In this article we cover:

  • Which heritage grant is best suited to your home
  • How much funding is available
  • What types of buildings and work may qualify
  • How to check your property’s heritage status
  • What you may need for your application
  • The key application deadlines

Homeowners planning repairs to a historic, protected or thatched property may be eligible for financial support under three built heritage funding schemes now open for 2027 applications.

Minister of state for nature, heritage and biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan has opened the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Thatched Buildings scheme.

The schemes are funded by the department of housing, local government and heritage through the National Built Heritage Service and are administered by local authorities.

They’re intended to help owners repair and conserve historic buildings, protect traditional streetscapes and support the specialist crafts and building skills required for heritage work.

More than €12 million was allocated to over 700 projects under the schemes in 2026.

Which grant is best for homeowners?

For most owners of protected or traditional homes, the Built Heritage Investment Scheme is the best place to start.

If your home has a historic thatched roof, the dedicated Historic Thatched Buildings scheme may be more suitable.

It’s worth remembering that these are not general home improvement grants. The funding is for work that repairs and protects the historic parts of a building, using suitable traditional materials and methods.

Owners of eligible thatched homes can apply to both schemes. However, you can’t claim both grants for the same property. If both applications are successful, you will need to choose which grant to accept.

Built Heritage Investment Scheme

According to the circular issued by the department of housing the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, commonly known as BHIS, provides grants of between €2,500 and €50,000.

It supports the maintenance and repair of buildings protected under planning legislation, as well as certain vernacular buildings that may not have formal protection but are considered important to Ireland’s architectural heritage.

A vernacular building is generally a traditional structure built using local materials and methods, such as a stone cottage, farmhouse or other modest rural dwelling.

Depending on the local authority’s assessment and the detailed scheme rules, eligible work may include repairs to:

  • Historic roofs and chimneys
  • Traditional timber or metal windows
  • Lime render and lime pointing
  • Stonework and external walls
  • Rainwater goods
  • Other significant historic building features

However, grants will not usually cover the full cost of a project. Applicants will generally need to provide their own funding and may need to work with a conservation professional or suitably experienced contractor.

Historic Thatched Buildings scheme

The Historic Thatched Buildings scheme provides targeted support for owners of historic structures with thatched roofs.

It’s operated alongside the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, with funding distributed to local authorities partly according to the number of thatched buildings in each area. The circular provided by the department of housing  says that the maximum grant available is up to €20,000 covering up to 80 per cent of total cost of works.

More than €600,000 was allocated to this funding stream in 2026.

The scheme recognises the particular challenges faced by owners of thatched properties, including the cost of specialist labour, the limited number of experienced thatchers and the need to use appropriate traditional materials.

Homeowners may be able to seek support for work to the thatch itself, along with related repairs required to protect the roof and historic structure.

Owners should contact their local authority before commissioning work, as starting a project before receiving approval could affect grant eligibility.

Check whether your home qualifies

Before applying, you need to establish the planning and heritage status of your property.

A building may be eligible if it is:

  • Listed on the local authority’s Record of Protected Structures
  • Proposed for inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures
  • Located within an Architectural Conservation Area
  • A qualifying vernacular building
  • A historic building with a thatched roof

The Record of Protected Structures can usually be checked through the local authority’s planning department, county development plan or online mapping system.

If you’re unsure, contact your local Architectural Conservation Officer, Heritage Officer or planning department.

How to apply

Heritage grant applications will require paperwork. Depending on the project, you may need to provide:

  • Photographs of the building and damaged areas
  • A description of the proposed work
  • Contractor quotations
  • Details of materials and repair methods
  • A conservation report or method statement
  • Evidence that the contractor has suitable heritage experience
  • Planning or protected-structure consent, where required

Traditional buildings can be damaged by unsuitable modern materials, such as hard cement renders, impermeable paints or inappropriate replacement windows. Grant-supported work will therefore normally be expected to follow recognised conservation principles.

You should avoid replacing historic features where repair is possible.

Applications must be submitted to the relevant local authority.

The closing dates are:

Built Heritage Investment Scheme: 30 October 2026

Historic Thatched Buildings scheme: 30 October 2026

Historic Structures Fund: 27 November 2026

Successful projects are expected to be announced in early 2027, with approved work to be completed during the 2027 calendar year.

If you’re considering applying for one of the schemes contact your local authority as early as possible, as local submission procedures and internal deadlines may vary.