13 historic buildings across County Laois have been awarded just over €185,000 in recent Conservation Grants.
The buildings are spread around the county from Rathdowney to Rosenallis, Portarlington to Graiguecullen, and multiple other locations in between.
The funding has been allocated for conservation and protection of architectural heritage under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2025.
The scheme supports property owners to conserve and enhance 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 traditional homes to landmark public buildings.
Funding will support the repair and restoration of older buildings which come with complex needs and thatched roofs.
Over 650 projects across the country will receive financial support with €8.1m for the conservation and protection of architectural buildings and €1.25m in support for thatched buildings.
John Cummins TD, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said the funding “will greatly assist with protecting historic buildings which contribute to a community’s sense of identity.”
The 13 Laois buildings are as follows:
Old National School, Vicarstown – €24,338 for the Diocesan Trust of Kildare and Leighlin.
Timahoe Heritage Centre, Timahoe – €21,500 for works on the historic ruins.
Buhala, Conboro Road, Rathdowney – €20,000 for roofs, rainwater disposal, windows and doors.
Newtown House and Mill, Durrow – €20,000 for work on the roofs.
Parochial Hall, Portarlington – €16,500 for windows and doors.
Mulberry Cottage, Graiguecullen – €15,000 for external walls and rainwater disposal.
Oatlands House, Ballyroan – €15,000 for windows and doors.
Jamestown Cross, Ballybrittas – €14,000 for the thatched roof.
Cuffsborough House, Clough – €10,000 for interiors works.
Preston House, Abbeyleix – €10,000 for windows, doors external walls and interior work.
Main Street, Abbeyleix – €7,800 for windows and doors.
St Fintan’s Church, Durrow – €7,108 for work on external walls.
Reary Beg, Rosenallis – €3,820 for the thatched roof.
Fine Gael Councillor Conor Bergin and TD Willie Aird said: “I am delighted to announce Laois will receive €185,000 for a number of projects under this scheme.
“Fine Gael is committed to ensuring our towns and villages receive vital funding in order to maintain and care for our historic buildings.
“The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is a perfect example of an initiative to revitalise our town centres and to bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use.”
Laois TD Sean Fleming said: “This is good news that funding is provided for the conservation and protection of architectural heritage of key historic buildings here in Co. Laois.
“This scheme supports property owners to conserve and enhance our historic buildings and streetscapes and at the same time preserving and developing traditional building skills.
“This funding will be of assistance to the property owners to carry out work on their properties which is part of our architectural heritage here in Co. Laois.
“The location of these properties and the works to be carried and the grant allocation for each of the 13 properties is on the attached list.
“Finally, I am calling on the property owners to proceed with these works as soon as possible and ensure that high quality and traditional building skills are utilised in these conservation projects.”
SEE ALSO – Contractor responsible for public lighting in Laois ‘should be sacked’ local County Councillor says
