Galway County Council has launched its strategy for preserving and enhancing the county’s rich built, natural, and cultural heritage over the next six years.
Unveiled today 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.
“I am honoured to launch the Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2024–2030—a shared commitment to protecting the rich natural, built, and cultural heritage of our county,” stated Cllr. Martina Kinane, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway.
“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” added the Cathaoirleach.
“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.”
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.
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.”
“I thank the Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Forum, the Heritage Council, and all who contributed. Galway County Council is proud to lead this important work and looks forward to its successful implementation,” added Mr. Conneally.
Martina Moloney, Chair of The Heritage Council, commented, “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.
