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Heritage Council Launches Community Grant Scheme

Thursday, 26 February 2026 12:37

St. Brendan's Roman Catholic Church, Birr

Grants of between €800 to €25,000 are available under the scheme.

The Heritage Council is launching the 2026 Community Heritage Grant Scheme and is inviting applications from community organisations from the midlands.

Grants of between €800 to €25,000 are available under the scheme, which supports local initiatives that protect, share, and celebrate the built, natural and cultural heritage that matters to communities nationwide.

The scheme supports not-for-profit groups - including non-governmental organisations, and community and voluntary groups - to deliver projects that make heritage more inclusive, promote good practice, and strengthen sustainability.

The annual Scheme supports a wide variety of heritage projects, from practical conservation work to skills development and public engagement. Eligible projects include conservation management plans, surveys, and reports; conservation works to biodiversity sites, historic structures, objects, or collections; and hands-on heritage skills workshops. The Scheme also supports collections care and biodiversity projects, the creation of digital heritage resources, and the purchase of specialised conservation equipment.

The variety of applicants that successfully secured funding in 2025 in Offaly demonstrates the positive impact the scheme has across the heritage field. These included The Liss Church and Graveyard Project from the Boher-Liss Cemetery Group, the Restoration and conservation of the St. Brendan Stained Glass Window in Birr from the St. Brendan's Roman Catholic Church, and the Feasibility Channel Study of the River Brosna from the Clara Heritage Society.

Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive Officer of the Heritage Council, said; “The Community Heritage Grant Scheme is one of the most important ways we support local stewardship of Ireland’s heritage. 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.”

Offaly County Council Heritage Officer Amanda Pedlow said; “Offaly has an incredibly rich and varied heritage. The Community Heritage Grant Scheme gives groups across the county the practical support they need to protect and celebrate the places and stories that matter to them. Whether a community is restoring a historic building, caring for a local biodiversity site, or developing an outreach project for the community, this funding can help turn those ideas into action. I strongly encourage groups in Offaly to consider applying.”

Westmeath Council Heritage Officer Melanie McQuade said; “Westmeath’s heritage is one of its great strengths, and this scheme provides valuable support for the groups working to safeguard it. These grants can help communities carry out conservation, enhance biodiversity, or develop new ways of engaging people with local heritage. I strongly encourage organisations across the county to apply.”

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