5 unique local Kildare projects get €29K funding from Heritage Council

Above: Leixlip Castle Boathouse in winter.

The Heritage Council and the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys have today announced funding for a number of heritage projects in County Kildare under its 2017 Community Heritage Grants Scheme. The projects are based in Naas, Celbridge, Leixlip and Lullymore. A total of 196 heritage projects nationwide have been awarded funding under the scheme, which supports the continuing conservation and development of Irish heritage through local community based groups. Funding of 800,000 has been offered through the Heritage Council and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and 429 projects across the country applied for funding.   The Community Heritage Grant Scheme supports projects that promote an appreciation and enjoyment of heritage and make a lasting difference to heritage, people and communities.   Project and reason for funding:    Lodge Bog, Lullymore  Restoration of Vulnerable Raised Bog Habitat at Lodge Bog, Co. Kildare - Restore 35ha of raised bog habitat through rewetting, drain blocking and transplantation with Sphagnum mosses. Applicant - Irish Peatland Conservation Council. Amount Awarded - €8,000   St Mochua's Church, Celbridge Carry out conservation recommendations to the east end gable ruin, St. Mochua’s Church, Celbridge - Following on from last year’s completed emergency works the next objective is to carry out conservation recommendations to the east end gable ruin of St. Mochua’s Medieval Church at Tea Lane Graveyard. Applicant - Tea Lane Graveyard Committee. Amount Awarded - €8,000   Marsh Fritillary Butterfly, Lullymore  -          Enhancing breeding habitat for the endangered Marsh Fritillary Butterfly on Lullymore West Bog - This project aims to improve the habitat conditions for the breeding Marsh Fritillary on Lullymore West Bog, Co. Kildare. Applicant - Irish Peatland Conservation Council. Amount €9,000   Leixlip Castle Boat House, Leixlip -          Restoration of Leixlip Castle Boat House - To get a method statement for the restoration works required to the boat house to be developed by a conservation architect in conjunction with an ecologist. Applicant - Leixlip Tidy Towns. Amount Awarded - €3,000   Woodland Garden, McAuley Place, Naas -          Enhancement of Woodland Garden through Volunteer Programme and workshops - To enhance the biodiversity and native plants in an existing urban woodland garden and ensure participation and inclusion by members of the community in this unique woodland setting. To promote nature to nurture.  Applicant - McAuley Place. Amount €1,000   Michael Parsons, Heritage Council Acting Chair, commented, “the Community Grants Scheme  continues to be a hugely popular initiative, and while we weren’t able to support all of the projects which applied, I am very pleased that so many projects across the country will benefit from support. These projects contribute to local economies, improve our tourism product and give people the opportunity to contribute to their local community. In addition they help keep important parts of our Heritage alive.”   Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys said,  “I am delighted that my Department is in a position to support these very worthwhile schemes which provide a boost to heritage groups and projects around the country. This round of funding focuses on community projects and events that make it easy for members of the public to learn about our heritage during National Heritage Week, as well as a diverse number of cultural projects and ongoing support for our vernacular thatched buildings.   I am a great believer in the importance of supporting local heritage projects, which play such an important role in community life in every county nationwide. I would like to commend the communities which have been successful in securing funding; it’s a competitive process and being selected is a clear reflection of a top quality project. Through the Action Plan for Rural Development, I will be prioritising increased funding for heritage projects which have such a positive and tangible impact on our rural towns and villages.”