This article is from page 69 of the 2008-03-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 69 JPG
FARMERS across Clare are being urged to consider renovating farm outbuildings on their lands.
Clare County Council’s Conserva- tion Officer said that a newly intro- duced grant aid scheme ensured that a number of traditional farm build- ings, which contribute to the visual landscape and are of historical and architectural value, would be main- tained into the future.
The Heritage Council will oper- ate the Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme for REPS4 farmers, on be- half of the Department of Agricul- ture, Fisheries and Food.
“There is a significant gap in aware-
ness when it comes to our agricultur- al heritage despite its fundamental impact on the socio-economic de- velopment of this county throughout the last number of centuries,’ said Clare conservation officer Risteard Ua Croinin.
“It is imperative that we do not lose sight of the fact that agriculture has played a significant role in County Clare’s history.
“The many hundreds of outbuild- ings located on the county’s farms are a cogent reminder of this long as- sociation with the land. The scheme for REPS 4 farmers, therefore, presents an ideal opportunity to pre- serve these buildings.
“Most farm buildings constructed
prior to 1940 are stone structures and feature a slate, thatch or galvanised roof. Therefore, most of the build- ings being targeted by the scheme range between 60 and 400 years old.”
One of the main criteria of the scheme is whether a building im- proves the appearance of the land- scape. The criteria also state that the quality of the proposed building works must be of a high standard. For example, slated buildings must be renovated using natural quarry slate and hydraulic lime must be used in place of cement.
“The scheme also requires that all repaired buildings must be utilised by farmers in their day-to-day work.
This should be looked upon posi- tively by farmers who will enjoy real practical benefits out of undertaking repair work on the buildings,’ con- tinued Mr Ua Croinin.
‘Anyone wishing to apply for grant aid funding under the scheme must provide still photographs of the in- terior and exterior of the building in eLbCeri ale) eF
“These photographs should focus specifically on the parts of the build- ing in need of repair.”
The closing date for receipt of ap- plication is Monday, 31st March, 2008. For more information on the Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme contact the Grants Office, Heritage Council, Kilkenny, at 056-7770777.