Proud heritage discussed at Guildhall meeting

The event, which was jointly hosted by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Ilex and Derry City Council, is particularly timely given the importance of Londonderry's heritage within Northern Ireland's Tourism Development Strategy, the city's push for World Heritage Status, and the bid to become the UK's City of Culture in 2013.

HLF has invested 10m in Londonderry in a range of projects including the Tower Museum, the Playhouse, Cathedral School in London Street, the Diamond War Memorial and the Northern Counties Hotel.

HLF, Derry City Council and Ilex believe that the time is right to develop a coherent strategy to protect and identify future opportunities to secure continued investment in the Walled City's unique heritage.

Guests heard from a number of distinguished contributors from the heritage and tourism sectors including Virginia Teehan, former Director of the Hunt Museum in Limerick, former Board Member of the Heritage Council, and now Director of Cultural Projects and Humanities Research at University College Cork; Sarah Maxfield, Chief Executive of Oxford Inspires, who was involved in Oxford's bid for European City of Culture in 2008 and Matt McNulty, Ilex Board Member, International Tourism Consultant and former Director General of Bord Failte Eireann.

Speaking at the event, Chair of HLF Northern Ireland, Ronnie Spence, said: "We have taken the first step in developing a vision of how Derry's heritage and unique past can play a major role in its future.

“The development of a plan to link operational and strategic elements is necessary to help move the city towards an agreed vision that will secure future investment not just from HLF, but from the many other funders who will be required to support that vision."

Oonagh McGillion, Temporary Director of Development with Derry City Council commented: "Our city has so many exciting initiatives already in place, and with many more on the horizon, I am delighted that we have had this opportunity to come together to discuss these issues.

“It has been a worthwhile exercise to examine our current needs and we have discovered there are many opportunities out there for the future. We have started on a path of partnership to work together to cement an excellent cultural offering and secure the necessary funding to deliver it. I am confident that we can build upon the existing rich and diverse heritage that this city can offer."

Aideen McGinley, Chief Executive of Ilex said, "Tourism is one of the key economic drivers for Derry~Londonderry and heritage is an integral part of the tourism industry.

“The city has an incredible legacy of heritage within a relatively small area and our objective must be to ensure that Derry is the number one heritage destination city on the island of Ireland.

“This event has brought together a broad range of people representing different types of heritage to exchange ideas and help make that happen."