Funding of almost €103,000 (45k for Sirius Arts Centre) for the conservation of protected and historical structures to be allocated – Minster Stanton

Total funding of €102,697 for the conservation of protected and historical structures is to be allocated between six Cork East projects under two different Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht funding schemes, Cork East Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Justice, David Stanton, has said.

Four local projects have been approved for funding totalling €39,697 as part of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2019 (BHIS) for the repair and conservation of protected structures:

Project – Type of Structure – Type of Works – Funding recommended

Church Hall, Church Lane, Midleton – Religious/funerary/ritual – External joinery repair – €7,000

Glenhaven House, Rathealy Road, Fermoy – Domestic – Roof repair, structures & coverings including leadwork – €11,000

Hillside, Rectory Road, Youghal – Domestic – External wall repair – €8,000

Sirius Arts Centre, Westbourne Place, Cobh – Roof repair, structures & coverings including leadwork – €13,697.48

The BHIS provides funding for works to protected structures (i.e. those included on the Cork County Council record of protected structures) in private and public ownership. This year’s scheme will allocate total funding of €2.5m to 408 projects across the country in awards ranging from €2,500 to €15,000.

A further €63,000 is to be allocated between two other Cork East projects under the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht’s Historic Structures Fund (HSF):

Project – Type of Works – Funding recommended

Myrtle Grove, Emmett Place, Youghal – Electrical repairs – €20,000

Sirius Arts Centre, Westbourne Place, Cobh – Phase 2 of restoration and conservation of Brian O’Doherty murals – €43,000

The HSF, formerly the Structures at Risk Fund, supports the conservation and enhancement of historic structures and buildings to ensure their preservation and continued use for the benefit of communities and the public. The department fund which will offer €1.824 million in capital grants of €15,000-€200,000 to 70 heritage projects nationwide in 2019 is administered by Cork County Council.

Speaking upon confirmation of the scheme allocations, Minister Stanton said: “This funding is a really welcome boost as it will support the owners and custodians of historic and protected structures in carrying out the necessary repair and conservation of the built heritage in Cork East.

“Built heritage is at the historic heart of local communities, instilling civic and community pride and providing inspiration for further conservation and the development of local tourism. As well as preserving our local heritage which is so important in terms of regeneration of our urban and rural communities, these projects also give a great boost for local jobs in conservation, traditional skills and construction.

“These investments through the BHIS and HSF will play an important role in helping communities in Cork East to regenerate the areas where they live and work, thus ensuring that the cultural aspect of our local heritage is kept alive for future generations”.