Funding for Community Heritage projects
Grants and funding for heritage-related projects are available from a variety of sources. The most relevant sources of funding are detailed here:
The Heritage Council
The Heritage Council’s Grants Programme accepts applications for Heritage Projects through their online Grants System. For up-to-date information on this funding, please see the Heritage Council’s website.
Mayo County Council
A number of grant schemes are available through Mayo County Council which may be of interest to groups or individuals developing community Heritage Projects. These include Community Grants, Heritage week grants, Local Agenda 21
Mayo Leader
Grants for various heritage projects may be available from Mayo Leader.
Other Funding
Private funds such as IPB insurance, Mayo Foundation, The Ireland Funds and various others occasionally offer funding to projects with a broad heritage theme. Check out their individual websites for details.
Funding for Building Conservation
Thatching Grants
Grants for the renewal or repair of thatch are available from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. To be eligible for this grant the house must be a normal place of residence.
Further information and application forms are available from the Housing Grants Section, Government Offices, Ballina, Co. Mayo, LoCall 1890 30 50 30. Thatched buildings which are on the Record of Protected Structures may also qualify for grants assistance under the conservation grants schemes (see above)
Traditional Farm Building Conservation
The GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme is run by the Heritage Council in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for farmers approved in the GLAS scheme. A grant award of up to 75% of the cost of the works is available, with grant varying from €4,000 to a maximum of €25,000. The grant is available for the conservation of traditional farm outbuildings, including roof, walls, structural repairs, windows and doors.
The grant is also available for other related structures including historic yard surfaces, walls, gate pillars and gates. The process is highly competitive and about 70 projects are being supported in 2017. The emphasis is on essential repairs, with restoration works having a low priority. The scheme opens annually for funding. For details see the Heritage Council website.
Other Building Conservation Grant Schemes
Several other sources of funding are available for conservation and repair of historic structures. For further information see Architectural Conservation Office, Architects Section