Nineteen Donegal buildings allocated €337,133 for repairs and renovation works

Donegal County Council has been allocated €337,133 under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF).

A total of €184,133 has been secured through the BHIS, while €153,000 has been granted under the HSF for 19 projects across the county.

Welcoming the allocations announced by the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, Donegal Minister, Charlie McConalogue, said: “The schemes fund a variety of repairs and renovation works to prevent deterioration, protect character, and encourage the re-use of protected structures.”

“The schemes also provide important support for the employment of traditional craftspeople and conservation professionals. There are seven types of grants available. Sixteen Donegal projects are receiving funding through the BHIS, with three getting grants through the HSF,” the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine added.

The Donegal projects that have been earmarked for funding under the two schemes are in Ballyshannon, Raphoe, Fanad, Ramelton, Dunkineely, Ardara, Greencastle, Lettermacaward, and Killygordon. The full list is available here:

The local allocations will go towards the replacement of thatch, roofs, windows and doors, associated elements and rainwater disposal.

Nationally, the BHIS and HSF for 2024 have a combined total of €9 million. The BHIS 2024 includes ring-fenced funding of €500,000 for the conservation of historic thatched houses to maximise the availability of financial assistance to owners of historic thatched houses.

The HSF 2024 includes streams for vernacular heritage and for historic shopfronts. The vernacular stream will provide funding for small capital works to vernacular structures which are not included on the local authority Records of Protected Structures. The historic shopfronts stream will provide funding for the conservation-led repair of historic shopfronts to safeguard the distinctive features of Ireland’s cities, towns and villages.

The BHIS and HSF are administered by the local authorities and will assist hundreds of small-scale, labour-intensive projects, as well as some larger-scale projects.