*Pictured at the launch of the Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2024–2030 at the Marine Institute, Rinville, County Galway, L-R Liam Hanrahan, Director of Economic Development at Galway County Council; Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer with Galway County Council; Cllr. Martina Kinane, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway; Martina Moloney, Chair of The Heritage Council; and Rosina Joyce, Biodiversity Officer for Galway County Council. Credit Jacinta Fahy Photography
A LANDMARK strategy for preserving and enhancing Galway’s rich built, natural, and cultural heritage over the next six years has been launched by Galway County Council.
Unveiled at the beginning of June at the Marine Institute in Rinville, the Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2024–2030 sets out a detailed roadmap to address challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and the need for community-driven heritage preservation and the safeguarding and protection of the county’s intangible cultural heritage.
Developed in collaboration with Galway County Heritage & Biodiversity Forum and The Heritage Council, the plan is the only one of its kind in Ireland to fully integrate biodiversity and heritage in a combined action plan.
Among the key priorities are conducting a comprehensive biodiversity audit of Council-owned lands, updating Galway’s Invasive Alien Species Strategy and developing a countywide Tree and Hedgerow Management Plan. The plan also commits to protecting sensitive habitats such as peatlands and marine ecosystems and delivering biodiversity education through training in collaboration with the Public Participation Network (PPN).
The built heritage aspects of the Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2024-2030 aim to preserve, protect, and enhance the county’s built and archaeological heritage by promoting best practices, supporting community engagement, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation. The plan also seeks to raise awareness, provide education and training, and foster collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the sustainable management and conservation of these heritage assets.
On the cultural heritage front, the plan aims to empower communities to actively engage with and safeguard their local heritage. This involves recording and digitising cultural heritage data, supporting community-led arts and oral history projects, and strengthening investment in both staffing and funding to grow the sector sustainably.
The Council’s last plan (2017–2022) delivered several notable achievements, including the award-winning Digitising Galway’s Graveyard Heritage project, which made more than 40,000 burial records accessible to the public online. Other successes included an Audit of the County’s Holy Wells, a Barn Owl Conservation initiative that showed the first signs of species recovery in 50 years, and a countywide masterplan for oral heritage collections. The Council also supported Féile na gCloch, or “Festival of Stone,” on Inis Oírr, which celebrates traditional stonework craftsmanship.
“This plan reflects the passion and dedication of communities across Galway and outlines practical, adaptable actions to raise awareness and safeguard our heritage and biodiversity” stated Cllr. Martina Kinane (FF), Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway. “In the face of climate change and biodiversity loss, it serves as a roadmap for collective action. I invite everyone to get involved—together, we can create lasting, positive change”.
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive, Galway County Council, said, “The Plan sets out a clear, action-driven vision to protect and celebrate our county’s rich natural, built, and cultural heritage. It will guide our efforts in addressing climate and environmental challenges, promoting sustainability, and enhancing awareness and stewardship”.
Martina Moloney, Chair of The Heritage Council, commented, “The launch of this plan marks a groundbreaking step forward in how we protect and celebrate our shared heritage and environment. This plan is exceptional in its holistic vision—recognising biodiversity not as a standalone issue but as an integral thread woven into Galway’s rich cultural, archaeological, and built heritage”.
She continued, “By bringing together heritage and biodiversity efforts under one unified strategy, Galway is setting a national example of forward-thinking stewardship. We are proud to have supported this ambitious plan and remain committed to working closely with Galway County Council and the community to ensure its successful implementation, safeguarding Galway’s unique identity for generations to come”.
The Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2024–2030 was shaped by extensive public consultation over the past two years. Engagement efforts included countywide consultation events, an online survey, and targeted workshops with the Traveller community, Brothers of Charity, primary and secondary schools, and active age groups. The plan, which received over 450 public submissions, was formally approved by Elected Members in December 2024.
Liam Hanrahan, Director of Economic Development at Galway County Council, said, “This plan demonstrates the powerful impact that collaboration between the public, community groups, and key stakeholders can have on shaping Galway’s future. By drawing on local knowledge and expertise, we’ve developed a strategy that not only protects our heritage and biodiversity but also supports sustainable economic growth through tourism, education, and community-led initiatives.
Rosina Joyce, Biodiversity Officer for Galway County Council, said climate change and biodiversity loss are central to the newly launched plan. “Galway County boasts a rich mosaic of natural, built, and cultural heritage—from the wild beauty of Connemara’s landscapes to the distinctive limestone pavements of south Galway, and from the soulful tradition of sean nós singing to the rare biodiversity found in our turloughs and bogs. Our heritage is a cornerstone of community pride and identity. This plan not only celebrates these unique assets but also addresses pressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and the evolving needs of our society”.
“We are committed to integrating climate resilience into all actions, ensuring that Galway’s heritage and biodiversity contribute to mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change. By promoting sustainable practices and innovative solutions, we aim to create a legacy of resilience for future generations,” said Ms. Joyce.
Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer with Galway County Council, noted that the Plan is the result of extensive collaboration and consultation over the past two years. “The Plan reflects the insights, passion, and commitment of individuals, communities, and organisations across the county. Through public workshops, online surveys, and creative art consultations, we have captured the voices of diverse groups, ensuring that this plan is inclusive and representative of the people it serves. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed their time, expertise, and perspectives to this process.”
The members of the Galway County Heritage & Biodiversity Forum, who supported the development of the plan, include representatives from the Galway Roscommon Education Training Board, Údaras na Gaeltachta, the National Monuments Service, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Local Authority Waters Programme, INSIGHT at the University of Galway, the National Parks & Wildlife Service, BirdWatch Ireland, BurrenBeo, and Galway City Museum. Supporting the Forum in an advisory capacity were Maria Hitchcox (Artist/External Expert), Sheila Murphy (Ecologist/External Expert), Eimear O’Connell (Heritage/External Expert), and Zena Hoctor (Heritage/External Expert).
