Mayo among areas selected under Historic Towns Initiative 2026

EIGHTEEN historic towns across Ireland will share €2 million funding under the 2026 Historic Towns Initiative (HTI), a joint initiative between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.

Funding will be awarded to relevant local authorities for 10 conservation projects, including in Ballina.

The Ballina funding of €240,000 will continue to assist private owners and/or occupiers, Mayo County Council, cultural institutions and community groups to bring and keep existing, vacant or underused floor areas in historic buildings in use and address dereliction and vacancy.

Overall, the awards will support residential and business re-use in towns across Ireland by keeping historic buildings in good conservation condition.

Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government, James Browne, emphasised the value of the scheme to local areas: “This funding will have a tangible benefit on the public realm of towns and villages, protecting their built heritage and historical character. The towns and villages awarded funding are thriving places to live and work and this funding does an important job in making sure they continue to be, protecting our older buildings as these towns develop.”

Chief executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan commented: “Heritage-led regeneration strengthens communities by fostering pride of place and sustaining traditional skills. Through the Historic Towns Initiative, we are working closely with local authorities and communities to ensure our historic towns remain at the heart of Ireland’s cultural and economic life.”