An Taisce have today written to Fingal Council to take urgent action to protect the 18th century house at Belcamp.

This morning’s major fire occurred to the important 18th century house at Belcamp. The house formed part of Belcamp College School since the late 19th century. The building has been vacant since the closure of the school and acquisition by developer Gerry Gannon a decade ago.

Failure to put the building to a new use and to protect the buildings from break ins and vandalism has caused significant damage including the gutting of the late 19th century school adjoining the 18th Century house, which was left inadequately secured during the years of the property crash.

This morning’s fire has caused serious damage to the ornate plasterwork decorated interiors, which are the finest of the late 18th century period in Fingal. The extent of damage is still undetermined.

Fingal County Council must urgently intervene to establish the current ownership of the building and any continuing involvement of NAMA and to ensure that the roof is repaired and further damage averted.

Ian Lumley, Heritage Officer, An Taisce. Tel: +353 1 454 1786
Charles Stanley-Smith, Communications, An Taisce. Tel: +353 87 241 1995
email: [email protected]sce.org
An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland
www.antaisce.org

Notes

About An Taisce

An Taisce is a charity that works to preserve and protect Ireland's natural and built heritage. We are an independent charitable voice for the environment and for heritage issues. We are not a government body, semi-state or agency. Founded in 1948, we are one of Ireland’s oldest and largest environmental organisations.