Midlands Heritage Projects To Benefit From Over €650,000 Fund

€4.5 million has been allocated to 95 historical sites around the country.

Heritage projects in the midlands will benefit from over €650,000 in funding.

€4.5 million has been allocated to 95 sites around the country as part of the Historic Structures Fund.

Offaly will receive the highest allocation in the region, with €285,000 to benefit three projects in the county.

Repair works will be carried out to three historical sites in Westmeath, with a fund of €278,930.

Laois will receive €107,000, and that money will also benefit three sites.

OFFALY:

Birr Castle - €200,000 - for conservation and repair of wrought-iron suspension footbridge within grounds of Birr Castle demesne to bring it back into use.

Kinnitty Castle, Birr - €37,500 -  for window restoration for this important historical structure.

St. Mary's Church, Ballyboy - €37,500 - for emergency structural repairs, including vegetation treatment, weed control and the removal of fallen masonry. The project includes the preliminary investigation of the church tower to ensure it is safe.

WESTMEATH: 

Belvedere House, Mullingar - €191,930 - for urgent conservation and repair of the roof valleys, repair of chimneys and parapet and replacement of lead sheet roof to stop water ingress.

Malone Mausoleum, Ballinacargy - €50,000 - for removal of all roof-facing stone and grilles, the repair of inner brick structure, and to rebuild to planar alignment.

No. 1 Athlone Gun Battery - €37,000 - for clearing of brambles and undergrowth along the retaining walls of the battery enclosure down to the original ground surface, and masonry repairs and rebuilding of the retaining walls of the battery enclosure.

LAOIS:

Donaghmore Workhouse and Agricultural Museum - €37,500 - for roof repairs required to halt water ingress and damage to the mill.

Roundwood House, Mountrath - €37,000 - to improve the drainage system, repair cracks on the basement vault and rear chimney wall, repair the roof and chimney stacks, and for localised repairs of internal decorative elements.

Vicarstown National School - €22,600 - for the removal of cementitious external render and replacement with a lime-based render and limewash, localised repairs to brickwork where necessary, and repair and re-painting of the decorative timber bargeboards.