments budget this week. This is an increase of 51% on last year’s budget. Speaking to the press Minister Noonan stated “We are in the midst of a biodiversity and climate crisis and this funding reflects the Programme for Government response to both these areas”. The increased budget will support the conservation and enhancement of our built and natural heritage and support for heritage jobs. It provides €1M in funding for the Heritage Councils Community Grants Scheme in 2021, and the introduction of a new Inclusive Heritage Programme to encourage diversity and inclusivity in heritage practice, protection and interpretation. https://www.housing.gov.ie/heritage/minister-noonan-announces-eu955m-budget-increase-51-2020-support-conservation-and#:~:text=support%20for%20jobs-,Minister%20Noonan%20announces%20%E2%82%AC95.5m%20in%20budget%20%E2%80%93%20an%20increase,heritage%20and%20support%20for%20jobs
15.5 million register records now available online
Ministers Martin and Humphreys recently announced the release of more Historic Records online. The years 1871 to 1877 are now available to view on www.irishgenealogy.ie The Birth register records 1864 to 1919, Marriage register records 1845 to 1944 and Death register records 1871 to 1969 are now available online. Go to www.irishgenealogy.ie for further information.
Burren Winterage Weekend online
BurrenBeo Trust, an independent landscape charity, with the support of the Heritage Council and the Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the FBD Trust, will host their annual Burren Winterage Weekend online from 21st – 25th October. Celebrating our farming heritage, the weekend has talks, walks, an art workshop, book reading for children and much more. Online events are free but there is a charge for the farm walks (Cost €10 members, €20 non-members). To find out more about this weekend and to register go to
https://www.burrenwinterage.com/copy-of-burren-winterage-school
‘Cultural heritage and recent armed conflicts’ online lecture
The Royal Irish Academy will host an online lecture, with cultural heritage expert, Dr Mounir Bouchenaki, titled ‘Cultural heritage and recent armed conflicts’, with a response from Grainne Shaffrey, President, ICOMOS Ireland, on Thursday 29th October @ 7pm. Free online event but booking is essential via https://www.ria.ie/cultural-heritage-and-recent-armed-conflicts
