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Nov 28

Apply now - funds open for historic structures and monuments grants 


Man in suit and blue shirt stands looking out the open arch of an old grey-stone building with ornate balcony

Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan is urging communities and custodians of historic or heritage buildings to apply for funding under the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and Community Monuments Fund (CMF), which opened for applications this month. Individuals and communities interested in applying should contact Carlow or Kilkenny County Councils before the upcoming deadlines of January 2025.  

 

The Green Party TD and candidate for Carlow-Kilkenny in the General Election has highlighted the important work that’s been carried out in the constituency under the schemes during his time as Minister, with millions of euro allocated for repair, restoration and preservation of some of Carlow and Kilkenny’s most significant historic buildings and monuments. 

 

Last year, 95 heritage projects around Ireland received a total of €4.5 million under the Historic Structures Fund, which covers small- and large-scale conservation works, with dedicated streams for traditional shopfronts and thatched structures. Previous recipients of grants in Carlow and Kilkenny have included Tullow Courthouse, Carlow County Library, The Club House Hotel and St. Kieran’s College. 


Monuments across Ireland also benefitted from a total of €8 million under last year’s Community Monuments Fund, which supports essential repairs and can also assist with the development of conservation management plans. Over half a million euro was awarded to projects in Kilkenny in 2024, including €30,000 towards the conservation and restoration of the historic Kennyswell and €118,000 for Tubbrid Medieval Church, while a quarter of a million euro went to support five projects in Carlow, including €100,000 for St Finian’s Church and €17,000 for Drumlane Ecclesiastical Site.  


Minister Noonan said:  

“Since taking office in 2020, I’ve worked hard to support communities in the conservation and restoration of historic buildings and monuments in their care. I’ve increased built heritage funding by 200%, and the wonderful thing about this funding is that it doesn’t just protect built heritage, it helps preserve the traditional skills needed to carry out this very specialist conservation work. 


“The Community Monuments Fund, which opened for applications this month, was introduced by me in 2020 with a modest sum of €800,000. That has now grown to €7.4 million, and combined with the Historic Structures Fund and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, 2024 alone saw a record €870,000 invested in some of Kilkenny’s landmark buildings.  


“Meanwhile, our 2024 CMF funding supported five projects in Carlow, totalling €235,000; and through the BHIS and the HSF, we’ve supported 34 Carlow projects to the tune of €920,000 over my time in office, including repairs to Carlow County Library, the conservation of Tullow Courthouse, the restoration of Currane Tower, and specialist iron and stonework at Borris House. 


“This funding is a vital investment in our communities, and as well as supporting the owners and custodians of our built and archaeological heritage to repair and preserve some of Ireland’s finest historic and protected buildings, these grants also boost local heritage and construction trades, and provide a lifeline to traditional specialist skills like thatching and stonework. It’s also an investment in our tourism and educational offerings and ensures that these structures and the stories and skills associated with them remain a rich part of our culture for generations into the future.” 


Find out more on accessing funding: 

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