Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, has announced that 477 heritage projects across every county in the country will benefit from a total of €3m under this year’s Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS). Of this fund €72,000 has been allocated to 12 projects in Sligo, ranging from historic shopfronts to larger country houses.
Funding for Sligo’s heritage buildings
Funding announced for Sligo’s heritage buildings
The BHIS is one of two built heritage funding schemes run by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in association with the 31 Local Authorities. Through grants of up to €15,000, the BHIS 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. The scheme is not limited to private dwellings and also provides assistance to a wide range of other important heritage buildings.
Minister Noonan said:
“I am delighted to announce €3m investment in our built heritage which will assist 477 owners and custodians of historic and protected structures right across the country as they carry out hundreds of small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and safeguard our built heritage. These awards will provide much-needed economic stimulus in all 31 local authority areas and will give employment to the many small businesses, skilled conservation specialists and tradespeople involved in heritage-related construction activity. Not only will this €3m funding help sustain specialist heritage businesses while the market recovers, it is also an investment in this Government’s commitment under the Programme for Government to encourage traditional building skills.”
Minister of State for Local Government, Peter Burke, TD, also welcomed the announcement, saying
“the success of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme is testament to the close working relationship between the Department and the Local Authorities, particularly the Architectural Conservation Officers, Heritage Officers and planning and administrative staff without whom these schemes would not exist. It is particularly pleasing to see this year’s BHIS fund so many projects in our towns, in line with this Government’s commitment to put Town Centres First.”
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Dara Mulvey, welcomed the announcement saying
“In addition to supporting owners of historic buildings in looking after their properties, this funding will also provide a welcome boost to local construction and heritage trades. Sligo County Council is delighted to be able to participate in the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, providing a link between the Department and owners on the ground and getting this funding out to Sligo Communities”.
Councillor Dónal Gilroy, Chair of Sligo Heritage Forum added that
“It is great to see a 20% increase in funding for Sligo under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2021. The grant scheme assists owners to carry out necessary maintenance and repair works to their heritage buildings. I very much welcome this year’s grant allocation of €8,000 to ‘Glebe House’ near Grange, Co. Sligo for essential window conservation. The works will build on roof repairs undertaken in 2020 and which received a conservation grant allocation of €11,350. Works such as these are a really good example of how the Built Heritage Investment Scheme can support owners to carry out a phased and prioritised programme of works.”
Sligo Projects funded this year are as follows:
| Projects | Funding Allocated |
|---|---|
| Temple House, Ballymote, Co. Sligo | €8,500.00 |
| 2 Knock Terrace, Wolfe Tone Street. Sligo | €5,000.00 |
| 15, Wolfe Tone Street, Sligo | €5,000.00 |
| Newpark House, Ballymote, Co. Sligo | €7,000.00 |
| Hazelwood House, Hazelwood Demesne, Co. Sligo | €9,000.00 |
| 46, Wine Street, Sligo | €1,500.00 |
| “Glebe House”, Moneygold, Grange, Co. Sligo | €8,000.00 |
| Elsinore House, Rosses Point, Sligo | €5,000.00 |
| RIC Barracks. Aclare, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo | €5,000.00 |
| 59, John Street, Sligo | €5,500.00 |
| Louis J. Doherty & Sons Ltd., Teeling House, Old Market Street, Sligo | €8,500.00 |
| Lisnalurg House, Co. Sligo | €4,000.00 |
| Total | €72,000.00 |