Historic buildings in Westmeath to receive over €250,000 in grant funding
An allocation of more than €250,000 has been announced for a variety of buildings across Westmeath currently undergoing restoration.
In total, 10 projects are to receive funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2025, which is intended to support the repair and restoration of older buildings with complex needs, and the full allocation announced for Westmeath by the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage, and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, TD, comes to €251,839.
The largest of the allocations to Westmeath is €50,000 for work on the roofs of the North Courtyard of Tullynally Castle, while the second largest sum (€39,552) is to go towards repairs to the external walls and roof of what was the head gardener’s cottage at Belvedere House.
For works to the windows and doors of The Hevey Institute at Coláiste Mhuire in Mullingar, an allocation of €32,292 has been made, and The Village Inn at The Crescent in Tyrrellspass has been allocated €31,500 for similar works.
The sum of €16,126 has been allocated for works to the windows, doors and associated elements at St Nicholas’s Church, Almoritia, Rathconrath, and the same amount goes to similar works at Rockview House, Delvin.
An allocation of €14,365 is going to the proprietors of 12-14 Dominick Street, Mullingar for work to the shopfronts, while €2,748 is to go towards work on the external walls and roof of The Thatch, at Joanstown, Rathowen.
In south Westmeath, Ballinahown is to receive €32,730 for works to the roof of its town hall and €16,400 for work on the thatch of the cottage at Renawn, Ballynahown Wood.
"Ireland’s built heritage is a national asset which enriches our countryside, villages, towns, and cities. In maintaining and caring for our historic buildings, owners and custodians perform a valuable public service, and I am delighted to be able to support their efforts," said Minister O’Sullivan as he announced the allocations.
Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins, TD, present for the announcement, said that subject to funding, both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Thatched Buildings Scheme will be open to new applications this July for projects for completion next year.