Telling Towns’ stories
The Ballinlough Crannóg project showcases Ballinlough’s hidden jewel and brings it to life in the digital world with two separate digital tools for people to experience and learn about the crannóg on Lough O’Flynn. Further details available at www.theballinloughcrannog.net
History of Windgap Grotto
The grotto in Windgap is of significant historical and cultural value and its management is part of a heritage led regeneration programme by Windgap Tidy Towns. It dates back to 1915 and contains unique mosaics, statues, viewing points, flora, fauna and a mass path. To find out more go to https://www.heritageweek.ie/projects/history-of-windgap-grotto
Windgap Grotto
A big thank you
We would like to thank everyone around the county who sent in photos and locations of our small mammals. This data will be really helpful in our county wide survey of small mammals and barn owls.
Tidy Towns newsletter Issue 8 2021
The National Tidy Towns unit have issued their 8th newsletter for 2021. There are articles on the recent Tidy Towns survey carried out where 46% of Tidy Towns groups say that caring for biodiversity is their top priority and their biggest challenge is recruiting volunteers. There is also an article on Bat Conservation Ireland & UCD’s Batlab collaborative project to investigate and explore the ecosystem services that bats provide to us. A core aim of this initiative will be to identify how bats are helping to control insect pests in Ireland and they need your help. For further details on these articles and many other interesting topics go to https://www.tidytowns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Issue-8-2021.pdf
Ionad Lachtain
The community group and congregation led committee have made improvements to the access and displays in St. Lachtain’s Church and Heritage Centre, Freshford with funding from the Heritage Council and advice from conservation architects, local craftsmen and on consultation with the Heritage and Conservation officers of Kilkenny County Council. Further details available at https://www.heritageweek.ie/projects/access-and-display-improvements-at-ionad-lachtain
‘Poetry as Commemoration’
Minister Catherine Martin recently announced a new initiative under the Creative Imagination Strand of the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012-2023 titled ‘Poetry as Commemoration’, led by the UCD Library’s Irish Poetry reading archive, with a funding allocation of up to €370,000 over the remainder of the Decade of Centenaries Programme. This unique and innovative project will see poetry used as a means to deepen our collective understanding of our past and explore a challenging period of Irish history. Further details available at https://www.decadeofcentenaries.com/poetry-as-commemoration/
Thatched cottages restoration
Clogh Heritage group, over a number of years, have restored three thatched cottages in Clogh which involved new thatch, reuse of original roof timbers, walls and chimneys strengthened with conservation advice from Francis Coady, Architectural Conservation Officer, Kilkenny County Council. Further details on this project available at https://www.heritageweek.ie/projects/restoration-and-protection-of-three-thatched-cottages-in-clogh
