Protecting Ireland's Heritage for Future Generations

By Gary Freemantle, CEO, An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland

The partnership between An Taisce and Friends of An Taisce has never been more important. Together, we share a vision for a stronger National Trust movement in Ireland—one that protects not only our natural landscapes but also the buildings, stories and cultural heritage that define who we are as a nation.

Over the past year, Friends of An Taisce has become an increasingly important partner in advancing this vision. This work has been supported by the 1772 Foundation. Through lectures, events, discussions and advocacy, we are working together to highlight the importance of heritage conservation and to build support for the long-term growth of Ireland's National Trust. These conversations have explored some of the most pressing questions facing heritage protection today: how we preserve vulnerable historic structures, how we connect communities with their local heritage, and how we ensure that significant sites are protected before they are lost forever.

One of the most exciting areas of our work concerns the protection of Ireland's vernacular heritage. Across the country, traditional buildings that tell the story of ordinary people from every corner of Ireland, these communities are disappearing at an alarming rate. Often the result of mass migration to the United States and Unlike grand houses and monuments, these structures often lack formal protection despite their immense cultural significance.

Among the projects we are actively exploring is the protection and conservation of Ireland's surviving famine cottages, particularly traditional thatched cottages that stand as powerful reminders of one of the most defining periods in Irish history. These modest structures represent the lived experience of generations of Irish families and form an irreplaceable part of our national story. We are working towards securing international recognition for this heritage through the World Monuments Fund Watch programme, helping to raise awareness of both their significance and their vulnerability.

We are also examining opportunities to protect other culturally significant vernacular buildings across rural Ireland. These structures embody local craftsmanship, regional identity and traditional ways of life that are increasingly under threat from neglect, abandonment and changing land-use patterns. Their preservation is essential if we are to maintain a tangible connection with Ireland's cultural landscape.

Among the properties currently attracting our interest is Penn Castle in West Cork, the historic Irish home associated with William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania. This remarkable site represents an important connection between Ireland and one of the most influential figures in American history. It offers significant opportunities for heritage interpretation, education and cultural engagement, while preserving an important chapter in Ireland's international story.

We are also exploring opportunities connected with a historic Famine Village in Galway, close to the Gaeltacht. Such sites have the potential to tell a uniquely Irish story, connecting heritage, language, landscape and community. They provide opportunities not only for conservation but also for education, research and cultural tourism that can benefit local communities while safeguarding important aspects of our shared heritage.

These projects reflect a broader ambition for An Taisce and Friends of An Taisce. We believe that Ireland's National Trust should be a champion not only of landmark buildings and spectacular landscapes, but also of the everyday places that tell the story of Irish life. Famine cottages, vernacular farmhouses, historic villages, traditional woodlands and cultural landscapes all deserve recognition and protection as part of our national inheritance.

The support of Friends of An Taisce is helping us build the capacity, expertise and public awareness needed to pursue these opportunities. By bringing together people who care deeply about Ireland's heritage, we are creating a movement capable of securing and protecting significant sites for future generations.

As we look ahead, our ambition is clear: to strengthen Ireland's National Trust, expand the range of properties under protection, and ensure that vulnerable places of historic, cultural and environmental significance are not lost. This is a long-term endeavour, but it is one that will leave a lasting legacy for Ireland supported by the diaspora and friends of Ireland.

I would like to thank everyone involved with Friends of An Taisce for their commitment, enthusiasm and support. Together, we are helping to ensure that Ireland's heritage—both grand and humble—continues to inspire, educate and enrich future generations.