Current Funding for Heritage Projects
For archaeological sites – Community Monuments Fund application details here
For community heritage projects – Heritage Council Community Grants details here. – now closed .
For historic buildings and protected structures – Built heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund – details here.
For traditional farm buildings – GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme -only if you are a farmer in the GLAS Scheme details here.
For small, local community and amenity project eg Residents Associations – Laois County Council Community Grants – details here.
For biodiversity projects – Funding call under the National Biodiversity Action Plan, now closed.
Funding for Building Conservation
Funding for conservation work on buildings of architectural or historic importance is available from several sources:
Funding is available annually for Protected Structures under the schemes funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and administered in Laois by Laois County Council. Details for the current year are here, and future details will be published here as they become available. Contact us by e-mail if you would like to be notified about new funding schemes.
Funding may also be available from the Irish Georgian Society for buildings of architectural interest and from the Royal Irish Academy for various research projects (see websites for full details).
Stradbally Hall received funding through the 2016 Built Heritage Investment Scheme for conservation of chimneys
Tax Relief
Tax Relief is available for certain approved buildings of architectural interest, under Section 482 of the 1997 Taxes Consolidation Act. Under this scheme, the owner or occupier of an approved building (including surrounding garden) can apply for tax relief in respect of expenditure for the repair, maintenance or restoration of an approved building or garden. Under this scheme, reasonable access to buildings and gardens must be provided to the public. The scheme is administered by the Revenue Commissioners. Further information is available in Leaflet IT30 or from your local tax office.
Thatch 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).
Treacy’s Thatched Pub on the Heath received funding in 2014 under the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme
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.
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 Project through their online Grants System. For up to date information on this funding, please see the Heritage Council’s website.
Laois County Council
A number of grant schemes are available through Laois County Council which may be of interest to groups or individuals developing community Heritage Projects. Details here.
Laois Partnership
Grants for various community projects may be available from Laois Partnership.
Private Funds
Private funds such as the Community Foundation, IPB Insurance, The Ireland Funds and various others also occasionally offer funding to projects with a broad heritage theme. Check out their individual websites for details.