Funding to be provided for local heritage projects

A TOTAL of 340 heritage projects, including some on the Northside, are to share in a €2 million investment package.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys announced the funding as part of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme for 2016.

It will allow for the conservation and repair of heritage buildings across the country. 

The scheme follows a similar model to the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme, which proved to be very successful in 2014. 

It is expected this new scheme will leverage an additional €8 million in private funds and will generate significant employment in the conservation and construction industries.

Local projects that will receive funding include:

•Corduff House, Lusk

•White House, Skerries 

•No. 13 Drogheda Street, Balbriggan

•No. 7 Castle Terrace, Malahide

•Lambay Castle, Lambay Island

•St Columba’s Church, Church Street, Swords 

•Abbeville House, Abbeyville Demense, Malahide Road, Kinsealy.

Dublin Fingal TD Alan Farrell (FG) welcomed the funding of €43,750 for the north county Dublin projects.

“Heritage buildings and protected structures are a vital part of Dublin Fingal and the Government is committed to supporting their conservation,” he said. 

“Fine Gael has a long term economic plan to keep the keep the recovery going which will allow for these kinds of investments to take place.” 

Minister Humphreys said the investment scheme will support the conservation of heritage buildings and jobs in the conservation sector. “Ireland’s heritage buildings and protected structures are a vital part of the infrastructure of our villages, towns, and cities,” she said. “The economic recovery is allowing for increased investment in our heritage assets.”