The search for Northern Ireland’s Heritage Angels is progressing with the final Heritage Angel Awards shortlist revealed today. These annual awards aim to celebrate unsung angels of local heritage including – individuals or groups, who have rescued an historic building or site, worked as craftsmen or apprentices, or recorded and interpreted a historic place.
The Angel Awards are not just about heritage, but the people that make heritage projects happen. Showcasing what is possible when people have passion, care and consideration for our heritage.
Comprising of 15 projects across 5 different categories, the shortlist highlights a range of diverse heritage initiatives across Northern Ireland. The 2018 shortlist includes private owners; volunteers; community groups; apprentices; craftsmen and young people. All of whom have developed their interest in heritage, in different ways and applied their interest into quality schemes in Northern Ireland. The judges now have the difficult challenge of choosing the winners! To see the shortlist here.
The overall winner in each of the categories will be named at the Northern Ireland Heritage Angel Awards ceremony on Tuesday 6 November at the Guildhall, Derry~Londonderry. The event will also host ‘Heritage in Song and Word’, where local artists including Brigid O’Neill; Glenn Patterson; Eilidh Patterson and Eoin O’Callaghan will perform bespoke material with a heritage focus. Tickets are free for everyone, book now online at: www.uahs.org.uk/events
We are also asking members of the public to cast their vote for their choice from the shortlist online at www.heritageangelawards-ni.org.uk. This is open until Friday 19th October. Vote now for your favourite project!
Full details and films on each of the shortlisted nominees can be viewed at https://ulsterarchitecturalheritage.org.uk/heritageangelawards/about-the-awards/
The Awards are funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation; Derry and Strabane District Council and the Department for Communities. An overall UK winner will be selected and celebrated at the London ceremony on Tuesday 27th November.
Nicola McVeigh, Chief Executive Ulster Architectural Heritage Society
“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”.
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber
“Protecting architectural heritage is a vital part of cultural life. Architecture is the most vulnerable art form and one that I have been passionate about all my life. I’m delighted my Foundation can support the Heritage Angel Awards for the second year 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”.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor John Boyle
“On behalf of Derry City and Strabane District Council, I would like to congratulate all the nominees who have been shortlisted for the awards which will be held in the city for the first time this year. We are delighted and proud to be hosting the ceremony and the Guildhall’s Main Hall will prove a fitting backdrop to the event. The awards are an ideal way to recognise and acknowledge the selfless contribution of the many groups and individuals who promote and celebrate our local heritage, work that often goes unseen behind the scenes.”
