Following the launch of a public consultation process on the World Heritage Status bid for Clonmacnois, a public meeting is to be held in the Athlone Springs Hotel on Wednesday July 29.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the meeting, which will give them an opportunity to engage in the process and make their views known on plans to designate the site a World Heritage Site.
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in conjunction with ERA-Maptec Ltd, have published a Draft Management Plan for Clonmacnois which provides key information on the bid, including a description of the key features of the site, its significance, management, history, and implementation strategy. It also sets out the extent of the proposed World Heritage Site and the buffer zone.
Submissions are also being invited on the plans, which can be viewed at the offices of Clonmacnois Visitor Centre, Offaly County Council, Roscommon County Council, Westmeath County Council, and Athlone Civic Centre.
A copy of the plans can be downloaded from the website of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government at www.environ.ie/en/Heritage/WorldHeritage/LatestNewsonWorldHeritage or by calling the department’s Heritage Policy Unit, Ardcavan Business Park, Wexford at (01 ) 8883042 or (01 ) 8883035.
Comments on the plan should be sent in writing or by email by August 16 2009 to: ERA-Maptec Ltd, Clonmacnois WHS bid, 40 Lower O’Connell Street, Dublin 1, or email: [email protected].
Following receipt and assessment of comments and submissions received, a report will be issued and an opportunity given to those who make submissions to comment on the report in advance of the finalisation of the management plan.
The public meeting will be held in the Athlone Springs Hotel on July 29 at 7.30pm.
