Southgate Associates have a long commitment to the conservation of the structures at the heart of each community which make each crossroads, village, town and city a unique place. We have spent 30 years engaging with community groups, tidy towns committees, parish councils and select vestry committees, cemetery groups and local heritage groups and historical societies up and down the country. We also work with voluntary organisations dedicated to protecting Ireland's built heritage. Indeed, our company's earliest work was commissioned by organisations such as the Dublin Civic Trust and the Georgian Society.
We work with communities seeking grants and opportunities for community-based heritage projects resulting not only in the conservation of discrete heritage assets, but also providing an opportunity for local people to work together on a project, thereby actively building their sense of community.
The general environment has become much more receptive to community heritage initiatives, particularly with the advent of the 2022 policy context as outlined in 'Heritage Ireland 2030'. Heritage works, however, have become more challenging in terms of the technical and legislative responsibilities with regard to any works to be undertaken on heritage structures.
Southgate Associates aim to provide communities with the specialist support to navigate these complex processes, and to allow them to realise their projects on the ground.