Heritage projects in Ireland are set to benefit from a 20m euro (£13.6m, US$27m) funding package this year.

Dick Roche, minister for the environment, heritage and local government, said: “Built heritage conservation represents an excellent investment by the state in terms of the number of projects assisted, the quality of conservation work and its contribution to sustainable development.

“Regeneration of our historic buildings often acts as a catalyst for further heritage projects in an area and makes our towns and villages more attractive to tourists and locals.”

The minister has allocated almost 6m euro (£4m, US$8m) to local authorities throughout the state to fund more conservation officers and conserve protected structures such as thatched houses, shop and pub fronts, rectories and community halls. Roche is also introducing a new 2m euro (£1.4m, US$2.7m) Walled Towns fund – to be administered by the Heritage Council – for conservation works in medieval walled towns throughout the state.

Premier heritage sites such as St Enda’s Pearse Museum, Phoenix Park, Rathfarnham Castle and Heywood Gardens will also receive direct funding.

In addition, the existing visitor centre at Nenagh Castle and a new visitor facility at Durrow Abbey will each receive 750,000 euros (£511,000, US$1m). Details: www.environ.ie