Applications have now opened for the Donegal County Councils award-winning Thatch Repair Grant Scheme.
Now in its seventh year, the scheme assists the owners and occupiers of historic thatched dwellings and businesses with their maintenance and repair.
The scheme allows for small-scale thatch repairs from €500 up to €3,000.
“Over the past six years, Donegal County Council’s Thatch Repair Grant Scheme has supported over 130 thatch repair projects throughout the county” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer.
“These grants have enabled people to keep these buildings in use or to bring them back into use, often providing accommodation for residents and visitors alike,” he said.
“There are over 300 known thatched buildings in County Donegal but the rate of loss of our historic thatch is a cause of concern,” Mr Gallagher added.
Preliminary audit results from the Inishowen Municipal District show that 27 per cent of the historic thatch properties in that area have been lost in the past 15 years and a further 10 per cent of them are in a poor or very poor conditions.
“Sadly, this seems to be symptomatic of the decline in historic thatch throughout the county. A particular cause of concern is the replacement of historic thatch by some homeowners with slate when only repairs are required to save and conserve the historic thatch,” Mr Gallagher added.
The new Donegal Thatching School, based at the Dolmen Centre in Kilclooney in west Donegal, opened its doors last year and is offering short courses in thatching.
“Thatching is a skilled trade and it takes approximately four years to train in this area so there is a real urgency for thatchers, and especially rope thatchers, in Donegal,” said Collette Beattie, Architectural Conservation Officer with Donegal County Council.
The Thatch Repair Grant Scheme is open for applications until 4 pm on Thursday, April 17 and is funded by Donegal County Council and The Heritage Council.
Further details and an application form can be downloaded from the Donegal County Council website at: www.donegalculture.ie/en/services/heritage
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