Ten Donegal projects receive over €79,000 through Thatched Buildings Stream 2025

 Donegal has received over €79,000 - one of the largest funding awards in the country - as part of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) Historic Thatched Buildings Stream 2025.

The stream aims to protect the heritage value of historic thatched roof buildings across Ireland.

Each Local Authority was allocated an amount of funding based on the number of historic thatched structures within its boundaries, with Donegal receiving €79,368 due to its number of surviving historic thatched structures.

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Ten grant allocations have been made to help the owners with the renewal of their thatched roofs from all across Donegal. The successful applicants are Rose Cottage, Lagg, Malin (€14,000); Mannies Bar, Convoy (€6,000); The thatched House, Anny Near and Far, Glenvar (€6,000) Glencolmcille Folk Village (€6,000), Duffy, Leenan, Clonmany (€10,000); Keadue Cottage, Ballykinard, Rossnakill (€8,000); Ardoe Cottage, Portsalon ( €8,000); Breslins, Shalvey, Kilcar ( €7,000); Bridge Cottage, Dunkineely (€5,000); Brownes Cottage, Greencastle (€9,368)

Minister of State for Heritage, Christopher O Sullivan announced the funding boost for thatch owners which has been welcomed by Donegal Fianna Fail Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, who said: “The traditional thatched cottage is an icon of the Irish Countryside, every effort must be made to maintain and support their upkeep, today announcements are only a single in that journey as maintenance is expensive for traditional buildings.

“The Council and The Department will continue to support applicants. The Council have continued to highlight the strong need for the Department for the thatching Grant in Donegal. The Donegal Thatch Repair Grant Scheme will be opening in the next few weeks and will hopefully help owners with minor repairs to hold their roofs until they apply for assistance for a full rethatch when applications reopen later in the year.

“The Department now run this vital BHIS Historic Thatched Buildings Stream on an annual basis which will undoubtedly help our thatch owners maintain these iconic structures in the landscape which bring so much joy to locals and tourists alike.

“The traditional thatched cottage is an icon of the Irish countryside, every effort must be made to maintain and support their upkeep, to days announcements are only a single in that journey as maintenance is expensive for traditional buildings.”