Grants of €50,000–€200,000 are available for larger conservation projects under Galway City Council's 2027 Historic Structures Fund (HSF), with applications due by 4pm on Friday 27 November 2026.

The HSF invites bids for works to qualifying heritage structures. Guidance and the application form can be downloaded from the Council's website. Incomplete submissions will not be accepted after the deadline.

Eligible structures include: buildings on the Galway City Record of Protected Structures (RPS); structures proposed or eligible for inclusion on the RPS that meet the Local Authority's special interest criteria (architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical); and, in exceptional circumstances, structures or works within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) or within the amenity of a National Monument. Applicants should consult the HSF 2027 Circular for a list of ineligible works.

Administered by the Architectural Conservation Section of Galway City Council on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the HSF sits alongside the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS), which supports smaller-scale works. You may apply to both schemes for the same structure, but funding will only be awarded from one scheme in any calendar year.

The fund's aims are to support significant, larger-scale conservation works in need of urgent assistance; stimulate the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties; leverage private investment in labour-intensive conservation for community benefit in both public and private ownership; sustain employment in conservation and construction; and enhance the resilience of heritage assets to climate change.

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Who can apply: private owners or custodians of eligible structures; and the Local Authority for works to eligible structures in public ownership where a clear heritage focus and public or community benefit is demonstrated.

Available funding: grants typically range from €50,000 to €200,000, with exceptional awards possible above €200,000. Up to 50% of eligible costs can be sought, rising in exceptional cases to a maximum of 80%.

Timeframe: provisional funding notifications are expected in early 2027. Works must be completed by 16 October 2027, though grants may be phased over two years on request.

Applications must include a clear scope and method statement aligned with recognised conservation principles. Applicants should emphasise: research and analysis of the building and its condition; guidance and oversight by a suitably qualified conservation professional or skilled craftsperson; safeguarding the structure's special interest (tangible and intangible) across artistic, archaeological, architectural, cultural, historical, social, scientific and technical values; minimum intervention; respect for earlier alterations that contribute to significance; repair over replacement; honesty and legibility of new work; use of compatible, proven materials and methods, with caution around untested modern products; reversibility where feasible; awareness of cumulative incremental damage; and avoidance of architectural salvage unless new supply is unavailable, provenance is verified and materials were lawfully obtained.

All works must meet statutory requirements, including planning permission where needed. For sites or monuments protected under the National Monuments Acts 1930–2004, notification and/or Ministerial consent obligations must be observed.

How to submit: completed applications must be received by 4pm on Friday 27 November 2026 via [email protected] or delivered to the Planning Helpdesk, Galway City Council, College Road, H91 X4K8.

For advice, clarification or to confirm whether a structure is Protected, proposed Protected, or within an ACA, contact Michael Scott, Executive Architectural Conservation Officer, at [email protected] or 091 536400.

Documents available to download: HSF 2027 Appendix I – Application Form A; HSF 2027 Guidance Booklet for Applicants; and the HSF 2027 Circular.