Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue accepted an award today (Thursday, September 19), on behalf of the Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme.
Minister McConalogue accepted the award from European Commissioner Mairéad McGuinness at the last day of the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co. Laois.
The scheme has been awarded through the European Heritage Award or the Europa Nostra Award 2024 in recognition of its “outstanding contribution” to the preservation and enhancement of Ireland’s “agricultural vernacular heritage”.
So far, the scheme has conserved over 1,000 traditional farm buildings by supporting the use of traditional building techniques and materials, promoting sustainability, and conserving traditional skills and craftmanship.
The Traditional Farm Buildings scheme is co-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) and the European Union, and delivered in collaboration with the Heritage Council.
Traditional Farm Buildings
In 2024, grant amounts varied between €4,000 and €30,000, with the grant award not more than 75% of the cost of the works.
Minister McConalogue said: “We have a beautiful heritage and it’s wonderful to see it regenerated and brought back to its glory.
“The benefit of this scheme, is that when a building is done, and whenever it receives the care and regeneration that comes with the scheme, it is there to be visualised and seen by our eyes for decades to come.”
The minister thanked all of the farmers and rural dwellers with restored traditional buildings on their land.
“They are intrinsic to our countryside and farm history, along with our cultural and societal history as well,” the minister said.
“I want to thank all of the farmers and farm families and rural dwellers who have these buildings and care and appreciation you have for them. They are intrinsic to our countryside and farm history,” Minister McConalogue added.
Minister McConalogue said that he “looks forward” to developing the scheme further in the future.