About Us

Birr Castle Forum photo Dec 2013

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.

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     heritage council logo

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

James Condron Planner, Planning Department, Offaly County Council

Rachel McKenna  Conservation  Architect, Offaly County Council

Bridget Horan Farming Organisations

James Scully Offaly History 

Pat Foley Offaly Public Participation Network 

Christine Byrne  Slieve Bloom Rural Development

Fiona Devery  Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland

Julie McLoughlin  Bord na Mona Energy Ltd

Aidan Reynolds / David Conroy  Coillte

Mark Gavin    Teagasc

Louis Byrne  Waterways Ireland

Colm Malone / Margaux Pierrel / Alison Delaney / Robert Edge  National Parks and Wildlife Rangers, Department Housing

Caimin O'Brien  National Monuments Division, Department Housing

Maura Allen  Offaly Local Development Company

Basil Mannion Water and Communities Officer

Ricky Whelan, Offaly Biodiversity Officer

Amanda Pedlow Offaly Heritage Officer, Offaly County Council

Karen Gray  Creative Ireland, Heritage and Architecture Team, Offaly County Council