Gormley announces 25m heritage grants

logo_ireland-deptenvironmentA range of heritage properties from Bantry House in Co Cork to Connolly’s Folly in Co Kildare are set to benefit from almost 25 million in grants announced by Minister for the Environment John Gormley yesterday. The funding represents an increase of 42 per cent on last year. The grants are available for properties in private as well as public ownership. The main elements of the programme are: 7 million for architectural protection grants which are administered by local authorities; 4.4 million in funding for the Civic Structure Grants scheme. The scheme now includes a 1.9 million fund to support works on churches of significant architectural importance; 7 million in assistance to the Office of Public Works – an increase of almost one-third on last year – to support works on properties in State care; More than 6.1 million for properties not in State care, much of which is to be channelled through the Heritage Council. Among the significant heritage properties held in trust or private ownership, and earmarked for grant aid this year are: Bantry House, Co Cork; Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford; Marlfield House, Co Tipperary; Headfort House in Kells, Co Meath, and Fota House in Co Cork.

The Irish Times