Funding announced for eight heritage projects in Laois

A total of €94,450 has been allocated under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme for conservation repairs to eight heritage projects in Laois for 2023. 

The breakdown of the funding is as follows:

Newtown Mill Newtown House & Mill Roof repair €15,000, Windows repair €15,000 and windows repair €15,000

Protrane House, Stradbally Road, Portlaoise - windows and door €4,750

Preston House Boutique Ltd, Abbeyleix - repairs to gable wall, original cell requires new roof and new windows - €15,000

Thatched House Rathmakelly - thatched building - €7,500

RIC Barracks Clonaslee - external joinery repair €11,100

Fisherman’s Inn, Fisherstown - roof repair, structures and coverings including lead work - €11,100

Cuffsborough House, Ballacolla - roof repair - €15,000

Former Goods Shed Abbeyleix - window repair - €15,000

Minister Pippa Hackett welcomed the announcement saying, “the  Built Heritage Investment Scheme assists with the cost of mostly small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and maintain our historic built environment. 

“So many of our localities have buildings with thatched roofs, stained glass windows or are of importance for other reasons and we need to protect them for all our benefit. 

“Well done to the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils for their preparative work on this scheme and to my colleague Malcolm Noonan, for his continued support of our built heritage. These projects across Laois and Offaly will also support local jobs in conservation and traditional skills.”

Sean Fleming T.D. Minister of State, Department of Foreign Affairs also welcomed the funding.

“This funding includes work to repair thatched buildings, gable end walls, roofs and windows on a number of historic buildings in the county.

“This grant allocation will allow owners of  historic and protected structures in Laois to protect and preserve these buildings. I want to thank the owners of these properties who had the interest and care for the buildings to apply for these funds.

“The Government has allocated €4.5 million which included €500,000 for conservation repairs to historic thatched structures. The scheme assists owners of heritage structures – including those on the local authorities’ Record of Protected Structures and those in Architectural Conservation Areas – to meet their obligations to care for their properties by providing match-funded grants of up to €15,000 for standard projects.

 “These buildings are a part of our national heritage. I also want to acknowledge the work of Laois County Council Heritage Department in working with the owners of these properties in respect of this grant scheme.

 “Finally, there are very specific and particular skills required by the people who carry out these works on historic buildings. It is important to maintain these skill sets in the country to work on the many historic buildings and this grant scheme contributes to this process,” he stated.