Back to the future: €215,000 earmarked for vital works to protect Kilkenny’s heritage
Fourteen Kilkenny buildings of historic importance are to share in a pot of close to €215,000, funds which will be used to pay for much needed upkeep and remedial work.
The money earmarked for the 16 projects in county Kilkenny is part of the 2020 Historic Structures Fund and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme. These initiatives help fund vital conservation and renovation projects of historic structures around the country.
The year, more than 440 projects nationwide are benefitting from the close to €5 million in grants, each can receive supports from as little as €1,000 per project to €130,000.
Aras na hOidhreachta, the former Bishop’s Palace on Church Lane in Kilkenny is receiving €72,500 over two years for essential works as part of an application made by the Heritage Council.
The other 15 Kilkenny schemes selected are:
| Name | Location | Amount |
| The Bridewell Building | Thomastown | €25,000 |
| Windgap Creamery | Windgap | €15,000 |
| Licketstown | Carrigeen | €8,000 |
| Kilrush House | Freshford | €8,000 |
| Parade House | No.10 The Parade, Kilkenny | €8,250 |
| St Lachtains Church | Freshford | €5,500 |
| The Long Barn, Mountrothe House | Paulstown | €7,750 |
| Church of the Holy Cross | Cuffesgrange | €6,500 |
| Castleview House | Ballyragget | €6,500 |
| 9 William Street | Kilkenny | €6,500 |
| City Lime Works, John Street | Kilkenny | €8,000 |
| The Tone House, Kildalton | Piltown | €8,250 |
| Smithstown Schoolhouse | Castlecomer | €8,250 |
| The Villa | Piltown | €10,000 |
| 21 High Street | Kilkenny | €6,500 |
Speaking about the announcement of funding, Kilkenny’s Minister John Paul Phelan said: “Under this year’s Historic Structures Fund (HSF), 56 projects will be funded with grants ranging from €15,000 to €130,000 for the conservation and renovation of many different types of historic structures throughout the country, including many key ones here in Kilkenny. This is in addition to 10 projects that will receive a total of €351,000 in their second year of funding under the HSF 2019.
“The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) will support 393 projects in 31 local authority areas. Grants ranging from €1,000 to €15,000 will be provided and the scheme will generate several thousand days’ employment for skilled craftspeople,” Deputy Phelan concluded.
