Water is a fundamental aspect of urban foundation and development. This is reflected in the names of many of our towns and cities, from Dublin/Duiblinn (black pool) to Cork/Corcaigh (marshy place) to Belfast/Beal Feirste (mouth or ford of the sandbank).
Riverside and coastal locations provided resources, access and protection for human settlement and continued to influence how towns were shaped over time. Urban populations have enjoyed, exploited and managed their natural water resources in a variety of ways throughout history and that remains part of the fabric of our towns and cities.
Understanding the historical perspective and the role water has played in the evolution of urban landscapes is more important than ever and this is the theme of this year’s Irish Historic Towns Atlas (IHTA) seminar. It is convened in association with Irish Walled Towns Network (IWTN), an initiative of the Heritage Council, with an emphasis on Anglo-Norman walled towns. The published IHTAs (nos 1–31) offer a way of looking at the subject of water in towns in a thematic and comparative way, from the influence of major urban landmarks such as rivers and harbours, to features of water management and infrastructure, to the role water has played in town life through industry, trade, defence and leisure.
*This event is fully booked, any please check this page in the week prior to the seminar for any returned places*
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