Episode 9: Ireland’s Historic Towns Initiative

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Every street corner, every meandering alleyway, every old shop façade tells its own story. Our streetscapes are woven into the heart of Irish life – and are a crucial part for our heritage. In today’s podcast, Ian Doyle, Head of Conservation with The Heritage Council, explains the key components of the Historic Towns Initiative, a joint initiative between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Heritage Council.

The Historic Towns Initiative – run by The Heritage Council in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage – aims to protect and preserve a vital thread in Ireland’s past. This year, a €1.5m fund had been made available for the heritage-led regeneration of 10 towns after a competitive process. These include Tralee, Co Kerry; Ballyshannon, Co Donegal; Ballina, Co Mayo; Roscommon, Co Roscommon; Sligo, Co Sligo; Tramore, Co Waterford; Birr, Co Offaly; Enniscorthy, Co Wexford; Navan, Co Meath and Callan, Co Kilkenny.

The money will provide a vital jobs boost and act as an economic stimulus, helping to rebuild local economies with heritage as a focal point. The Initiative follows on from similar highly successful programmes in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Last year, €1m in funding was available under this scheme.

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