A recent post here about the neglect of historic buildings in Drogheda, County Louth attracted quite a lot of comment (see: Where The Streets Have No Shame « The Irish Aesthete) but its miserable condition is by no means unique. Everywhere one travels in Ireland, the same circumstances prevail, the core of cities, towns and villages suffering the same shameful neglect, buildings left boarded up (in the midst of a universally acknowledged housing shortage), sites covered in rubbish and graffiti, potential homes and businesses allowed to fall into ruin. This is Kilcock, County Kildare – but it could be anywhere because it represents everywhere.
That’s sad
This seems to be a much greater problem almost everywhere within this country than anywhere I can think of that I have visited in Europe. Modern society, here, especially young married couples, have been convinced that typical 3 bed detached or semi, with gardens front and back are what you should aim for? Not enough people consider the benefits of living in an older property at the heart of their community while banks are not prepared to lend money investing in refurbishment? Of course, government rules also mitigate against people being encouraged to live in older properties that are beset with Building Regulations which make it seem impossible to choose to live in an older property. No government action seems likely to change this attitude?
So agree. Towns need people to live in them and a refurbishment policy to renovate empty and rundown properties would not only provide employment but bring life back to these areas.
It hard to understand neglected buildings with close links to Dublin.
Sometimes a family not being able to agree to sell is the issue.
Sometimes it is a family with fanciful ideas on the value of the property.
Sometimes it is too close to a busy road.
It can often be a lack of an indoor lavatory.
There is generally a reason which can readily be overcome.
Enniscorthy is full of empty properties and even many of those with active retail units on the ground floor are left to go to wrack and ruin on the upper floors.
We experience this in the USA, also. It is so sad. And then the buildings are demolished because of taxes, repair costs or energy cost. One beautiful, huge and historic convent in our town was torn down, the aging and dwindling Order unable to keep it up. And yet a young, thriving and growing new Order was searching for a building. They could have taken it over. Such a shame.
i used to live in kilcock and a few years ago i made a list of derelict properties in the area (including the two above) and sent it to kildare county council to be put on their register, still awaiting a response. The lion house was bought by a developer and refused planning permission several years ago, Stapleton’s has been that way for as long as i remember. KCC dont want to know but where well able to pull up the historic cobblestone drains when “renovating” the square. When i pointed out the cobblestone drains where on their local history website, they took it off the website
Look around the countryside surrounding Dublin, nearly every field has a bungalow built on it. As long as its easy to build on a greenfield site why would anyone be bothered renovating or building in the town.