Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has announced the opening of the 2026 Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme, backed by €750,000 in funding. The scheme is delivered through a partnership between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Heritage Council, and is aimed at helping farmers restore and protect traditional farm buildings that form an important part of Ireland’s rural and agricultural heritage. The funding will support continued efforts to preserve historic farm structures while keeping them in meaningful use within working farms.
Minister Heydon said the scheme will help safeguard traditional farm buildings that might otherwise fall into disrepair, while also protecting Ireland’s vernacular history for future generations. He highlighted that the initiative has already supported the restoration of more than 1,000 buildings, along with historic yard surfaces, gates, and gate pillars. According to the minister, these restoration projects represent a long-term investment in both agricultural heritage and the strength of rural communities across the country.
The Heritage Council also emphasized the long-standing importance of the programme. Since its launch in 2008, the scheme has played a key role in conserving traditional farm buildings and supporting farmers in bringing these structures back into sustainable and practical use. The council noted that the initiative has become well established within farming communities and has made a significant contribution to preserving rural landscapes while ensuring that traditional buildings continue to serve working farms and local areas.
The scheme has also received major recognition at the European level. Its success was acknowledged in 2024 when it won two Europa Nostra awards, including recognition in the Education, Training and Skills category as well as the Grand Prix. This international recognition highlights the scheme’s value not only as a conservation programme, but also as a model for protecting agricultural heritage through farmer-led restoration and reuse.
In addition to preserving buildings of heritage value, the grant scheme supports the conservation of traditional farm structures such as historic yard surfaces, gates, and gate pillars that contribute to Ireland’s rural character. Many of these older structures also provide important habitats, including roosting sites for bats and nesting areas for birds, meaning the scheme also delivers environmental and biodiversity benefits alongside heritage preservation.
The 2026 Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme remains subject to State Aid notification, and updated funding procedures mean that a list of successful applicants will be published in line with State Aid requirements. Applications must be submitted online through the Heritage Council, and an information webinar will be held on 17 April 2026 to guide applicants through the process. The closing date for online applications is 18 May 2026, with full terms, conditions, and application details available through the Heritage Council.
