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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." |
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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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