Funding for historic local buildings

€3.5m allocation for 28 projects nationwide; €290,763.88 for Cavan.

Clsoe to half a million euro worth of funding has been announced for Cavan and Monaghan this morning under the Historic Structures Fund.

The funding was made as part of a €3.5m allocation for 28 projects nationwide by Minister for Heritage Christopher O’Sullivan and is aimed at repairing and protecting landmark buildings.

Of that, €290,763.88 has been allocated to projects in Cavan.

The successful projects in the area locally were Castle Saunderson, Cavan (€170,000), Former Railway Goods Shed, Railway Road, Cavan (€70,763), Billis Mills, Watermill by Billis Bridge, Drumollard (€50,000) and St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan Town (€200,000).

The fund aims to conserve, protect, and promote the use of historic buildings across our towns and villages.

Welcoming the allocation of €490,763 in funding for four landmark buildings in the counties Minister Niamh Smyth said she was particularly keen to see the local community benefit from funds such as these.

“This is a really big boost for these landmark buildings but also the wider localities,” remarked Minister Smyth.

“People are naturally very proud of the key buildings that make up their towns and villages and as a government we want to see them be sustained so that they can be enjoyed for generations to come.

“As someone who was Chairperson of the Committee on Culture in the last Dail, I worked hard to see these types of projects advanced at government level and for a bigger focus to be put on the funding of schemes such as this.

“So, I am delighted that my colleague Minister O’Sullivan has allocated such a significant sum to both Cavan and Monaghan under this fund.”

The work will see different repairs carried out to each of the landmark buildings.

In the case of Billis Mills there will be repairs to joinery and masonry structure of this unique ‘double mill’ as part of ongoing restoration of this rural industrial heritage complex.

For the former Railway Goods shed there will be repairs to roof and rainwater goods to facilitate the future public use of this disused industrial building.

While vegetation clearance and stabilisation work will be carried out at Castle Saunderson to stabilise this ruined structure and maintain it as a visitor attraction.

The biggest of all the projects is at St. Macartan’s Cathedral with €200,000 allocated for the continuation of the ambitious programme of conservation work at this cathedral, including stone conservation work to the spire, pinnacles, tower and south transept.

Senator Joe O’Reilly also welcomed the allocations.

Alongside other heritage funding streams such as the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the recently re-opened Conservation Advice Grant Scheme, the HSF aims to conserve, protect, and promote the use of historic buildings across our cities, towns, villages, and countryside.

“The works funded will secure the integrity of these sites for the enjoyment of future generations and enhance the sustainability of local economies with great benefits for employment and the environment," he said.

“I am particularly delighted to see €290,763.88 funding for Castle Saunderson, Former Railway Goods Shed, Railway Road, Cavan Town and Bills Mills, Watermill by Billis Bridge, Drumollard, Ballyjamesduff, which will see a new lease of life for their areas."

In addition to the €3.5m of HSF funding committed today, it is estimated that grantees will invest a further €7.6m on these projects, which will support the work of traditional craftspeople while bringing many of our landmark buildings back to their former glory.

“This funding will greatly assist with protecting historic buildings which contribute to our community’s sense of identity, and are at the heart of Cavan”, concluded Sen O’Reilly