A total of €109,000 in funding has been allocated to Donegal to support local heritage projects.
The funding was announced by the Minister for Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, under the 2018 Structures at Risk Fund and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2018.
Mr McHugh, Government Chief Whip and Minister for the Irish language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, said: “New funding totalling €109,000 has been granted to Donegal for heritage projects here. This funding for Donegal is part of an announcement by my Fine Gael colleague, Minister Josepha Madigan of €3.3 million for 446 heritage projects across the country.
“Through the Structures at Risk Fund, Donegal will receive €59,000. This includes €30,000 for works to prevent the imminent collapse of Rathmullan Abbey; €22,000 to re-thatch the roof of the Vernacular Thatched Cottage on Pound Street in Carndonagh; and €7,000 to rewire Dunmore House in Carrigans to reduce the risk of fire.
“Separately, Donegal heritage projects will receive €50,000 through the Built Heritage Investment Scheme.
“The projects to benefit from this Scheme are Bundoran Community Centre CLG €2,500; O’Doherty’s Fort, Tullyarvan, Buncrana €5,500; St Ernan’s House, Donegal €4,000; 2 Church Lane, Letterkenny €4,000; Leitir Corn Mill, Leitir, Cill Chartha €7,500; Convoy Cottage, Ramelton €6,500; Warehouse, The Mall, Ramelton €2,500; the Old Court House, Lifford €7,000; Buncrana Castle €5,500; and Dunmore House, Carrigans €5,000.”
Nationally, the scheme will provide a €2 million euro investment in 2018 for the repair and conservation of historic structures.
The BHIS provides funding for works to protected structures in private and public ownership. The grants awarded range from €2,500 to €15,000 per project.
Of the 370 structures awarded funding, many are historic places of worship and residences. A number are for re-thatching of buildings of special interest and there are repairs to follies, cathedrals, mills and forges among the successful projects.
“This funding will allow for the conservation and repair of protected structures across Donegal. These buildings and structures are so important to our heritage. Maintaining and repairing these monuments help communities preserve their cultural identity and give people a sense of pride of place.
“The funding is also very important in terms of developing our tourism offering and helping to attract visitors to Donegal, with all the benefits that can bring,” McHugh concluded.
These grants have been awarded following assessments by local authorities who accepted applications from members of the public and put recommended projects forward to the Minister for approval.
Announcing the funding Minister Madigan said: “Historic buildings are important to communities who have a great sense of pride in their built heritage. These grants will help to regenerate towns and rural areas and will come as a welcome boost to those charged with looking after our heritage properties.
“Our heritage is a vital part of our cultural landscape. I am delighted to be able to continue our investment in protecting it for the future.”
Tags: