Over €280k allocated for repairs and restoration works at local historic buildings

Over €280,000 has been awarded for heritage projects in Westmeath under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF).

Through the HSF, Westmeath County Council has been awarded €100,000 for restoration and repair works on Belvedere House and €50,000 for repairs to the No 1 Athlone Gun Battery.

Under the BHIS, a total of €131,400 has been allocated to help fund restoration or repair works on 13 historic buildings across the county, including €15,000 for work on windows and doors on Kilbeggan Library; €15,000 for works at Tullynally Castle and €15,000 for work on windows and doors on the cottage at Tullynally; €14,703 for works at Rockview House, Rathowen, and €10,000 for work on Lynn House, Mullingar.

In total, 677 heritage projects in 31 local authorities across the country will benefit from a total of €9m under this year’s allocations.

Welcoming the funding allocation for local projects, Cllr Hazel Smyth said:

“Our shared built heritage has always been a key priority for the Green Party, and under a Green Minister for Heritage (Malcolm Noonan), there has been increased government investment in protecting both our built and natural environments.

“This investment not only protects the integrity of historic buildings but also preserves the traditional skills and crafts necessary for conservation and results in huge economic benefits for our cities, towns and villages. These grants enable vital maintenance to be undertaken on our historic structures to safeguard them for the benefit of future generations. The recipients of the funding range from owners and custodians of private dwellings to landmark buildings, churches, mills, and castles.”

“I’m pleased to see important heritage sites locally receive this funding to help preserve them, including Belvedere House which has received significant funding to carry out important repair works as it is one of the prized gems of Westmeath and the Midlands”.

Announcing the funding today, Minister Malcolm Noonan said:

“To protect the unique charm and character of our towns and villages, it’s vital that we enable people to choose repair or restore over redesign or replacing old buildings.”

“This funding gives a boost to local economies by providing thousands of hours of valuable work for local traditional craft and tradespeople, including specialist skills like thatching and stone work, many of which are based in rural communities. To conserve our built heritage into the future, we need to ensure that we maintain the skills needed to do it. This work will help to keep these unique skills alive by providing work for today’s skilled tradesmen and women and by ensuring we’re passing these valuable skills to future generations.”

Built Heritage Investment Scheme Allocations

Kilbeggan Library, Kilbeggan, windows and doors, €15,000

Cottage Tullynally Castle, Castlepollard, windows and doors €15,000

31 Connaught St, Athlone, external joinery repair. €15,000

Tullynally Castle, Castlepollard, other works €15,000

Rockview House, Rathowen, windows and doors €14,703

Lynn House, Mullingar, external walls €10,000

Glenmore House, Dublin Road, Mullingar external joinery repair €7,500

Rathnamuddagh, Dysart, external fixture repairs €7,500

38 Glencarra House, Rathconrath, roof repairs €5,500

Main St, Rathowen, roof rainwater goods reinstatement €5,500

St Nicholas Church, Coole, windows, doors and roof repairs €5,500

Gainville House Multyfarnham, rainwater disposal and roof repairs €4,697

Old Post Office, Drumcree, thatching, wall repairs and external joinery repair €5,500 and €5,000 (thatch)