Guidance on Commemorative Plaques

PROVISIONAL GUIDANCE FOR THE ERECTION OF COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUES ON BUILDINGS IN PRIVATE OWNERSHIP IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN

  1. Wording on commemorative plaques should be kept to a minimum. The use of both Irish and English is REQUIRED, and proposers should be aware of the need to always comply with the requirements of the Official Languages Act 2003
  2. The location chosen must have a direct link with the individual or event being honoured.
  3. Normally an individual or event can only be commemorated with one plaque within the County.
  4. In general, only one commemorative plaque should be erected on any building or structure and shall be less than 0.6 square meters in area.
  5. Installation of a memorial commemorating a person will not generally be considered within 20 years of the death of that person. For an event the period is also 20 years. This allows for the development of a historical perspective and for consideration of the criteria for significance.
  6. Plaques to commemorate individuals will be considered where said individual’s life’s work, or legacy, is of national and/or international significance.
  7. Plaques shall be designed in consideration of the general character of the area and sited so as not intrude upon or damage the structure or otherwise create a public risk.
  8. Their erection should require little maintenance and should be resistant to vandalism.
  9. All proposals to erect plaques will have to comply with planning regulations.
  10. The erection of a plaque on, or within the curtilage of, a Protected Structure requires planning permission.
  11. Proposals to erect a plaque on a building that is located within an Architectural Conservation Area (but is not a Protected Structure) will be referred for consultation to the Conservation Officer of Kerry County Council for clarification as to whether it will materially affect the character of the Architectural Conservation Area and so would require planning permission.
  12. Any proposal to insert a plaque within a designated natural heritage site of international or national Importance (such as a Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Natural Heritage Area, etc.) must be assessed in accordance with the relevant requirements so that any potential direct or indirect impacts on the protected site are avoided.
  13. The erection of a plaque on, or in the vicinity of, a Recorded Monument will require 2 months prior notification to the National Monuments Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht or in the case of a National Monument ministerial consent will be required from the Minister of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. There are official forms that must be submitted in relation to notification or consent which are available from the National Monuments Service (www.archaeology.ie).
  14. Kerry County Council may issue more detailed guidance in the future on a standard design and standard format for the content of commemorative plaques.

 NOTE:

  • These requirements do not cover general directional or information signage, display boards, or banners. Neither does it apply to plaques for businesses/commercial names.
  • Public Artwork is not subject to these requirements as a separate process exists for its commission and approval though the Arts Office of Kerry County Council.

 

Application Form for Commemorative Plaque