Over €440k in funding for Offaly heritage projects

Heritage projects in Offaly are to receive over €440,000 in funding, it was announced today.

The funding is part of €9 million in financial support through the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) for 2024, announced by Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan.

In Offaly, 25 projects will benefit from funding under either scheme.

The HSF provides grants of between €15,000 and €200,000 to support major conservation works to significant historic buildings.

Six Offaly projects are to receive €305,825 under this initiative, with work at Tullamore Presbyterian Church to benefit from the largest allocation (€152,425).

The money is to go towards repairs to the roof, rainwater goods and internal ceiling as well as repairs to defective external and internal plaster with the addition of new lime plaster. Renewal of flashings at abutments and parapets, are also included as well as window repairs.

Some €48,000 has been allocated to a project at Birr Castle, involving the restoration of a diverse range of wooden, metal, and lead windows in the Castle inner courtyard. St. Kieran's Church, Birr, is to receive €45,400; while work at Luker's Public House in Shannonbridge is to be funded to the tune of €30,000. This will involve the underpinning, supporting and repairs to the shop front and roof, and re-plaster front of building, the renovation of timber sash windows, as well as fascia, soffit and rainwater goods. St Mary's Church, Edenderry, is to receive €20,000 for roof repairs, while a property at Skehanagh, Belmont, is to receive €10,000 towards the rebuilding of collapsed stone walls and windows, stabilising structure and re-pointing.

Under the BHIS funding, a total of €136,544 went to 19 projects in Offaly.

Funding allocations under the scheme this year include €9,000 for Temple Connor, Clonmacnoise; €8,000 for Cloneyhurke Church of Ireland, Garryhinch Crossroads, Garryhinch and €7,000 for The Old Monastery, Moorpark St, Birr.

The BHIS provides grants of up to €15,000 for maintenance and smaller conservation works to help prevent historic buildings from falling into disrepair and possible disuse.

The full list of the 19 funding allocations in Offaly under the BHIS are below.