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Great Houses of the North West Radio Series printable version

27 Aug 2014: posted by the editor - Travel, Local, Ireland

A new radio series examining the historical role and future prospects of a number of Great Houses in Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim and Fermanagh has been launched on Ocean FM.

The passage of time and new historical research has changed our understanding of the role of the Great House. It is now recognised that, far from being isolated from the lives of the majority, the Great House played an important role in rural Ireland until well into the twentieth century. It was in fact a world where many strands of Irish life came together—Anglo, Irish, Protestant, Catholic, nationalist, loyalist, artist, writer, Gaelgoir, worker, tenant, solider, politician and clergyman.

The Great House epitomises a rich architectural tradition, European in origin but distinctly Irish. All the houses in this radio series are expertly described by specialists in their relative fields. These specialists include a representative from the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage section of the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Over the years, the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht and its predecessors has provided important funding for a number of historic houses discussed in this series such as Westport, Temple House, Brownhall and Hazelwood. In recognition of their importance to the national heritage, many of these houses also benefit from important tax relief in respect of expenditure on repair and maintenance under Section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act. A condition of receiving this relief is that houses must allow a certain amount of public access, including during this week: National Heritage Week.

The Heritage Council—which is funded by the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht—is supporting this radio series.

Launching the series, Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht Minister Joe McHugh said: "Radio programmes such as this are invaluable in heightening public awareness of the importance of our heritage. It is clear that increased appreciation of historic places can only be secured through public discussion, research and academic publication."

The Minister added: "I am delighted that the Department of Arts Heritage is supporting this series through the Heritage Council".

National Heritage Week runs from 23 August 2014. It is co-ordinated by the Heritage Council which is funded by the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht and features over 1700 events countrywide.

Section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, as amended, provides tax relief to the owner/occupier of an approved heritage building (including surrounding garden) or an approved garden existing independently in respect of expenditure incurred on the repair, maintenance or restoration of the approved building or garden. Properties afforded tax relief under Section 482 must be of significant heritage value. Public access to the property must be afforded for not less than 60 days in any year, with certain details specified as to when these days fall and to hours of opening. The property must open to the public during National Heritage Week.

http://www.ahg.gov.ie

Tags: Irish Great Houses, Ocean FM

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