Context 163 - March 2020

34 C O N T E X T 1 6 3 : M A R C H 2 0 2 0 disaster-risk management for cultural heritage. Cross-sectoral impacts, including in areas such as flood relief, changing agricultural practices and energy efficiency measures, will be critical to manage in terms of protecting Ireland’s heritage assets. Other objectives include the creation of awareness among civil society of the risks of climate change, the development of structures and networks to facilitate engagement, and the support of the custodians of heritage structures and sites in private ownership. The adaptation plan calls up a need for guidance on appropriate adaptation measures and for the development of required skills and expertise. Ensuring that the correct skills and materials are available to pro- tect repair and adapt our heritage will be crucial to the successful protection of these assets in the face of a changing environment. One of the most effective ways of increasing the resilience of our historic structures and sites is the application of tried-and-tested, good conservation practices. By promoting proactive maintenance and repair programmes for the his- toric building stock we will help to climate-proof them and increase their longevity. Upskilling the construction sector in traditional building repair will assist in ensuring high-quality adapta- tion practices, such as upgrading the energy efficiency of the building stock. It will also help avoid inadvertent damage to the historic built environment during adaptation works or, for example, during clean-up activities after a catastrophic weather event. Climate resilience is about ensuring the unique and irreplaceable historic built environment of our cities, towns and countryside is protected against future threats. The successful imple- mentation of actions under the adaptation plan will provide us with increased knowledge of the location of vulnerable sites and the nature of the threats they face from climate-related effects. A deeper understanding of sites and their vulner- ability will assist in targeting resources. There was an emphasis throughout the process of preparing the adaptation plan on identifying cross-cutting issues with other sectors. A vital, and very welcome, outcome of the development of the plan has been the level of engagement and coordination fostered between government departments, local authorities, NGOs and oth- ers in the heritage sector. It has allowed us the opportunity to bring heritage issues into the mainstream, and to influence policies and practice across other sectors where these would impact on heritage. The process has also led to engagement with international bodies and networks active in climate-change adaptation across the EU, the UK and beyond, including the Climate Heritage Network (launched in Edinburgh in October 2019) and the International Council on Monuments and Sites. The Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Built and Archaeological Heritage can be viewed and downloaded from the website of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: https://www.chg.gov.ie/heritage/ climate-change/the-built-and-archaeological-her- itage-climate-change-sectoral-adaptation-plan/. Information on the National Adaptation Framework and links to the sectoral adaptation plans are on the website of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment at :https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/ climate-action/topics/adapting-to-climate- change/national-adaptation-framework/Pages/ default.aspx. Jacqui Donnelly is a senior architect in built heritage policy at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Ireland. An early Christian settlement on an island off the coast of Kerry, Ilauntannig was originally enclosed by a drystone wall, or cashel. Much of the eastern section of wall has been lost to coastal erosion (Photo: Office of Public Works)