The Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2025 and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme Historic Thatched Building (HTB) scheme offer a unique opportunity to secure funding for the preservation and conservation of important structures, including historic thatched properties.

Announced by Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, these government grant schemes, funded by the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS), support projects that help safeguard our architectural heritage.

Under the HSF, eligible projects can receive between €50,000 and €200,000, covering up to 50% of the total costs. Funding is available for a range of structures, including Protected Structures, Structures eligible for or proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved for inclusion and Structures or works within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances apply.

The HSF will fund larger enhancement or significant refurbishment projects involving historic structures and will focus on larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where:

a. A clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated, or

b. A clear residential benefit has been demonstrated (such projects must be advanced through the planning process as necessary).

Kerry County Council has been allocated €5,000 under the HTB scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to protect the heritage value of historic thatched roof buildings across Ireland, including dwellings and other structures. Primary Qualifying Works are thatching works to the roof and any necessary work that must be completed as part of these works, such as chimney repairs.

Completed forms for the HSF and HTB should be emailed to archconservationgrants@kerrycoco.ie or delivered to the Planning Department, Kerry County Council, County Buildings, Tralee no later than 4pm on 17^th January 2025.

Further details and forms are available on the website : https://www.gov.ie/en/service/f78f3-historic-structures-fund/ and https://www.gov.ie/en/service/96f40-historic-thatch-grant/

• Circular – HSF 2025
• Appendix I – Form A
• Appendix V – Applicant Checklist
• NBHS HTB 2025 Circular
• HTB Grant 2025 – Application Form A
• NBHS THATCH 2025 Application Form A Checklist