Minister Heydon announces funding of €750,000 for the 2026 Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme
- Published on: 8 April 2026
- Last updated on: 8 April 2026
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has announced the opening of the 2026 Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme*, which is an initiative delivered in partnership between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Heritage Council.
Speaking on the announcement, Minister Heydon said:
“I am pleased to announce that my Department has secured funding of €750,000 for the 2026 Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme. This funding will ensure that farmers can continue to restore and safeguard our traditional farm buildings helping to preserve our vernacular history.
“This award-winning scheme has supported the restoration of more than 1,000 buildings, historic yard surfaces, gates and gate pillars that may have otherwise been left in dereliction. These projects represent an important investment in enhancing our agricultural heritage and our rural communities for many years to come.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, said:
“Since its establishment in 2008, this scheme has played a vital role in safeguarding Ireland’s traditional farm buildings, supporting farmers to conserve these structures while bringing them back into meaningful and sustainable use. Its success is recognised at the highest levels in Europe, winning the Europa Nostra, both under the Education, Training and Skills category, and the Grand Prix, in 2024. Over the years, the scheme has become deeply embedded within the farming community. It has supported the conservation and reuse of over 1,000 traditional buildings across the country, ensuring that these important elements of our rural landscape continue to contribute to working farms and local communities.”
Notes for Editors
*Subject to State Aid notification of the scheme.
The grant scheme is run in partnership with the Heritage Council and invests in the conservation of traditional farm buildings and structures of significant heritage value that contribute to our rural landscape.
The scheme funds the conservation and preservation of traditional farm buildings and structures such as historic yard surfaces, gates and gate pillars as part of the working farm. Many of the supported structures also provide roosting sites for bats and nesting sites for birds.
Changes in the funding mechanism means that a list of successful applicants will be published in line with State Aid procedures. This scheme falls under State Aid in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) 2472/2022 of 14 December 2022 declaring certain categories of aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
All grant funding will be subject to the conditions set out in Circular 13/2014, issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) in relation to the provision of grant funding to all bodies.
Applications must be made online at www.heritagecouncil.ie
An information webinar will be held on 17 April 2026 with registration at www.heritagecouncil.ie
The closing date for receipt of online applications is 18 May 2026. The scheme’s terms and conditions and the online application form are available at www.heritagecouncil.ie.
Europa Nostra was founded on 29 November 1963 in Paris. For almost 60 years, it has worked to celebrate, protect and advocate for cultural heritage. Covering over 40 countries, Europa Nostra is recognised as the largest and the most representative heritage network in Europe. It maintains close relations with the European Union, the Council of Europe, UNESCO and other international bodies. More information is available at https://www.europanostra.org/organisation/.