Friends of An Taisce

24/08/2026

Join us for a special webinar on Wednesday 26 August at 1pm:

Mapping Ireland’s Dereliction: Data, Heritage and the Colour of Place with our special guest speaker Rob Cross

Heritage Month's theme this year is 'Heritage At Risk' — to help explore Ireland's built heritage under threat, An Taisce is eager to bring you this informative webinar exploring Ireland's dereliction crisis.

Our guest speaker, Rob Cross will be giving a visual showcase of his work documenting and mapping dereliction across Ireland. The webinar will explore how data, aerial mapping, colourisation and social media storytelling can reveal the scale, character and heritage value of vacant and derelict buildings.

Rob will share examples from https://www.derelictsites.com/, including flyover mapping and visual case studies, and discuss how these tools can support public awareness, local authority action and a more informed conversation about reuse, conservation and place.

There will be a chance for a Q&A at the end.

Please book via Eventbrite — https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/webinar-mapping-irelands-dereliction-tickets-1998479129875

15/07/2026

☘️ There's a specific ache that Irish people and Irish-descent people carry around the concept of home that doesn't have a clean English word for it. The Irish came close with "dúchas," a term that means something like hereditary attachment to a place, an instinctive belonging that isn't chosen but inherited, that lives in the body rather than the mind and that doesn't require explanation to anyone who shares it. It's why Irish emigrants in Boston and New York and Sydney spend their whole lives talking about going home to a place many of them were never born in. The attachment isn't to the house. It's to the landscape. The light. The particular quality of the air coming in off the Atlantic. The way the fields are divided. The sound of the rain on a stone wall.

The Irish relationship with home is complicated by the fact that for so many Irish families, home is a place that was left under circumstances that made returning impossible. The famine generation didn't go home. The economic emigrants of the 20th century often didn't go home. The home they carried in their heads, passed to children who had never seen it, became something between memory and myth, specific enough to ache and far enough away to idealize. Irish-American families maintain this relationship with a home country many of them have never visited with a fidelity that people from countries with easier emigration histories sometimes find difficult to understand.

What makes it remarkable is how it survives assimilation. Third and fourth generation Irish-Americans who speak no Irish, attend Mass occasionally, and live lives that look entirely American still report the feeling of something clicking into place when they first land in Ireland, a recognition of something they didn't know they'd been missing because they'd never had it. The dúchas is patient. It waits. Drop a comment and tell us if Ireland has ever felt like coming home and follow The Irish Remembered for more. 🌿☘️

14/07/2026

Buildings at Risk | Moate, Co. Westmeath.

This elegant Georgian house in Moate, County Westmeath, stands as a reminder of the challenges of vacancy and dereliction across Ireland.

Behind its graceful proportions and historic character lies enormous potential for restoration and reuse. Revitalising buildings like this not only preserves our architectural heritage but also brings new life to town centres, supporting sustainable communities and celebrating local identity.

Every vacant historic building is an opportunity waiting to be rediscovered.

13/07/2026

Vernacular Ireland. Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath.

Nestled on Main Street in Dunshaughlin, this beautiful vernacular dwelling is a reminder that some of Ireland's most treasured buildings are found in the heart of our towns and villages.

With its simple proportions, traditional materials, and timeless character, it reflects generations of local craftsmanship and the distinctive architectural heritage of County Meath. Buildings like this contribute to a strong sense of place and connect communities to their history.

Preserving and sensitively restoring vernacular homes ensures they remain vibrant parts of our streetscapes, offering sustainable, characterful spaces for modern living while safeguarding Ireland's unique built heritage.

Every restored vernacular building is a celebration of local history, craftsmanship, and community.

12/07/2026

Heritage Spotlight | Church of the Nativity of Our Lady, Donore, Co. Meath.

This beautiful side altar, originally erected in 1918 and dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, has found a new purpose as an Adoration chapel. Once used by priests for individual Masses, side altars were a familiar feature of busy parish churches. Today, many have been repurposed, preserving their craftsmanship while continuing to provide a quiet space for prayer and reflection.
(Photo Credit: )

A wonderful example of heritage adapting to meet the needs of a changing Church.

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11/07/2026

Vernacular Ireland. Laytown, Co. Meath

Across Ireland, vernacular buildings tell the story of local traditions, craftsmanship, and the communities that shaped our landscapes. This charming property in Laytown, Co. Meath is a wonderful reminder of the beauty and character these historic homes possess.

Many vernacular buildings are in need of sympathetic restoration, but with thoughtful care they can become warm, sustainable, and distinctive homes while preserving an important part of Ireland's architectural heritage.

By investing in these unique structures, we not only save buildings—we protect local identity, traditional skills, and the stories that make our towns and countryside so special.

Ireland's vernacular heritage deserves a future as rich as its past.

11/07/2026

10/07/2026

Buildings at Risk. Carlow.

The buildings of Ireland's rich industrial heritage contain so much potential. This beautiful stone warehouse is a Protected Structure that stands vacant, waiting for a new chapter.

With its impressive stonework, historic character, and enduring craftsmanship, the building showcases the remarkable quality of Ireland's industrial architecture. It also highlights the incredible potential that vacant period properties hold for sensitive restoration and adaptive reuse.

Reimagining buildings like this can breathe new life into our towns, preserve local identity, and demonstrate that our historic structures are valuable assets—not forgotten relics.

Protecting our past is an investment in our future.

08/07/2026

Buildings at Risk. Carlow Town.

Another example of vacancy and dereliction in Carlow Town, this former warehouse/factory on Athy Road is a reminder of the town's industrial and architectural heritage. Built using traditional construction techniques and local craftsmanship, it reflects the skills and materials that shaped communities for generations.

While currently standing vacant, buildings like this offer enormous potential for sensitive restoration and adaptive reuse. Preserving these structures not only protects our built heritage but also supports sustainable regeneration and helps retain the unique character of our towns.

Every historic building has a story to tell—and with the right vision, it can also have a future.

07/07/2026

Buildings at Risk | Carlow Town 🇮🇪

In 2024, Carlow County Council began an important project on Barrack Street, transforming a derelict terrace into much-needed social housing. It's a positive example of how neglected historic buildings can be given a new purpose while preserving the character of our towns.

Yet disuse and dereliction remain a widespread challenge in Carlow and in communities across Ireland. Every vacant building represents not only a lost piece of our shared heritage but also an opportunity for regeneration, sustainable development, and stronger local communities.

By restoring existing buildings, we can protect our architectural legacy, reduce waste, and create vibrant places for people to live and work.

Every building saved is a story preserved and a future reimagined.