Geography students from Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick were in County Donegal earlier this month to study the changing architecture and morphology of the county’s towns. About 40 undergraduate students from the B.A. and B.Ed. programmes in Geography spent three days in the county undertaking field research.
Using maps, historical documents and landscape analysis, the students attempted to reconstruct the evolution of streetscapes in several historic settlements. Fieldwork was undertaken in the ‘Heritage Towns’ of Ramelton, Raphoe and Ballyshannon where the influence of the Plantation on the built environment was considered and in historic settlements such as Donegal Town. All the towns exhibit substantial architectural heritage (including Protected Structures protected under the Planning & Development Act 2000) and archaeological heritage (including Recorded Monuments and Zones of Archaeological Potential protected under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004). The students studied contrasts in architectural styles, craftsmanship and building materials between historic buildings and modern developments.
This is the third year that students from Mary Immaculate College travelled to the county to study the built heritage of our towns and the changing morphology of our settlements. “More research needs to done on applying typologies of traditional settlement patterns to our built environments to inform policy, management and planning of our built heritage and landscape” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer. “The ways in which we conserve our built environment, allow its dereliction or destroy it reveal past and present attitudes to our heritage. It would benefit our built heritage greatly if all of us would consider our imprint and impact on the morphology of towns, village character and streetscapes. The holistic approach to the study of landscape undertaken by the geography students is revealing and informs our understanding of landscape change.” As part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (2007-2011), Donegal County Council will be undertaking Village Design Statements in consultation with local communities. A Village Design Statement highlights and describes the qualities and characteristics of a village that contribute to its distinctive identity and that which is appreciated and valued by local residents.
For further information, please contact:
Joseph Gallagher
Heritage Officer,
County Donegal Heritage Office,
Donegal County Council,
Station Island,
Lifford.
Telephone: (074) 917 2576
E-mail: heritage@donegalcoco.ie