The Minister for Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, has today announced that 76 heritage projects across the country will benefit from the €1.3m Structures at Risk Fund 2018.
The Structures at Risk Fund (SRF) supports conservation works to historic structures, in both private and public ownership, which are at significant risk of deterioration. The Fund encourages the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and helps to secure protected structures which might otherwise be lost.
The Structures at Risk Fund is funded by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and administered by local authorities.
In accordance with the Government’s commitments under the Action Plan for the Sustainable Future of the Irish Historic House, a portion of funding under the SRF 2018 was reserved for historic houses in private ownership, and ten projects will be supported under this element of the scheme.
A list of the successful projects under SRF 2018 is available here.
Speaking today Minister Madigan said:
“Heritage buildings and protected structures are at the historic heart of our communities. Investing in our built heritage is not just good for the individual properties concerned, but can also provide a real boost to local communities and support jobs in traditional building skills, conservation and tourism. This type of investment also plays an important role in supporting communities to regenerate the area where they live and work.
Significant buildings and monuments across the country will receive support from the Structures at Risk Fund in 2018, from Mallow Castle in Co. Cork to Rathmullan Abbey in Donegal. A variety of historic structures will be supported, from cottages and castles to weirs, lock houses, gates and stables.
I am delighted to announce these grant awards which will support the owners and custodians of our historic built environment, helping them to secure the future of this important part of our cultural heritage.
I would like to thank the local authorities for their work in administering the Fund which has such a positive impact on protected structures across the country. I would also like to acknowledge the response of private owners and their willingness to release substantial private matching funds and invest in our built heritage.”