The following seven projects should be formally designated as Tier 1 Priority Actions within the Heritage Plan, with a commitment to secure funding and initiate feasibility studies within the first 18 months.

1. Jigginstown Castle, Naas: Full structural preservation and establishment of a National Heritage Skills Training Centre to save this monument and address the national skills gap in traditional building trades.
2. Kildare Town Market Square: Comprehensive urban regeneration of derelict structures to revitalize the historic town centre, fully aligned with the "Town Centre First" policy.
3. Kilcullen Mill/Weir: Restoration as a Water & Industrial Heritage Hub, directly linked to the Greenway to promote sustainable tourism and public amenity.
4. Mullacash Hill, Naas: Formal protection and development as a managed public park, securing panoramic views and enhancing biodiversity and recreational access.
5. Milltown Railway Station: Restoration as a Heritage Gateway & Trailhead Hub for walking and cycling tourism on the Curragh Plains.
6. Hill of Allen: Compulsory acquisition of a public right-of-way and restoration of the folly tower to resolve the access crisis at this site of national significance.

The Shackleton Quarter, Athy: Conversion of a vacant protected structure into a high-spec digital co-working and enterprise hub, linking heritage conservation with the modern digital economy.

A. Regional Religious Trail Expansion:

• Create "The St. Brigid & Early Christianity Trail": Partner with neighbouring counties to develop a regional pilgrimage route connecting key Christian heritage sites across the midlands.
• County Kildare Sites: St. Brigid's Cathedral & Round Tower (Kildare Town), Old Kilcullen Church & Round Tower, Taghadoe Round Tower, St. Patrick's Church (Ballysax).
• Regional Connections: Connect with Clonmacnoise (County Offaly), Durrow Abbey (County Offaly), Rock of Dunamase (County Laois), and Monasterevin (County Kildare-Laois border).
• Strategic Benefits: Positions Kildare as the heart of early Christian heritage in Ireland, attracts international pilgrimage tourism, and creates multi-day visitor itineraries that benefit all participating counties.

B. Tourism Partnership Programme:

• Partner with Irish Tour Operators: Actively partner with established tour companies like Paddywagon Tours, Irish Day Tours, and Vagabond Tours to create dedicated "Kildare Heritage Day Trips" and multi-day "Midlands Christian Heritage Tours" from Dublin.
• Curated Itineraries: Develop themed tours such as "Medieval Kildare," "Industrial Heritage," or "St. Brigid's Trail" that include multiple heritage sites, local crafts, and food experiences.
• Economic Benefits: This guarantees visitor numbers, supports local businesses, and creates sustainable tourism revenue streams.

C. Community Maintenance Programme:

• Local Caretaker System: Establish a formal programme where local residents or community groups can adopt and maintain specific heritage sites, including basic upkeep, litter picking, and minor repairs.
• Public Facility Maintenance: For public toilets and facilities at heritage sites, implement a "Community Warden" system where trained local residents handle daily opening, closing, cleaning, and basic maintenance.
• Benefits: Creates local employment, ensures facilities are well-maintained, reduces Council overheads, and fosters strong community ownership of heritage assets.

The Heritage Plan 2026-2031 must initiate a long-term strategy to position County Kildare for international recognition and access significant external funding.

A. Pathway to UNESCO Designation:
We recommend the Council immediately begin work towards two potential designations:

1. UNESCO Global Geopark: "The Kildare Lakelands & Boglands": This would celebrate our unique natural heritage, encompassing our lakes, the Bog of Allen, and the Curragh, telling a 10,000-year story of geology and human interaction.
2. UNESCO World Heritage Site: "The Monastic City of Kildare": A long-term goal to nominate the complex of St. Brigid's Cathedral and Round Tower, recognising its "Outstanding Universal Value."

Action in this Plan: Include an objective to "Explore pathways to UNESCO designation" and allocate funding for a scoping study in 2026.

B. Strategic Access to European Union Funding:
The EU provides the most significant source of external funding for heritage, rural development, and climate action. The Heritage Plan must be explicitly aligned to tap into these programmes.

• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): For urban regeneration (Kildare Town Square), SME support (The Shackleton Quarter), and digital innovation (3D Modelling Project).
• Just Transition Fund: For retrofitting heritage buildings and skills development in the Midlands region, perfectly suited for the Jigginstown Skills Centre.
• LIFE Programme: For biodiversity, climate adaptation, and water management projects at sites like Mullacash Hill and Kilcullen Weir.
• Creative Europe: For cultural heritage projects, artist residencies, and promoting St. Brigid's cultural legacy.

Action in this Plan: Task the Heritage Officer with preparing a dedicated "EU Funding Strategy" for heritage, identifying specific calls and building partnerships to ensure Kildare's projects are "application-ready."