Historic Parks, Gardens and Demesnes
Parks, gardens and demesnes have featured prominently in the landscape for more than three centuries. Over 700 parks, gardens and demesnes have been added to the Historic Environment Record of Northern Ireland (HERoNI), some of these being public cemeteries and civic parks.
The Register of Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic Interest
The Register of Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic Interest was established in the late 1990s to identify those sites that can be considered of exceptional importance within Northern Ireland. Inclusion is based upon a clear set of criteria and around 252 sites have been selected on the main Register. A comprehensive revision of the entries has been undertaken and is available to view on the Register of Parks and Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic Interest for Northern Ireland
All sites in the record have been mapped onto the Historic Environment Map Viewer, including the register boundary maps. The Heritage Gardens Inventory also provides a list of sites contained in the record, with basic details.
The Department has published a companion document to the Register entitled A Guide to The Register of Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic Interest in Northern Ireland. This provides further information, including the background to the Register as well as the rationale for the categorisations contained in it, and should be consulted along with the Register.
Preservation of historic parks, gardens and demesnes
Many of the sites are distinguished by their carefully composed designs of trees, meadow and water, perhaps as a setting for a building; some boast a valuable collection of trees, shrubs or plants; others may provide a significant historic record, either of a particular era or showing how the design has changed over the centuries. However, it is a fragile heritage, for unlike some other sites, these gardens and designed landscapes are living, growing and evolving. As such they need careful management.
The recognition of historic gardens as a cultural resource deserving of preservation is enshrined in the Florence Charter (1982) of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and The Register of Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic Interest identifies those sites that can be considered of exceptional importance within Northern Ireland.
Conserving our historic parks, gardens and demesnes
Inclusion in the Register affords these sites protection through Planning Policy Statement 6 (PPS6) which specifies that historic parks and gardens included within the register should be considered in the determination of planning consent. This allows Historic Environment Division to offer advice and make recommendations for the protection of sites through the planning consultation process. This is further reinforced when a park or garden forms the setting of a building that has been listed for protection under the Planning (NI) Act 2011.