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.

The core aims of this fund are to:

  • enable larger scale conservation works to be carried out on heritage structures which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support;
  • encourage the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and to help to secure the preservation of protected structures and/or culturally significant assets;
  • support the investment of private capital in labour-intensive projects to conserve historic structures in public and private ownership for community use.
  • support employment in the conservation and construction industries.
  • build resilience in our heritage properties to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change.

 

The scheme is designed to assist the owners and/or occupiers of structures/properties that are protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). It is administered by Monaghan County Council’s Planning Section.

 

The Historic Structures Fund 2024 is structured as follows:

  1. Stream 1 offer grants from €15,000 up to €50,000 and is aimed at essential repairs and smaller capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of heritage structures. The maximum grant award will be 80% of eligible costs.

 

  1. Stream 1, Historic Shopfronts sub-stream is aimed at incentivising the refurbishment and conservation of historic shopfronts and Irish-language shopfronts and funds small capital works to their facades, windows, signage and other associated details. The maximum grant award is 80% of eligible costs.
  2. Stream 2 offers a small number of grants from €50,000 up to €200,000 for larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where:
  3. a clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated, or
  4. a clear residential benefit has been demonstrated

(subject to obtaining any necessary planning approvals).

  1. Vernacular Structures Stream – offer funding of between €5,000 and €10,000 to support conservation repairs and small capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of vernacular structures that are not listed in local authority Records of Protected Structures or otherwise legally protected to safeguard the structure and keep it in use. Such structures may be located within an Architectural Conservation Area or comprise ‘informal’ traditional buildings, which are a significant part of our intangible cultural heritage. The maximum grant award is 80% of eligible costs.

Projects in Partnership – The Minister may designate part of the Fund for projects in partnership with State-funded organisations such as the Office of Public Works, the Irish Heritage Trust, Waterways Ireland, The Irish Landmark Trust and others, to care for historic structures and buildings in public ownership and improve recreational infrastructure and public access to these heritage assets. Funds are determined on a case by case basis.

 

Match Funding

Successful applicants are required to, at a minimum, match their funding award by 50% of eligible costs.  In exceptional circumstances a higher percentage may be sought, subject to a maximum of 80% of eligible costs. Grant may be phased over two years.

 

Eligibility

Streams 1 and 2, Historic Shopfronts sub stream and Partnership Projects

In respect of projects categorised under Streams 1 and 2, the Historic Shopfronts sub stream and any Partnership Projects designated by the Minister the categories of structures/properties eligible for funding under this scheme are:

  • Proposed Protected Structures
  • Structures/properties in Architectural Conservation Areas

or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances apply.

 

Eligible projects are as follows:

  1. a) projects proposed by local authorities on foot of applications from private applicants who are the owners or custodians of historic structures
  2. b) projects proposed by a Local Authority for works to historic structures in public ownership, where a clear heritage focus and community or public benefit has been demonstrated
  3. c) projects with a clearly defined heritage focus and community or public benefit proposed directly to the Department by a State-funded organisation working in the heritage area.

 

Vernacular Structures Stream

Vernacular structures are the buildings and other built features of what can be termed the ‘informal’ or vernacular landscape. Vernacular builders worked within traditional systems using techniques passed down within the family and local community. Thus, the vernacular is a significant part of our intangible cultural heritage.

In respect of the Vernacular Structures Stream applications are accepted from the following:

  1. a) Owners of vernacular structures that are not listed in the Record of Protected Structures
  2. b) Owners of vernacular structures within an Architectural Conservation Area, but not otherwise subject to statutory protection.

 

Eligible projects are as follows:

  1. a) Projects proposed by local authorities on foot of applications from private applicants who are the owners or custodians of vernacular structures
  2. b) Projects proposed by local authorities for works to vernacular structures in public ownership where a clear heritage focus and community or public benefit has been demonstrated

 

Note: Only one application will be considered per vernacular structure or applicant. Applicants may not avail of funding from both the main Historic Structures Fund 2024 and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2024.

How to apply:

Please note: Applications are now closed for 2024 funding.

The HSF 2024 Circular is available to download below.

 

Protected Structures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data Protection

Historic Structures Fund