Calls for restoration of historic Tipperary limekilns
Two historic limekilns in Carrick-on-Suir may require significant works to restore them, local councillors have said.
At the February meeting of the Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District, Sinn Féin councillor David Dunne and Fianna Fáil councillor Kieran Bourke raised the issue of the historic limekilns in Carrickbeg.
“Recently, there was vegetation taken off two limekilns in Carrickbeg, are they protected structures?” Cllr Dunne asked a representative of the council’s culture section.
"There’s major cracks in one of them. People are looking at rebuilding it, which could cost a huge amount of money, and then other people are saying we could bring them down to a certain height to make them safe,” Cllr Dunne said.
Agreeing with Cllr Dunne, Cllr Bourke said that the limekilns are part of the heritage of the area, and should be restored to their former glory.
"They’re at the back of the old parish church in Carrick-on-Suir, which is the oldest church in the town, Oliver Cromwell used it as stables for his horses when he was in the country many years ago,” Cllr Bourke said.
"It’s a very historic part, and one of the oldest parts of Carrick-on-Suir, and I would say they would be really worthwhile having a look at, and maybe we as a local district can see if there’s funding available, we could be pointed in the right direction to make an application to have them repaired,” he added.
The limekilns would historically have been used to burn limestone to create quicklime, which was used in local agriculture as fertiliser, in construction for mortar, and to create whitewash for buildings.
The historic structures form part of Carrick-on-Suir’s heritage, which also features the old town walls, which were first mentioned in 1324. A few examples of the old town walls can still be seen around the town.
In response to the two councillors, a representative of the council’s library and culture section said she would have to look into whether the buildings are protected or not.
"Some of them are protected, some of them would be on the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR), but I’d need to know the specific areas before I can confirm whether or not they have protection,” the meeting was told.
"Depending on their status, they may qualify for something like the Community Monuments Fund, which has 100pc funding,” the councillors heard.