Funding for Wicklow's Protected Structures

Splicing of timber to conserve historic windows

D. Burns

Drystone Wall Repairs at Hollywood village greatly enhance the public realm

D. Burns

Repair of Historic Floor

D. Burns

Conservation grants support the employment of a range of historic building skills

D. Burns

St Crispins Church ruins were conserved through BHIS facilitating the ongoing use of the area for public events

D. Burns

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin visits St Mary & Peters Church on 7th November 2019 to celebrate restoration works and meet the various tradespersons involved

Arklow Parish

Wicklow County Council invites applications for funding under two schemes from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; the Historic Structures Fund and Built Heritage Investment Scheme. Closing date for applications is 31st Jan 2020

As in previous years, the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) will support the owners and custodians of protected structures in County Wicklow as they carry out small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and conserve our historic built environment.

The projects will also provide vital support for local jobs in conservation, traditional skills and construction.

Built Heritage Investment Scheme – BHIS

A set funding allocation of €60,000 has been made for County Wicklow under the BHIS, which will be allocated to successful applicants on a match funding basis of 50 per cent, with individual grants of between €2,500 and €15,000. There is also a new small-scale allocation to fund routine maintenance.

Historic Structures Fund – HSF

Grants under the HSF will be larger, with a focus on caring for and restoring historic structures and buildings for the benefit of communities and the public. Applications can be made under two streams as follows;

Stream 1 will offer grants from €15,000 up to €50,000 and Stream 2 will offer a small number of grants nationally from €50,000 up to €200,000. Application forms and further information about each of the schemes is available at www.wicklow.ie .

How to Apply?

Applications may be made by post or email. The deadline for receipt of applications under both schemes is 31st January 2020. Multiple applications for the same structure under the BHIS and the HSF will not be considered.

Application forms and further information about each of the schemes is available to download at the bottom of this page.

Application forms are available by request from the Planning Office on T: 040420148 or e mail plandev@wicklowcoco.ie , queries on the scheme may be addressed to Deirdre Burns Heritage Officer dburns@wicklowcoco.ie T: 0404 20148.

Is your building a protected structure?

There are more than 700 protected structures in County Wicklow. The Record of Protected Structures may be viewed at on www.wicklow.ie click here for the direct link

Examples of previously funded projects

In 2019 €90,000 was drawn down by owners and custodians of historic properties in County Wicklow. Projects supported included St Mary & Peters Church and St Saviours Church, both in Arklow, which received allocations of €20,000 and €22,000 each under the HSF. Projects supported under the BHIS included Ballyarthur House, Davidstown Church and Hollywood Church (boundary walls), as well as houses in Dunlavin and in Rathgorragh, West Wicklow.