Irish Walled Towns Network
Abarta Heritage was awarded the contract for the Irish Walled Towns Network (IWTN) in October 2019. The network was established by the Heritage Council in 2005 to unite and coordinate the strategic efforts of Local Authorities involved in the management and conservation of historic walled towns across the island of Ireland.
The role of the IWTN has developed over the last number of years and it now strives to make historic towns better places to live, work and visit. Currently, 29 towns form the network across the island of Ireland (both north and south). Many of these towns have suffered from high vacancy rates, business closures and neglect of their historic fabric, the IWTN now promotes heritage as having a central role to play in improving the socio-economic outlook for these historic towns.
The IWTN has very successfully fostered a collaborative, bottom-up approach towards the care and conservation of these valuable aspects of our heritage. Through funding, advice, mentoring and guidance the IWTN works with member towns to aid regeneration and conservation projects, to raise awareness about the heritage of the towns, to create a sense of place amongst community groups as well as publishing advisory information about the care, conservation, regeneration and interpretation of these places. Over the past number of years, the IWTN has created the world’s largest collection of advisory youtube videos relating to the urban renewal of towns.
Location of 29 Towns on the Island of Ireland participating in the IWTN
Athenry (Co. Galway), Athlone (Co. Westmeath), Athy (Co. Kildare), Bandon (Co. Cork), Buttevant (Co. Cork), Carlingford (Co. Louth), Carrickfergus (Co. Antrim), Carrick-on-Suir (Co. Tipperary), Cashel (Co. Tipperary), Castledermot (Co. Carlow), Clonmel (Co. Tipperary), Cork City, Derry/ Londonderry (Co. Derry/ Londonderry), Drogheda (Co. Louth), Dublin City (Co. Dublin), Fethard (Co. Tipperary), Galway City, Kells (Co. Meath), Kildare, Kilkenny City, Kilmallock (Co. Limerick), Limerick City, Loughrea (Co. Galway), New Ross (Co. Wexford), Rinn Dúin/ Rindoon (Co. Roscommon), Trim (Co. Meath), Waterford City, Wexford town and Youghal (Co. Cork).
Follow the Irish Walled Towns Network on the sites below!
