€500,000 funding for conservation work at St. Patrick's Cathedral

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has announced that the Department is providing funding of €500,000 for conservation works carried out this year in St. Patrick's Cathedral. The Minister made the announcement during his launch of the Cathedrals Conservation Plan. The conservation works being funded include the erection of fire protection screens in the roof space of the Cathedral and the restoration of the West Window by William Wailes. The Minister congratulated the Dean, Chapter and Board of the Cathedral and the Heritage Council for the production of the Conservation Plan.

The Minister said that "St. Patrick's Cathedral is a place of outstanding cultural significance". "Its architecture, history, liturgy, music and traditions combine to make it one of the most important historic structures in Ireland" continued the Minister.

The Minister said that "In 2006, my Department has also provided significant continued funding for projects at a number of important heritage properties held in trust or private ownership including Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin; the Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Waterford; Fota House; Westport House; Headfort House, Kells; and Russborough House". The Minister also highlighted that "Local authority projects in respect of the town walls in Waterford City and Duckett's Grove, Co. Carlow are being supported".