Farm building with centuries of history brought back to life
A TRADITIONAL farm building dating back to 1810 is getting a new lease of life in rural Meath, thanks to support from the Traditional Farm Building Grant Scheme, administered by The Heritage Council, and funded by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine.
Local resident Miriam Sheridan from Randalstown, Navan, who availed of the scheme this year, says the restoration has been both a learning experience and a labour of love.
“We have been pondering on what to do with this structure since we moved here, as it’s not a very practical building in today’s world,” she explains. “Based on the roof materials, we think there was significant damage done to the roof in the early 1900s and repairs carried out with different materials. However, the original workmanship deserved some TLC — to protect it and preserve it for the future.”
The scheme supports the conservation of traditional farm outbuildings using traditional materials and methods. In this case, that meant going back to basics, and no alterations.“I learned a lot going through the process,” Miriam says. “The scoring system, conditions attaching, and impact works can have on nature if they’re not done at the right time, the materials used — for example, no felt used under the slate roof structure. Many of the original timbers were retained and are still in as good a condition as the day they went in over 200 years ago.”
Miriam says the expertise, structure and financial support of the scheme were an incentive to get the job done on a deadline. “The great thing about this scheme is the discipline The Heritage Council bring to the process, which we can see now is to the benefit of the building and everyone concerned.”
Once completed, the restored building will have a new purpose. “Storing farm produce,” she adds — a fitting modern use for a structure with centuries of history behind it.
"Thanks to the Traditional Farm Building Grant Scheme - we are very grateful to the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine - another piece of Meath’s rural heritage is being preserved for generations to come."