Ford gives heritage awards

15/10/04: by Brian Byrne — Under the 2004 Heritage Council/Ford Ireland Local Heritage Grants, 110 projects from around Ireland received grants from a total fund of almost 500,000 in recognition of their contribution to 'promoting pride in Ireland's heritage'.

The wide variety of projects ranged from the production of radio documentaries on steam travel and bogs in the Midlands to a bat conservation programme in Cavan and the preservation of an old church and graveyard in Donegal.

A copper craft project in Clare, a website on flora and fauna in Raphoe and a plan for the 'green-mapping' of heritage sites in Dublin also featured.

Speaking at the ceremony in Kilkenny Castle, Eddie Murphy of Ford Ireland said the increased number of recipients this year to over 100 is an indicator of the growing strength of this programme. "The rich variety of projects is, as ever, an eye-opener to the great work being done in local communities."

This is the fourth year of Ford's involvement with the Heritage Council scheme. Many of the local initiatives originally funded have grown into major projects such as the Waterford Suir Valley Railway Project and the restoration of the Walled Garden at Kylemore Abbey.

Pictured at the grants ceremony in Kilkenny were Michael Starrett, Chief Executive, the Heritage Council; Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland; and Prof Willie Walsh of the Heritage Council.