That the Council officials be asked to
commission a report on the archaeological traces of the ancient
Mohill Abbey which was founded about the year 550 and around which
the town grew.
Minutes:
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Des Guckian;
"That the Council officials be asked to commission a report on the archaeological traces of the ancient Mohill Abbey which was founded about the year 550 and around which the town grew."
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"The Council have a role in built heritage through the work undertaken by our Heritage Officer along with natural and cultural elements of heritage. A Heritage Plan was prepared and adopted last year to cover the period 2020-2025. This Plan identifies a range of agreed actions that will be pursued over the 5-year life of the plan. This Plan forms the basis of projects developed by the Heritage Officer in conjunction with funding provided by the Heritage Council, Creative Ireland and under the National Biodiversity Plan. These projects form the basis of the budget for the Heritage Officer each year which was approved on Monday last for 2022.
There is no action in the Heritage Plan which seeks to commission an archaeological report of Mohill Abbey. There is a generic action contained within the Heritage Plan which seeks to facilitate community groups to avail of funding for the conservation, management and promotion of heritage site and projects. The request contained in this Notice of Motion has been forwarded to the Heritage Officer who will contact the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to explore if any funding source to pursue such a project by a local community group exists."
Councillor Des Guckian gave the background to his motion and proposed that a report be commissioned on the archaeological traces of the ancient Mohill Abbey which was founded about the year 550 and around which the town grew. Councillor Des Guckian outlined a number of methods used in the UK that have enabled archaeological surveys to take place on similar historical locations.
Councillor Guckian said the previous work carried out by the Council in Mohill has ignored the archaeological heritage of the area.
Mr Bernard Greene, Senior Planner said the response is factual and the heritage budget is modest. A Heritage Plan was prepared and adopted last year to cover the period 2020-2025. There is no action in the Heritage Plan which seeks to commission an archaeological report of Mohill Abbey. This request has been forwarded to the Heritage Officer who will contact the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to explore if any funding source to pursue such a project by a local community group exists.
Mr Bernard Greene, Senior Planner said the repair to the wall at St Mary’s Church is approved under the Public Realm Works for Mohill Town which undergoing a Judicial Review. He expressed his disappointment that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage would not accept Leitrim County Council’s proposal that would have enabled historical ruins at the library to be visible through a glazed floor. Mr Greene said the Local Authority has sought the advice of archaeological experts when preparing plans for works in Mohill.
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan queried if any of the upcoming Public Realm works in Mohill could conceal anything of historical importance.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly said the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have been consulted with and have reviewed the project and any concerns regarding archaeological ruins have been addressed through conditions on the planning and will form part of the detailed design of the scheme.
Councillor Des Guckian said if a report is not commissioned, what remains of archaeological importance maybe lost forever.