Conservation and collaboration at heart of new Heritage and Biodiversity Plans

Cavan County Council’s Heritage Office has launched two strategic plans that will help safeguard, promote, and develop the built and natural heritage of County Cavan in the coming years.

The Cavan Biodiversity Action Plan 2025 – 2030 and the Cavan County Heritage Plan 2025 – 2030 were officially launched by Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feeley at Farnham Estate on Tuesday, 21st April.

The plans, which were officially adopted by the elected members of Cavan County Council in December, set out a strategic roadmap for the conservation, enhancement, and celebration of some of the county’s greatest resources – its natural and built heritage, and its rich biodiversity.

Launching the plan, Cathaoirleach, Cllr John Paul Feeley said, “These two documents are the product of extensive work undertaken by our Heritage Office, Biodiversity Office, NGOs, statutory agencies, and local stakeholders in the community. They are incredibly important documents – 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. I commend Anne Marie Ward, our Heritage Officer, for her efforts in this regard, and wish her and our new Biodiversity Officer Naomi Mitten well in the delivery of these ambitious plans”.

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Mr 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. I want to highlight the fantastic effort that has gone into this plan by our staff in Heritage, Biodiversity, and elsewhere in the organisation. I’d like to also commend our elected members for their stalwart support of our conservation efforts.”

Heritage Officer with Cavan County Council, Anne Marie Ward, said, “I am pleased to officially launch these comprehensive plans, and to report that my team and I have already commenced delivery of the important actions contained within. I’d like to thank the many dedicated figures in the local community and voluntary sector, without whose passion, dedication, knowledge of local heritage, and willingness to work collaboratively with us, we could not do our job. I look forward to continuing to work together with our stakeholders to conserve and enhance this county’s unique heritage”.

Chairperson of the Cavan Heritage Forum, Cllr Shane P O’Reilly added, “Trojan work has been done by Heritage Officer Ann Marie Ward, by the Biodiversity Steering Group, and the Heritage Forum on these plans. There has been great care taken to consult with communities and in the way it’s been proposed the plans will be implemented, in order to bring the people of Cavan along with them, and I applaud them for that. I look forward to working with Ann Marie and our new Heritage Officer Naomi Mitten going forward to deliver these fantastic plans.”

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.

The plans can be downloaded at the links below:

• Download the Cavan County Council Biodiversity Action 2025-2030
• Download the Cavan County Council Heritage Plan 2025-2030