Duleek to receive funding to boost local economy and address vacancy

Duleek is set to receive €36,000 to aid a heritage-led regeneration plan.

11 historic towns will share €1.3m funding under the 2023 Historic Towns Initiative (HTI) it was announced today.

The funding will help to provide jobs through heritage-led regeneration, aid the rebuilding of local economies, and address vacancy with heritage as the consistent focal point.

A joint initiative between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Heritage Council, this year’s scheme follows on from highly successful projects during 2018 to 2022. The HTI seeks proposals that encourage the specific re-use of historic buildings with works on this year’s projects to be completed before the end of the year. Duleek is set to receive €36,000 under the initiative as part of a heritage-led regeneration plan.

Cllr Stephen McKee says it is welcome news for the village.

"I wish to welcome the funding received by Meath County Council under The Historic Towns Initiative 2023 for the preparation of a Heritage-Led Public Realm and Regeneration Plan for Duleek," he said.

He added that the funding will enhance the quality of life for residents:

"It is clear to me that we need a co-ordinated approach to protect our local heritage in Duleek and further promote the village for tourism. We also need to develop public infrastructure, improve the environment for local business to flourish and enhance the quality of life for local residents. It will be important that adequate funding is provided to ensure that any agreed Public Realm Plan can be fully funded and that the work is fully carried out.

"How we manage traffic and road safety in Duleek is one major issue. I would like to see the completion of the Main Street Traffic Management Plan as soon as possible and a new pedestrian crossing down at Londis. Traffic calming is badly needed also on the Station Road, on the Longford Road, the Navan Road close to the GAA grounds and out at Duleek Soccer Club at Carranstown.

"I hope and expect that there will be consultation amongst the general public and everyone will soon have an opportunity to have their say on the new Public Realm Plan which is exciting news for the area," concluded McKee.

Commenting, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD said:

“Today’s announcement demonstrates the huge progress being made as part of Heritage Ireland 2030 and these projects will richly enhance the look and feel of each of the towns involved. This announcement demonstrates our commitment to heritage-led regeneration as part of our efforts to tackle vacancy and roll out our Town Centre First policy, creating town centres that function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work and visit. Looking through each of the projects, I am filled with a sense of hope and excitement about the potential for growth in our towns in a way that puts heritage front and centre, and am looking forward to seeing the completed works.”

Chairperson of the Heritage Council, Dr Martina Moloney commented:

“It is appropriate that in a week where we as a country celebrate our national cultural heritage for St Patrick’s Day, that we can admire the efforts of local authority partners and communities in preserving and protecting our valuable built heritage through the Historic Towns Initiative. It is a fantastic scheme which will play a pivotal role in facilitating the re-use of vacant buildings in our town centres by tackling dereliction and helping us meet our climate change targets.”

Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan commented:

“The Heritage Council is very pleased to, once again, administer the Historic Towns Initiative in 2023. I would like to congratulate the 11 successful towns that will benefit from the scheme in 2023 for their innovative and heritage-focused projects. Collaboration is the cornerstone of the scheme which owes its success to the determination of community groups, local authority partners and colleagues in Government, all of whom work together with the Heritage Council to guarantee that our rich heritage is cared for and protected.”