High Hopes for Heritage Town

From our archives

April 1994

BALTINGLASS is gearing itself up for a major tourist drive with the news this week that the town has qualified for special funding to exploit its wealth of heritage.

The Cistercian settlement, surrounded by well documented neolithic remains and with a strong association with the 1798 rebellion, is to become one of 33 heritage towns in Ireland which will attract visitors interested in learning more about Irish history and culture.

The rich and diverse past of Baltinglass will be outlined and interpreted in a heritage centre in the town. There will also be heritage trails around Baltinglass taking in the various points of interest and, possibly, a heritage cycling tour of the surrounding area.

The Baltinglass Heritage Town Company is being set up by an ad interim committee which has been formed by Bord Failte in conjunction with Wicklow County Council and local representatives.

Tourism officer, Ray O’Connor, stressed that the success of the venture would depend largely on the initiative and support of the people of Baltinglass.

‘GRants of up to 75 per cent are available for the development of the town but it will require total commitment from all - not just one or two groups,’ he added.