Heather Humphreys, the Irish Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has today (2 June) announced funding of €904,530 for 57 heritage projects under the Structures at Risk Fund (SRF). The scheme provides funding for protected buildings in private and public ownership. The funding being provided ranges from €4,200 for Cosy Thatch, Kilmeaden, Co Waterford, to €26,750 for Kildare Castle, Silken Thomas, Market Square, Kildare Town.

Speaking today, Minister Humphreys said: “This scheme was first introduced in 2011, and since then it has made an invaluable contribution to the preservation and protection of our built heritage. This year, 57 projects across 27 local authority areas will benefit from direct funding from my Department. Heritage projects in every region across the country are set to benefit under this scheme.

“Support for our built heritage, is vital not only for the safekeeping of Ireland’s architectural heritage, it also helps to support employment in the conservation and construction industries. Investing in our heritage will also play a very important role in rural regeneration, which of course will be a priority area in my new expanded portfolio.

“This year, historic houses were eligible to apply for funding under the scheme. I launched the Action Plan for the Sustainable Future of the Irish Historic House at the end of last year, which set out a roadmap of actions, including the broadening of funding sources, for this specific area of Ireland’s architectural heritage.

“Improving the quality and aesthetics of historic structures can add to a community’s sense of pride and contributes hugely to the revitalisation of rural towns and villages. Heritage buildings are a very important part of our cultural landscape, and as the economy continues to improve, I hope to be in a position to support the heritage sector to the benefit of communities across the country.”

The Structures at Risk Fund provides funding for works to safeguard structures, in private and public ownership, protected under the Planning & Development Act 2000 and, in certain cases, works to structures within Architectural Conservation Areas. Typical works to be funded under the scheme include roof repairs, structural consolidation and measures to ensure weather tightness.