Latest news with #HistoricStructuresFund
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Calls to fix ‘cumbersome' Limerick housing grants failing first-time city buyers
'These grants are not working,' said Social Democrats' Elisa O'Donovan, 'we need more people living in our city centre.' 'I know so many people who want to live in the city centre. However, it is so expensive for them to do up a derelict property or an old Georgian house,' she added. Referring to the Living City Initiative, she said: 'The number of successful applicants for that initiative and for that grant has gone from 24 successful applicants in 2022 to only nine last year, and that's both for residential and commercial.' On other schemes, she added: 'Only one private residence in the metropolitan area was awarded funding last year' through the Historic Structures Fund. 'The only people that I know who have been successful in getting this grant in Limerick city are property developers or landlords,' she continued, referring to the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant which can get a prospective applicant up to €70,000. 'I just know one person who was eligible for this to have it as their primary residence, but then eventually they rented it out, and now they actually have multiple properties within the city centre.' She concluded: 'I believe we should write to the government to ensure that first-time buyers, those who need that €70,000 to renovate a city centre property and make it their home, are prioritised for this funding, so we can create a more liveable city.' 'These houses in the city centre, they're not just investments for developers and landlords. They are possible homes for people,' said Cllr Shane Hickey-O'Mara, who seconded the motion. 'We need life in the city desperately.' Cllr Maria Donoghue added: 'A lot of our grant schemes for capital works are quite onerous and cumbersome. 'You have to spend the money up front before you can get the grant. I support anything that brings life into the city, but if you need the money up front in order to access the money, well then it's a circuitous and ineffective grant and we should look at it.' 'Anything that brings life back into the city and helps us become a liveable city, it has to be commended,' said Cllr Ursula Gavan.
Irish Examiner
28-04-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
€30k restoration of St Anne's Church doors set to begin
Work is set to get underway on an iconic feature of St Anne's Church as part of a series of measures to preserve the iconic landmark. Funding worth €30,000 from the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) will be used to restore the front doors of the church, which is located in Cork City's Shandon area. The doors, which date back more than three centuries, have served as an entry point to worshippers, locals, and tourists over those years. This restoration is part of a series of works identified in the Conservation Management Plan conducted last year. Funded by the Community Monument Fund, the plan outlined key preservation and conservation measures central to the building's longevity. Reverend Meghan Farr from St Anne's Church described the importance of the work involved. 'The doors of St Anne's Shandon have stood as a symbol of welcome and openness for over three centuries. They are not just a physical gateway but a reflection of our mission to embrace all who come through them. This restoration ensures that we can continue to extend that welcome for generations to come. She thanked the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Cork City Council for their support. The restoration work follows a recent allocation of €130,000 from the Community Monument Fund also run by the department. This funding will support phase one works identified in the Conservation Management Plan, which include repairs to the timber and metal structures supporting the bells. The projects will complement urgent repairs to the clock face and mechanism with the help of a €250,000 grant awarded to Cork City Council under the Historic Structures Fund. This is part of a broader commitment to revitalising the Shandon area through strategic investment in its architectural heritage. The church will be closed for construction during certain periods, details of which will be highlighted on the church website and its social media accounts. For more information visit
