Call to have Navan included in Irish Walled Towns Network

With conservation work set to begin on Navan's medieval town walls in the coming months, a formal application will be made to have Navan included in the Irish Walled Towns Network.

At a meeting of Navan Municipal District Council last week, the Mayor, Cllr Edward Fennessy called on the council to make a formal application to have Navan included in the Irish Walled Towns Network and for the full implementation of the recommendations contained in the conservation plan for the walls.

The network provides guidance and assistance to member towns by providing grants for town wall conservation and for community festivals and heritage interpretation.

Both Trim and Kells are already members of the network.

Cllr Fennessy recalled that following discussions with the Navan Historical Society last year he had submitted a motion to the council calling for the creation of a conservation plan on the remaining sections of the wall.

“Since then, things have moved along steadily and I thank the council for engaging wholeheartedly on this project.

“A conservation plan has been compiled by local archaeologist Clare Ryan and Fergal McNamara from 7L Architects who worked in conjunction with the council's heritage office, and last February that plan was instrumental in securing €81,000 in funding for the project through the Community Monuments Fund. Preliminary works on the walls are due to commence over the coming months and I welcome this development.”

Cllr Fennessy said conservation projects of this nature require a high level of expertise and funding.

“Membership of the Irish Walled Towns Network will give us access to significant experience on similar conservation works and it is the logical next step for this project to take.

“The step after that, must be the promotion and preservation of local heritage through the development of public access strategies.

“Having read the conservation plan, I urge the council to implement the access strategies proposed in that document.”

He said the arrival of two greenways to Navan next year, will bring with them a significant number of tourists and the potential for local trade and employment to grow is boundless.

“As the local authority, we need to prepare for that boon by developing activities and amenities to keep that footfall in town, spending and growing the local economy.

“Heritage projects such as the conservation of the Medieval Town Walls, will play a crucial role in the development of Navan's town centre tourism trade over the coming years.

“We must do all in our power to encourage and facilitate such initiatives.”

The Irish Walled Towns Network was formed by the Heritage Council in 2005 to help the walled towns of Ireland become better places in which to live, work and visit.