Photos by: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Delegates attending Youghal’s Public Realm Conference

Experts in the field of regenerating historic cities and towns throughout Ireland and the UK shared their experiences at a major conference in Youghal’s Town Hall on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th May.

Supported by The Heritage Council of Ireland, Cork County Council and Youghal Town Council this conference was funded through the County Heritage Plan and looked at the application of public realm strategies in Ireland.

Catherine Desmond, Archaeologist, Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government and Youghal Heritage Committee commented:
“Youghal is a most fitting venue for this conference being one of the finest examples of a walled town in Europe. We have set out a vision for the 21st Century that envisages the development of the town as high quality, safe, urban environment, attractive to investors, employees, and residents. Youghal is facing a new era of development and transformation. We are now also finally starting to realise our enormous tourism potential attracting an increasing number of international visitors”.

Youghal Town Council undertook the innovative step of developing a Heritage-Led Regeneration Plan along with a Public Realm Plan for the historic core of the town. The protection of public realm has determined the need for the delivery of the most effective presentation, management and development of a town’s public realm with particular reference to the Historic Town.

The conference was designed to provide information to local authorities, planners, engineers, architects, private developers and consultants. Its concept emanated directly from the Youghal Heritage Committee who worked closely with the County Heritage Forum to find the support and funding to make it a reality.