Date: 25 Feb 2026
Community Heritage Grant Scheme Opens
The Heritage Council is inviting on-line applications from community and voluntary groups in County Donegal under its Community Heritage Grant Scheme until 8 p.m. on Friday, 20 March 2026. The scheme supports projects that apply good heritage practice to the conservation, management and interpretation of Ireland’s natural, built, archaeological and cultural heritage. Projects must demonstrate clear public benefit, strong community involvement and, where appropriate, input from suitably-qualified heritage professionals.
“Last year, nine County Donegal-based heritage or community groups secured approximately €165,876 in funding under the scheme” explained Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer. “This grant scheme provides vital support to proactive voluntary groups working to protect and promote heritage across the county. Community groups can now apply for 100% funding for heritage projects and grants ranging from €800 to €25,000 are available. Projects must demonstrate the capacity of the community group to deliver the project, realistic budgeting and adherence to best practice standards. The initiatives supported under this scheme highlight the importance of heritage to our social, cultural, environmental and economic well-being, while also supporting local employment within the heritage sector.”
Funding is available for initiatives relating to places, collections, buildings, monuments, habitats, species and objects, as well as projects that improve access and inclusion at heritage sites. Eligible projects include conservation works to historic buildings (subject to appropriate permissions), conservation management plans, access audits, digitisation projects, heritage surveys, interpretation plans, graveyard recording, biodiversity initiatives, citizen science projects, training, workshops and the purchase of specialised equipment required for heritage conservation or documentation.
“The Community Heritage Grant Scheme is one of the most important ways we support local stewardship of Ireland’s heritage” said Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive Officer of The Heritage Council. “Each year, we see community groups bring extraordinary creativity in developing ways to care and promote the places, stories and natural environments that matter to them. This scheme empowers people to take meaningful action, whether that be restoring a historic structure, conserving biodiversity or creating new ways for the public to connect with their local heritage. We are continually inspired by the ambition of these projects and we look forward to supporting communities across the country once again in 2026.”
The scheme does not support projects that fulfil a public body’s statutory responsibilities, third-level education projects, archaeological excavations, signage, publications, conferences, memorials, amenity landscaping works or primary school curriculum-based projects.
Further details on the Community Heritage Grant Scheme are available on the Heritage Council website (www.heritagecouncil.ie/funding). Advice is also available from the County Donegal Heritage Office of Donegal County Council on (074) 917 2576 or by e-mail at heritage@donegalcoco.ie
Early consultation with the County Heritage Officer is encouraged.
