Minister lauds heritage projects in Cavan
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A group out on Kilconny Bog in Mullag including Dr Áine McHugh, Deputy Niamh Smyth, Minister for Heritage Malcolm Noonan, Jonathan Shackleton from Killyconny Bog Project along with representatives and officials from the National Parks & Wildlife Services, Coillte and the National Monument Services.Image 2 of 5
Minister Malcolm Noonan takes a tour of Killyconny Bog with members of the restoration committee.Image 3 of 5
Minister Noonan visits St Kilian’s Heritage Centre in Mullagh. Back (from left): Cllr TP O’Reilly, Ruairí Lynch, Johan Farrelly, Cllr Shane P. O’Reilly and Alan Clarke; front, Breda Kenny, Deputy Niamh Smyth, Minister Malcolm Noonan, Madeleine Uí Mhéaloíd and Grace from National Monument Service.Image 4 of 5
Minister for Heritage Malcolm Noonan and Deputy Niamh Smyth with Sheila Courtney (main speaker on behalf of Virginia Historical Society); Sinead Rice, librarian and members of the Virginia Historical Society, pictured in Virginia Civic Centre following a presentation to Minister Noonan on the Virginia Brooch.Image 5 of 5
Senator Joe O’Reilly, Minister Malcolm Noonan and Deputy Niamh Smyth in Virginia Civic Centre following last Friday’s presentation.The Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, visited heritage projects in Mullagh and Virginia last Friday before sitting down for talks with the Cavan County Council’s heritage officer, Annemarie Ward.
During his visit to St Kilian’s Heritage Centre last Friday, the Minister of State met with Ruairi Lynch, Breda Kenny and Alan Clarke who are members of the committee there.
Thereafter, he was treated to a walk on Killyconny Bog - a rewetting project that has garnered national attention. He spoke to those involved including Jonathan and Daffney Shackleton, Sinead Fox and Jim Smith.
The Minister pointed to the “invaluable work and support of the National Parks and Wildlife Services” that is being carried out locally and pointed to the “success” of the restoration works and surveys carried out to date.
“We wanted to develop ecologically sensitive access, including appropriate parking facilities, a surfaced track and educational signage so that this valuable national and local resource will be properly conserved and made more accessible and understood,” the Minister continued.
“We particularly appreciate the support of the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme, which has funded many of our projects.”
Shortly after Minister Noonan spoke to Virginia Heritage Group members, Sheila and Dan Courtney, and Sinead Rice, the librarian in Virginia.
Deputy Niamh Smyth, who extended the invitation to the Minister, told The Anglo-Celt that his visit brought enthusiasm and excitement to those involved in the “many successful heritage projects” being delivered across the county.
“He met with a number of community groups that have worked incredibly hard to conserve and protect our heritage,” she added.
“These people are heroes in our communities and the Minister was hugely impressed by their individual projects and the collective impact at a county level."
The Minister was also joined in Cavan by officials from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Coillte and the National Monuments Services. "A very special thanks to our librarian Sinead Rice for the warm welcome and hospitality for the Minister, and his team in the beautiful surroundings of our new library in Virginia,” concluded Deputy Smyth.