Louth heritage projects to receive over €300k funding
Funding announced for 21 projects across Louth
€300,404 has been allocated under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and under the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) for 21 projects across Louth, it was announced today by Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD.
The schemes fund a variety of repairs and renovation works to prevent deterioration, protect character, and encourage the re-use of protected structures. The schemes also provide important support for the employment of traditional craftspeople and conservation professionals.
The HSF provides grants of between €15,000 and €200,000 to support major conservation works to significant historic buildings. The BHIS provides grants of up to €15,000 for maintenance and smaller conservation works to help prevent historic buildings from falling into disrepair and possible disuse.
In recognition of the particular challenges in caring for thatched properties, the scheme also includes ring-fenced funding for historic thatched buildings, with a maximum grant of €20,000.
17 projects have been allocated grant offers under the BHIS scheme, €126,400 for 14 main stream projects and €14,004 for three Ring-fenced Thatch stream projects. A further four projects are to receive €160,000 under the HSF scheme.
The locations of the 14 main stream projects, the types of work involved and the amounts allocated to each under the BHIS are:
- Shanlis House, Ardee, Dundalk - roofs & interiors - €10,000
- 57 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk - roofs - €11,000
- 58 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk - roofs - €9,000
- Brooklyn, Brook Street, Ardee Road, Dundalk - windows, doors and associated elements - €5,764
- Jocelyn House, Jocelyn Street, Dundalk - external walls - €12,000
- St. Joseph's Redemptorists, Block A, St. Alphonsus Road, Dundalk - windows, doors and associated elements - €9,050
- Kildemock, Ardee - windows, doors and associated elements - €4,086
- Dunnes Cross, Wyanstown, Togher, Drogheda - windows, doors and associated elements - €4,750
- Blackhall House, Blackhall, Termonfeckin - external walls - €10,000
- Wyanstown House, Togher, Drogheda - windows, doors and associated elements - €4,750
- Townley Hall, Slane Road, Drogheda - windows, doors and associated elements - €5,000
- St. Peter's Church, St. Peter's Close, Drogheda - other works - €15,000
- 27 Church Street, Collon - other works €12,000
- 9 St. Peter's Place, Drogheda - windows, doors and associated elements - €14,000
The three ring-fenced thatch stream projects under BHIS are:
- Liz Mcdonald, Whitestown, Greenore - €7,000
- James Neary, Newrath, Castlebellingham - €3,504
- Patricia Winters, Cannonstown Thatch, Cannonstown, Termonfeckin - €3,500
The four projects, the types of work involved and the amounts allocated to each under the HSF are:
- Widows Houses, Castlebellingham - Repairs to retaining wall partially collapsed, joinery and glazing repairs to entrance passageway. Restoration of internal joinery, floors, window openers, fireplaces and internal lime plastering - €50,000
- Dundalk Gaol - Remedial works to address severe dampness in south gable wall including repairing copings, brick repairs and replacing cement pointing with lime - €25,000
- Derryhale Hotel, Dundalk - Repair of original timber sash and stained windows and entrance door of a hotel of cultural significance within the Victorian heart of Dundalk Town Centre - €75,000
- Edenaquin, Dundalk - Old Style Cart House/loft with stable area. Needs to be preserved and restored to its original beauty and made safe - €10,000
News of the funding has been welcomed by Louth based Senator Erin McGreehan, who said that "our built heritage is a tangible expression of our history and culture, and a distinctive and attractive element of our towns, villages, cities, and countryside.
"The projects that have been awarded funding here in Louth are important for a wide variety of reasons. I am familiar with many of them right across the county and it is wonderful see the acknowledgement by the State that our built heritage here in Louth is precious and should be protected."
"Fianna Fáil in Government are committed to supporting communities to protect and conserve our shared built heritage, and recognise that this relies on the dedication of many different parties, including owners and custodians, skilled craftspeople, and local authority experts.
"These funded works will have an economic benefit by generating employment for heritage contractors and other skilled crafts and tradespeople in the locality and I very much look forward to the works commencing."