Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Launches Heritage Plan 2030

Heritage at the Heart of the Future

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has formally launched its Heritage Plan 2030, a strategic framework which sets out the Council’s commitment to promoting, protecting and celebrating the District’s unique heritage.

This is the Council’s first integrated heritage strategy. It sets out clear priorities for the next five years, aiming to keep heritage relevant, resilient, and accessible for everyone. While the Plan does not attempt to cover every aspect of heritage, it provides a strong foundation for action and direction.

Fermanagh and Omagh District is widely recognised for its rich and diverse heritage. From its natural environment of lakes, rivers and varied landscapes to its historic buildings, traditions, music, folklore, pastimes and language, heritage is embedded in the identity of the district and continues to play an important role in everyday life.

Launching the Plan, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Cllr Barry McElduff said:

“Heritage is a fundamental part of who we are as a community. It connects us to our past while contributing significantly to our present and future.
The Heritage Plan underlines the Council’s commitment to ensuring that our heritage is not only safeguarded, but also actively promoted as a driver for community wellbeing, tourism and economic development.

This Plan provides a strategic direction for the sustainable management of our heritage assets over the coming years.”

The Council took the opportunity to thank all those who took part in the consultation process. Their feedback, insights and comments were pivotal in shaping the final Heritage Plan and ensuring it reflects the priorities of communities across the District.

The Plan also recognises the Council’s role as a custodian of heritage; supporting efforts to manage and enhance the district’s identity while creating opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with it.

To help bring the Plan to life, a programme of heritage activities will take place across the District. These events will showcase different aspects of Fermanagh and Omagh’s rich heritage and offer opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate.

Further information on events taking place can be found by searching Heritage Week at www.fermanaghomagh.com

In line with the Plan’s vision, the Council is also inviting online Expressions of Interest for Know Your Place, a new heritage engagement project supported through the PEACEPLUS Programme under Theme 1.1 Building Peaceful and Thriving Communities. This project will engage participants from across the district in discovering, documenting and sharing the heritage of local towns, villages and rural areas. From ancient settlements and folklore to industrial history and modern-day transformation, Know Your Place encourages communities to come together to explore the stories that shape our shared identity.

By delivering activities and projects that celebrate the past while planning strategically for the future, the Council aims to ensure that heritage continues to be a source of civic pride, cultural vitality and economic opportunity for the District as a whole.

The Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Heritage Plan 2030 is available to view online. Hard copies can also be collected from Connect Centres in Enniskillen and Omagh, as well as from Enniskillen Castle and the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh.

For further information on the Heritage Plan, upcoming activities, or to take part in the Know Your Place project, please email wellbeingandculture@fermanaghomagh.com, call 0300 303 1777, or use the textphone service on 028 8225 6216.