A major new strategy to promote and enhance Listowel’s natural heritage has been launched by Kerry County Council with the support of the Heritage Council and the Department of Heritage. The 18-point plan aims to harness the significant strengths of the local heritage infrastructure for the betterment of Listowel and to thereby improve the visitor experience and the lives of local residents. The Listowel Heritage and Community-Led Regeneration Strategy sets out objectives and initiatives in a number of areas including streetscapes, marketing and online promotion of the town, establishment of a Chamber Alliance, improving cycling and walking facilities and enhancements and promotion of facilities like the River Feale, the Seanchaí Centre, Childers Park and the North Kerry Heritage Trail.
Of the projects and objectives contained in the strategy, Kerry County Council has commenced work on many and co-funding mechanisms with other agencies and bodies will be explored in relation to the remainder. Many projects in the strategy are typical of those currently co-funded by the Heritage Council, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Fáilte Ireland and LEADER funding.
The launch at Lartigue Monorail Museum was attended by the Cathaoirleach of the Listowel Municipal District, Cllr Aoife Thornton; Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell; Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Michael Starrett; Principal Adviser at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Michael Colreavy; and James Hennessy of project consultants, the Paul Hogarth Company.
Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell said: ‘In County Kerry, our heritage is one of our greatest assets and motivates our sense of civic pride and contributes to the county’s economic success on many levels. Our heritage reflects our values, beliefs, customs, traditions and aspirations. It enhances the local distinctiveness of our communities, landscapes and culture. I am delighted that Kerry County Council is continuing to expand its suite of policies in relation to heritage and historic town regeneration and strongly advocating the need for a strategic and co-ordinated approach to conserving, enhancing and promoting our county’s heritage.’
Lartigue Monorail Museum members and members of the Cathaoirleach of the Listowel Municipal District pictured in Listowel for the launch. Photo by Domnick Walsh – Eye Focus LTD – 087 26 72 033
