Banner photo: At the heritage event on Mespil Road. L-R Gary Freemantle An Taisce CEO, Mary Anthony 1772 Foundation, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mike Clausen and Ethiel Garlington 1772 Executive Director.

An Taisce was delighted to host a visit to Ireland by the board of the US-based 1772 Foundation. The foundation has been enormously generous assisting with the setup of a US fundraising arm — Friends of An Taisce — while also providing hugely valuable advice on historic preservation.

This visit provided an ideal backdrop for An Taisce's announcement of a partnership in future restoration of heritage buildings through a “revolving fund”. This will help tackle dereliction in urban and rural areas and will put buildings back into use for communities. 

A high point of the visit's week-long series of events was a very special reception hosted at the home of the US embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mike Clausen. It was attended by the Dublin Lord Mayor Emma Blain, as well as various heritage experts from both the public and private sectors and other Irish NGOs. It provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with stakeholders working across many different heritage contexts.

The 1772 Foundation views preservation as recognising the cultural, social, and environmental contexts of historic places. The organisation seeks to ensure preservation efforts reflect diverse narratives while also addressing contemporary community needs — interconnecting the architectural beauty of structures alongside safeguarding the stories and traditions that give meaning to these places.

Pictured above are — from left to right — An Taisce CEO Gary Freemantle, Ethiel Garlington, 1772 Executive Director, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mike Clausen and the Dublin Lord Mayor, Emma Blaine.

An Taisce's CEO Gary Freemantle said at the event, "An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, has long championed the protection of our built and natural heritage. While our work in education and environmental advocacy remains strong, we are bringing heritage to the forefront of our mission. This aligns us with national priorities, as reflected in the Programme for Government and recent policy commitments to urban regeneration and heritage conservation as cited in the (Oireachtas Urban Regeneration Report).

Heritage is of course more than a link to our past—it is a living resource with the power to shape our future. Both An Taisce and the 1772 Foundation share a deep commitment to protecting our historic places, ensuring they remain vibrant and meaningful for generations to come. Thoughtful stewardship can drive sustainable tourism, economic revitalisation, and community well-being. By integrating heritage into policies addressing the housing crisis, climate adaptation, and rural regeneration, we can unlock its full potential."

Ireland faces a pressing need for housing, yet many historic buildings remain vacant or at risk. An Taisce's own Buildings at Risk Register has identified numerous structures that could be restored and repurposed into homes, businesses, and community spaces. An Taisce is advocating for a framework that enables government agencies, the Office of Public Works (OPW), and private stakeholders to facilitate the transfer of underutilised heritage properties for conservation-led redevelopment.

Future of heritage conservation

The future of heritage conservation must expand beyond urban centres and prominent landmarks. It's vital to embrace the wealth of vernacular buildings that define the character of our regional towns, villages, and rural landscapes. These traditional farmhouses, cottages, shopfronts, and other small-scale structures are tangible expressions of Irish cultural heritage, reflecting local craftsmanship, materials, and ways of life that have shaped communities for generations.

An Taisce's special role in heritage advocacy emphasises the potential for heritage to drive community revitalisation, address housing shortages, and foster a deeper connection to place. Adaptive reuse and conservation of vernacular buildings can transform derelict and at-risk spaces into vibrant homes, businesses, and community hubs, breathing new life into rural and regional areas. 

By working with government agencies, local authorities, and private stakeholders, An Taisce aims to support building restoration initiatives that both respect historic character and meet modern needs. For example, vernacular buildings can be integrated into regional housing strategies. This will alleviate shortages and support sustainable population growth in non-urban areas.

A holistic approach values both built and natural heritage and unlocks the potential of our vernacular architecture to contribute to Ireland’s economic, social, and environmental well-being. It's not simply preserving the past but more about creating a future where heritage is a living, dynamic resource that enriches our communities.

Our shared landscapes, from the Wild Atlantic Way to the Wicklow Mountains, are as much a part of our heritage as our historic buildings. To safeguard these vital resources, holistic conservation approaches that recognise the interdependence of natural and built heritage are key.

An Taisce's work extends beyond the built environment—we are equally committed to conserving peatlands, creating nature reserves, and supporting the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Law.

An Taisce is profoundly grateful to the 1772 Foundation for their invaluable and unwavering support as we seek new ways to champion heritage preservation across Ireland. Their vision, guidance, and generosity have been instrumental in enabling us to explore innovative approaches to protecting our built heritage, and we look forward to strengthening this partnership in the years ahead. Together, we are finding ways to ensure that heritage is not only protected but also utilised in sustainable and inspiring ways.

We look forward to working with everyone we can to continue raising awareness about buildings at risk while fundraising to help restore some of them.