DONEGAL County Council’s Repair Grant Scheme has opened for applications.
Now in its fifth year, the scheme assists the owners and occupiers of thatched dwellings and businesses with their maintenance and repair.
This year’s grant scheme consists of two strands – One will provide advice and funding for small-scale thatch repairs up to €3,000 while stream two will provide support for one large-scale re-thatching project up to €15,000 where the historic thatch building contributes to landscape character, history, culture or tourism.
The scheme is open for applications at www.donegalcoco.ie/heritage until noon on Friday, April 21.
Heritage Officer Joseph Gallagher said, “The impact of Donegal County Council’s Thatch Repair Grant Scheme over the past four years has been considerable supporting 78 thatch repair projects.
“Despite the success of the scheme though, the rate of loss of historic thatch in County Donegal continues. Within the past year three historic thatched roofs have been replaced with slate on traditional buildings in Abbeylands, Ballyshannon, Faugher, Glencolmcille and Meenacarn, Lettermacaward without prior consent.
“Homeowners are reminded that permission is required from Donegal County Council to replace an historic thatched roof as it constitutes a material alteration to the structure. Challenges to be addressed also include the limited number of thatchers, especially rope thatchers, in the county and the lack of availability of thatching materials which threaten the future of these iconic buildings.”
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