An 18th century folly in Co Kildare has been named one of the world's 100 most endangered monuments, along with Shackleton's hut in Antarctica, Hemingway's former home and all the cultural objects in Iraq.
The New York-based World Monuments Fund sharply criticised controversial housing developments near the Wonderful Barn, which was built near Leixlip in 1743 as part of a famine relief project.
In its report, issued this week, the fund warned that the barn "is threatened by urban encroachment and neglect, and is abandoned after years of poor maintenance and inappropriate additions". It also warns that "adjacent housing complexes have greatly compromised the building's agricultural setting and water ingress has caused damage to both the structure's roof and walls".
However, it welcomed a preservation plan being drafted by Kildare County Council and the Irish Landmarks Trust.
Development group Albany Homes plans to build 476 houses on lands close to the seven- storey barn, which was built on the former Castletown Estate as a grain store and as a famine relief project.
The World Monuments Fund noted that it is one of the only buildings of its type in Ireland. It adds: "Rising 21 meters, the conical-shaped barn . . . was also considered a technical and engineering achievement for the period in which it was built".
The fund said the Wonderful Barn "now requires a conservation plan that will be implemented by the local authority and the Irish Landmark Trust, which plans to open the folly to the public".