Built Heritage funding welcomed locally

Local public representatives have this week welcomed funding of €4.5 million under this year’s Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) for 556 projects across the country.

The funding was announced by Minister Malcolm Noonan and will see a number of Roscommon projects benefitting.

Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy said the BHIS was one of two schemes run by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in association with local authorities.

“The scheme 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 by providing match-funded grants of up to €15,000 for standard projects which are those not involving thatch,” he explained.

“The scheme is not limited to private dwellings; it also provides assistance to a wide range of other important heritage structures.

“This year’s BHIS includes awards to historic landmarks such as Ballymoe Railway Station in Castlerea, the Bank of Ireland in Strokestown and Elphin, Mount Talbot Church in Athleague, Boyle Mill in Mocmoyne, SS Peter & Paul Church in Ballinasloe, Sacred Heart Parochial House and Telford of Dublin Historic Organ and the Church of Ireland in Boyle, among others”.

Also included in this year’s scheme is funding of €500,000 for conservation repairs to eligible historic thatched structures. Grants of up to €20,000 for thatched structures are available through the scheme. Galway County Council has received €115,000 for thatched structures and Roscommon County Council €6,984.

Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan has also welcomed funding for projects in Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon.

“I want to commend Minister Noonan for his generous allocation to so many projects across the region,” he said.

“This funding represents a 12.5 per cent increase on last year’s funding and underlines this Government’s continuing commitment to protect and preserve our built environment, in line with the goals set out in Heritage Ireland 2030, the new national heritage plan, which was launched by the Minister last year”.