Cork County Council has welcomed the announcement by The Heritage Council, alongside Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government James Browne TD and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD, that three historic towns in the county will receive a combined €875,000 under the 2026 Historic Towns Initiative (HTI).

In Mallow, €325,000 has been allocated to Mallow Castle to restore the remaining external windows of Mallow Castle House, completing the building’s external restoration and conservation.

In Fermoy, No. 26 McCurtain Street will receive €350,000 to restore the building’s external façade and roof, reinstating its historic character and enhancing the streetscape within the Fermoy Architectural Conservation Area (ACA).

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In Kinsale, Kinsale Market House (home to Kinsale Museum) has been awarded €200,000 for essential conservation works addressing serious structural cracks and the building’s visual condition, including broken brickwork, rotting windows, water-stained walls and overgrown façades. This funding will supplement support already secured through the Historic Structures Fund 2025.

"These three buildings are part of the rich history of Mallow, Fermoy and Kinsale, and the works being undertaken are a wonderful example of heritage-led regeneration that improve towns and villages across the County. I look forward to seeing the completed projects in the future," said the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley.

The Council said the grants represent a significant investment in safeguarding built heritage and the historic character of the towns, acting as a catalyst for heritage-led regeneration. HTI funding will cover 80% of project costs, with Cork County Council providing the 20% match funding balance.