Carlingford keen to develop heritage theme

November 1989

CARLINGFORD’S future as a ‘Medieval Theme Town’ is assessed at a public meeting in St Michael’s Hall.

It is organised by the Carlingford Heritage Committee, and among the attendance are representatives from Bord Fáílte, the Community Council, Louth County Council, local traders and members of the public.

Outlined to the meeting is what is necessary to become designated as a theme town. Carlingford boasts a scenic location, architecture and Tidy Towns success.

Indeed, it is the first centre visited by Bord Failte to discuss the concept.

The heritage committee has already submitted a plan giving a broad outline for the preservation and restoration of the town’s architecture.

It is revealed funding would be available for the restoration work - 50% to the private sector, and 75% for projects developed through the local authority.

The committee is anxious to get an input from local people and is seeking suggestions on future development, particularly on the heritage theme, for a plan to be submitted to the county council.

‘It will be a long haul but we feel that this is the logical next step from the Tidy Towns success,’ states John Woods, heritage committee secretary.

Tourism has become extremely important to the Carlingford economy, and it is believed the development of a heritage theme is one way of attracting more visitors.

There are enough medieval artefacts and locations in the town to make it a natural follow-on for tourists to Newgrange and the Mourne Mountains; and Carlingford is an attractive destination in its own right.

However, substantial fundraising is necessary to come up with a local contribution in order to avail of significant finance available from such as the EU Structural Fund.