Sir, – The recent announcement by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys of a series of regional workshops to help guide the development of Ireland's first national cultural policy is a really great step forward ("Culture 2025 plan poses important questions for the arts in Ireland", August 14th).
The Minister states that the policy is to be led by those involved in the sector, and those who feel passionately about the arts.
I would hope that people who feel passionately about our national heritage will also feel that they have an equal contribution to make in shaping this emerging cultural policy and grasp the opportunity to do so. Our national heritage in all its guises is the bedrock of our culture, for today and tomorrow.
The public perception of heritage has changed in the last 20 years. It is no longer regarded as the preserve of experts, and it is people, quality of life, and pride of place that make heritage important. Indeed, people’s attachment to their own place, as well as pride in their locality and landscape, is astonishingly strong.
Let us all make sure that our heritage is central to, and an equal part, of this first national cultural policy. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL STARRETT,
Chief Executive,
The Heritage Council,
Church Lane,
Kilkenny.