Youghal Clock Tower Clock Room

Heritage and Conservation

Heritage is a complex topic and covers a wide range of areas. The Heritage Act 1995 is the primary piece of legislation in Ireland governing Heritage. It is aimed at promoting public interest in Heritage and developing knowledge, appreciation, and protection of National Heritage.

National Heritage is defined as: monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, heritage gardens and parks, and inland waterways.

The Heritage Council (An Chomhairle Oidhreachta) was created as the result of the passing of the Heritage Act, and work in the public interest through the provision of funding, expert advice, education programmes, and advocacy.

Heritage belongs to everyone and is a part of our lives everyday, even if we don’t know it!  

Heritage and Conservation News

A church
Heritage and Conservation
18 Mar 2025

Investment of Over €480,000 for County Cork Architectural Heritage

Funding of over €480,000 has been awarded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to support the repair and restoration of 22 historic buildings in Cork County, under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the BHIS Historical Thatched Buildings (HTB). Both schemes are run in collaboration with the country’s 31 Local Authorities.

Group of people standing in graveyard underneath trees looking at man speaking into microphone.
Heritage and Conservation
11 Mar 2025

Cork County Council Announces the County Cork Heritage Grant Scheme 2025

Cork County Council has opened applications for the County Cork Heritage Grant Scheme 2025. The scheme was established in 2021 to recognise the unrivalled heritage of the county and the numerous community and voluntary groups who actively engage with their local heritage, protecting and promoting it for locals and visitors alike.

Moira Murrell along with two men and one woman holding Retail Heritage Book
Heritage and Conservation
18 Feb 2025

New Book Explores the Trade and Retail Heritage of Cork County

Cork County Council has launched the twelfth book in its ‘Heritage of County Cork’ publication series, this time exploring the county’s trade and retail heritage from the prehistoric period through to the present day.