Heritage Keepers Resources
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Every group who participates in Heritage Keepers will plan an action or project. Below you will find links to all sorts of useful advice that might help you with your projects. It is organised under Built Heritage projects, Cultural Heritage projects and Natural Heritage projects.
1. Built Heritage
Community Archaeology projects
Guidance manual for community archaeology -Adopt a Monument
https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/content/files/Guidance_for_community_archaeology_projects.pdf
Historical research project
https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/content/files/Heritage-Resource-Guide.pdf
Graveyard recording
General advice
Recording sheet
https://historicgraves.com/blog/how/recording-graveyard-memorial
Creating a heritage trail
General advice (from Fingal County Council but applicable to all of Ireland)
https://www.fingal.ie/sites/default/files/2021-06/a4-fcc-hertiage-signage-booklet-eng-web.pdf
General advice, Pages 32-52
Ideas for interpreting heritage sites https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/content/files/bored_of_boards_1mb.pdf
Creating a digital / online trail
https://dpdgay9x1sxad.cloudfront.net/wpcontent/uploads/sites/12/2022/05/Digital_Trails_Toolkit.pdf#
Aimed at TY students but relevant to anyone planning a heritage trail
https://heritageireland.ie/assets/uploads/2021/11/Create-a-Trail-TY-activity-sheet.pdf
Examples of trails from previous Heritage Keepers projects
Doonbeg Heritage Trail
https://doonbeg.info/doonbeg-heritage-trail/
Westport Crows foot trail
https://www.holytrinityns.com/the-crow-s-foot-trail-of-westport.html
Old buildings care
General advice
Maintenance: a guide to the care of older buildings (Donnelly, 2007).
https://www.donegalcoco.ie//media/donegalcountyc/heritage/pdfs/RuinsTheConservationandRepairofMasonryRuins.pdf
Protected structures FAQ
https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/guidance/
Works to older buildings
https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/advice-and-guidance/traditional-building-skills
Energy efficiency in older buildings
https://www.seai.ie/publications/Energy_Efficiency_in_Traditional_Buildings.pdf
The conservation of Historic ground surfaces
https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/app/uploads/2019/10/Paving-The-Conservation-of-Historic-Ground-Surfaces-2015.pdf
Wildlife in buildings
https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/content/files/Wildlife-in-Buildings-linking-our-built-and-natural-heritage.pdf
2. Cultural Heritage
Oral History Projects
General advice and access to step by step guidelines
https://oralhistorynetworkireland.ie/resources
Intangible cultural heritage
Ireland intangible cultural heritage inventory
https://nationalinventoryich.chg.gov.ie/
Online Library access. Provides weblinks to all of Irelands county libraries
https://www.askaboutireland.ie/libraries/content/
A good introduction to Irelands intangible cultural heritage – Performing, promoting and preserving Irelands intangible heritage video of live event (1 hr)
https://vimeo.com/showcase/8827797/video/592064880
3. Natural Heritage
Helping Pollinators
How to help pollinators
10 actions to help pollinators from the National Biodiversity Data Centre
https://pollinators.ie/top-ten-ways-to-help-pollinators/
Planting trees for pollinators
https://pollinators.ie/planting-native-trees-for-pollinators/
Garden and flower bed planting for pollinators
https://pollinators.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AIPP-A5-Flyer-Garden-2022-PRINT.pdf
Create pollinator nesting sites
https://pollinators.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/How-to-guide-Nesting-2018-WEB.pdf
Managing hedgerow for pollinators
https://pollinators.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/How-to-guide-Hedgerows-2018-WEB.pdf
Tree planting
List of Irelands native trees
https://www.treecouncil.ie/native-irish-trees
Planting bare root trees
https://www.treesontheland.com/planting-guide
Short 2 min video on tree planting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBqGVlURa9o
Growing trees from seed
https://pollinators.ie/growing-native-trees-from-seed/
A tree planting guide for County Clare but applicable to all of Ireland
https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/heritage/pdfs/buds_of_the_banner.pdf
Orchard planting
Aimed at farmers but applicable to all
https://pollinators.ie/are-you-thinking-of-creating-a-new-traditional-orchard-on-your-farm/
GIY 5 min video on Apple tree planting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1NVu_IV7go
Apple trees FAQ
https://irishseedsavers.ie/apple-tree-faq/
Peatland
Guidelines for Communities Managing Local Wetlands & Peatlands
General information on raised bog
Video on peatland restoration in Ireland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6HrXYpZNnA
Pond building
Page 32-33 Step by step instructions on how to build a pond for wildlife
3 minute video on how to build a pond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRN1sp78jHk
15 min video on dos and don’ts of pond construction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrvCJEXSiQA
Nature trail
See general advice under Built Heritage – Heritage trail
Nature trail example
https://www.burrennationalpark.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/NatureTrail.pdf
Hedgerow care
Managing healthy hedgerows – a 5 min video from the National Biodiversity Data Centre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXETU0gZ9Y0
Hedgerows for pollinators
https://pollinators.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/How-to-guide-Hedgerows-2018-WEB.pdf
Creating a wildflower meadow
An 8 minute ‘how to’ video from the National Biodiversity Data Centre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY2tMCr0NR8
Why wildflower sees mixes are NOT recommended
https://pollinators.ie/wildflower-seed/
Meadows for biodiversity – 20 min video from National Biodiversity Data Centre
Pollinator friendly grassland management
Enhancing wildlife in towns and villages
https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/content/files/conserving_enhancing_wildlife_guide_2005_480kb.pdf
Making bird and bat boxes
Designs
https://birdwatchireland.ie/irelands-birds-birdwatch-ireland/nestbox-designs-for-birds-and-wildlife/
Gardening for biodiversity – includes bird and bat box info.
https://laois.ie/wp-content/uploads/Garden-Wildlife-Booklet-WEB-17MB.pdf
Invasive species
Management of invasive species
https://invasives.ie/what-can-i-do/management/
4. Coastal heritage – Built and natural
A summary of Irelands Coastal heritage
https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/content/files/irelands_coastal_heritage_2006_1mb.pdf
Has links to general information on what makes up Irelands Coastal heritage https://www.coastalheritage.ie/
A great website for information on Irelands natural coastal heritage
5. General information and Community engagement
Communication
Showcasing local heritage – making podcasts, videos and more
https://www.heritageweek.ie/get-involved/resources/technical-resources
Communicating your project – video of webinar held in 2021 for Heritage week events but applicable to all
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1-pWh9iSEI
Holding a heritage event
How best to reach your target audiences.
https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/content/files/Heritage_Festivals_and_Events_Marketing_Checklist.pdf
Top tips for a sustainable event
Planning an outdoor event
https://www.leavenotraceireland.org/resources/educational-resources/community-resources-tidy-towns/
Funding (other than HK funding)
General information on funding available to community groups in Ireland
https://www.wheel.ie/funding/guidance
Community water development fund
Rural Ireland-Leader funding
https://www.nationalruralnetwork.ie/leader/
7. In the classroom – resources for teachers
Learning through nature resources for teachers
https://birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/fun-learning/for-teachers/
Cultural heritage resources for schools
https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Country-Life/Engage-And-Learn/Schools-Educational-Visits
8. Making your project environmentally friendly
Building a structure? How to make sure its eco-friendly
https://www.igbc.ie/about/what-is-green-building/
Planning a sustainable event
Acknowledging funding
If you are producing print or web material please acknowledge both Heritage Keepers and The Heritage Council. Logos are below.
