Heritage and Biodiversity News and Events

News

* Mary Molesworth Portrait Competition* First Prize €500 and display of the winning entry at Belvedere House Visitor Centre for 12 months, 2^nd Prize €200 , Under 18s €100 closing date for registration 21^st March for more details contact: mmolesworthfestival@gmail.com

*Adopt a Monument* Mentoring Scheme by the Heritage Council to help communities become actively involved in the conservation and interpretation of their local archaeological and cultural heritage sites. The closing date for completed applications is the 21st of March 2025. For Full details see: https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/projects/aam

*Community Oral History Training Opportunity - Cuimhneamh an Chláir 2025* Heritage Organisation Support funding from the Heritage Council. Includes person training on Thurs 10 April, Thurs 8 May, Fri 13 June in Ennis, Co. Clare, online supports, each group will be provided with free recorders and headphones which they can keep. The programme is for groups, rather than individuals. Ideally, they would have some heritage project in mind, where adding an oral history dimension would enrich their work Deadline for expressions of interest is 31^st March

*Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses 2025*

National Built Heritage Service (NBHS), Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage has launched the 2025 Conservation Advice Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses.  This is an expanded funding scheme to provide grants for expert conservation advice to owners of vacant traditional houses who are availing of, or considering, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme provides grants to cover 67% of the costs (up to a maximum grant of €5,000) of having a conservation expert with proven and appropriate expertise: to visit a vacant or derelict traditional building, conduct a survey, and compile tailored conservation advice for the property owner.

This expert advice will include a report which outlines the condition of the building and identifies conservation improvements which would restore it to use while enhancing its character, energy efficiency, integrity, and amenity.

Stream 1 of the scheme is open to owners of vacant traditional houses in villages, towns, and cities where the building is a Protected Structure and/or an historic structure within an Architectural Conservation Area. Buildings previously used for commercial purposes also qualify for the scheme where the intended use is as a single dwelling or a single dwelling over a shop.

Stream 2 of the scheme will provide grant support for the provision of expert conservation advice to private owners of vacant traditional farmhouses, where the building one of the following:

1. A farmhouse which is a Protected Structure.
2. An historic farmhouse located within a rural Architectural Conservation Area.
3. A vernacular farmhouse that has no statutory protection. Vernacular farmhouses comprise modest homes constructed by people without formal training following long established folk traditions, using materials such as thatch, stone, slate, earth, wattle and unsawn timber.

The aim of the scheme is to help owners of traditionally constructed houses to understand the heritage value and potential of these structures and to prompt them to consider investments which could protect and enhance that value. The deadline for application is the Frid 2^nd May 2025. For further information and relevant documentation: gov.ie - Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses Application forms can be accessed here: gov.ie - Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses

*Managing School Grounds for Biodiversity*

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is delighted to launch a new online course ‘Managing School Grounds for Biodiversity’, developed in collaboration with the Department of Education. This free course is aimed at caretakers, groundskeepers, and those responsible for caring for school grounds. From pesticide alternatives to plant lists, biodiversity-friendly mowing tips to ideas on getting the school community involved, this is an opportunity for any school wanting to manage their grounds for nature, no matter their size, space, or previous experience.

Events

***World Water Day***

Thurs, 20^th March at 1-2pm lunchtime World Water Day webinar WATERWAYS MANAGEMENT & ADVICE FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS The event organised by LAWPRO in conjunction with Waterways Ireland (WI) and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) involves experts on waterways management and will celebrate world water day by learning more about how to protect those vital channels.  The agenda involves an introduction by LAWPRO followed by contributions from speaker 1., Roisin O’ Callaghan, Senior Fisheries Environmental Officer (IFI) and speaker 2., Eamonn Horgan, Senior Environment and Heritage Officer, WI with a Q&A session to conclude the event. If you would like to register and attend, please click the zoom link here! After registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting online tomorrow.

***Alphadive Subaqua Club***

Sun, 23^rd March Alphadive Subaqua club will perform a special dive in their season of the beautiful Lough Lene near the Meath/Westmeath Border in Collinstown Co. Westmeath. They will also discuss how litter can pervade our aquatic environments and cause harm in terms of things like microplastics when they break down for Wildlife amongst other pressures they see. LAWPRO will support with the theme of how precious and delicate our freshwater ecosystems can be especially in terms of high-status waters with local and global examples. Collinstown Action Group will support the event with a shore side clean up and light refreshments will be offered to attendees. contact cflood@lawaters.ie for further information.

***INTRODUCTION TO DRY STONE WALL CONSTRUCTION WEEKEND***

Sat, 22^nd & Sun, 23^rd March INTRODUCTION TO DRY STONE WALL CONSTRUCTION WEEKENDsupported by the National Built Heritage Service https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/ 

9.30am to 4.30pm (Participants must be available to attend both days) Mount Dalton, Westmeath

Price: €108.23

Learn how to build sturdy and beautiful dry-stone walls with hands-on training and expert guidance with the Drystone Wall Association of Ireland (DSWAI) Refreshments Refreshments, lunch and snacks will be provided. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this event is perfect for anyone interested in dry stone construction or just looking for a fun and educational day out in nature.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come-first served basis. For more information and to book a place click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-dry-stone-wall-construction-weekend-tickets-870825170527The

***Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society***

Wed, 26^th March, 8:00pm The Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar - Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society lecture by Archaeologist with the National Monuments Service Caimin O Brienentitled ‘Westmeath Archaeology —a voyage of discovery’. All welcome, refreshments will be served after the talk.

***Sniffing Out Solutions***

FREE WEBINAR: Wed, 26^th March 19:30 - Sniffing Out Solutions - How Detection Dogs are Revolutionising Wildlife Conservation in collaboration with the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science Postgraduate Taught Masters Committee and Ciarán Cronin of Wildeye, a leading wildlife fieldwork and survey business. Ciarán is a highly experienced ecologist, birdwatcher and general naturalist with over 40 years experience as an ornithologist and ecologist. Detection dogs are transforming wildlife crime prevention, ecological surveys, and species conservation, from tracking endangered species to detecting illegal wildlife trade. This webinar, the second in our 2025 series, explores the science behind conservation dog training and their incredible role in protecting Ireland’s wildlife.  

***Sustainable Urban Drainage***

Wed, April 2^nd supported by LAWPROs community water development fund. “Sustainable Urban Drainage - Stormwater Solutions for an Irish small town in Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath” will discuss the background to nature-based solutions and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) been more and more adopted nationally as well as globally with Wetlands Expert Feidhlim Harty from FH Wetlands Systems leading the presentation. A localised example of Tyrrellspass will be discussed and workshopped with the event co-hosted between LAWPRO and Tyrrellspass Tidy Towns. Register to attend here.

*** Mary Molesworth Festival Rochfortbridge***

Sun, 6^th April 9:30am – 6pm Mary Molesworth Festival Rochfortbridge a full day of events scheduled in and around Rochfortbridge including history talks, site visits, a blacksmithing demonstration and exhibitions for more details see Mary Molesworth Festival on Instagram or contact: mmolesworthfestival@gmail.com