Northern Ireland

Heritage `angels' to be honoured at awards ceremony

The Titanic Foundation has been nominated for its work on the Harland & Wolff drawing offices, now a hotel
The Titanic Foundation has been nominated for its work on the Harland & Wolff drawing offices, now a hotel The Titanic Foundation has been nominated for its work on the Harland & Wolff drawing offices, now a hotel

PEOPLE and groups who have rescued historic buildings are to be honoured.

The Heritage Angel Awards also aims to celebrate those who have worked as craftsmen or apprentices, or recorded and interpreted a historic place.

Comprising 15 projects in five categories, the shortlist showcases a range of diverse heritage initiatives across Northern Ireland.

Each of them has developed their interest in heritage, in different ways and applied their interest into quality schemes.

The Friends of Lissan House group in Co Tyrone has been nominated for its work to source funding to restore and secure the house while endeavouring to save the historic out-buildings.

The Foyle Civic Trust in Derry has been nominated for its Walled City Townscape Heritage Initiative while Conor Sandford is in the running for restoring The Windmill Stump, a landmark building which stands on the summit of `Cockhill' in Co Armagh, which had fallen into disrepair.

Winners will be named at a ceremony on November 6 at the Guildhall in Derry.

The public is being urged to cast votes for their choice from the shortlist online at www.heritageangelawards-ni.org.uk.

"We were truly overwhelmed with quantity and quality of applications/nominations received in this the second year of the Heritage Angel Awards in Northern Ireland, which has highlighted the continued strength of interest in preserving our historic buildings and sites for future generations," said Nicola McVeigh, Chief Executive Ulster Architectural Heritage Society.

The awards are funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation; Derry and Strabane District Council and the Department for Communities.

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber said protecting architectural heritage was a vital part of cultural life.

"Architecture is the most vulnerable art form and one that I have been passionate about all my life," he said.

"I'm delighted my foundation can support the Heritage Angel Awards in Northern Ireland and shine a spotlight on those who have made a significant contribution towards protecting the country's heritage. By raising awareness of the impact individuals can have, our aim is to inspire others to get involved and work together to save and protect Northern Ireland's heritage for our future generations."