The Built Environment unit of An Taisce took time over January 2017 to review the very popular database for structures at risk, which was originally released in November 2014. In this we published some 100 buildings and structures at risk which were considered significant nationally and regionally and required intervention to prevent further deterioration. If you would like to read the full publication, please click here. While there has been movement to securing certain buildings, for example Hazelwood House, Sligo which has been incorporated into a plan for a distillery, the majority of buildings recorded remain at risk and are being increasingly lost. This loss is seen in the example of Vernon Mount in Cork, which saw several fires gut the building in 2016. And the list, unfortunately, is only growing longer. An Taisce have added the following buildings:

• Former Clonmel Arms Hotel, Clonmel
• O'Shea's Shop, Fethard
• Furniture Factory (St Fintan's Academy), Navan
• The County of Meath Infirmary, Navan
• Frenchpark Market House, Frenchpark
• Kilrush Community College, Kilrush
• Palmerstown Mustard Mill, Palmerstown
• Castlehyde Church, Castlehyde
• Charlestown Mill, Clara
• Castle Saunderson, Castlesaunderson Demesne
• Carrowbaun House, Newport
• Claremount House, Claremorris
• Inchmore House, Clara

An Taisce would like to thank our members and several individuals who identified and provided information on the buildings noted above. It may be the case that you know of a structure at risk before An Taisce is made aware of it. An Taisce requires the input of individuals and local communities to contribute information to keep the Register as up to date as possible. It is up to you to gather information on a structure at risk in your own community. The data collected is crucial in identifying, encouraging and proactively pursuing the restoration and re-use of individual structures at risk. The information also supports more strategic and area based initiatives where levels of risk are concentrated, where problems can be identified and flagged, priorities set and recommendations made for action. If you wish to let us know about a structure at risk, take a photograph and get in contact. If you wish to suggest a building at risk you are familiar with, please take the time to fill out the following form.

The Buildings at Risk Register is an unfunded project by An Taisce – the National Trust for Ireland supported and maintained by its voluntary members. The Buildings at Risk Register was put in place in response to a concern at the growing number of structures that are vacant and falling into a state of disrepair. The Register provides information on structures of architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest throughout the country that are considered to be at risk. This project is incredibly resource intensive. An Taisce would welcome any donations to ensure its continuity into the future given it is currently unfunded and being resourced to a large part by volunteers throughout the country.