8th October 2021
We are delighted that our application to the Heritage Council Community Heritage Grant Scheme has been successful!
Below is a summary of the grant application.
Recovering a Rathcroghan landscape and community identity through innovative rural furniture, fixtures and colour scheme
Rathcroghan Archaeological Complex is one of the Royal Sites of Ireland and features heavily in mythology – perhaps most famously in the Táin Bó Cúailnge (Cattle Raid of Cooley). It is an impressive site, hosting more than 240 archaeological sites, including about 70 National Monuments.
Rathcroghan is as much a living landscape today as it was many years ago. The entire complex of approx. 7 km2 is actively used for agricultural purposes and spans over 70 farms. This project will be a part of an overarching goal to celebrate the heritage of Rathcroghan and the Rathcroghan agricultural landscape, and the two co-existing in harmony.
This project, ‘Recovering a Rathcroghan landscape and community identity through innovative rural furniture, fixtures and colour scheme’ aims to tackle the challenge of a lack of public awareness of the Rathcroghan area in general and the farmer role as custodians of the archaeology, without introducing new structures or infrastructures, such as signage, that would interfere with the unspoilt feel of the landscape.
We aim to develop a coordinated, bespoke colour scheme for the Rathcroghan area and community. By applying the colour scheme onto existing man-made landscape features, such as farm gates, stiles and disused small buildings, that are already present and established there is an opportunity to enhance the landscape in a non-intrusive, respectful manner that also deliver a considerable visible impact. This will provide a visual cue to visitors and passer-by that there is something inherently special and different to be found in Rathcroghan.
Farming Rathcroghan EIP is a locally led project and community group developed by local landowners and stakeholders in 2019. We are successfully working with 45 local farmers to protect and maintain Rathcroghan archaeology in an agricultural landscape. There is great pride in the local farming community for Rathcroghan and the associated archaeology, which they have been minding for generations. There is, however, a sense in the community that their efforts are being overlooked by the general public and government organisations. The development of a bespoke colour scheme will act as a visual cue to enhance and restore the sense of pride and close-knit community for local residents.
Bespoke colour schemes have been implemented successfully with great local engagement in other areas of Ireland. For instance, a bespoke colour scheme was implemented for farm gates in Bere Island, Cork, funded by the Heritage Council Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2017. On a local scale, colour palettes have been designed and implemented in Roscommon Town and Boyle, Co. Roscommon with great success.
In summary, we welcome the opportunity to enhance a living heritage landscape while supporting and creating engagement in the local community.