Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) for Clones - A Town steeped in History

CLONES can justifiably call itself an historic town due to the rich tapestry of it's past, which has oftentimes been overshadowed by the more recent history of the Troubles. However, the people of the town are justifiably proud that they are surrounded by more her­itage than you can shake a stick at!

This is because it is believed to be one of the oldest settlements in the county that has seen over a millennium and a half of civilisation. Bear­ing this in mind_: Shirley Clerkin, Heritage Officer with Monaghan County Council is heading up a project that will spearhead the Historic Characterisation of Clones. This will happen in conjunction with County Mon­aghan Heritage Forum Clones. It is funded by the Heritage Council and Monaghan County Council.

HISTORIC LANDSCAPE CHARACTERISATION

The Heritage Office recently sought proposals to examine the majestic site and produce a Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) plan. The HLC could then be used to promote the unique character of the town, inform development, tourism and other strategies. The closing date for submissions has now passed and a decision on who will win the con­tract is expected shortly.

This project will implement part of the County Monaghan Heritage Plan 2006 -2010, which pledges to "assist with the development of her­itage/character audits of towns and villages". This plan is supported by Monaghan County Council, the Heritage Council and County Monaghan Heritage Forum.

Shirley Clerkin, Heritage Officer explained the main objective of the project: "This approach has been used in Cornwall, in the UK as a way to promote the unique character of towns and villages to prevent them becoming "anywhere" towns. Clones is rich in archeological and ar­chitectural heritage. Its unique character is irreplaceable and a real asset to Clones people now and for the future. This project aims to look back in time and forward to use the historic environment as a tool to promote appropriate regeneration that will enhance Clones".

Clones was in a state of suspended animation during the Troubles, as no-one wanted to invest in a Border town. This was devastating to its economy but paid dividends in the preservation of some of its oldest buildings, even though the condition of these may have declined.

In 1991 Bord Failte introduced the Heritage Town Programme as a marketing tool. Thirty Irish towns were chosen from over 600 submis­sions. These towns were chosen for their unique heritage resources and potential to achieve tourism development and growth given Heritage Town status.

The principle of the scheme was that a number of towns with a strong physical heritage would be developed as being representative of the heritage of Ireland. Clones did not achieve this status, but as previously mentioned, the scheme was a marketing device by Bord Failte and doesn't impugn Clones's heritage in any way, shape or form.

Fuelled by a desire to promote their unique heritage, the people of Clones decided to use "power of place" and erected signs at the town boundary heralding motorists arrival into "Historic Clones."

Clones stands tall on an elevation as one drives through the sur­rounding plain, which suggests that it was once fortified against inva­sion. The town is associated with St. Tigernach who established a church and monastery there in the 6th century.

LANDMARKS

His grave is reputed to be located in the burial ground attached to the Round Tower in a shrine shaped tomb. The High Cross probably stood near the Round Tower originally and was later moved to its present po­sition in the Diamond. The cross (possibly dating from the 9th century) is in two parts which did not belong together originally. On the west face are Adam and Eve, the Sacrifice of Isaac and Daniel in the Lions' Den, while on the east face are the Adoration of the Magi, the Marriage Feast of Cana, the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and the Crucifixion, and there are panels with geometrical decoration on the two sides. There have been discussions about moving the cross indoors because of erosion, but this would not happen without a replica being placed on the Diamond.

Further down the town is the graveyard with the Round Tower (1Oth century), which has retained a height of about 75 feet, and has a square headed door and windows. Nearby is a shrine in the shape of a house, with interesting finials, called St. Tighernach's Shrine. It is carved out of one stone. Tradition says that there is a vault underneath it, in which bodies were placed having been taken from their coffins which were later destroyed beside the shrine. The town also boasts a Wee Abbey (Augustian 12th century), Norman motte and bailey (13th century). The remains of Clones Castle wall were found a number of years ago during construction work.

More recent developments such as the Ulster Canal and the Great Northern Railway have left a legacy of associated buildings, aqueducts, bridges and also contributed to the fine Georgian and Victorian buildings in the Diamond and other streets. The only Special Area of Conserva­tion in County Monaghan, the Kilroosky Lough Cluster bounds the town to the north,

Monaghan County Council has undertaken built heritage surveys of the Ulster Canal and Great Northern Railway in the county as part of their 2007 Heritage Plan projects and a Mills survey in 2006. These sur­veys will help to inform the HLC of Clones town.

REGENERATION

There is optimism locally that the restoration of the Ulster Canal initially as far as Clones will bring renewed life to a town which has been nega­tively affected by the Border and the closure of the Great Northern Rail­way. The last boat sailed the Canal in the year 1929.

A new County Library is just about to be unveiled, and a new Fire Sta­tion has opened recently. The Courthouse in currently being renovated and the Cassandra Hand Centre has been operational as a community venue for some time now. The Protestant Hall has also been reborn.

The Clones Development Plan lists many policies for the protection of heritage, which would be complimented by a HLC.

PROJECT DETAILS

The HLC of Clones town will include everything within the urban boundary of Clones, and extend one mile from the urban boundary. It will seek to identify the historic core of the town. Survey scale will be at building level for the most part and survival of standing historic building fabric will be examined.

Monaghan County Council is particularly interested in the approach to HLC used in Cornwall, England - Historic Characterisation for regener-ation. "It was recognised that the process of change launched by re-generation initiative, could if not carefully managed, have a negative impact on the historic environment and the unique character and distinctiveness of settlements. The pressure to achieve rapid change could in itself result in severe erosion and dilution of their individuality and particular distinctiveness and at worst, their transformation into "anywhere" towns, " the report read.

The aim of the Historic Landscape Characterisation is to create a com­prehensive knowledge base on the historic environment of Clones in-eluding: What is known about the towns historic development and resulting urban topography; An overview of surviving historic fabric, in-eluding archaeology and distinctive architectural forms, materials and treatments; An overview of significant elements of Clones streetscapes, street furniture, gates, entry ways etc,: An assessment of the potential foi buried and standing archeological remains and their likely significance; To make recommendations for the management and regeneration of historic Clones.

REQUIRED OUTPUTS

Required elements required to get a full picture of the Historic Land­scape Characterisation of Clones are as follows:

1. A detailed written report including executive summary, to describe Historic Character of Clones and to propose recommendations for his­toric town management, regeneration and promotion.

2. Maps showing key character areas and elements to describe text.

3. A digital photographic record of the entire town.

4. Presentation to public awareness evening mid-way through the proj­ect. This event will be organised by the Heritage Office.

TIMESCALE

The project will commence in May 2008 must be completed in full by Friday 17th October 2008. The findings will then be passed over to a specialist HLC consultant.

A project steering group comprising members of the County Mon­aghan Heritage Forum, Clones Town Council and other local stake­holders will guide the development of this project. Day to day contact will be with the County Monaghan Heritage Office.

Their first meeting took place on Thursday, 10th April 2008, in the Canal Stores. Local historian and tour guide George Knight, who is also cred­ited with the design of the signs at the town boundary, said: "I am cer­tainly very enthusiastic about this project. It is a unique approach, and will increase people's idea of what Clones is and where we are going".

The HLC of Clones will promote the unique character of the town and inform development, tourism and other strategies. The broad objective of the Historic Landscape Characterisation is to identify the unique char­acter, landscape and historic core of the town so that it can be under­stood and so that regeneration can be undertaken in a way, which enhances the distinctive qualities of the town. It will look at the time depth of Clones in a holistic way, focusing on buildings, streetscapes, archeological sites, Christian heritage, and overall setting and character.

Cllr. Marcella Leonard, of the steering group said: "It is very fitting that this project started this week, so close to last Friday's feast day of St. Tighernach. the patron saint of Clones and who established a Monastery here in the fifth century".

Cllr Benny Kieran. Chairperson of the County Monaghan Heritage Forum stated that "the project was very timely, coming on the back of the announcement to restore the Ulster Canal to Clones".

Members of the steering group for the project are Cllr. Pat Treanor, elected representative and member of County Monaghan Heritage Forum; Cllr. Marcella Leonard. Clones Town Council; Cllr. Benny Kieran, elected representative and member of Heritage Forum; Cllr. Peter Mul­ligan; Paul Clifford, Clones Town Manager; Helen Hughes, planner; Dympna Condra. Tourism Officer; Ana Dolan, National Monuments, OPW; Josephine Treanor. Clones Community Forum; Una McCarville, Clones Community Forum; Josephine McKenna, Cassandra Hand Cen­tre; Shirley Clerkin, Heritage Officer and Grainne McAviney, Monaghan County Council.

« Back to the Latest Local News & Events