Over €150k in funding awarded to conserve historic structures in Louth

Four protected structures in Louth have been granted a combined €150k in funding to carry out maintenance works under the Historic Structures Fund (HSF).

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, today announced that 95 Heritage projects across the country will benefit from a total of €4.5 million under this year’s Historic Structures Fund (HSF).

The HSF is one of two built heritage funding schemes which work in partnership with owners and the 31 local authorities to protect our built heritage – a key aim of Heritage Ireland 2030.

By providing grants of between €15,000 and €200,000, the HSF 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. 

The scheme provides assistance to a wide range of heritage structures, including castles, churches, mills, bridges, shopfronts, and thatch structures, as well as to private houses.

Three Louth structures have received funding under stream one of the scheme, these are:

• €37,500.00 for Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol - Remedial works to address severe dampness in south gable wall including repairing copings, brick repairs and replacing cement pointing with lime 
• €40,000.00 for Rampark, Jenkinstown, Dundalk - Remove all moss. Remove damaged and wet thatch. Remove eaves so correct pitch can be set on new thatch. Repair any damage to walls and timbers if necessary. All new thatch and ridge. New chimney aprons. Wire all roof.
• €36,000.00 for The Widow's Houses, Castlebellingham -Re roofing with Bangor blue slates, fascia joinery and cast-iron rainwater collectors. Replace with original style chimney stacks. Repairs to any window glazing broken and paint.

Under the Historic Shopfront Awards, €37,000.00 has been awarded to Connell & Company, 5 Church Street, Townparks, Dundalk for conservation of Victorian shopfront including joinery repairs, renewal lead cover to cornice, refurbishment of traditional drop arm awnings, conservation of Victorian signage, and redecoration.

There are a further two Two year Projects funded under the HSF 2022 Deferred Projects programme, funding for which was awarded last year, these are €54,426.70 for Foresters Hall, Market Street, Dundalk and €36,000.00 for Carrickadooan Thatch.

In addition to supporting owners and custodians of historic and protected structures to safeguard and maintain their properties, it is hoped this funding will also provide a welcome boost to local construction and heritage trades by facilitating works with a total value of over €8 million and generating more employment (an estimated 11,250 days’ labour), including for specialist heritage roles such as thatching and stone work.

The announcement follows the awarding earlier this month of €4.5 million in funding under the department’s other built heritage grant scheme – the Built Heritage Investment Scheme.

Announcing the awards today, Minister Noonan said:

"I am delighted to announce another €4.5 million investment in our built heritage. This year’s Historic Structures Fund will assist 95 owners and custodians of historic and protected structures across the country as they carry out hundreds of conservation projects to repair and safeguard our built heritage. 

“I am particularly pleased to announce the increased number of awards made to vernacular structures. Through this investment, this government continues to celebrate the value and diversity of our built heritage, while also supporting traditional building skills. 

“These actions also continue to help us deliver on our commitments to built heritage under Heritage Ireland 2030, the national heritage plan which I launched last year."

Commenting on the announcement, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, said:

"It is great to see the increased number and range of projects which will be supported by this investment of €4.5 million under the Historic Structures Fund. Along with the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, this government is continuing its commitment to safeguard our rich built heritage, keeping many buildings in use and helping to bring many others back into use. 

“The funded works will also have an economic benefit by generating employment for heritage contractors and other skilled crafts and tradespeople across the country."

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell, also welcomed the announcement, stating:

"Thanks to the close working relationship between the department and the Local Authorities, particularly the Architectural Conservation Officers, Heritage Officers and planning and administrative staff, schemes such as the Historic Structures Fund continue to be successful in the repair and renewal of our shared built heritage."