Speakers announced for Farming Rathcroghan Conference

The full list of speakers for the upcoming Farming Rathcroghan Conference ‘Preserving the Past-Protecting the Future’ – taking place during Heritage Week at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, Tulsk, Co. Roscommon on Friday, 18th of August 2023 – has been announced.

The conference will be formally opened by the newly-elected Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr John Keogh, who stated that it is appropriate that this conference programme was announced on the same day on which the local authority launched its Roscommon Climate Action Consultation process.

He said: “Our ambitions and plans to engage with all community organisations in this process and the exemplary role that groups like the Farming Rathcroghan EIP are playing in adapting to our overall responsibilities under the climate change objectives and targets are welcome”.

The conference will hear from a number of representative stakeholders and policy makers from the political field including Pippa Hackett (Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine), Malcolm Noonan (Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage) and MEP for Midlands-NorthWest Constituency Colm Markey.

Minister Malcolm Noonan said: “The farming community across Ireland are trusted custodians of our natural and cultural heritage and I am delighted to be able to attend this event to learn more of the Rathcroghan partnership, a project that is doing so much to care for the exceptional archaeological landscape of Rathcroghan.

“Our National Monuments Service has been working closely with the project and its participating landowners over recent years in supporting innovative measures for the care of archaeological monuments, including against the impacts of climate change.

“This is critically important now that Rathcroghan, as part of the Royal Sites, has been included in the Irish Tentative List and its community strives to protect and promote the history and value of this incredible landscape while meeting its ambition for UNESCO World Heritage status”.

At the event, Martina Earley, as CEO, will be representing Roscommon LEADER Partnership, and she will have an opportunity to showcase the EU Erasmus Climate Champions project as well as highlight Farming Rathcroghan success as a European best practice.

Other speakers from the cultural heritage arena such as Dr. Daniel Curley, Manager, Rathcroghan Visitor Centre; Dr. Sarah McCarthy, Failte Ireland; Dr. Ronan O’Flaherty (Crane Bag Consulting); Dr. Brendan Dunford (Burren Programme), and Dr. Therese Conway (NUIG) will contribute to the proceedings on the day.

Speaking in advance of the conference, the Conference Coordinator & Farming Rathcroghan Project Manager Richie Farrell stated: “We would like to thank all our speakers for their participation and support. The conference is another significant step in showcasing the success of the project to date and an opportunity to advocate strongly for its regeneration and renewal.

“We are keen to ensure that all the learning, trialling, innovations, developments and knowledge gained over the last few years will not be lost and that farmers as the ‘real heroes’ in this project will continue to be supported”.

The conference is one of a number of events in the Farming Rathcroghan promotions programme and a key event under the project finalisation procedures for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

Further information and programme details from Richie Farrell (0861704113), email richie@farmingrathcroghan.ie www.farmingrathcroghan.ie