A new heritage plan is being prepared for Westmeath, one which will establish a framework for the work of Westmeath County Council heritage office, in partnership with groups and agencies, to deliver heritage projects within the county.
Following initial public consultation last summer, Westmeath Heritage Forum have prepared a draft heritage plan. The draft Westmeath Heritage Plan 2024-2030 aims to increase awareness and appreciation of our county’s heritage and to safeguard it for present and future generations.
The plan has four strategic objectives with a series of actions set out under each objective to guide the implementation of the plan. Each of the actions has performance indicators, which will be used to monitor the implementation of the plan.
“The Westmeath Heritage Plan 2024-2030 will be the fourth heritage plan for Westmeath. It is written in the context of the national heritage plan, Heritage Ireland 2030, and the Heritage Council Strategic Plan 2023- 2028 ‘Our Place in Time’. It aims to build on the achievements of the previous county heritage plans. A full review of the actions of the Westmeath Heritage Plan 2018 -2023 is set out in Appendix 2 of the draft heritage plan,” Heritage Officer, Melanie McQuade, stated.
The draft heritage plan is available on the consultation portal: https://consult.westmeathcoco.ie/, on Westmeath County Council website and on https://westmeathculture.ie/. Hard copies of the plan may be viewed in local branches of Westmeath library. The consultation period on the Draft Westmeath Heritage Plan 2024-2030 will close on Friday, September 15.
All submissions received during the consultation period will be considered by Westmeath Heritage Forum and the plan will be amended as appropriate. The plan will undergo screening for appropriate assessment and the final plan will be brought to the Council for their approval before year end.
“I encourage everyone with an interest or involvement in the heritage of our county to help shape the Heritage Plan by reviewing the Draft Westmeath Heritage Plan 2024-2030 and submitting their comments,” Cllr Louise Heavin, Mayor, Athlone-Moate Municipal District, stated.
Submissions and queries may also be sent by email: [email protected] and by post to the Heritage Office, Westmeath County Council, Áras an Chontae, Mullingar, County Westmeath.
