2024 Funding for conservation works and repairs in Fingal

Fingal County Council is now inviting applications under several schemes for works to be done in 2024 for small, medium or large-scale repairs or conservation projects to Protected Structures and in certain circumstances to buildings that enhance Architectural Conservation Areas within the Fingal area.  The closing date for receipt of applications is FRIDAY 19th JANUARY 2024

Conservation grants 2024

Fingal County Council is now inviting applications under several schemes for works to be done in 2024 for small, medium or large-scale repairs or conservation projects to Protected Structures and in certain circumstances to buildings that enhance Architectural Conservation Areas within the Fingal area.  The closing date for receipt of applications is FRIDAY 19th JANUARY 2024

In 2023 over €345,500 in funding was allocated through Fingal County Council to Stitch in Time grants, structures under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and projects under the Historic Structures Fund to assist the repair and safeguarding of the architectural heritage of Fingal.  For owners carrying out routine maintenance or small repairs to the historic fabric of their homes Fingal County Council’s own Stitch in Time scheme offers grants between €100 to €2,500.  This Stitch in Time Grant is also open to funding applications for conservation reports or surveys by conservation professionals.  For more substantial works funding is available through the Built Heritage Investment Scheme or the Historic Structures Fund.  The Built Heritage Investment Scheme includes Ring-Fenced Funding for Thatched Structures.   The eligible works are not limited to repairs to the thatch itself, other works could include mud wall repair, lime render repairs or historic window repairs. The Historic Structures Fund also allows for specific applications for the conservation of a vernacular structure that is not a Protected Structure and for the refurbishment of a historic shopfront or a traditional Irish Language shopfront. 

Funding is available for projects to take place in 2023 under the following schemes:

  • Architectural Heritage Fund’s “Stitch in Time Grant” 2024
  • Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2024
  • Historic Structures Fund 2024 (including sub-streams for Historic Shopfronts/Traditional Irish Language Shopfronts and for Vernacular Structures)

Fingal’s Architectural Conservation Officers, Helena Bergin and Laura Johnstone, welcome the continued financial support offered through these schemes for owners of historic properties to protect and maintain these buildings from funding provided out of Fingal County Council’s own resources and from national government.  “It is very rewarding to see the direct benefit these conservation grant schemes have for owners to support them in implementing good housekeeping practices of regular maintenance and small repairs of historic and older buildings or rare and unusual structures but to also be able to help them with larger financial outlays where more substantial conservation interventions are required.  This year we have expanded out Fingal’s Stitch in Time Grant to enable owners and custodians of the county’s built heritage to also apply for funding to engage experienced conservation professionals to produce conservation reports that will identify required works and recommend appropriate methodologies for repairs, and in certain cases specify the exact works.  Good conservation advice is essential to ensure the works undertaken are sympathetic to and appropriate for the built fabric and that they correctly address and resolve the issue that has arisen.”

The conservation funding schemes exist to aid owners with the appropriate detailing and correct methods to repair the historic materials used in older buildings such as lime, stone, hand-made brick, thatch, natural slate, and historic joinery as the use of modern rigid and non-breathable materials such as concrete and plastics can do more harm than good in traditionally constructed buildings.

CLOSING DATE: Applications should be submitted to Fingal County Council by 5PM FRIDAY 19TH JANUARY 2024.  Application forms for all three schemes are available on Fingal County Council website and completed applications should be sent to the Architectural Conservation Officer of Fingal County Council at  [email protected]  A decision will issue to all applications following provisional approval of successful applications by the Department.  This decision is generally made by early to mid-March.

Please note that applicants cannot avail of funding under both the Historic Structures Fund and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme in the same year and so if apply for both and are successful then can only accept one of them.

To apply see: