Launch of biodiversity and heritage plans

It's hoped that the implementation of two new strategic plans will attract investment in heritage and biodiversity projects in County Cavan over the next five years.

The Cavan Biodiversity Action Plan and the Cavan County Heritage Plan, both running up to 2030, were officially launched in the Farnham Estate in Cavan last week.

Opening the event, Cathaoirleach Cllr Feeley took the opportunity to send a clear message about funding for projects.

“I want that message to go back to the Heritage Council that we are very anxious to ensure that there is ongoing, sustained investment in our heritage throughout our county, not just in the preservation of buildings," he told the crowd.The Cathaoirleach expressed his disappointment that counties Cavan, Monaghan and Longford were excluded from the latest round of government funding under the Community Monuments Fund announced earlier this month.

Established in 2020 to provide investment in Ireland’s archaeological heritage, more than €8m in funding for 104 projects nationwide was announced for this year.

Out of the 26 counties, Cavan, Monaghan and Longford were the only counties to not receive a share of the pot.

“We certainly would not like to see that as a precedent to be followed,” Cllr Feeley stated.

In terms of the new plans, he said: “We can’t live in a museum but we have to preserve, protect what’s around us, develop sustainably and ensure thriving communities, and that is what Cavan County Council is all about,” he continues.The Cavan Biodiversity Action Plan 2025-2030 and the Cavan County Heritage Plan 2025-2030, adopted by the elected members of Cavan County Council in December, set out a strategic roadmap for the conservation and enhancement of the county's natural and built heritage and rich biodiversity. They emphasise the importance of community involvement in progressing heritage and biodiversity projects with examples of successful ongoing projects.

Launching the plan, Cllr Feeley acknowledged the “extensive work" that went into developing them in conjunction with various stakeholders, and praised Anne Marie Ward, the county's Heritage Officer.

"Protecting our heritage and biodiversity is an urgent priority. If we do not protect these precious resources, they will be lost forever, with potentially catastrophic results."

He also wished the new Biodiversity Officer, Naomi Mitten, well in the delivery of these "ambitious plans”.

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle, said, “Whether it’s the iconic image of Cloughoughter Castle, the world-famous angling available on our lakes and rivers, or the rolling drumlins that define our landscape, Cavan’s character is very much wrapped up in its built and natural heritage.

"Protecting and enhancing this heritage, and the biodiversity to which is it home, is a key objective of Cavan County Council."

The first of its kind for Co Cavan, the Cavan Biodiversity Action Plan recognises the challenges faced throughout the county in terms of biodiversity loss, habitat degradation and climate change, and aims to provide a framework for the conservation and enhancement of our precious biodiversity and natural landscape.

Developed over four years, the biodiversity plan aims to place nature conservation and enhancement at the forefront of projects, policy and planning across the county, with a focus on 10 strategic themes; ‘Biodiversity in communities’, ‘Protecting lakes and river systems’, ‘Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark’, ‘Protecting bogs and wetlands’, ‘Biodiversity focus on forest parks’, ‘Native hedgerows and woodlands’, ‘Conserving high nature value farmland’, ‘Pollinator initiatives across County Cavan’, ‘Targeting Invasive Alien Species (IAS)’, and ‘Targeted projects for vulnerable species’.

Naomi Mitten, Cavan County Council’s newly appointed Biodiversity Officer, remarked: “We are very fortunate to have a diverse range of habitats in the county. Not all counties are as fortunate, and protecting these, and the species they support, couldn’t be more important."

She wants to see the community, "young and old" involved in delivering the plan's objectives: “This success depends on people being invested in what’s on their doorstep and making sure it’s there for future generations to enjoy.”

The County Cavan Heritage Plan, meanwhile, presents the aims, principles and strategic actions to guide the conservation of Co Cavan’s unique and multifaceted heritage across four strategic actions; ‘Learning for connection’, ‘Shaping the future by conserving the past’, ‘Holding space for memories’ and ‘Keepers of the landscape’.

Heritage Officer, Anne Marie Ward, reported that her team have already commenced delivery of the important actions contained within the plan.

"I look forward to continuing to work together with our stakeholders to conserve and enhance this county’s unique heritage.”

Speaking to this newspaper, Ms Ward said the new heritage plan is “realistic” and “targeted”.

“It’s a plan of the people, communities and ‘heritage champions’ across the county,” Ms Ward details.

“When you work in partnership, you achieve things better.”

Along with the heritage and biodiversity offices, the multi-stakeholder Cavan Biodiversity Steering Group and the County Cavan Heritage Forum were responsible for the development of the plans, and will lead their implementation going forward.

Chairperson of the County Cavan Heritage Forum, Cllr Shane P O’Reilly said “Trojan work" had been done by on the plans with "great care taken to consult with communities" and "bring the people of Cavan along with them".

Attendees at the launch were also treated to a lively panel discussion hosted by Broadcaster Damien Donohoe, featuring Chief Executive of the Heritage Council Virginia Teehan, Cathaoirleach Cllr John Paul Feeley, Director of Service Brendan Jennings; Brian Callaghan from Moybologue Historical Society, and Maurice Eakin from the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

During the discussion, Ms Teehan clarified that the Community Monuments Fund is not allocated by the Heritage Council.

She added that funding for heritage has “grown considerably”, by more than 300% since the last government but is still “really only the tip of the iceberg”.

“We need to invest much more,” she acknowledged.