Heritage Week: Ballyfermot walking trail map and guide to be launched

WORK continues on signage for the Ballyfermot heritage walking trail map and guide, which is set to be officially launched during Heritage Week in August.

Dublin City Council and Ballyfermot Heritage Group have worked together to complete the design of the heritage walking trail map, and some 2,000 copies were printed in early June.

The next steps of the project involve the installation of a sign notice board displaying the heritage trail map along the main thoroughfare in Ballyfermot.

It will also see the production of a historical audit, something which attendees at the launch of Crumlin Walking Trail Map and Guide in January agreed was a fantastic booklet.

Cllr Vincent Jackson (Ind), who is on the committee for the heritage projects, asked the council at the south central area meeting this week, for an update on the “long-awaited heritage sign trail around the Ballyfermot/Cherry Orchard area”.

“We were to get finger directional signs and a couple of major place-names signs in 2020.

“However, despite some local meetings we still have not seen any movement on having this project progress,” said Cllr Jackson.

In response, DCC said: “The Ballyfermot community development team, Ballyfermot Heritage Group and Dublin City Council’s historian-in-residence have completed the design of the heritage walking trail map, with 2,000 copies being printed in the first week of June.

“Work is continuing in relation to the second part of the project, the installation of a sign version of the heritage trail map on the Ballyfermot Road.

“The area office and Heritage Officer met with members of the Ballyfermot Heritage Group in January to encourage them to submit an application to the Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant scheme for funding to undertake a comprehensive audit of the historical, archaeological, built and natural heritage of the Ballyfermot/Cherry Orchard area.

“These audits have been very successful in other parts of the city, such as Crumlin and Marino, involving both the local community, heritage groups and academic experts.

“This can then form the basis of heritage interpretation planning for the area and identify the most effective ways to disseminate historical information and engage the community with their heritage.”