West Cork heritage sites get €360k funding for restoration works

Over €360,000 in funding is being made available for the restoration of three West Cork heritage sites under the Historic Structures Fund for 2026.

St Patrick’s Cathedral in Skibbereen, the Church of the Ascension in Timoleague, and the Municipal District Office in Kinsale have received funding under the scheme, which aims to invest in the preservation of Ireland’s built heritage by providing capital funding for the maintenance and repair of historic structures.

The Municipal Hall in Kinsale will receive €130,000 and St Patrick’s Cathedral will also benefit from €130,000. A total of €106,767 has been allocated for the Church of the Ascension.

Minister for nature, heritage and biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said West Cork’s built heritage is the architectural jewel in our towns and villages.

Magnificent buildings

“It is an absolute pleasure working with and watching the community groups in Kinsale, Skibbereen, and Timoleague working tirelessly to protect these magnificent buildings for the public good,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“This grant can make the difference between a cherished heritage building falling into disrepair or being restored and valued as part of a thriving streetscape.

Mr O’Sullivan added: “I know this funding will have a huge impact around the country and I look forward to seeing the results for myself over the coming months and years.”

“Communities across the country know the value of our built heritage, and many of them dedicate their time, passion, and expertise to ensuring their protection. I’m proud as minister for heritage to be able to support their work through schemes like the Historic Structures Fund.”

Objectives

Among the other main objectives of the Historic Structures Fund include to enable larger scale conservation works to be carried out on heritage structures which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support.

Also the fund aims to encourage the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and to help to secure the preservation of protected structures and/or culturally significant assets.

The fund also supports the investment of private capital in labour intensive projects to conserve historic structures in public and private ownership for community use.