Conservation projects get €18m cash boost

The Government today announced €18.56m in grants for conservation projects around the country like Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin and Co Mayo’s Westport House.

The funding will conserve natural heritage and regenerate historic buildings as part of a overall sustainable development initiative.

Mr Roche said: “I believe that heritage conservation represents good value investment by the state in terms of the quality product that it achieves.”

More than €6m of the total funding package will go towards local authorities, an increase of 50% since 2004.

Many of the state’s premier heritage sites are earmarked for funds like the Rock of Dunamase, Co Laois; Castletown House in Co Kildare and St Enda’s College in Rathfarnham where 1916 rebel leader Padraig Pearse taught.

An OPW scheme for training traditionally-skilled craft workers is also being supported to carry out work on conservation projects.

Funding will also be provided to heritage properties held in trust or privately-owned including Fota House, Westport House, Headfort House in Kells, Russborough House, the Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Waterford and Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin.

Local authority projects have been given special grants for town walls in Waterford city and Duckett’s Grove Co Carlow.

Mr Roche praised the Heritage Council for identifying key heritage properties for state investment and ensuring that the highest conservation standards are adhered to.

The Council’s Buildings at Risk Scheme will see 74 projects to the value of €1.2m being grant-aided in 2006.

Mr Roche’s department will also fund 124 thatching projects in 2005 to the value of €563,000.

An additional sum of €5,000 to Waterford County Council and Galway County Council will facilitate local surveys of thatch.

A project identifying and recording Ireland’s built heritage will continue this year with the national inventory of architectural heritage (NIAH) fieldwork being carried out in Cork, Donegal, Limerick and Wexford.