WE ARE RIGHTLY proud of our Georgian heritage but there aren't many chances to show it off, especially since conservation projects don't always get the same recognition in architectural awards as new buildings.

We got excited, then, when Savills took over Irish estate agent HOK last year thinking perhaps this would be a chance for Irish projects to take part in the Georgian Group Architectural awards that they sponsor. Alas the competition was only open to UK, Isle of Man and Channel Island buildings last year and it is the same story this time around.

There are a few categories - from actual Georgian buildings to new-builds in a Georgian context. The RIAI and Dublin City Council's launch of an architectural competition for a site in Georgian-dripping Henrietta Street, Dublin 1, could result in the perfect project for such a category. Maybe by the time it is built it will be eligible to enter the competition.