Traditional farm buildings across Ireland have been given a conservation boost thanks to a new government grant scheme.

The Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme looks to ensure that traditional farm buildings that contribute to landscape character and are of heritage value are conserved for agricultural use.

This grant is made available for the conservation of traditional farm buildings including roofs, walls, structural repairs, windows and doors. Grants will also be available for other related structures such as historic yard surfaces and landscape features around the farmyard such as walls, gate pillars and gates.

To be eligible for the scheme, buildings and other related structures must have architectural or vernacular heritage character and make a contribution to their setting. 

Funding for the scheme comes via the Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS).

Revealing more about the grant, Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer, said: "The Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme has supported farmers to conserve agricultural buildings in the rural landscape. Although the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme is highly competitive, several farm buildings in County Donegal have benefitted under the scheme in recent years. The scheme reinforces the role that farmers play as custodians of the rural landscape. As well as achieving the aims of GLAS, the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme allows traditional farm buildings to retain their relevance to agricultural activities, helps to maintain aspects of our rural built heritage which are important to regional landscape character, and conveys rural ways-of-life and local history to visitors and locals alike. The scheme strongly encourages and supports farmers to carry out at least some of the repairs themselves. It also provides a means of employment in rural areas for local contractors and encourages local craftsmen to learn and apply best conservation practice."

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The Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme is open to farmers who have a GLAS contract with the Department of Agriculture, who are approved for participation in the GLAS scheme and are the owner of the building/other related structure for which funding is being sought or are acting with the permission of the owner. The grant will cover up to 75% of the cost of the works, with a minimum of €4,000 offered and the maximum amount €25,000. Around 50-70 projects are expected to be supported countrywide in 2020. 

The closing date for applications to the grant scheme is Tuesday 18 February 2020. 

Those interested in applying can find a form here.

(CM/JG)