10 Archaeological and Cultural Heritage

10.9 Architectural Heritage

The buildings and structures listed in the Catalogue of sites of Architectural Importance were identified in expert surveys carried out for Carlow, Kildare, Laois and Kilkenny County Councils. A total of 105 sites were identified through consultation with the county development plans for Carlow, Kildare, Laois and Kilkenny. The 1999 Planning Act introduced a range of new measures for the protection of architectural heritage. Included in these measures is the provision for a Record of Protected Structures. This record replaces the system of listing of buildings, which was in operation prior to January 2000. It is the policy of each of the County Councils involved to seek the preservation of items listed in the Record of Protected Structures. No building or structure listed in this record may be demolished or materially altered without grant of permission under the Local Government Acts. These sites include country houses, vernacular houses, churches, mills, bridges and other buildings of note. The Kildare and Kilkenny Development Plans rates each site in terms of their international, national, regional or local significance. The Carlow and Laois Development Plans do not provide this rating.