1. Wexford County Council Grants for Protected Structures
BUILT HERITAGE FUNDING SCHEMES FOR 2027 ARE NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS. SEE INFORMATION ON ALL SCHEME AND CLOSING DATES BELOW
BUILT HERITAGE INVESTMENT SCHEME (BHIS)
The BHIS is designed to support the maintenance and repair of Ireland’s historic buildings, by providing grants of between €2,500 and €50,000 for works to buildings which are protected under the Planning and Development Acts, and to vernacular buildings lacking in statutory protection but which remain essential to our architectural heritage. The vast majority of applications receive less than €30,000 with larger amounts reserved for works in exceptional circumstances.
Further details about this schemes and eligibility requirements may be found at here:
BHIS_2027_Application_Form_A.docx
BHIS_2027_Guidance_Booklet_for_Applicants.pdf
BHIS_2027_Qualifying_and_Non_Qualifying_Works.pdf
HISTORIC THATCHED BUILDINGS (HTB)
Given the unique circumstances faced by owners of historic structures with thatched roofs, this scheme provides specific funding for works to these properties. This scheme is run in conjunction with the BHIS, and the additional funding is allocated to Local Authorities on a pro rata basis relative to the number of thatched structures on their Records of Protected Structures. Maximum grant available is up to €20,000.
The closing date for BHIS and HTB applications to local authorities is October 30, 2026.
Further details about this schemes and eligibility requirements may be found at here:
HTB_2027_Application_Form_A.docx
Important information to note: The value of all public funding towards BHIS or HTB projects cannot exceed 80% and a minimum of 20% private funding from the applicant is required. All works must be designed, specified and monitored by an appropriately qualified and experienced conservation professional or in specific cases a conservation craftsperson (The Architectural Conservation Officer can offer advice in this regard.) All works must be completed and certified with paid invoices before any funding can be recouped. It is all essential that all terms and conditions of the associated scheme and grant offer as set out in guidance circulars and letter of offer have been adhered to.
HISTORIC STRUCTURES FUND(HSF)
The HSF is a grant scheme for historic buildings offered by the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The funding is administered by heritage professionals within each Local Authority, with grants awarded on a nationally competitive basis.
HSF 2027 will offer grants of between €50,000 and €200,000 for projects with strong built heritage conservation objectives that can also demonstrate a clear public or community benefit. It enables vital investment in our valuable built heritage and helps owners and custodians of historic structures to safeguard for the future benefit of communities and the public. Funded works focus on the conservation of historic fabric of these important buildings, with priority given to works to protect or repair the outer envelope, such as the roof and windows, the repointing or re-rendering of the external walls, and other similar works.
The maximum grant fund is 50% of eligible cost. In some exceptional circumstances a higher percentage up to a maximum of 80% may be awarded.
Grants may be phased of 1 or 2 years.
In order to be considered eligible for the scheme, the property in question must be included or proposed for inclusion in the Record of Protected Structures of the relevant Local Authority. Structures or works within an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) may also be eligible.
The closing date for HSF applications to local authorities is November 27, 2026.
Further details about this scheme and eligibility requirements may be found here:
HSF_2027_Appendix_I__-_Form_A.docx
HSF 2027 Guidance Booklet for Applicants
HSF_2027_Appendix_V_-_Qualifying_and_Non_Qualifying_Works.pdf
HSF_2027_Appendix_VI_-_Guidance_Note_for_HSF_Method_Statements.pdf
Successful projects for all schemes will be announced in early 2027, with full lists to be published on gov.ie and on wexfordcoco.ie.
Whilst applicants can apply to all three schemes, only one grant can be availed of per structure.
If you have additional enquired contact details for The Architectural Conservation Officer in Wexford County Council are provided below:
Yvonne Doyle-Curtis
Oifigeach Caomhantais Ailtireachta | Architectural Conservation Officer
Comhairle Contae Loch Garman | Wexford County Council
053 919 6425 | yvonne.doylecurtis@wexfordcoco.ie | www.wexfordcoco.ie
2. Department of Environment – Housing – Thatching Grant
House must be 10 years old or more and someone must be living in it permanently, not necessarily the owner.
Grant offered is up to two thirds of the cost, up to a maximum grant of €3,810; with a medical card the grant offered is up to 80% of approved costs, up to a maximum grant of €6,350. Cost of works must be greater than €952. Takes 4 - 6 weeks for inspector to visit; if urgent write a note saying so with application form. May apply again after 7 years.
No closing date: ongoing
Contact: Dept of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Government Buildings, Ballina, Co Mayo, 096 24310, Noelle Cawley.
3. Wexford County Council - Cemeteries Grant
A small grant of a maximum of €400 is offered for works to graveyards. The graveyards must be vested in the local authority and Wexford County Council has a list of these.
Works such as routine maintenance may be undertaken by community groups. Groups are required to seek the advice of the County Heritage Officer before planning any works in the historic graveyards as these are generally sites which have statutory protection under the National Monuments Acts (1930-2014).
No closing date: ongoing
Contact: For advice and guidance on works in historic graveyards please contact the County Heritage Section at heritage@wexfordcoco.ie
To apply for the grant please contact the Community Section at community@wexfordcoco.ie, telephone 053 9196379
4. Heritage Council’s Traditional Farm Buildings Grant
Heritage Council in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine offer grants for farm buildings, not farm houses, being maintained in use for farm purposes, not being converted. The grant is available for the conservation of the exterior appearance of traditional farm outbuildings, including roof, walls, windows and doors, and associated structures including historic yard surfaces, gate pillars and gates. Owner must be in REPS 4. Grants between €4,000 and €20,000 offered, up to 75% of cost of approved works. Emphasis on repair and conservation, not enhancement.
Contact: Amanda Ryan, The Heritage Council, Church Lane, Kilkenny, 056 777777, tfb@heritagecouncil.ie, website:www.heritagecouncil.ie
5. Section 482 Tax Relief
Although not a grant, the governmental Section 482 is another mechanism which can facilitate owners of period properties with conservation works to their homes. Under Section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, owners and/or occupiers of approved buildings (and gardens) can apply for tax relief in respect of expenditure incurred on repair, maintenance or restoration, on the condition that they open their building to the public.
Commendably Section 482 not only allows owners of period properties to offset their tax against expenditure incurred in the repair, maintenance and restoration of their property, but also expenses incurred in the installation, maintenance or replacement of a security alarm system and in the provision of public liability insurance. Needless to say tax relief is not available in respect of expenditure recoverable through grants.
In order to avail of Section 482 your period property does not need to be listed on the Record of Protected Structures, however it does need to become what the government terms an 'approved building'. An approved building is one in respect of which determinations have been made by the Minister of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that it is a building which is intrinsically of significant, historical, architectural or aesthetic interest, and by the Revenue Commissioners that reasonable access to the building is afforded to the public.
So how does an owner of a period property go about obtaining these 'determinations'? The first step is to contact the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG). They will provide you with an application form.
Your application form will then be referred to the Principle Architect of the Office of Public Works (OPW). An OPW architect will then conduct a site visit to your period property to ensure that indeed it is intrinsically of significant, historical, architectural or aesthetic interest and that all works proposed do not diminish this special interest. If the OPW inspector is satisfied with the above you will be issued with a DEHLG determination.
Your next step is to obtain a Revenue Commission determination. This will be issued once the Revenue Commission is satisfied that reasonable access is afforded to the public to your period property. You will need to fill out an S.B.1. Form and return it to the Revenue Commission with supporting evidence that the minimum public access and advertising requirements are met. The public access requirements are that access must be for a minimum of 60 days per calendar year, including 40 days between 1 May - 30 September (of which 10 days must be Saturdays or Sundays); daily viewing times must be at least 4 hours and that admission price, if any, must be reasonable. There are various other requirements as well concerning advertising and display of information. For instance owners must agree to be included in the Failte Ireland's annual booklet of Section 482 properties.
The Section 482 is a valuable scheme, however intended participants should be mindful that there is provision in the legislation for the Revenue Commission to revoke a determination made where applicants default on any of the conditions, for example, that the property does not remain open to the public for a period of five years after claiming tax relief. This means that any tax relief granted to a claimant in the previous five year may be clawed back by the Revenue Commission.
To obtain the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government form contact Paul McNally (4117148), Marian Ryan (4117146) and Mark Kehoe (4117164) at the DEHLG, Dun Scène, Harcourt Lane, Dublin2, web www.environ.ie.
To obtain the Revenue Commission Form S.B.1. contact Ann Doneghan (6475000) or Eileen Duffy (7024101) at Office of the Revenue Commissioner, Direct Taxes Interpretation and Internal Division, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, email eduffy@revenue.ie, web www.revenue.ie. The Revenue Commission Form S.B.1 is available on line, as is the Section 482 explanatory leaflet 'IT30' and the list of properties availing of Section 482. This list is also published in hard copy and is available from Failte Ireland free of charge.
6. Wexford Local Development – various grants
Block A, Spawell Road, Wexford, http://www.wld.ie/, 053 9155800, info@wld.ie