Over €110,000 in funding for Meath built heritage projects

Over €110,000 in funding for Meath built heritage projects was announced today under the Historic Structures Fund 2023.

They are among 95 heritage projects across the country to benefit from a total of €4.5million under this year’s Historic Structures Fund (HSF).

Slane Castle is to receive funding of €91,000 for urgent repairs to the roof and repair works to the staircase.

Duleek House will receive funding of €37,500 for emergency repairs to the roof and structure and Seven Arch Bridge, Trim will get €24,000 to restore normal foot access to the bridge.

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

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, the new national heritage plan launched by the Minister last year. Today’s announcement follows the awarding earlier this month of €4.5million in funding under the Department’s other built heritage grant scheme – the Built Heritage Investment Scheme.

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.

Minister Noonan said: "I am delighted to announce another €4.5million 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.

"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."