Bere Island Projects Group has been awarded €20,000 under the Heritage Council’s Heritage Capacity Fund 2023 to undertake further actions under the Bere Island Conservation Plan.
In 2001 with concerns for the long-term viability of the island community, and a realization that the island’s built and archaeological heritage needed to be protected from further deterioration, Bere Island Projects Group approached The Heritage Council and Cork County Council for their help. Following consultations with the islanders it was decided to put in place a Conservation Plan to protect both the island community, its cultural, archaeological, and built heritage and natural landscape.
The Bere Island Conservation Plan was officially launched in 2003 by Éamon Ó Cuív TD, and The Heritage Council committed to the plan at its launch by providing funding to Bere Island Projects Group which was used to hire a contractor to implement a list of key actions.
The Heritage Council works to protect, promote, and provide access to Irish heritage, through its support of organisations who can provide additional vital heritage services to communities. The Heritage Capacity Fund supports these organisations by providing funding towards their core costs.
Bere Island Projects Group will use the funding to work on a number of actions including in 2023 including furthering their work to document the island’s oral history, launching an annual military heritage festival, and holding a full programme of events for National Heritage Week.
