A series of artistic compositions is being commissioned to celebrate this State's architectural heritage, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, announced. Speaking at the launch yesterday of the 1998 Heritage Towns of Ireland brochure in Killaloe, Co Clare, the Minister said she was building on the theme of "frozen music" and she started with the Marino Casino.
"John Sheehan of the Dubliners composed a beautiful piece of music which you may have heard on the Late Late Show last Friday. In the case of Co Clare, I am hoping that Patrick Cassidy will compose a piece to mark how special the Friary is to the heritage of Ennis."
Two pieces of legislation are being brought forward, the Local Government (Planning and Development) Bill and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage Bill. In 1998 new heritage centres will open in Athy, Co Kildare; Athenry, Co Galway; and Dalkey, Co Dublin. Heritage town members are Abbeyleix, Co Laois; Adare, Co Limerick; Athenry, Co Galway; Athy, Co Kildare; Birr, Co Offaly; Cahir and Cashel, Co Tipperary; Cobh, Co Cork; Dalkey, Co Dublin; Kells, Co Meath; Kenmare, Co Kerry; Kildare town; Killaloe-Ballina and Kilrush, Co Clare; Kinsale, Co Cork; Lismore, Co Waterford; Listowel, Co Kerry; Strokestown, Co Roscommon; Tipperary town; Trim, Co Meath; Westport, Co Mayo; Wexford town; and Youghal, Co Cork.