Funding for Conservation

Two conservation funding schemes are currently inviting applications:

Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2023

This grant scheme, administered by Dublin City Council Conservation Office, provided funding from €2,500 up to a maximum of €15,000 for small-scale conservation projects of Protected Structures and buildings with Architectural Conseration Areas, and the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons in the repair of the historic built environment.

Funding for works of routine maintenance and minor repairs are available under the BHIS scheme. The maximum award for such projects will be €2,500.

Historic Structures Fund 2023

This funding, also administered by Dublin City Council Conservation Office, supports more substantial works on historic or heritage structures. The funding is comprises of two streams: Stream 1 for with supports offered ranging from €15,000 to €50,000 (this also includes an allowance for projects incvoling historic or heriatge shopfronts), and Stream 2 with supports form €50,000 to €200,000.

The closing date for applications to either scheme is Friday, 13th January 2023. For more details and advice on how to apply and what types of projects might be supported by the scheme visit www.dublincity.ie.

And coming shortly…

Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2023

Administered by the Heritage Council, the Community Heritage Grant Scheme will be advertised in January 2023 for community/voluntary and not-for-profit organisations to apply for funding for local heritage projects. Further details will be available in the New Year via www.heritagecouncil.ie.

Caring for Heritage in Dublin 8

The commercial streets of The Liberties are among the city’s most historic. In addition to the many protected structures found in the area, particularly along Thomas Street, the area between Thomas Street and The Coombe is designated an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA).

Owning a protected structure places significant responsibilities on the owner. Protected Structures (sometimes refered to as ‘listed buildings’) are statutorily protected and require care and consideration of their historic fabric and generally require planning permission, or the agreement of the Planning Authority/ Conservation Office, before proceeding with any works that would materially affect their character or fabric.

An ACA places additional restrictions on the types of work that might be considered to buildings within the designated area, whether to not they are protected structure, in order to protect the overall character and heritage of that area.

So for example, the type of signage that can be used is restricted in the ACA – signage at upper floor level, signs projecting from the shopfront, and feature like lightboxes or plastic fascia fronts are not permitted. There is a preference for shopfronts that adhere to the architectural style of the building and which use traditional materials such as timber. And recent years have seen a return to traditional styles of fascia signage such as individual letters or signwriting. There are also restrictions on the use of sandwich boards on the street, and fixtures, such as canopies and umbrellas, with advertisements.

Historic fabric, whether its traditional windows and joinery, well maintained brickwork, gutters and ironmongery in good repair and features of note, contributes to our perception of place and the sense of quality of our streets.