Update on the Lough Neagh Partnership’s 10-Year Heritage Resilience Plan: Advancing a Community-Centred Approach to Protecting a Cultural Treasure
The Lough Neagh Partnership is actively developing a 10-Year Heritage Resilience Plan, funded initially by the Heritage Lottery, aimed at safeguarding Lough Neagh’s invaluable environmental, cultural, and economic assets. This initiative comes at a crucial time, as the Lough—historically a centrepiece of local folklore, traditions, and livelihoods—faces growing threats from environmental degradation and fragmented management. By involving the community and stakeholders from the outset, the plan aims to strengthen local connections to the Lough, ensuring it remains a cherished heritage site for generations to come.
An essential aspect of the resilience plan is its focus on balancing conservation efforts with sustainable economic development. The plan will support local needs without compromising the Lough’s natural environment. This balanced approach fosters a model of sustainable heritage conservation, encouraging community members to take an active role in preserving Lough Neagh’s unique biodiversity and cultural significance.
The consultation process has been thorough and inclusive, combining in-person and digital engagements to gather feedback from a broad audience. Five community sessions, 151 survey responses, and 30 in-depth interviews with key stakeholders provided both quantitative and qualitative insights. A Digital Community Outreach Webinar also engaged 169 live participants, with 179 additional views on YouTube, bringing total participation to 1,263 individuals. A strong desire for change in ownership and strategic management emerged as a key theme during the consultations, and as a result, the next project phase will explore the most effective management models, including options for community ownership. With this foundation, the Lough Neagh Partnership is paving the way for a collaborative and resilient future for this iconic Lough.
