Funding now available to help preserve Fingal’s historic buildings

Fingal County Council is inviting owners and custodians of historic buildings to apply for funding for works to be undertaken in 2026 to help protect and preserve even more of our built environment.

Operated by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and Historic Thatched Building Stream support small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and conserve historic buildings, helping to safeguard Fingal’s unique architectural heritage while also supporting local tradespeople and conservation experts.

The grants play a vital role in enabling high-quality conservation works to be undertaken and ensuring Fingal’s architectural heritage is preserved and cherished for years to come.

In 2025, almost €300,000 has been awarded to 47 projects across the county through the BHIS, Stitch in Time grants, and the Historic Structures Fund.

This has been instrumental in protecting Fingal’s rich architectural heritage, supporting essential repairs on historic buildings and sustaining the traditional skills of conservation craftspeople and trades.

Fingal’s Senior Executive Architectural Conservation Officer, Helena Bergin, said: “Across Fingal, there are older buildings and historic structures that give our towns, villages, and countryside their unique character and are of real significance to the local community.

“To ensure their survival, these places must be maintained in good repair.

“This scheme is a fantastic opportunity for property owners to take practical steps in caring for our shared heritage.

“Every successful project not only preserves the story of the building itself but also keeps traditional building skills alive in our communities.”

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and its Historic Thatched Building stream (BHIS HTB) are both currently open for applications.

Grants range from €2,500 up to €50,000 depending on the specific stream or category a project falls under. Eligible projects include the repair and conservation of:

• Protected Structures on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS)
• Buildings in Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs)
• Historic shopfronts
• Non-protected vernacular buildings
• Historic Thatched Structures

For full details and application forms go to: https://fingal.live/4eu5kfdd.

Closing date for applications is 5PM, Friday 26th September 2025. Successful applicants will be notified in January 2026.

In addition to the above grants, Fingal County Council also operates its own scheme, called the Stitch in Time Grant, for minor repairs and for conservation reports/advice.

Grants range from €100 to €2,500.

Applications Forms for works to be carried out in 2026 are available from Architectural Heritage Fund “Stitch In Time Grant” | Fingal County Council