Almost 700 historic buildings to benefit from €8 million in conservation support
- Foilsithe: 23 Eanáir 2026
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 23 Eanáir 2026
- Funding will enable the restoration and protection of Ireland’s built heritage for future generations
- €8.1 million in grant funding has been allocated under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2026
- This includes a total of €1.1m for thatched buildings
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, have today (23 January 2026) announced that a total of 696 projects throughout Ireland will receive funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2026.
With €8.1 million being made available in 2026, the scheme will help property owners to conserve and enhance historic buildings and streetscapes, while also helping to preserve and develop traditional building skills. This year’s grants will be used to repair, restore and protect historic structures from traditional homes to landmark public buildings across Ireland, in our cities, towns and villages, and across the wider countryside
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s National Built Heritage Service and is administered by the Local Authorities.
Among the projects funded today are:
- €19,000 for repairs to the roof of St Anne’s Church, Dawson Street, Dublin 1.
- €20,000 for the reinstatement of character and timber windows of the Head Gardener’s House at Kylemore Abbey, Connemara.
- €37,500 for works to the windows, doors and associated elements of St Mary’s Collegiate Church, Youghal Co. Cork, the oldest church in Ireland still in continuous use.
- €30,000 for external wall repair to Marsh’s Library, St Patrick’s Close in Dublin.
- €35,000 for thatching and other works to Elphin Windmill, Co Roscommon, one of the oldest operational windmills in Ireland
- €20,000 for interior works to Dunsink Observatory, Castleknock, Dublin.
Announcing the funding today, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, TD, remarked:
“This funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme will ensure that the architectural legacy of past generations continues to survive in towns, villages, and rural communities across the country.
"The preservation of our built heritage relies on our taking action today to repair, maintain, and secure the integrity of these buildings with the care and attention they deserve. That is why my Department continues to make substantial funding available under this scheme – as well as through other schemes such as the Historic Structures Fund and Community Monuments Fund – thereby helping to renew and protect the fabric of our architectural heritage with each passing year.
"Along with new initiatives such as the revised Living City Initiative, the improved and expanded Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, the Built Heritage Investment Scheme helps to preserve our past while also securing our future by maximising use of existing building stock and helping to prevent or reverse vacancy, dereliction, and underuse.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan, TD, added:
“Built heritage in Ireland isn’t just about great houses and magnificent public structures. Often, the architectural jewel in our towns and villages is a historic building where people meet, live or work.
"As Minister for Heritage, I’m proud to be able to support the owners and custodians of these unique properties – which often present unique challenges when it comes to modern living and use – to protect them, restore them and make them more comfortable through initiatives like the Built Heritage Investment Scheme.
"The Government is committed to helping communities and individuals to keep these buildings alive, prevent them from falling into ruin and ensure that they are in good health for future generations. At the same time, we’re supporting the traditional craftspeople all over the country whose specialist skills turn history into homes, community hubs and businesses. I trust that the €8.1m funding provided this year will have an enormous impact, and I look forward to seeing how the projects progress over the course of the year.”
View the full list of projects on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage website.
€8.1 million has been awarded nationally through the Built Heritage Investment Scheme. Of the total funding, almost €1.1 million has been earmarked for works to thatched buildings, made up of almost €600,000 from the dedicated Historic Thatched Buildings stream, plus an additional €490,000 from the mainstream of the BHIS.
View a list of thatched projects
In addition to the public funding provided under BHIS, an estimated €35 million of private funds will be committed to these projects by owners and custodians, further enhancing the investment in Ireland’s built heritage and representing an effective partnership between the State, individuals and communities around the country.
See note for editors for further information.
ENDS
Notes to Editors/Further Information
About the Built Heritage Investment Scheme
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2026 (BHIS) is for the repair and conservation of structures that are protected under the Planning and Development Acts.
This scheme aims to support:
· a significant number of projects across the country
· the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons in the repair of the historic built environment
Grants of between €2,500 and €50,000 are available.
The scheme also incorporates streams for vernacular buildings and historic shopfronts, which were previously part of the Historic Structures Fund, as well as a ‘micro’ grant stream for works of routine maintenance and minor repairs.
View the full list of projects which will receive funding under BHIS 2026:
View the full list of projects receiving funding for thatched buildings under BHIS 2026:
The funding is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s National Built Heritage Service and is administered by the local authorities.
Subject to funding, both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Thatched Buildings Scheme will re-open to new applications this July for projects scheduled for completion in 2027.