Three Wicklow projects are to benefit from capital funding under the Historic Structure Fund (HSF) for essential conservation works following an announcement by Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD.
The three projects are:
- €40,000 for roof repairs at St. Matthews Church, Newtownmountkennedy
- €25,000 for Phase II repair and stabilising of Russborough weir wall to facilitate pedestrian traffic under N81, linking demesne walkways with the extended Blessington Greenway
- €10,000 towards the workshop at Grenane Mor farmstead, Rathdrum, a vernacular building, to include masonry repair, roof re-construction and re-instatement of corrugated iron.
The HSF is one of two built heritage grant schemes co-ordinated by Wicklow Council on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on an annual basis.
The latest announcement follows on from last month’s allocation of €96,000 for 10 Wicklow projects under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) also co-ordinated by the Council.
In addition to supporting owners and custodians of historic and protected structures to safeguard and maintain their properties, this funding provides a welcome economic boost through the employment of conservation professionals, stone masons and tradespeople and the purchase of materials.
Investing in the conservation of historic buildings has multiple benefits, from protecting the character of our towns, villages and countryside, to promoting tourism and supporting a more climate resilient environment for County Wicklow.
For further queries contact Deirdre Burns, Heritage Officer, Wicklow County Council on dburns@wicklowcoco.ie .
