Almost €20 million is to be spent this year on the upkeep of some of the country's most historic buildings, it was revealed today.
The Built Heritage scheme, approved by Minister for the Environment Dick Roche, will seek to preserve medieval castles and town walls, abbeys, stately homes and churches.
It is hoped the conservation will help develop them as major tourist attractions. Dick Roche, Environment Minister, said the money was an excellent investment.
"Regeneration of our historic buildings often acts as a catalyst for further heritage projects in an area and makes our towns and villages more attractive to tourists and locals alike," he said.
Among the buildings getting a slice of the grants are the renowned Russborough House in Blessington, one of the country's finest heritage houses, which secured €450,000 for work to the roof and masonry repairs.
Russborough is one of three homes in private hands which the Government has agreed to fund, the others are Westport House and Headfort House.
Nenagh Castle, which dates back to the 1200s, is getting €750,000 to enable work to continue on the €3 million visitor centre while Durrow Abbey in Co Laois, the sixth century monastery founded by St Columcille, is to get €750,000 also for a visitor centre.
And the impressive 18th century Fota House in Co Cork has been given €1 million for extensive refurbishment.
The Built Heritage scheme this year for the first time earmarks €2 million to preserve medieval town walls right across the island.
Carlingford, Co Down and Carrickfergus, Co Antrim will benefit from the new initiative with the money provided through the Heritage Council.
Other towns being funded include Athenry, Athlone, Cashel, Clonmel, Cork City, Drogheda, Dublin, Fethard, Galway, Kilkenny, Kilmallock, Limerick, Trim, Waterford, Wexford, and Youghal.