€1.5M available to support Ireland’s heritage

The Heritage Council is now accepting applications from community groups and not for profit organisations around the country for its Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2022. A total of €1.5m is available for this year’s scheme.

Applications are sought for projects aimed at improving the management and maintenance of heritage collections, objects, buildings, and sites, as well as capital projects that improve access and inclusion at heritage sites, in particular for people with disabilities.

Funding is also available for projects that explore the heritage of minorities, including newly arrived immigrants, and the Traveller community. The Scheme also supports training events for traditional building skills, biodiversity, and archaeology, as well as the purchase of specialised equipment.

Commenting, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan said: “Each year we receive a diverse range of applications, which are a testament to the vibrancy of the heritage sector. Last year, for example, the Irish Film Institute received €11,400 towards the restoration of an important 1969 film, Ciall Cheannaigh (Shopping Sense) made by the Guinness film group, with a soundtrack by Donal Lunny”.

She added: “I’m also especially pleased that the benefits of the money allocated is tangible in various locations across Ireland. This includes in County Cork, where Saint George’s Arts and Heritage Centre, in Mitchelstown was awarded a grant of €15,000 from the Heritage Council to undertake works to facilitate universal access to the building.

“Separately, in Co Donegal, Ramelton Georgian Society was awarded €12,200 to commission a Conservation Energy Performance report, using the House on the Brae as a demonstration project. This complements the wider ambition of the Ramelton Local Action Plan to encourage and facilitate responsible retrofit methods appropriate to historic buildings and to develop skills locally.”

FEBRUARY 16TH DEADLINE

The closing date for applications for this round of the scheme is Wednesday, 16th February 2022 at 5pm. Applications must be made via the Heritage Council’s online grants management system. Funded projects must be completed by Monday, 19th September 2022. Full details are available on the Heritage Council website.