The Sunday Business Post

The determination to protect the architectural heritage of this country through legislation is a recent event and any real test of its powers has yet to be seen. Even with blatant neglect of protected structures in evidence in most counties in Ireland, local authorities are hesitant to use the full resources of the Planning Acts to make owners comply with the law and fulfil their obligations to maintain such properties. However, the fact is that most owners do look after their historic buildings, and regard themselves as privileged to be in a position to own and live in such a place.