Historic and protected structures across County Cork are set to be safeguarded with new investment.

Three funding streams have been announced for for 2023: the Community Monuments Fund, the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund. 

Under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, project support will range from a minimum of €2,500 to a maximum of €15,000 per application. The scheme will support small-scale conservation projects and the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons in the repair of the historic built environment. 

The Historic Structures Fund will focus on the conservation and enhancement of historic structures and buildings for the benefit of communities. Stream 1 will offer grants from €15,000 up to €50,000 and is aimed at essential repairs and smaller capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of heritage structures. Stream 2 will offer a small number of grants from €50,000 up to €200,000 for larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures. The vernacular structures stream aims to support conservation repairs and small capital works to vernacular structures.

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The Community Monuments Fund will enable conservation works to be carried out on archaeological monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support. It aims to build resilience in monuments enabling them to withstand the effects of climate change, to encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation. The Scheme has three streams of funding, all of which offer up to 100% of eligible costs.

Cork County Council is inviting owners and custodians to apply for funding for any of the three schemes.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Danny Collins said: "Historic structures and monuments are an important reminder of our past. Our rich heritage is also important in attracting people from all corners of the world to our county. I would strongly encourage owners and custodians to apply these funding streams to improve and safeguard these important structures for future generations to learn from and enjoy."

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey added: "The County of Cork is steeped in built and archaeological heritage with close to 3,000 protected structures: over 50 Architectural Conservation Areas and over 19,000 recorded archaeological monuments. Each scheme has benefited the county's heritage significantly in the last number of years. The Community Monuments Fund, for example, which has been operating annually since its establishment in 2020, has seen an investment of approximately €480,000 for 10 different archaeological sites in County Cork."

The deadline for submission of completed applications is 4pm on Tuesday 31 January 2023.