Funding secured for historic Kilrush building
Clare County Council and Kilrush & District Historical Society have been successful in securing funding for a heritage-led regeneration project in Kilrush.
Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan TD and Michael Parsons, Chair of the Heritage Council, today announced that six historic towns, including Kilrush, will share in €1million in capital funding under the Historic Towns Initiative 2019.
€190,000 has been allocated for the conservation of Terret Lodge and the conversion of the gate lodge, which dates back to 1845, to a genealogy and exhibition space. An additional €50,000 is being provided by Clare County Council towards the project.
Liam Conneally, Director of Economic Development, Clare County Council, said, "This is a big win for Kilrush which only last week received €1,720,000 for a restoration project at the historic Vandeleur Estate."
He added, "I want to thank the staff of Clare County Council’s Planning section who have worked closely with Kilrush & District Historical Society to progress a project that will further enhance the town as a visitor location. Kilrush is one of Ireland’s best examples of a heritage town and restoring this building will add to the heritage value of Clare's overall tourism product. The funding being provided by Clare County Council also underlines the Local Authority’s commitment to the town."
Responding to the funding announcement, Dr. Paul O’Brien, Secretary of the Kilrush & District Historical Society commented, "Kilrush and District Historical Society are delighted to partner with Clare County Council on this project. The Terret Lodge, built in 1845, stands at one of the entrances to the Vandeleur Demesne and was occupied until about 30 years ago. This funding award will see the building preserved and converted into use as a community-led, heritage and genealogy centre, thereby connecting the present with the past and ensuring that members of the Kilrush and west Clare diaspora can access important source material and local expertise in their quest to trace their family lineage."
Established in 2012, the Kilrush & District Historical Society is a voluntary group of individuals who are interested in the history of Kilrush and its environs. For more see www.kdhs.ie.
Page last reviewed: 28/02/19
Back to topThis is just for feedback on our web site, not comments or questions about our services.
To tell us about anything else, go to our contact us pages.