Heritage Grant Schemes 2010

Sligo County Council in association with the County Sligo Heritage Forum is committed to “working with the community, to know, value and care for Sligo’s heritage and to increase awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of our heritage for all”.

Each year, through the Heritage Office, Sligo County Council administers and sponsors the following Heritage Grant Schemes.

• Local Authority Grants for the Conservation of Protected Structures
• Community Heritage Grant Scheme
• Heritage in Schools Grant Scheme

Applications are now being sought for the above grant schemes for 2010.

Conservation Grants for Protected Structures

The Local Authority Grants for the Conservation of Protected Structures, are designed to assist the owner or occupier of a structure which is protected because of its ‘architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, scientific, social or technical interest’, to undertake works on such a structure. Works which qualify under the scheme where they consist of the conservation of one or more elements of a qualifying structure are works which are necessary to;

• secure the stability of a structure or part of a structure
• make a structure weather or damp proof
• conserve or repair external walls
• carry out temporary repairs, to protect a structure from immediate risk.

In 2009, Sligo County Council grant aided 7 projects under the scheme with a total value of €74,400 and the works completed were all to a very high conservation standard.  However, 2009 saw a significant drop in the level of funding allocated to Sligo County Council by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the grant scheme as during 2008 the total allocation for the county was €115,000.  Buildings which benefitted from the scheme in 2009 included; Temple House for roof repairs; Markree Castle for repairs to the parapet, roof and gutters, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for internal works to the bell tower, Coopershill, Riverstown for roof works and the rethatching of a cottage at Cashelgarron in north Sligo. 

Download Conservation Grant for Protected Structure Explanatory Memorandum (PDF) - 42 kbs

Download Conservation Grant for Protected Structure - Application Form 2010 (PDF) - 16 kbs

Community Heritage Grants

Sligo County Council continues to have a pivotal role to play in nurturing and encouraging pride in our heritage and the Community Heritage Grant Scheme provides an ideal opportunity for the Local Authority to work in a dynamic partnership with local communities to foster awareness and appreciation of our heritage. Sligo County Council encourages projects which relate to all aspects of our heritage which include the following: monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, as well as heritage gardens and parks. Projects relating to local history and traditions, placenames, folklore, traditional crafts and skills and museums and archives will also be considered under the scheme.  A total funding package of €10,000 is available during 2010 for the grant scheme, a drop from €18,000 which was allocated in 2009.

Download Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2010 Guidelines (PDF) - 33 kbs

Download Community Heritage Grants Scheme 2010 Application Form - 31 kbs

Heritage in Schools Scheme

Each year the Heritage Council, in partnership with the INTO, operates the Heritage in Schools scheme. The scheme offers a panel of heritage specialists who will, at the request of a teacher, visit a primary school to work directly with the children on heritage related projects. To facilitate the promotion of the scheme in Sligo, the Heritage Office, Sligo County Council will be sponsoring a limited number of ‘Heritage in Schools’ visits during 2010. During 2009, more than 15 primary schools in Sligo, or approx. 550 children, benefited as part of the scheme.  The Heritage in Schools Directory and an application form for the Heritage in Schools Scheme are available online through the INTO website and applications are made directly to the INTO.

Download Heritage in Schools Scheme 2010 Booking Form (PDF) - 27 kbs

The closing date for receipt of completed applications for the above schemes is 5pm on Wednesday the 17th February 2010. 

For further information please contact: Siobhán Ryan, Heritage Office, Sligo County Council.Telephone: 071 91 11 226 or email; heritage@sligococo.ie