Government to fund restoration of 650 historic buildings with €8 million

Kenneth Fox

The Government has announced grant funding for 650 historic buildings worth €8 million.

They said it will support the repair and restoration of older buildings with complex needs. The funding also includes €1.25 million in support for thatched buildings.

This consists of €600,000 from the dedicated historic thatched buildings stream and an additional €650,000 awarded from the main funding.

Minister of State for Heritage Christopher O’Sullivan announced the list of over 650 projects to be awarded funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2025.

The scheme supports property owners to conserve and enhance our historic buildings and streetscapes, and at the same time preserve and develop traditional building skills.

This year’s grants will be used to repair, restore, and protect historic structures from modest traditional homes to landmark public buildings.

Examples of projects being funded include:

• €44,000 for works to the roof of Ma Murphy’s Bar, Bantry, Co Cork;
• €26,000 for conservation of the shopfront and historic glass in the former Grehan’s music shop, Boyle, Co Roscommon;
• €24,000 to aid in repairs to the thatched roof of the eighteenth-century St Mogue’s Cottage, Ferns, Co Wexford;
• €37,000 is going towards the restoration of external walls at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.

The full list of projects which will receive funding can be found here.

In addition to the funding provided under BHIS, owners and custodians will themselves commit an estimated €29.5 million to these projects from private sources, marking this as a very significant investment in heritage and the traditional building skills which support it.

Speaking on Friday, Minister O’Sullivan said: “In keeping with the commitment outlined in our newly ratified Programme for Government to cherish and protect our heritage as a vital national asset, I am pleased to announce today the projects which will receive funding under this year’s Built Heritage Investment Scheme.

“Ireland’s built heritage is a national asset which enriches our countryside, villages, towns, and cities. In maintaining and caring for our historic buildings, owners and custodians perform a valuable public service, and I am delighted to be able to support their efforts.

“Alongside related initiatives such as the Historic Structures Fund, Community Monuments Fund, and the thrive scheme, this vital funding will help to ensure the survival of Ireland’s shared architectural inheritance for future generations.”