merrion street

Friday, March 7th - Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has announced further funding of €120,000 for the completion of the Historic Towns Initiative pilot programme in Listowel, Youghal and Westport.

The minister announced the funding at the launch of Listowel’s Heritage Trail which was part funded by the Historic Towns Initiative in 2013. Each of the three towns will receive €40,000 from the Department in 2014 under the initiative.

The Historic Towns Initiative (HTI) is a heritage-led regeneration programme undertaken jointly by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Heritage Council and Fáilte Ireland. The initiative is founded in the premise that the cultural heritage of historic towns can be used to create a desirable place in which to live, do business and to visit. Many Irish towns have seen a reversal of fortune over the past few years. With leadership and vision this initiative can also help generate economic benefits that will enable the historic town to prosper - such as increased visitor numbers and decreased numbers of vacant buildings and commercial premises.

The pilot phase of the HTI commenced in February 2013 in three towns, Listowel, Westport and Youghal. To date the initiative has resulted in a series of innovative programmes of works which have enhanced the heritage character of each town. The pilot phase is due to be completed in mid-2014, following which and subject to available financial resources, consideration will be given to the future expansion of the initiative to other historic towns.

Speaking in Listowel, Minister Deenihan said,

“I am delighted with the progression of the pilot phase of this initiative and very pleased to be able to offer funding to all three towns again in 2014. This initiative is an example of local and national government and various agencies working together to create something that has real value at local level. I firmly believe that the enhancement of the heritage of our historic towns can make places better to live in and be lever for increased economic activity”.

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