2026 Historic Structures Fund

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD and the Minister for State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD announced on Thursday 23rd October 2025 the opening of applications for the Historic Structures Fund 2026.

Under the Historic Structures Fund 2026 scheme, grants of up to €200,000 will be available for projects with strong built heritage conservation objectives and clear public or community benefit. Over €3.5m in funding was allocated to 28 projects in 2025.

The scheme enables vital investment in our valuable built heritage and helps owners and custodians of historic structures in their work to conserve our archaeological heritage, develop traditional building skills, maintain and enhance the character of our historic buildings and streetscapes, and bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use.

The grant scheme will support the repair, maintenance, and rejuvenation of historic structures in all Local Authority areas, honouring their past and safeguarding them into the future. Funded works focus on the conservation of historic fabric of these important buildings, with priority given to works to protect or repair the outer envelope, such as the roof and windows, the repointing or re-rendering of the external walls, and other similar works.

Announcing the 2026 scheme, Minister Browne said:

“Our historic buildings and structures are a great source of pride for local communities. They are part of the fabric of our heritage and it is important that they are preserved, remaining part of life of our villages, towns and cities. The Historic Structures Fund is a vital support to the people who maintain our historic structures and prevent them from falling into disrepair or dereliction."

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, followed:

“Supporting communities and those who protect and conserve the built heritage of Ireland is of the upmost importance. The funding provided under the Historic Structures Fund recognises the dedication of the owners, skilled craftspeople and conservation experts who work together to ensure the continued care and conservation of these buildings.”

Details of the Historic Structures Fund 2026 are outlined below along with how to apply.

Overview and key points of the grant scheme:

Historic Structures Fund

The core aims of the Historic Structures 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.

Applications in respect of refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, and where a clear residential benefit is demonstrated, are particularly welcomed. Such projects must be advanced through the planning process as necessary.

Funding Available

For 2026, 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)

Owners of protected structures seeking funding for smaller scale works, or where there is no community or public benefit, are advised to apply to the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS).

Eligibility

The Historic Structures Fund provides capital funding for works to qualifying structures which include the following: 

1. Protected Structures: Structures in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) of each Local Authority;
2. 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 the Local Authority, i.e. must be of special interest from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical point of view;
3. Structures or works within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances apply.

Eligible projects will be as follows:

1. projects proposed by local authorities on foot of applications from private applicants who are the owners or custodians of historic structures
2. projects proposed by a Local Authority for works to historic structures in public ownership, with strong built heritage conservation objectives and where a clear heritage focus and community or public benefit has been demonstrated.

Applications are now open and will run until 16th January 2026. Details and documentation of the scheme and how to apply are available below.