An annual grants scheme for the conservation and repair of traditional farm buildings and related structures.
Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme
The Heritage Council, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, manages the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme. The principal objective of this scheme is to ensure that traditional farm buildings and other related structures that contribute to the character of the landscape and are of significant heritage value, are conserved for active agricultural use.
The 2023 grant scheme closed for applications on 24th April 2023. Applications are currently being assessed and decisions will issue on applications by the end of May 2023.
Who was eligible to apply for this scheme in 2023?
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have confirmed in 2023 participants in the following Department schemes were eligible to apply for this grant scheme:
- Active agri-environment scheme participants including ACRES. Note: Active ACRES and REAP participants only
- Participants in EIP Calls 1, 2 and 3, Hen Harrier and Pearl Mussel projects and The Burren Project who were an active participant as of 31st December 2022 or had completed the full term of the contract for the relevant EIP or have completed a five-year project as appropriate.
- Approved participants of the Organic Farming scheme
The Grant Amount
In 2023 grant amounts will vary between €4,000 and €30,000. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine makes all grant payments on this scheme following certification by the Heritage Council. A grant award will not be for more than 75% of the cost of the works with a maximum available grant of €30,000. Please note some grants will be for less than 75% of the cost of the approved works.
What works are funded under this scheme
The grant is available for the conservation of traditional farm outbuildings, including roof, walls, structural repairs, windows and doors. The grant is also available for other related farm structures including historic yard surfaces, walls, gate pillars and gates.
The key conservation principle of minimum intervention applies, that is, carrying out a repair to fix what is wrong but not setting out to do too much work. Works which are, in the opinion of the Heritage Council, restoration works, are very unlikely to be supported with grant aid. The process is highly competitive and it is expected that 70-80 projects will be supported this year.
Sourcing A Conservation Consultant
Below is an advice note on sourcing a conservation consultant:
Wildlife Panel
If you need to carry out a bat/bird survey below are details of the wildlife panel:
Please click on the RESOURCES tab above where you will find short films and presentations on different projects supported under the scheme over the years.
Scheme Documentation
The scheme documentation for 2023 is still available below for reference- the information booklet and sample application.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recently commissioned an evaluation of the scheme. You can read this report below.
Outbuilding, Co. Clare
The conservation of these two single-single outbuildings was supported in 2021.
Read MoreOne of the outbuildings originally served as the two western rooms to the original farmhouse built in the mid to late 1800’s and are all that survives of it. This structure has been in agricultural use since the 1950’s and serves as the henhouse. Works to roof, stonework, doors and windows were carried out to it and the adjoining calf house.
Conservation Consultant: Helen Devitt Architects Moy Castle Moy Lahinch Co Clare
Contractor: Family Own Labour
Wildlife Expert: Minogue & Associates Environmental Consulting Ltd Tuamgraney, Co Clare
To view images click on first image below and press arrow on the side to scroll through
Wall & Footbridge, Co. Mayo
A grant was awarded in 2016 for the repair of a boundary wall and stone footbridge as well as repairs to ironwork.
Read MoreThe house, outbuildings and yard are shown on the 1837 Ordnance Survey map with the house dating to the late 18th century. The house has an interesting history with a strong connection to the local area and the entirety sit comfortably in the landscape. The coach house was previously repaired with the assistance of a grant under the REPS4 traditional farm buildings grant scheme and the wildlife survey carried out on the walls and footbridge discovered that Natterer’s bats were in the coach house which had not been recorded here previously. It is considered to provide an ideal roost site for this protected species.
Conservation Consultant: Gerry McManus Architect, Rockmount, Claregalway, Co Galway. Contractor: Family Own Labour Wildlife expert: Caroline Shiel, Edenville, Kinlough, Co Leitrim.
Former Cattle House, Co. Cork
This former cattle house on a small holding in Co. Cork has stone walls and a timber truss roof with slate finish. The slate roof was seriously defective and render was patchy and poor with some consolidation of stonework required. A grant was awarded in 2009 for the repair of the building.
Read MoreConservation Consultant: Gareth O’Callaghan of Jack Coughlan Associates Conservation Consultants, Cork. Contractor: Donal Crowley, Drimoleague, Co. Cork. Wildlife Expert: Conor Kelleher of Aardwolf Wildlife Surveys, Macroom, Co Cork.
To view images click on first image below and press arrow on the side to scroll through
Linhay Building - Co. Tipperary
Works grant aided included the repair of the original linhay roof; repair of wall heads and walls generally, the replacement of lintels and the rebuilding of the later end bay.
Read MoreThis linhay building in County Tipperary is an interesting and architecturally significant building and was the recipient of a grant in 2010. A linhay (pronounced ‘linney’) comprises an open gallery at first floor level for the storage of fodder with enclosed livestock pens at ground level. These linhay buildings are medieval in origin and are found across southern England and also in Normandy from where they may have originated. The significance of this example lies therefore in the building type being rare for Ireland and secondly the Tipperary example displays an elegant formal design coupled with particularly fine levels of construction work. Works grant aided included the repair of the original linhay roof; repair of wall heads and walls generally, the replacement of lintels and the rebuilding of the later end bay.
Conservation Consultant: Stephen Fallon of Fallon Architects, Cashel, Co Tipperary.
Contractor: Dick McCormack, Kilross, Co Tipperary.
To view images click on first image below and press arrow on the side to scroll through
Farm Buildings, Co Kildare
These farm buildings are located on a hillside and form part of a complex of historical, architectural and archaeological interest. Works grant-aided included roof repairs to the barn, carthouse and byre alongside localised stonework and joinery repairs.
Read More A 15th century tower house is attached to the
farmhouse which is surrounded by later 19th century farm outbuildings of very
good quality stonework with slate roofs. Works grant-aided in 2011 included roof
repairs to the barn, carthouse and byre alongside localised stonework and
joinery repairs. An original lock box to the door of the byre is likely to date
from the 1780s which may date the farm complex earlier than the 19th century
date previously thought.
Conservation Consultant: Laura
Bowen, Kilcullen, Co Kildare.
Contractor: Paddy
O’Connor, Calverstown, Co. Kildare.
Blacksmith: John
Forkin, Athy, Co. Kildare.
Wildlife Expert: Scott
Cawley, Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2.
To view images click on first image below and press arrow on the side to scroll through
Stone-Slated Roof Barn, Co. Donegal
A grant was awarded in for the repair of the original stone slate roofs to the roadside barn and minor repairs to wall and stabilisation works to the front wall of the barn within the farmyard.
Read MoreThese barns on a small holding in Co. Donegal, whilst modest are representative of the special character of the buildings in this northern area of the county. Both barns were originally roofed with Roshine stone slate as evidenced by very heavy purlins throughout both buildings. The roadside barn is still partially roofed with Roshine stone slates which are fixed with pegs and bedded in mortar. This type of roof is specific to north Donegal between Dunfanaghy and Gortahork. A grant was awarded in 2011 for the repair of the original stone slate roofs to the roadside barn and minor repairs to wall, while the front wall of the barn within the farmyard was stabilised.
Conservation Consultant: Duncan McLaren, Dedalus Architecture, Moville, Co. Donegal.
Contractor: Patrick Harkin, Gortahork, Co Donegal.
Wildlife Expert: Caroline Shiel, Kinlough, Co. Leitrim.
To view images click on first image below and press arrow on the side to scroll through
Outbuilding Co. Laois
A grant was awarded in 2011 for the repair of the original slate roof along with repairs and reinstatement of external joinery to weatherproof the building.
Read MoreA mid 19th century County Laois single-storey outbuilding forming an L-shaped block. The roof is a rare example of an ‘open’ slate roof where adjacent slates are placed with a gap between them. It is a more economical method using fewer slates and was primarily used for outbuildings. This roofing pattern is now extremely rare and generally only found on outbuildings in the midlands and south east. A grant was awarded in 2011 for the repair of the original slate roof along with repairs and reinstatement of external joinery to weatherproof the building.
Conservation Consultant: Fintan
Dunne Architect, Durrow, Co Laois in consultation with Cathal O’Neill
Architects, Pembroke Road, Dublin 4.
Contractor: Family
Own Labour.
Wildlife Expert: Conor
Kelleher of Aardwolf Wildlife Surveys, Macroom, Co Cork.
To view images click on first image below and press arrow on the side to scroll through
C18th Farm Building, Co. Louth
A grant was awarded in 2012 for the partial repair of the slate roof, along with localised repairs to stonework and external joinery.
Read MoreAccording to the owner, this outbuilding
dates from c.1700. It predates the main farmhouse and features on the 1837
Ordnance Survey map. It appears to have formed part of a cluster of buildings
further to the west of the farmhouse. The structure appears to have been
truncated from its original length with a mass concrete gable bookend but still
retains much of its original character. It is constructed of masonry walls with
a limewash finish and a slated timber roof. It features prominent masonry piers
and a bell tower feature which was used to call farm workers to their meals.
A grant was awarded in 2012 for the partial repair of the slate roof, along
with localised repairs to stonework and external joinery.
Conservation Consultant: Fergal
McGirl, North Great Georges Street, D. 1.
Contractor: M.J.
Duffy & Sons Ltd, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth.
Wildlife Expert: Tina
Aughney of Bat Eco Services, Virginia, Co Cavan.
To view images click on first image below and press arrow on the side to scroll through
C19th Farm Building, Co. Kerry
This outbuilding is part of an historic farmhouse grouping dating back to c.1875 situated in the Iveragh Gaeltacht, close to Waterville and the Ring of Kerry.
Read MoreThis building and its associated range and farmhouse, is a typical and an all too rare example of a south Kerry Farm dating from the late 19th Century.
The entire original grouping of buildings has been exceptionally well maintained over the intervening period. The building still retains its original character, including the original accommodation of two Cow Houses, a Stable and a Pig House, with timber floored lofts at either end of the range, including the original stone access stairs. The farm building is constructed in local sandstone with a timber structured and Valentia slated roof. A grant was awarded in 2012 for the repair of the original Valentia slate roof, along with localised stonework and lintel repairs.
Conservation Consultant: Rod
Robinson, Waterville, Co Kerry.
Contractor: Neil
O’Shea, Waterville, Co. Kerry; Patrick O’Neill, Cahirciveen, Co Kerry; Michael
King Construction, Killarney, Co Kerry & John Fitzgerald, Cahirciveen, Co
Kerry.
Wildlife Expert: Gerard
Tobin, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.
To view images click on first image below and press arrow on the side to scroll through
C18th Farm Building, Co. Tipperary
This substantial estate farm building dates to the 1720s. As well as farming there was a brewery and distillery on the site.
Read MoreThe linear building is originally thought to have been the same height but at some point in its history that section to the right of the archway was raised.
Works grant aided in 2013 included localised roof repairs, repairs to masonry, repair and renewal of external doors and shutters, the renewal of decayed lintels and addition of structural ties.
Conservation Consultant: Paula M. Murphy, Horse & Jockey, Co Tipperary.
Contractor: Michael Lillis, Cloughjordan Co Tipperary & Richard McCormack, Kilross, Co Tipperary &Michael Cahill, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary
Blacksmith: Ken Cavanagh, Modreeny, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary.
Wildlife Expert: Gerard
Tobin, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.
To view images click on first image below and press arrow on the side to scroll through
Articles from Agriland featuring projects grant aided
David and Violet Satchwell, Galway
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/barn-owl-bonus-for-galway-family-on-outbuilding-conservation-drive/
Mark Clune, Clare
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/glas-funding-sees-clare-farmyards-character-restored/
June Bourke, Mayo
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/mayo-woman-develops-wool-business-off-the-back-of-her-sheep/
Patrick Frankel, Cork
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/cork-organic-farmer-on-slow-farming-and-a-strong-market/
Tom Pollard, Tipperary
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/from-glamping-to-stone-work-smallholders-mix-it-up/
Sourcing a Conservation Consultant
Below is an advice note on sourcing a conservation consultant:
Wildlife Panel
If you need to carry out a bat/bird survey below are details of the wildlife panel: