Historic structures fund 2026
Monaghan County Council is now inviting applications for funding under the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2026.
Overview
The primary focus of the Historic Structures Fund is on conservation and enhancement of historic structures and buildings for the benefit of communities and the public. It aims to enable conservation works to be carried out on heritage structures which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support.
The scheme is designed to assist the owners and/or occupiers of;
(i) Protected Structures: Structures in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) in Monaghan County Council;
(ii) Structures eligible for or proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved for inclusion. Such structures must meet the criteria for inclusion in the RPS by Monaghan County Council, i.e. must be of special interest from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical point of view;
(iii) Structures or works within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances apply.
The scheme is being administered by Monaghan County Council’s Planning Section.
Project promoters are encouraged to incorporate a traditional skills training element in the project. Applications in respect of refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, and where a clear residential benefit is demonstrated, will be welcomed (subject to obtaining any necessary planning approvals).
The Historic Structures Fund 2026 is structured as follows:
| 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%. |
Eligible applications will be assessed for selection under the following criteria:
- Significance of the structure
- Efficacy of the grant in achieving the aims of the Historic Structures Fund
- Quality of the methodology and technical merit of the works proposed
- Contribution of the proposed works to keeping the structure in use, or bringing it back into use
- Broader public or community benefit of the project
Applications which fail to achieve a qualifying mark under any one of the above assessment criteria will fail the assessment overall and will not be considered for funding.
Applications which fail to achieve a qualifying mark under any one of the above assessment criteria will fail the assessment overall and will not be considered for funding.
Conservation works must be designed, specified and overseen on site by appropriately qualified and experienced building conservation professional(s) who will be required to confirm that works have been carried out to a satisfactory standard. The building professional should ideally have a demonstrable competence in the relevant area of building conservation.
Note: Applicants may apply for funding under both the Historic Structures Fund 2026 and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2026 but cannot avail of funding from both schemes in the same year.
How to apply
The HSF 2026 Circular outlines full details of the terms and conditions of the funding stream.
The Circular and application form are available to download at
Conservation & Heritage Grants – Planning
Hard copies are also available at the Planning Office Reception.
HSF 2026 Appendix V Qualifying And Non Qualifying Works
HSF 2026 Appendix VI Guidance Note For HSF Method Statements
HSF 2026 Guidance Booklet For Applicants
The Irish language versions of the HSF 2026 application form and guidance documents are available on gov.ie (gov.ie – Ciste na Struchtúr Stairiúil)
Completed applications using Form A and accompanied by a comprehensive method statement must be submitted to Angela Gallagher, Administrative Officer, Planning Section, No.1 Dublin Street, Monaghan Town, H18 X982 or emailed to builtheritage@monaghancoco.ie on or before the 16th January 2026.