Report highlights major decline in thatched roofs
10/11/2005 - 13:59:41A report published today by the Department of the Environment has highlighted a major decline in the number of Irish houses with thatched roofs.
The report estimates that just 2,000 such roofs remain throughout the county.
It blames the decline on the loss of expertise about thatching, the fragmented nature of the profession and the lack of an integrated policy to protect thatched roofs.
Publishing the document today, Minister for the Environment Dick Roche said these roofs were an important part of Irish heritage and ways must be found to ensure their survival.
