More than €330,000 in funding has been announced for a range of conservation projects on heritage buildings in Galway.
The funding, announced this week by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, has been allocted under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS ) 2026.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme supports the repair, restoration and protection of historic structures from traditional homes to landmark public buildings across Ireland, in cities, towns and villages and across the countryside. The scheme covers restoration work to historic buildings such as roof and wall repairs and works on windows and doors.
The funding is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s National Built Heritage Service and is administered by the local authorities.
The Galway projects being funded include:
• €20,000 for roof repair to St Nicholas' Collegiate Church in Galway city.
• €13,000 for shop front works to Lazlo Jewellers, 20 William Street, Galway city.
• €20,000 for repair of timber windows and reinstatement of character at the Head Gardener’s House, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara.
• €6,200 apiece for for stained glass repairs at Séipéal Réalt na Mara, Leitir Mealláin and Séipéal Naomh Mhic Dara, An Cheathru Rua.
• €30,000 for limeworks and other repairs to St Colman’s Church, Ballyranagan, Kinvara.
“This funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme will ensure that the architectural legacy of past generations continues to survive in towns, villages, and rural communities in Galway and across the country," Minister Browne said at the announcement.
"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.
"Along with initiatives such as the revised Living City Initiative, the improved and expanded Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, the Built Heritage Investment Scheme helps to preserve our past while also securing our future by maximising use of existing building stock and helping to prevent or reverse vacancy, dereliction, and underuse.”
The full list of projects can be found on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage website.
Some €8.1 million has been awarded nationally through the Built Heritage Investment Scheme. Of the total funding, almost €1.1 million has been earmarked for works to thatched buildings, made up of almost €600,000 from the dedicated Historic Thatched Buildings stream, plus an additional €490,000 from the mainstream of the BHIS.
A list of thatched projects are available here.
In addition to the public funding provided under BHIS, an estimated €35 million of private funds will be committed to these projects by owners and custodians, further enhancing the investment in Ireland’s built heritage and representing an effective partnership between the State, individuals and communities around the country.
