Kilkenny's historic buildings strike the preservation lottery jackpot!

A total of 15 historic buildings across Kilkenny are set to share in grants of more than €250,000 as part of a Build Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS), announced today (Friday).

From traditional windows to thatched rooves, important shopfronts to places of worship, these grants support property owners to conserve and enhance our historic buildings and streetscapes, and at the same time preserve and develop traditional building skills. This year’s grants will be used to repair, restore, and protect historic structures from modest traditional homes to landmark public buildings. 

In addition to the funding provided under BHIS, owners and custodians will themselves commit funds to these projects from private sources, marking this as a very significant investment in our built heritage and the traditional building skills which support it. 

Topping the list in Kilkenny, this year, is Georgian mansion Rathmore House in Fiddown. A sum of €27,111 has been awarded for work to the windows. Rathmore House was once the home of Charles Bacik, one of the founders of Waterford Glass and grandfather of Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik.

Graignamanagh's Cushendale Woolen Mills has been awarded a grant of €25,000 work work on the lower mill building, which are currently described as "historic ruins."

Among the other top grants to Kilkenny are

• €24,000 for Byrne's Thatched Cottage, Kylevehagh Commons, Callan (thatch)
• €23,000 for Kilbline Castle (roof)
• €22,000 for Ballybur Tower House (roof/ rainwater disposal)
• €20,000 for Ossory Diocesan Office, James's Street (external walls/ interior)

Also included on the list are:

• €18,000 for Corrigaleen, Upper Main Street, Graignamanagh (windows and doors) 
• €7,000 for St Mary's Cathedral, James's Street (external walls)
• €15,000 for 22 Talbot's Inch, Kilkenny (windows/ rainwater disposal)
• €15,000 for Keogh's Model Bakery, Bridge Street Lower, Callan (shopfronts) 
• €2,500 for Noreville, Dublin Road (rainwater disposal) 
• €20,000 for Parade House, 10 The Parade (windows/ interiors)
• €8,000 for 18 Upper Patrick Street (external walls)
• €18,000 for 18 John Street Lower (external walls/ rain water disposal)
• €8,451 for 25 High Street (windows)

“Ireland’s built heritage is a national asset which enriches our countryside, villages, towns, and cities. In maintaining and caring for our historic buildings, owners and custodians perform a valuable public service, and I am delighted to be able to support their efforts," said Minister of State for Nature, Heritage, and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD.

Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, James Browne TD, added: “I am proud of the part the BHIS plays in protecting and enhancing the historic fabric and character of our streetscapes and countryside."

Subject to funding, both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Thatched Buildings Scheme will be open to new applications this July for projects for completion next year.