Date: 29 Jan 2026
Donegal Receives over €212,000 in Funding for Built Heritage
Two conservation grant schemes have been recently announced in relation to funding to support sixteen heritage buildings throughout Donegal.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan announced on the 23rd January that over €8.1 million will be awarded to 969 projects throughout Ireland will receive funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2026 including 16 projects in Donegal. Of the total funding, almost €1.1 million was earmarked for works to thatched buildings. This funding helps property owners to conserve and enhance historic buildings and streetscapes whilst also helping to preserve and develop traditional building skills.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne said: "The preservation of our built heritage relies on our taking action today to repair, maintain, and secure the integrity of these buildings with the care and attention they deserve. That is why my Department continues to make substantial funding available under this scheme – as well as through other schemes such as the Historic Structures Fund and Community Monuments Fund – thereby helping to renew and protect the fabric of our architectural heritage with each passing year. "
The successful Donegal projects under the Historic Thatched Buildings Scheme (HTB) consist of eight re-thatch projects. Five projects are located in Inishowen which has a highest survival of thatched cottages in the County. There are also two successful rethatch projects located in the area of Ardara as well as a thatched cottage just outside Lifford.
County Donegal has a rich architectural heritage that covers a wide range of structures and the applications under mainstream BHIS projects reflect this with successful projects including a mill, two churches, a thatched structure, a country house, a town house and a shop. The conservation and repair works are also varied and relate to the restoration of windows and roof repairs as well as works to make buildings structurally secure.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Paul Canning emphasised the importance of this heritage funding for the County, stating: “There was a high demand for both the Buit Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Thatched Buildings stream in the County this year with both grants over prescribed. These grants provide essential funding in supporting owners to safeguard heritage buildings to carry out repairs in line with best conservation practice ensuring their conservation into the future. In particular the record number of applications to the Historic Thatch Buildings Grant Scheme demonstrates the growing need of owners seeking financial assistance to maintain their thatched roofs.“
Donegal County Council continues to proactively support owners of thatch structures and hope to open the Thatch Repair Grant 2026 towards the end of February and can advise that full details will be available on the Council’s website and social media. This grant is the only known Local Authority run Thatch Repair Grant scheme in the Country which assists the owners and occupiers of historic thatched dwellings and businesses with their maintenance and repair. There is also a grant administrated by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage for thatched properties that are permanent residences or lived in long term and applications are accepted throughout the year. Further details can be found on www.gov.ie/en/service/32e72-thatching-grant
