Heritage Council funding for Mayo church conservation management plan

St. Patrick's Church, Burrishoole Parish, is a nationally significant protected structure in Newport, Co. Mayo – and now funding has been secured from the Heritage Council under the 2025 Community Heritage Grant Scheme.

This vital support will fund the development of a conservation management plan (CMP), a foundational step toward ensuring the long-term preservation, sustainability and activation of this iconic heritage building.

Built in 1918 and designed by renowned architect Rudolf Maximilian Butler, St. Patrick’s Church holds major cultural and architectural importance. It houses the last stained-glass window by famed artist Harry Clarke, as well as a bespoke Chestnutt organ, both of which are key heritage assets.

The church is a focal point for the local community and a symbol of spiritual and historical continuity in Newport.

The Heritage Council commended the application for its well-structured project plan, its integration of prior ecological work (including the award-winning Mayo Dark Skies lighting project), and its future-forward sensitivity to renewable energy, specifically the potential for solar PV installation on this protected structure. Notably, the plan recognises and respects the building's ecological role, especially as a nesting site for swifts and a potential habitat for bats both important biodiversity indicators.

Leading the CMP will be Southgate Associates, a nationally respected team of conservation experts known for their work on significant sites such as St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral and Honan Chapel. They will collaborate closely with the parish and a wide network of local community organisations, conservation specialists, and stakeholders.

Public engagement is a central feature of the project. During National Heritage Week 2025, the parish will host a special event at St. Patrick’s Church, sharing the church’s rich heritage and architectural features and sharing the project aims to raise awareness of the building’s conservation needs and ecological role.

Fr. Tod Nolan, Parish Priest and project lead, remarked: “We are delighted to receive this support from the Heritage Council. St. Patrick’s Church is more than a building. While a focal point for the local faith community, it is a beacon of heritage, ecology and community spirit.

“This conservation management plan will give us the framework to protect, restore and reimagine this treasured space for the next century.”

The CMP will guide future applications for capital conservation works and support broader goals such as energy efficiency, biodiversity enhancement, and inclusive community access.

This project is proudly supported by the Heritage Council through the 2025 Community Heritage Grant Scheme.