Press Release. Department of the Environment,
Heritage & Local Government,
6th. June 2008.

Appointment of Mr. Conor Newman
- as Chairperson of the Heritage Council

Conor NewmanMr. John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has today (6th. June, 2008) announced the appointment of Mr. Conor Newman as Chairman of the Heritage Council. The role and remit of the Heritage Council is set out in the Heritage Act 1995. The term of office will be for a period of five years.

The Minister congratulated Mr. Newman, commenting that he has a "very considerable wealth of heritage experience and expertise which will greatly benefit the State in the role of Chairman of the Heritage Council".

Conor Newman is a graduate of University College Dublin (UCD), and joined the staff at NUI Galway in 1996 where he teaches late prehistoric and early medieval archaeology. His research interests include the archaeology of the 4th.-6th. century transition from pagan to Christian Ireland and later prehistoric "royal" centres, in particular the archaeology and landscape of Tara. He was director of the Discovery Programme Tara Survey and his work has been extensively published. He has pursued post-graduate research in Britain, France and Italy and was visiting professor of Celtic Archaeology at the University of Toronto. He is also editor of the Journal of Irish Archaeology. He is co-Director, with Dr. Mark Stansbury (NUI Galway) of a research project Columbanus: Life and Legacy.

"The Heritage Council is well recognised and respected for its role in the protection and promotion of our national heritage. Since its foundation, it has brought about a wider understanding of heritage. It was worked tirelessly to instill a sense of pride in our national heritage at community level by working through local organisations and by supporting Local Authorities. The Council has played a vital role in promoting best practice in protecting our heritage and has established itself as a recognised centre of excellence" said the Minister. "I want the Council to continue to build on the good work of the outgoing members across the whole range of heritage values that it has a role in promoting and protecting. I have every confidence in Conor Newman's ability to lead and further develop the Heritage Council, in accordance with the Programme for Government" he continued. "I wish to also thank the outgoing Chairman Dr. Tom O'Dywer and the four outgoing members for their very valuable contribution during their terms of office in fulfilling the remit of the Council".

It is expected that a further announcement will be made regarding the appointment of four other board members in the coming weeks. Further information on the work of the Heritage Council is available on www.heritagecouncil.ie

Membership of Heritage Council

Chair
Conor Newman (new)
Dr. Tom O'Dywer (outgoing)

Ordinary Members

……To be announced (New)
Deirdre-Ellis King (Outgoing)
Dublin City Librarian

To be announced( New)
Maurice Hurley (Outgoing)
Cork City Archaeologist; Ex-Chair of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland

To be announced (New)
Nioclás Ó Conchubhair (Outgoing)
Gaeltacht/Irish language heritage expertise; Former Senator and member of Galway County Council

To be announced (New)
Virginia Teehan (Outgoing)
Director of Hunt Museum; Archivist

Finola Reid
Landscape and gardening expert. Particular knowledge and expertise in historic gardens

Betty Coffey
Former Cathaoirleach, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council; former member Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company; former member, EU Committee of the Regions

Billy Colfer
Chairman of Wexford Historical Society. Chairman of Fethard Castle Ltd. Board member of Hook Heritage Ltd. and the Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig

Prof. Gabriel Cooney
Associate Professor UCD and Head of the Department of Archaeology, 2001-4.

Ted Creedon
Broadcaster, archaeological expertise

Anne Marie Caulfield
Principal, Heritage Policy and Architectural Protection Section of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Dr. Caro-lynne Ferris
The Countryside Access and Activities Network, Northern Ireland

Rhonwen Hayes
Artist and musician

Brendan Dunford
Coordinator LIFE nature project, Burren; expertise in interaction of agriculture and natural heritage

Mary Keenan
Landscape horticulturalist. Past President, Tree Council of Ireland. Parks Department South Dublin Council

Noel Keyes
Former Cathaoirleach, Bray Town Council, Chairman Wicklow Heritage Forum and Bray Heritage Centre

Martina Maloney
Galway County Manager

Note for Editor

The Heritage Council is an independent statutory body established under the Heritage Act, 1995. The principal functions of the Heritage Council are:

· to propose policies and priorities for the identification, protection, preservation and enhancement of all aspects of the national heritage;
· to promote interest, education, knowledge and pride in the national heritage;
· to consult with or advise a public authority in relation to the maintenance, preservation, restoration, upkeep and improvement of any heritage building owned by the authority.

The Heritage Council has four statutory committees as required by the Heritage Act, 1995- wildlife, archaeology, architectural heritage and inland waterways. The Council has established four further committees- museums and archives, marine and coastal, education and awareness and finance and audit.

Link to NUI Galway Website
http://www.nuigalway.ie/archaeology/conor_newman.html

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