Vernacular heritage forms an intrinsic part of our rural and urban landscapes. It comprises houses, structures, outbuildings, farm buildings and other features which were built without formal design and using local materials. Examples of vernacular heritage in Co. Wexford includes mud-walled thatched houses, farm buildings and forges.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has produced a strategy entitled ‘A Living Tradition: A Strategy to Enhance the Understanding, Minding and Handing on of Our Built Vernacular Heritage’. In addition, a publication called ‘Caring for our Vernacular Heritage’ has been published which provides guidance to owners or custodians of vernacular heritage. Both of these documents can be viewed here:
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provides a small grant scheme each year for repair of vernacular buildings through the Historic Structures Scheme. Landowners who are in the GLAS scheme can avail of the Traditional Farm Buildings grant. Information on both these grants can be found here.