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Grants for old farm buildings 19.02.10

INISHOWEN farmers who use old outhouses as part of their work have been invited to apply for grants designed to conserve traditional barns, sheds and agricultural outbuildings.
The funds for the conservation of Donegal's traditional farm buildings, have been made available through The Heritage Council in association with the Government's Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme. The scheme does not apply to old farmhouses or other dwellings.
Donegal heritage officer, Joseph Gallagher, said farmers always played an important role as custodians of Ireland's rural landscape.
"With the changing nature of agriculture and development in the countryside, the role of farmers in conserving landscape character and quality is all the more important," said Mr Gallagher.
“The Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme aims to conserve the exterior appearance of farm outbuildings which can include roof, window and door repairs. Only essential repairs that conserve the character and weatherproofing of buildings will be considered."
Conservation funds are also available for landscape features such as historic farmyard surfaces, walls, gate pillars, gates and mill races, if they are part of an overall project to repair an outbuilding.
Works to the interior of the buildings are not eligible under the grant scheme.
There were four successful applicants to the scheme last year resulting in conservation
work to traditional farm buildings in Brockagh, St. Johnston (€25,000), Clonacarney, Trentach (€5,850), Dromore, Kilmacrennan (€6,330) and Ballymore, Glencolmcille (€13,366).
The funding will be made available countrywide this year for farmers under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme 4 (REPS 4). The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, March 26, 2010 and projects have to be completed by June 2011. For application forms contact County Donegal Heritage Office, Donegal County Council on 917 2576 or The Heritage Council in Kilkenny on 056 777 0777. You can also get an online application forms at www.heritagecouncil.ie .
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