Historic Structures Fund Grant

Local authorities may provide financial support to owners of historic structures and buildings to conserve and improve them for the benefit of communities and the public.

HISTORIC STRUCTURES FUND 2025

Carlow County Council in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are inviting application for the Historic Structures Fund 2025. All applicants are advised to read the circular outlining the details of the scheme and the closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Thursday 16th January 2025. Applications should be addressed to Eoin Sullivan, Heritage Officer, Carlow Library, Tullow Street, Carlow.

The Historic Structures Fund is designed to help the owners and custodians of historic structures to safeguard them into the future. The fund is designed to deal with conservation and enhancement of historic structures and buildings for the broader benefit of communities and the public. Applications in respect of refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, and where a clear residential benefit is demonstrated, are particularly welcomed. (Such projects must be advanced through the planning process as necessary.)

For 2025, The Historic Structures Fund will offer grants from €50,000 up to €200,000 only, and focus on larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where:

a. A clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated, or 

b. A clear residential benefit has been demonstrated (such projects must be advanced through the planning process as necessary) 

A grant of over €200,000 may be awarded in exceptional circumstances where a case is made by the applicant in relation to the significance of the project and the works proposed

The HSF qualifying structures: Structures in the Record of Protected Structures; Structures eligible for/ proposed for inclusion in the Record of Protected Structures; Structures within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA’s) or within the amenity of a National Monument (in exceptional circumstances). 

It is essential that the applicant read the Circular for applicants to learn about the Scheme. All applications will be reviewed by an Assessment Panel and their decisions are based upon the information submitted on the Application Form.

Queries in relation to this grant scheme should be addressed to esullivan@carlowcoco.ie 

 

BHIS HISTORIC THATCHED BUILDINGS STREAM 2025

Carlow County Council in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are inviting application for the BHIS Historic Thatched Buildings Stream 2025. All applicants are advised to read the circular outlining the details of the scheme and the closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Thursday 16th January 2025. Applications should be addressed to Eoin Sullivan, Heritage Officer, Carlow Library, Tullow Street, Carlow.

This scheme will provide grants for the conservation of historic thatched buildings. The purpose of the scheme is to protect the heritage value of historic thatched roof buildings across Ireland, including dwellings and other structures. 

Please note: The scheme will be administered for the duration of 2025, with funding to be claimed within that calendar year. The scheme will be operated by the Local Authorities, with each allocated a fixed amount from the overall fund as determined by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (the Department).

An application under the BHIS Historic Thatched Buildings Stream does not preclude a separate application under the Historic Structures Fund or the main stream of the BHIS, but only one grant can be availed of per structure. In cases where an applicant is awarded funding under both schemes, the applicant must indicate which scheme they wish to avail of. 

The BHIS Historic Thatched Buildings Stream is intended to support thatched buildings in need of repair and conservation works, as follows: 

Primary Qualifying Works are thatching works to the roof and any necessary work that must be completed as part of these works, such as chimney repairs. 

Other conservation works to historic thatched properties which fall into the Qualifying Works for the Mainstream BHIS will also be considered – please see separate document listing Qualifying/Non-Qualifying Works for BHIS

It is essential that the applicant read the Circular for applicants to learn about the Scheme. All applications will be reviewed by an Assessment Panel and their decisions are based upon the information submitted on the Application Form.

Queries in relation to this grant scheme should be addressed to esullivan@carlowcoco.ie