Conservation of Heritage Buildings 2025

Sligo County Council wishes to invite applications under the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2025 and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme – Historic Thatched Buildings Stream 2025 as operated by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Both schemes will be administered by Sligo County Council.

Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2025

For 2025, the Historic Structures Fund will offer grants from €50,000 up to €200,000 only, and focus on larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures,where:

  • A clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated, or
  • A clear residential benefit has been demonstrated (such projects must be advanced through the planning process as necessary)
Available Funding What will be funded? Maximum Grant
Grants between €50,000 and €200,000, (or in exceptional circumstances over €200,000).

Grants may be phased over two years.		 Larger enhancement or significant refurbishment projects involving historic structures, where a clear benefit to the community and the public has been demonstrated. 50% of eligible costs. In exceptional circumstances a higher percentage may be sought, subject to a max of 80%.

  

For the HSF 2025 grant scheme, eligible structures include:

  • Protected Structures: Structures included in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) of each Local Authority.
  • Proposed Protected Structures: Structures eligible for or proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved.  Such structures must meet the criteria for inclusion in the RPS by the Local Authority.
  • Structures or works within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances apply.

Full details on the terms and conditions of the grant scheme are available on the links below:

HSF 2025 Circular (PDF) - 1,092 kbs  PDF
HSF 2025 Appendix 1 – Application Form A (PDF) - 240 kbs  PDF
HSF 2025 Appendix 1 – Application Form A (DOCx) - 138 kbs  WORD
HSF 2025 Appendix V – Applicant Checklist (PDF) - 106 kbs  PDF
HSF 2025 Appendix V – Applicant Checklist (DOCx) - 19 kbs  WORD

Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) – Historic Thatched Buildings Stream 2025

The BHIS Historic Thatched Buildings Stream is intended to support thatched buildings in need of repair and conservation works.

Type of Building & Applicant Description Max. Grant Available Proportion of funding available
Historic Thatched Building Any historic thatched structure, including domestic or commercial properties. Up to €20,000 80% of total cost of works

 

Full details on the terms and conditions of the grant scheme are available on the links below:

BHIS 2025 Thatch Circular (PDF) - 915 kbs  PDF
BHIS 2025 Thatch – App. 1 – Application Form A (PDF) - 337 kbs  PDF
BHIS 2025 Thatch – App. 1 - Application Form A (DOCx) - 184 kbs  WORD
BHIS 2025 Thatch – App. IV – Applicant Checklist (PDF) - 83 kbs  PDF
BHIS 2025 Thatch – App. IV – Applicant Checklist (DOCx) - 22 kbs  WORD

Applicants should read the guidelines and be familiar with the qualifying criteria and conditions of the relevant grant scheme.

All applications under both grant schemes must be accompanied by a comprehensive method statement prepared by a conservation professional.

Applications must be clearly marked Historic Structures Fund 2025 or BHIS Thatch 2025 as applicable and emailed to conservation@sligococo.ie.  Alternatively, hard copy applications can be sent to:  Heritage Office, Sligo County Council, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo, F91 PP44.

Closing date for receipt of completed applications is 4pm Friday 17th January 2025.

For further information please contact:  Heritage Office, Sligo County Council on:

Tel:  071-9114446 / 071-9114482 or email:  conservation@sligococo.ie