Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, has announced that 556 heritage projects across the country will benefit from a total of €4.5m under this year’s Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS), with a total of €105,154 being awarded to 11 projects in South Louth and East Meath.
The scheme assists owners of heritage structures – including those on the local authorities’ Record of Protected Structures and those in Architectural Conservation Areas – to meet their obligations to care for their properties by providing match-funded grants of up to €15,000 for standard projects (not involving thatch).
The scheme is not limited to private dwellings but also provides assistance to a wide range of other important heritage structures. This year’s BHIS includes awards to several local historic structures, including:
LOUTH
- Salterstown, Dunleer, Thatching – €7,500
- Whiterath Cottage, Dromiskin – interior structural repair €3,250
- Lisrenny House, Tallanstown – Roof repair, structures & coverings including lead work – €11,000
- Collon Parish Church – Rainwater goods repair/replacement – €10,000
- Smarmore Castle, Smarmore, Ardee, Draught – proofing – €7,000
- Kildemock House, Kildemock, Ardee – Draught – proofing – €10,500
- 6, St. Peter’s Place, Drogheda, Draught – proofing – €14,500
- Patrick’s, Scarlet Street (No. 27), Drogheda, Draught – proofing – €5,100
EAST MEATH
- McDonoughs Cottage, Triton Road, Bettystown – Thatch repair and renewal €3,292.
- Slane Castle, Slane, Emergency structural repairs to main staircase, Repairs to Juliet Balconies – €9,310.
- Herd’s Cottage, Hilltown, Bellewstown – Reinstatement of cobbles – €9,310`
Also included under this year’s scheme is funding of €500,000 for conservation repairs to eligible historic thatched structures with grants of up to €20,000 available through the scheme. Louth County Council has been awarded €14,392 for three such structures.
Speaking today, Minister Noonan said: “… This funding represents a 12.5% increase on last year and underlines this Government’s continuing commitment to protect and preserve our built environment, in line with the goals set out in Heritage Ireland 2030, the new national heritage plan, which I launched last year.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, said: “This will not only help maintain our built heritage but will also create economic benefits by generating jobs, including those in those specialist sectors providing employment for heritage contractors and tradespeople.”
Welcoming the announcement, local Fine Gael TD, Fergus O’Dowd, said: “It is vital that we do everything we can to protect our local built heritage and safeguard them for generations to come.
“These grants will also be a welcome boost to the local trades, in particular to trades that specialise in heritage related works.”
