Galway County Council is scheduled to meet in September and I have been told that 'Additions to the Record of Protected Structures' will be tabled as an agenda item (to include the possible addition of 'The Quiet Man' cottage to that record). The Architectural Heritage Appraisal (of 'The Quiet Man' cottage and its curtilage) which has been submitted to the Council was prepared by a RIAI Grade 1 accredited Conservation Architect – who specialises in the assessment and appraisal of architectural heritage sites and has prepared a number of county surveys for the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) which form the basis for ministerial recommendations for the designation of protected structures. He has also advised local authorities directly on protection of architectural heritage, notably Louth, Meath, Laois, Longford, Dublin, Fingal, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Wicklow and Kerry. His Architectural Heritage Appraisal presents an irrefutable case for, and professionally substantiates, the totally UNIQUE cultural significance of this iconic location – which really should be a gem in Connemara’s tourism crown. The Architectural Heritage Appraisal was submitted to Galway County Council (supported by an 8,500 signature petition) requesting that the Council add the cottage and its curtilage to the Record of Protected Structures (RPS). The purpose of addition to the RPS would be to halt further deterioration of the cottage and very importantly – it’s curtilage – before everything is lost forever. Neither should be allowed to, needlessly and unnecessarily, rot away into oblivion. The remains of the house have been allowed to deteriorate into ruinous condition. It is essential to protect what is left from further decay, from possible clearance of the site, or from insensitive redevelopment. The house and certain site features hold important cultural value and are held dear by thousands of people worldwide. These features must be retained and restored to a high degree of authenticity, not swept away and replaced with a poor replica. If the site were developed in the future without the protection conferred by protected structure status, there would be no mechanism to ensure that best conservation practice would be followed. There would be no way to ensure that the rebuilt cottage would be a true reconstruction, using traditional building skills and reflecting the historic footprint, layout and vernacular character of the house as seen in The Quiet Man film. Furthermore, there would be a legitimate fear that significant features within the curtilage would not be respected. The concrete bridge, stepping stones, dry stone walls, rose garden etc are essential elements which feature in the film and add to the richness of the site, and which deserve legal protection. In fact, as things currently stand – without ANY legislative protection – this iconic site could be leveled without consequence or accountability. I have recently been reading 'reports' – on Facebook and elsewhere – that the 1950s derelict bungalow situated next to the cottage would be have to be retained if TQM cottage were added to the RPS. I have also read that the ruin would have to be kept as just that – a ruin – if TQM cottage were added to the RPS. Neither are true. The Conservation Architect has read these reports and confirmed that they contain both inaccurate and misleading information – presented as being 'fact'. The Conservation Architect confirmed: The 1950s derelict bungalow can - and should - be removed. Adding the cottage to the RPS would not limit it being – authentically – restored at a later date. Several of the re-elected and newly-elected Councillors have already responded to me in private messages expressing their support – and desire – to add the cottage and site to the RPS. Nine Connemara Councillors have each received their own individual copies of the Architectural Heritage Appraisal. Adding the cottage and the site to the RPS would not be a final solution – just an important, and tangible, first step FORWARD. In fact, it would represent the ONLY substantive step forward for this iconic cottage/location in more than 60 years. Is mise, le meas, Paddy McCormick www.facebook.com/quietmancottage Twitter: @quietmancottage