Paul Rouse: Time sport was given its place at the centre of our heritage

There is a basic question that bears out the place of sport in modern life: what is it that people talk most about in the hours when they are not working or not sleeping?

LEGACY: Members of The Maharees Conservation Association from Co. Kerry, three generation canoe builders, Grandfather, Monty, Son, Michéal and Grandson Michéal-Mikey O’Leary, who have been making currachs in Maharees for five generations pictured examining a Naomhógs for maintenance, in Fahamore harbour, The Maharees, Co.Kerry. Picture: Clare Keogh 

The news that the Heritage Council has been given additional funding to recruit new heritage professionals and strengthen the protection of heritage assets across the country is an important one for the diversity of sport in Ireland.

The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD and it means that by the end of 2026 a full complement of local authority archivists, architectural conservation officers and archaeologists should ideally be in place in every county in Ireland.