Kildare County Council launches Kildare Heritage Plan 2026-2031
The plan will serve to 'conserve, promote and celebrate the built, natural and cultural heritage of the County Kildare over the next five years'
Kildare County Council has launched the Kildare Heritage Plan 2026–2031, a comprehensive strategy to conserve, promote and celebrate the built, natural and cultural heritage of the County Kildare over the next five years.
The plan was developed following an extensive consultation process with public engagement at both pre-draft and draft stages. The County Kildare Heritage Forum, which includes representatives from community groups in archaeological and built heritage sectors, local heritage organisations, semi-state agencies, elected members and council staff, reviewed all submissions received.
These submissions helped shape the Plan’s strategic objectives and specific actions. The Plan acknowledges that heritage requires both protection and promotion. The County Kildare Heritage Plan 2026–2031 sets out five strategic objectives:
- Increase understanding of County Kildare’s heritage through awareness, education and training.
- Promote best practice in the conservation and management of County Kildare’s heritage resources.
- Collect and share information about County Kildare’s heritage and undertake surveys & research to inform policy.
- Promote heritage as a resource that contributes to quality of life and to the cultural and economic development of the county.
- Foster stewardship and wider community involvement in Kildare’s heritage.
Councillor Ivan Keatley, Chairperson of the, Planning, Enterprise and Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee, Kildare County Council, said: "This Plan is a welcome update to Kildare’s heritage policy and reflects our commitment to protecting, researching and promoting the county’s rich history, culture and natural heritage. Building on the success of previous plans, it supports continued work in heritage conservation, research and public engagement.
“It is fitting that the Plan is launched during National Heritage Week, and I would like to acknowledge the many groups and individuals whose dedication helps protect our shared heritage. I trust this Plan will support and guide their efforts in the years ahead.”
Patricia Fallon, Local Authority Liaison Officer, The Heritage Council, added: “The Heritage Council is delighted to be involved in developing this new Heritage Plan for Kildare. Working with local authorities in every county to develop Heritage Plans that draw on local knowledge and that foreground the unique heritage of each county, it is gratifying to see that Kildare is now on its third Plan, and that many of the actions proposed in the previous Plans have been completed.
“The ambition shown in this Plan is a great indicator of the interest in the heritage of Kildare, and the Heritage Council looks forward to working with Kildare County Council and the many heritage groups in the county to realise these ambitions over the next five years. I would like to congratulate all involved.”
Dara Wyer, Heritage Officer, Kildare County Council, stated; "It has been a fascinating process developing this Plan in conjunction with the County Kildare Heritage Forum and following on from the wider consultation process with the public. The five strategic objectives and the 60 identified actions provide a clear roadmap to identifying where heritage needs support, or where we need to find out more about a heritage issue or where we need to promote it better.
“The Heritage and Nature Team in Kildare County Council will be working closely with the people of Kildare on implementing these actions and we are excited to be involved in this process."
The Kildare Heritage Plan 2026–2031 is now available on the Kildare County Council website https://kildarecoco.ie/AllServices/Heritage/ and copies will be available to view in all libraries.