Interviewed for Go Wild Magazines By Kathleen O Callaghan.
Rosemary Collier is the dynamic woman at the helm of the OPW’s Head of Heritage and Capital Works programme. Her portfolio entails managing 800 breathtaking visitor sites in locations across Ireland and sustainably looking after eight million visitors to these locations per annum. It’s a mammoth task as Ireland boasts some of the world’s most historic and ancient sites – from the monastic settlement of Skellig Michael to Neolithic Newgrange and onwards to the splendour of Kilkenny Castle and the grandeur of Farmleigh House.
“I am so lucky to be in charge of these fantastic heritage properties,” she says speaking from her office In Dublin Castle. “We have an incredible team of 1100 staff looking after their daily upkeep plus tour guides, conservation architects, landscape gardeners and art historians working to maintain these landmarks.”
There are also many women in key architectural and engineering roles on board too.
“We are looking forward to a really exciting year in 2023 as we expect thousands more visitors to arrive here from overseas. There was a large increase in tourists this year as figures started to bounce back to pre-Covid levels and we envisage lots more Americans and Europeans to enjoy the fabulous sights Ireland has to offer. We have guided tours on over 70 sites with experts who have in-depth knowledge and entertaining stories from the past.”
Rosemary is enthusiastic about the latest refurbishments being rolled out under the €1billion State investment Project 2040. Doneraile House and its stunning gardens are undergoing a major facelift in North Cork. Once home to the St Leger family, this latest revamp will reveal a magnificent restored first floor shortly.
Rosemary’s Brand Vision for the long term includes a myriad of plans from the upgrade of the Natural History Museum in order to make it accessible for wheelchair users. The Record Tower in Dublin Castle is also being refurbished, plus there are restoration works at neo-classical Emo Court as well as Galway’s Portumna Castle and Gardens.
“The Crawford Gallery in Cork will also benefit from a multi-million euro investment plan that’s underway. There are restoration works for Kilkenny Castle’s courtyard and a major re-imagining of Dublin’s National Concert Hall and a special military history experience a the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park,” she adds enthusiastically.
“I think it’s vitally important for the next generation to understand the past, their sense of place and identity,” she explains.
“We are steeped in the history of our natural and built heritage from the Norman Castle in Trim, to the Hill of Tara and the banks of the Battle of the Boyne. These amazing places give us a sense of belonging and make us feel physically grounded.”
Rosemary is also keenly aware of climate change and how more extreme weather can affect historic buildings.
“Climate change poses challenges from impacting on the historic fabric of buildings to coastal erosion. Unfortunately many of our sites are situated along the coastline where they are vulnerable to erosion and the reality is some may be lost in the future” she says wistfully.
“We have always managed the numbers in popular locations like Skellig Michael and Newgrange by using ticketed admissions. This helps to keep numbers manageable.
We will continue our successful engagement with primary schools. Every year nearly 100,000 children visit our most historic landmarks. If we keep our children engaged with the past then they will become the guardians of the future,” she adds wisely.
So how does Rosemary unwind after her busy days at the OPW?
“I love playing traditional music with my son as I sing and play the violin,” the Trinity Music graduate divulges. “As well as bracing walks along Gormanston beach.”
On holiday in Venice
Despite the many challenges facing us – Ireland’s heritage is in safe hands with Rosemary and her dedicated team.
