Didn’t An Taisce start with a public meeting? That’s right. It happened at the Mansion House in September 1946. Several societies convened it. These included the Royal Irish Academy and the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. An Óige and the Geographical Society of Ireland also attended. The Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club and the Irish Society for the Preservation of Birds were present too.
An Taisce. It is also known as The National Trust for Ireland. An Taisce considers itself Ireland’s oldest environmental NGO. It began provisionally in September 1946. It incorporated as a company in June 1948. The company was based on an association not for profit.
Robert Lloyd Praeger was An Taisce’s first president. He was a prominent naturalist. An Taisce is a membership-based charity. It is not a state organisation. However, it receives government funding. This funding supports programmes like Blue Flag beaches. It also supports Green Schools and the National Spring Clean. An Taisce also has a statutory role. This role relates to planning and environmental processes.
An Taisce’s work includes policy recommendations. It campaigns in built and natural heritage areas. It holds relevant properties in trust. It also focuses on environmentally relevant education. An Taisce has local associations. These associations help care for properties. They monitor planning in their areas. An Taisce’s headquarters are here. They are in Dublin’s oldest surviving guildhall. This is Tailors’ Hall. An Taisce helped to restore it.
An Taisce acts as an impartial monitor. It focuses on the application of EU environmental law. This happens at the local level in Ireland. An Taisce reviews planning applications. It does so within the context of EU Directives. An Taisce provides evidence to the government. This evidence concerns local authorities’ performance. It relates to the Planning Acts and Regulations.
An Taisce promotes environmental awareness. It does this through Green Schools. It also uses other educational programmes. An Taisce is heavily involved. It promotes the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
An Taisce is a member of several organisations. These include the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is also part of the European Environment Bureau. Europa Nostra is another member organisation. So is the Foundation for Environmental Education.
An Taisce upholds core EU rights. These include access to justice. They also include access to information. It also promotes the implementation of EU directives. These directives cover EIA and Birds and Habitats. The Water Framework is included too.
An Taisce aims to educate. It seeks to inform. It wants to lead public opinion on the environment. It advocates and influences policy. This occurs at European, national and local levels. This approach promotes environmental issues. It promotes sustainable development.
An Taisce manages a portfolio of heritage properties. The Properties Unit looks after these properties. They have historical significance or are environmentally sensitive. Professional staff and volunteers care for the properties. Tailors’ Hall generates income. It is available for private hire. Volunteers also restore resources like the Boyne Navigation.
The Advocacy Unit monitors planning applications. It makes submissions on some applications. It appeals decisions to An Bord Pleanála. This is the statutory planning appeals board. The Advocacy Unit monitors environmental standards. It coordinates policy formation. Elected advocacy committees among the membership do this.
The Environmental Education Unit operates nationwide programmes. It acts on behalf of government departments. It also works with the National Transport Authority. The European Union is involved too. Programmes include Blue Flag. The Green Schools Programme promotes higher environmental standards.
An Taisce properties include Tailors’ Hall. Babe’s Bridge is another. It is on the River Boyne. The Booterstown marsh Nature Reserve is also included. The Boyne Navigation is a canal with a towpath. It was donated in 1969 and partially restored.
An Taisce. It is Ireland’s storehouse and treasury. It safeguards our environment and heritage. It strives for a sustainable future.