About Us & What is Heritage?

• Other relevant links
• About Us & What is Heritage?
• News & Events
• Heritage Online
• Archaeology & Built Heritage
• Biodiversity & Natural Heritage
• Cultural Heritage
• Graveyards
• Heritage Plan & Heritage Forum
• Heritage & Communities

Galway County Heritage Office was established in June 2000 with the appointment of County Galway’s first Heritage Officer. The Heritage Officer Programme is a joint initiative between the Heritage Council and local authorities including Galway County Council.  

The aim of Galway County Heritage Office is to:

• Promote awareness, knowledge and pride in the heritage of County Galway
• Provide advice, guidance and information on various aspects of heritage
• Promote partnership and participation
• Promote heritage best practice
• Prepare and implement actions of Galway County Heritage Plan 2017-2022 in conjunction with Galway County Heritage Forum
• Collect data and undertake research on various aspects of the heritage of County Galway
• Support the integration and inclusion of heritage policy across all sectors.

What is Heritage?

The Heritage Act, 1995, defines heritage as including monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects, architectural heritage, seascapes, wrecks, geology, inland waterways and heritage gardens and parks. Galway County Heritage Plan 2017-2022 provides for these aspects of heritage that are defined in the Act. However, the County Heritage Plan also provides for aspects of heritage that are unique to the county and which the people of the County of Galway consider to be part of this rich heritage. Therefore Galway County Heritage Office considers the Irish language, folklore and folklife, placenames, traditional crafts, genealogy and local history are important facets of the unique heritage of the County of Galway.