Irish Environment Minister John Gormley has launched his department's Architectural Heritage Survey of north Cork and the associated book, An Introduction to the Architectural Heritage of North Cork, the twentieth volume to be published in the Architectural Inventory series.

The survey records 1,585 structures of architectural, artistic and historic interest. Of these, some 1,403 have been rated of regional importance and seven of national importance.

Minister Gormley said: "North Cork has an abundance of architectural heritage riches. Many of you may actually live in or use historic buildings every day, perhaps sometimes without realising their significance."

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Commenting on North Cork’s rich built heritage, he said: "Not surprisingly, domestic dwellings comprise more than half of the structures in the survey and range from thatched to large country houses. North Cork is notable for having the vast majority of the thatched houses of the county."

Minister Gormley said the launch of both the inventory and the illustrated book represents another milestone in the compilation of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, the national database of buildings and structures of interest.

The Minister wished Cork councillors every success in the important task of protecting the built heritage of the county for present and future generations to enjoy.

(PR/BMcC)