put on a statutory basis by amendment to the National Monuments Act 1994, of sites and areas of archaeological significance, numbered and mapped. Cork City is one of the oldest cities in Ireland and has a rich and significant archaeological heritage, ranging from seventh century monasteries to 11th century Viking settlements and 12th century Anglo- Norman stone walls. The medieval street pattern of Cork City is still evident today as is its historic trading centre maritime merchant ports. There are 60 archaeological sites within Cork City Centre including standing stones and medieval walls and c. 400 entries to the RMP within the surrounding towns, villages and hinterland (Figure 1.7). Churches, houses, distilleries, factories and graveyards are amongst the most common recorded monuments and sites of significant archaeological, historic and cultural importance include St. Anne’s Church, St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Blarney Castle Estate and Elizabeth Fort.
Architectural Heritage
Records of Protected Structures are legislated for under Section 12 and Section 51 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended. Protected structures are defined in the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended as structures, or parts of structures that are of special interest from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical point of view. Examples of Protected Structures in the Plan area include churches, markets, gaols, post boxes and building fronts. Clusters of architectural heritage can be found in Cork City Centre and in settlements such as Blarney, Ballincollig and Glanmire. Cork City has an important vernacular heritage with many important historic buildings and structures. Historic Street Character Areas are designated within Cork City and consist of groups of buildings with architectural and social interest, including a number of older residential areas outside the City Centre. Individual buildings of character are also identified, including farmhouses, cottages, stone walls and other local features that contribute to the architectural heritage of the area. Figure 1.8 shows the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage for the Cork City Plan area In addition to Protected Structures, the Planning and Development Act, 2000 provides the legislative basis for the protection of Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs). An ACA is a place, area or group of structures or townscape that is of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest or value, or contributes to the appreciation of protected structures, whose character it is an objective to preserve in a development plan. There are various ACAs designated within the City. 3.8 Landscape The visual character of Cork City is due to its variety of landscapes and rich and diverse built and cultural heritage. Built around estuarine islands in the valley of the River Lee, Cork City is shaped by its rolling landscape, waterways and a rich mix of natural, built and cultural heritage. The Lee Valley runs through the centre of the City giving rise to steep hills to the north and to the south. The Lee Estuary flows into Cork Harbour to the east of the City. The Cork City Council Landscape Study (2008)14 identified seven Landscape Character Areas, within the City:
Estuarine/Riverine; Natural harbour; Historic urban core; Inner-city residential; Sub-urban residential;
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Urban sylvan character; and
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