The Heritage Office of Clare County Council is encouraging farmers to consider applying for an annual grants scheme for the conservation and repair of traditional farm buildings and related structures.
The Heritage Council, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is opening the annual 2019 GLAS (Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme) Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme to farmers approved in the GLAS 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. Grant amounts vary between €4,000 and €25,000. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine make 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 €25,000. 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 50-70 projects will be supported each year.
The closing date for receipt of applications (hard copy ONLY) is 5:00pm Tuesday 19th February 2019. Applications made by email or fax will NOT be accepted.
Forms and accompanying documentation such as photos, maps etc should be posted to:
Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme 2019
The Heritage Council
Church Lane
Kilkenny.