DONEGAL’S thatching tradition will die out unless the government intervenes to help homeowners, a local councillor has warned.
Fine Gael’s Barry Sweeny has asked that a letter regarding insurance availability for the owners of thatch cottages be written to the Department of Housing.
His request that Donegal County Council contact Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien about the matter has received the full backing of his elected colleagues.
In a motion to this month’s plenary meeting of the local authority, Councillor Sweeny asked that the relevant government departments be contacted about the creation of a national insurance policy for thatched structures.
According to the owners of thatched properties there are no insurance companies left in the state willing to provide them with a policy.
Cllr Sweeny said he wanted Donegal County Council to write to Dubling “in light of the withdrawal of the last remaining insurance company that previously provided such cover”.
Councillor Barry Sweeny who has raised concerns over the future of Donegal’s thatching heritage.
“We all know in this county the challenges that are faced by the owners and custodians of thatched structures,” said Councillor Sweeny.
“We also know the value that they have in terms of tourism. Here in Donegal we have roped thatch, a particular style of thatch that is unique to our county and it is one visitors want to see. It is also an aspect of our heritage that many want to retain. But we now find ourselves in a very precarious situation.”
Donegal County Council has taken the lead in the protection of cottages through its Thatch Repair Grant Scheme which provides between €3,000 and €15,000 in financial aid.
Cllr Sweeny congratulated the authority on its efforts. Ultimately though thatch buildings are in danger of vanishing from the Irish landscape, he cautioned.
“These iconic structures are disappearing before our eyes. The issue of insurance, you could say it was the last straw.”
Donegal County Council has now agreed to write to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
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