Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan have announced the opening of applications for the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2026, including a dedicated funding stream for historic thatched buildings.
Funding schemes open for built heritage and historic thatch
Thatched Cottage, Cashelgarron, Co. Sligo benefitted under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme in 2024 with a complete rethatch of the main roof.
BHIS supports owners and custodians of historic buildings to maintain and conserve the important structures which form an essential part of Ireland’s cultural landscape.
Every year the owners and occupiers of Ireland’s historic buildings help to preserve the architectural legacy of our towns and countryside. This funding will help owners and custodians of our built heritage to undertake the repair and rejuvenation of these historic buildings, presenting them to their best effect today and safeguarding them into the future.
Administered through the Local Authorities, the BHIS is designed to support these efforts by providing grants of between €2,500 and €50,000 for works to buildings which are protected under the Planning and Development Acts, and to vernacular buildings or historic shopfronts lacking in statutory protection but which remain essential to our architectural heritage. Owners of thatched buildings can also apply for dedicated funding of up to €20,000 under the separate thatched buildings stream.
Announcing the 2026 schemes, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, said:
"I am delighted that my Department continues to offer these supports under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, which also address modern concerns by enabling the utilisation of our traditional building stock to meet housing needs, revitalise communities, and keep historic properties in use for the families and communities of the future. I look forward to seeing the impacts of this funding in the coming months and years.”
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council and Chair of Sligo Heritage Forum, Cllr Dónal Gilroy, welcomed the announcement saying:
“I strongly believe in the importance of supporting communities to protect and conserve our shared built heritage and recognise that this relies on the dedication of many different parties, including owners and custodians, skilled craftspeople, and local authority experts. Sligo County Council is delighted to support the delivery of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and I would encourage anyone considering applying to get in touch with the Heritage Office, Sligo County Council as soon as possible.”
Administered in conjunction with Local Authority Architectural Conservation Officers, Heritage Officers and Planning and Administrative staff, both grant schemes will assist hundreds of small-scale, labour-intensive projects as well as larger-scale projects to repair and conserve our historic built environment. The projects will also give significant support to local jobs in conservation, traditional skills and construction, providing a vital boost to local economies.
The Heritage Office, Sligo County Council will host an information webinar on the BHIS 2026 grant scheme on Thursday 14th August 2025 at 12 noon. To Register, please email conservation@sligococo.ie
Full details and application forms for the 2026 grant schemes are available at www.sligococo.ie/grants.
The closing date for applications is 4pm Friday 26th September 2025.
For further information or queries, please contact: Heritage Office, Sligo County Council on: Tel 071-9114446 or by email: conservation@sligococo.ie