Nearly €19 million in grants for heritage conservation projects were announced today.
The funding will conserve natural heritage and regenerate historic buildings as part of a overall sustainable development initiative.
Minister for the Environment Dick Roche said: "I believe that heritage conservation represents good value investment by the state in terms of the quality product that it achieves."
More than €6 million of the total €18.56 funding package will go towards local authorities, an increase of 50 per cent since 2004.
Many of the State's premier heritage sites are earmarked for funds, like the Rock of Dunamase, Co Laois; Castletown House in Co Kildare; and St Enda's College in Rathfarnham where 1916 rebel leader Padraig Pearse taught.
An Office of Public Works scheme for training traditionally skilled craft workers is also being supported to carry out work on conservation projects.
Funding will also be provided to heritage properties held in trust or privately owned including Fota House, Westport House, Headfort House in Kells, Russborough House, the Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Waterford and Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin.
Local authority projects have been given special grants for town walls in Waterford city and Duckett's Grove, Co Carlow.
The Heritage Council's Buildings At-Risk Scheme will see 74 projects to the value of €1.2 million being grant-aided in 2006.