1995 Heritage Act
In the 1995 Heritage Act, heritage encompasses monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, heritage gardens and parks, inland waterways.
Event Updates and Programmes
For an email reminder of Offaly Heritage News & Events register with the Offaly heritage office. There are also regular updates on Offaly Heritage facebook.
There is a free Annual Heritage Seminar each autumn to update on the projects being progressed in the county.
Offaly Heritage Office
The Heritage Office was established in November 2000. The Offaly Heritage Forum meets four times annually, with working groups meeting as needed. The Offaly Heritage Office, along with the members of the Offaly Heritage Forum, aims to 'work with all of us in Offaly, to increase awareness and appreciation of our manmade, cultural and natural heritage, leading to actions which promote its protection, enhancement and vitality.'
The role of the Heritage Officer is to
- work with the Heritage Forum to deliver the 2017-21 Offaly Heritage Plan
- work with groups and individuals to help plan and deliver appropriate heritage related projects
- to assist all sections of Offaly Local Authorities on heritage related matters
Heritage Council
The Heritage Council part-funds the network of 28 City/County Heritage Officers in Local Authorities across the country. The Heritage Council’s vision is that the value of our heritage is enjoyed, managed and protected for the vital contribution that it makes to our identity, well-being and future. Download a brochure on the role of heritage officers.
For more information on the work of the Heritage Council, please visit www.heritagecouncil.ie 
Offaly Heritage Forum
Member Representing Organisation
Cllr Eamon Dooley Strategic Policy Committee chair, Offaly County Council
Teresa Ryan Feehan Birr Historical Society
Brian Caffrey BirdWatch Ireland
Andrew Murray Senior Planner, Planning Department, Offaly County Council
Rachel McKenna Conservation Architect, Offaly County Council
Bridget Horan Farming Organisations
Pat Foley Offaly Public Participation Network
Lisa Shortall Offaly Archives
Christine Byrne Slieve Bloom Rural Development
Fiona Devery Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland
Tom Egan Bord na Mona Energy Ltd
TBC Coillte
TBC Teagasc
Louis Byrne Waterways Ireland
Colm Malone National Parks and Wildlife, Dept Housing
Caimin O'Brien National Monuments Division, Dept Housing
Maura Allen Offaly Local Development Company
Basil Mannion Water and Communities Office
Amanda Pedlow, Offaly Heritage Officer, Offaly County Council
