A very grand design launched for Ballyshannon

A new Design Guide for Ballyshannon was launched this week in Dorrian’s Hotel, Ballyshannon by Cathaoirleach of Donegal Municipal District Cllr. Michael Naughton.

The event was extremely well attended by the local community.

The Guide was commissioned by Donegal County Council and funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

The Guide will provide assistance to a wide range of public and private stakeholders such as landowners, business owners, local community groups, technical practitioners, statutory bodies and public authorities. Where the advice contained in this Guide can be applied, it will reap long term benefits for the conservation of the character of the town

Ballyshannon has a wealth of surviving heritage buildings from the late 18th and early 19th century, with 55 no. protected structures to boast off.

Having an understanding of the importance of this wealth of structures will encourage and guide the Heritage-led regeneration of the town and provide sustainability and secure a vibrant future for the town.

The rich built heritage in Ballyshannon sets it apart of many other places in the country and is potentially Ballyshannon’s ‘Unique Selling Point’.

International research has evidenced the value of heritage to economic and social well-being so this initiative is a first and really important step in safeguarding our very special and unique asset.

Speaking at the event Cllr. Naughton said that “this Guide is the culmination of extensive work undertaken by the Council working closely with the Town and Village Renewal group in Ballyshannon and will assist in guiding the maintenance, repair and restoration of existing historic buildings, while also informing proposals for new buildings and infill gaps in the streetscape.”

The Ballyshannon Design Guide is available at http://bit.ly/BallyshannonDesignGuide

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