Funding Available to Safeguard Heritage Buildings in County Cork

Cork County Council is inviting owners and custodians of historic and protected structures to apply for grant funding under the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2026 which was announced recently by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD and the Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD.

Cork County Council will administer the grant scheme on behalf of the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS).

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley highlighted the importance of safeguarding our historic buildings for future generations, saying, ‘Our historic buildings are more than structures, they reflect our heritage, culture and the lives of generations past.  Protecting them is not just about preservation, it’s about honouring the past while looking to the future. I encourage people to consider applying under the scheme if they have a building in need of care, so they can be enjoyed by future generations to come.’

The primary focus of the HSF is to assist in the conservation and enhancement of historic structures and buildings for the broader benefit of communities and the public. The fund awards a small number of grants ranging from €50,000 up to €200,000. The fund focuses on larger enhancement, refurbishment, or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where a clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated; or where a clear residential benefit has been demonstrated. Projects must be advanced through the planning process as necessary.

Application forms, eligibility criteria, qualifying works and guidance documents are available at the links below.

Applications may be addressed to ‘Historic Structure Fund 2026’, Conservation Office, Floor 3, Planning Department, County Hall, Cork, or by email to conservation@corkcoco.ie.

The deadline for submission of completed application forms is 4:00pm on Friday the 16th of January 2026.