Tipperary Town Revitalisation Task Force has emerged as the county Award Winners for County Tipperary at the Heritage Week Awards which were announced today.
The Awards winners were announced at an online ceremony that also had an invited audience present. The Heritage Council of Ireland organise the awards.
More than 1,800 events and projects took place around the country in August during National Heritage Week, as communities and individuals answered the Heritage Council’s invitation to explore this year’s themes of sustainable heritage and biodiversity.
The Tipperary Award was for the programme of events held in Tipperary Town – this included two workshops, a tree planting event in Pearse Park and the screening of a new film that documented the town’s heritage in respect of the Glove Industry.
The workshops were led by the Museum of Childhood Ireland and examined issues of building reuse, young people’s views on town design and sustainability.
Local artist Lorraine Cleary was involved as was the Tipperary Town Youthwork Ireland Group.
The Glove Industry film was produced by Mary Alice O’Connor in collaboration with Dr Des Marane with Thurles based Star Systems responsible for filming and post production.
The film includes a re-enactment of a day in the life of those working in a Glove Factory that was directed by Jim Keane and features local actors.
SPAB Ireland, was the only other winner from Tipperary. The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) Ireland organised a working party to demonstrate conservation practices on an 18th century farmhouse, outbuildings and boundary walls at Macreary Carrick on Suir.
The National Heritage Hero award-winner was Teddy Fennelly who has been an advocate and enthusiast for local history and heritage in Laois for more than 50 years.
The event today was addressed by the Minister for Housing Heritage and Local Government Darragh O’Brien, and Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan.
The venue was held at the Royal College of Physicians Ireland and was hosted by RTÉ broadcaster Anne Cassin.
