Cork County Council is urging owners and custodians of historic and protected structures in County Cork to apply for funding to repair and preserve their properties.

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) for 2025 has been announced by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD.

This year, successful applicants can receive increased grants of up to €50,000 for the repair and conservation of their historic properties.

Eligible properties include protected structures, proposed protected structures and buildings within Architectural Conservation Areas. The scheme also provides funding for vernacular structures—those with unique local and regional character—and historic shopfronts.

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In previous years, it has supported a wide range of projects, including churches, thatched houses, country houses, townhouses and school buildings.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll said: "Safeguarding and promoting our Heritage is crucial. I welcome this announcement and encourage people to avail of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme in order to conserve older buildings, many of which we reside in, work in and study in. This scheme serves to safeguard cherished historic structures, ensuring that they can be appreciated for many more years ahead."

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell added: "County Cork has close to 3,000 protected structures and has 52 Architectural Conservation Areas. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme has benefited the County’s heritage significantly in the last number of years. In 2023 and 2024, 33 historic properties in the county of Cork have benefited from an investment of over €330,000 under the scheme."

The application deadline is Friday 27 September 2024 at 4.00 pm.