MINISTER OF State at the Office of Public Works Martin Mansergh has welcomed a decision by Unesco’s world heritage committee to approve a report on State management of Skellig Michael.
“The Office of Public Works (OPW) has always maintained that the conservation work being undertaken on Skellig Michael is to the highest standard,” Dr Mansergh said.
“The OPW craftsmen and archaeologists working on site are highly experienced and have undertaken many restoration and conservation projects before,” he said.
Aspects of the OPW’s management of the world heritage site at Skellig Michael are the subject of criticism in the Unesco mission report, which was approved by the organisation’s world heritage committee in Quebec, Canada, this week.
The report was undertaken in response to concerns about State management and the OPW conservation programme.
Unesco found that while the conservation works have “dramatically” transformed the appearance of remains on the South Peak, they are “justifiable” and the “outstanding universal values” remain intact.
It recommends that a site manager be appointed to liaise with all stakeholders, that conservation work be documented in an academic publication, and that a “durable agreement” be negotiated with the Skellig ferry operators.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley, who is responsible for management policy, has published the complex’s first management plan this week and has welcomed the Unesco study as “very positive”. Dr Mansergh said that despite “criticism by a small number of concerned parties”, the Unesco findings were a “welcome validation and endorsement of the work being carried out by my office”.
“I am certain that this will, for once and for all, satisfy anyone who has had misgivings about the work being undertaken by OPW,” he said. The OPW was proud to have played a full part in preparing a management plan by the Department of the Environment, he added.
Absence of a management plan was one of the criticisms levelled by archaeologist Michael Gibbons, who maintained that serious damage had been done to the South Peak oratory, including destruction of an altar.
It was built some time between the 6th and 8th centuries when three terraces were laid out by monks on the edge of rock some 218m (715 ft) above sea level.
Unesco said that because the rationale for the conservation works by the OPW and the actual process was “largely discussed in-house”, criticisms were “inevitable” and this was exacerbated by a “lack of publication”.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label skellig michael. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skellig michael. Show all posts
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
Unesco report criticises Skellig work
A UNESCO report on State management of the world heritage site at Skellig Michael off the Kerry coast has found that conservation works have "dramatically altered" the appearance of surviving remains on its South Peak.
However, the 6th century monastic outpost will still retain its "outstanding universal values" intact if the conservation work is documented in an academic publication, the Unesco mission report has found.
The report, due to be released today by the Unesco world heritage committee in Quebec, Canada, has been welcomed by Minister for the Environment John Gormley. He is also publishing the first management plan for Skellig Michael today.
The Unesco study upholds some of the criticisms of State stewardship to date, in recommending that a site manager be appointed. It also says that a "durable agreement" should be negotiated with Skellig Michael ferry operators.
It recommends that an academic advisory committee be appointed by the Office of Public Works (OPW), and it is critical of the OPW for failing to consult with archaeologists and other stakeholders before embarking on the South Peak conservation works.
The Unesco mission to Skellig Michael took place late last year as a result of concerns highlighted by independent archaeologist Michael Gibbons, and submissions from organisations such as the Royal Irish Academy and the Skellig boatmen. A draft management plan had already been initiated in response to the criticisms.
While the OPW has responsibility for management of the complex, Mr Gormley's department is responsible for policy.
Mr Gibbons maintained that serious damage had been done to the South Peak oratory, including destruction of an altar. It was built by the island's monks some time between the 6th and 8th centuries when they laid out three terraces on the edge of rock some 218m (715 feet) above sea level.
An "over-restoration" by the OPW had resulted in a "reconstruction" of sections of the oratory rather than conservation of the original, Mr Gibbons claimed. He also queried why no management plan had ever been published since it was given world heritage status in 1996.
The Unesco report summarises the criticisms as a failure to apply best archaeological practice, and a perception that the OPW conservation plan was driven by "architectural rather than archaeological imperatives".
"Because the rationale for the works and the actual process was largely discussed in-house, criticisms were inevitable," it says, and this was exacerbated by a "lack of publication".
"The new work is in its own way almost as remarkable as the original work. The monument as now reconstructed will become the popular vision of Skellig. For this reason it is essential that detail of the works should always be made explicit and the new work should be distinguishable from the old in all future publications," the report says.
In securing an agreement with the Skellig boatmen, the Unesco committee recommends that the OPW invites the boatmen to an annual meeting, and it should establish and publicise future criteria for the issue of permits.
It also emphasises the need for a site manager to liaise between official and stakeholder interests. It says that a detailed visitor study should be carried out and an environmentally acceptable solution should be found to the lack of toilet facilities on the island.
Mr Gormley has welcomed the "very positive findings", and says that his 10-year management plan aims to "protect, conserve and promote an appreciation of Skellig Michael".
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
However, the 6th century monastic outpost will still retain its "outstanding universal values" intact if the conservation work is documented in an academic publication, the Unesco mission report has found.
The report, due to be released today by the Unesco world heritage committee in Quebec, Canada, has been welcomed by Minister for the Environment John Gormley. He is also publishing the first management plan for Skellig Michael today.
The Unesco study upholds some of the criticisms of State stewardship to date, in recommending that a site manager be appointed. It also says that a "durable agreement" should be negotiated with Skellig Michael ferry operators.
It recommends that an academic advisory committee be appointed by the Office of Public Works (OPW), and it is critical of the OPW for failing to consult with archaeologists and other stakeholders before embarking on the South Peak conservation works.
The Unesco mission to Skellig Michael took place late last year as a result of concerns highlighted by independent archaeologist Michael Gibbons, and submissions from organisations such as the Royal Irish Academy and the Skellig boatmen. A draft management plan had already been initiated in response to the criticisms.
While the OPW has responsibility for management of the complex, Mr Gormley's department is responsible for policy.
Mr Gibbons maintained that serious damage had been done to the South Peak oratory, including destruction of an altar. It was built by the island's monks some time between the 6th and 8th centuries when they laid out three terraces on the edge of rock some 218m (715 feet) above sea level.
An "over-restoration" by the OPW had resulted in a "reconstruction" of sections of the oratory rather than conservation of the original, Mr Gibbons claimed. He also queried why no management plan had ever been published since it was given world heritage status in 1996.
The Unesco report summarises the criticisms as a failure to apply best archaeological practice, and a perception that the OPW conservation plan was driven by "architectural rather than archaeological imperatives".
"Because the rationale for the works and the actual process was largely discussed in-house, criticisms were inevitable," it says, and this was exacerbated by a "lack of publication".
"The new work is in its own way almost as remarkable as the original work. The monument as now reconstructed will become the popular vision of Skellig. For this reason it is essential that detail of the works should always be made explicit and the new work should be distinguishable from the old in all future publications," the report says.
In securing an agreement with the Skellig boatmen, the Unesco committee recommends that the OPW invites the boatmen to an annual meeting, and it should establish and publicise future criteria for the issue of permits.
It also emphasises the need for a site manager to liaise between official and stakeholder interests. It says that a detailed visitor study should be carried out and an environmentally acceptable solution should be found to the lack of toilet facilities on the island.
Mr Gormley has welcomed the "very positive findings", and says that his 10-year management plan aims to "protect, conserve and promote an appreciation of Skellig Michael".
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 22 July 2007
Public consultation stage of draft management plan for Skellig Michael World Heritage Site
Mr. John Gormley T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has announced the commencement of the public consultation process regarding the draft Management Plan for Skellig Michael World Heritage Site.
This property is owned by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which has responsibility for policy relating to the built and natural heritage. The Office of Public Works has responsibility for the management of Skellig Michael.
In 1996, Skellig Michael was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO - the body which selects World Heritage Sites as representing the best international examples of cultural and natural heritage. Referring to the renowned status of Skellig Michael, the Minister stated - "this is a spectacular medieval island monastic site, whose listing as a World Heritage site recognises the universal significance of this cultural landscape."
In relation to the proposed Management Plan, Minister Gormley said that the term of the plan will be for ten years from the date of its publication and added - "I consider that an updated expanded Management Plan is required for Skellig Michael, to ensure the protection, conservation and management of this important heritage site for the next ten years - to 2017."
The Minister explained that this draft plan is a comprehensive document, giving detailed information on the history of Skellig Michael, a description of the features of the site, the natural heritage elements of the island and the statutory protection measures which relate to the site.
He went on to say - "it documents the conservation works carried out to-date by the Office of Public Works, in accordance with best international practice to protect and conserve this World Heritage Site. It also details future proposed works including ongoing maintenance works, confirms current arrangements regarding visitor access and addresses other important management issues."
He continued by saying that - "in addition, the draft plan outlines the objectives of the Management Plan and the key actions which will be implemented during its ten-year lifetime. It also provides for a review of the key actions after five years."
The draft plan is being put out to public consultation with a period of six weeks for receipt of responses.
This property is owned by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which has responsibility for policy relating to the built and natural heritage. The Office of Public Works has responsibility for the management of Skellig Michael.
In 1996, Skellig Michael was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO - the body which selects World Heritage Sites as representing the best international examples of cultural and natural heritage. Referring to the renowned status of Skellig Michael, the Minister stated - "this is a spectacular medieval island monastic site, whose listing as a World Heritage site recognises the universal significance of this cultural landscape."
In relation to the proposed Management Plan, Minister Gormley said that the term of the plan will be for ten years from the date of its publication and added - "I consider that an updated expanded Management Plan is required for Skellig Michael, to ensure the protection, conservation and management of this important heritage site for the next ten years - to 2017."
The Minister explained that this draft plan is a comprehensive document, giving detailed information on the history of Skellig Michael, a description of the features of the site, the natural heritage elements of the island and the statutory protection measures which relate to the site.
He went on to say - "it documents the conservation works carried out to-date by the Office of Public Works, in accordance with best international practice to protect and conserve this World Heritage Site. It also details future proposed works including ongoing maintenance works, confirms current arrangements regarding visitor access and addresses other important management issues."
He continued by saying that - "in addition, the draft plan outlines the objectives of the Management Plan and the key actions which will be implemented during its ten-year lifetime. It also provides for a review of the key actions after five years."
The draft plan is being put out to public consultation with a period of six weeks for receipt of responses.
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