If you are planning a project, do email the heritage officer or call 057 9346839 to discuss the options available.
Heritage Projects
Heritage Council Grants
The Heritage Council had a wide range of programmes to assist with projects. Budget restrictions apply and it is not known yet if grants for 2013 will be available.
Offaly Local Development Company
Offaly Local Development Company are inviting applications for 'conservation and upgrading the rural heritage'. For further information contact 057 9322850 or email admin@offalyldc.ie
Conservation of Buildings
Offaly County Council - Note as of February 2011 the Dept EHLG has 'paused' this scheme
The Conservation Grant Scheme is operated by Offaly County Council on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It is provided to assist owners and occupiers to carry out conservation works or repairs on protected structures. The scheme is part of a package of measures introduced by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to strengthen the protection of the architectural heritage.
Under the scheme, a wide range of conservation works will qualify for grants, generally amounting to 50% of the cost of the works up to a maximum of 13,000 euros and in special circumstances up to 75% and 25,000 euros. Works consisting of routine maintenance will not qualify.
In general the scheme is advertised by Offaly County Council in local papers in January each year. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 4th February 2011at 4.00pm. Applications must be submitted in hard copy only. Procedure with the scheme in 2011 is subject to Departmental grant allocation.
Works must be completed within the same year as the application is made. Details of the scheme and application forms can be obtained from the Planning Section, Offaly County Council, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Download 2011 Application form. Download Explanation Memorandum.
Department of Environment Heritage And Local Government
Thatch
A grant of two thirds of the approved cost, up to a maximum of €3,810 is available for owner occupied houses. Contact the Housing Grants Section, DOEHLG, Government Buildings, Ballina, Co. Mayo. Tel: 096 24200 or Locall 1890 305030 - HA2T Memorandum and the HA1/90 Application Form. or see www.environ.ie
Living under Thatch by Barry O'Reilly, 2004, Mercier Press, provides a profile of thatched properties in Offaly and practical advice on how to take care of them. Available from Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society info@offalyhistory.com or through www.mercierpress.ie
Refer to the National Inventory of Ireland website for detailed information regarding Thatch in Ireland - including a recently published report, a list of insurance companies, sourcing thatch materials and contact details for thatchers in Ireland www.buildingsofireland.ie
Section 482, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997
Section 482 provides tax relief to the owner/occupier of an approved building (including surrounding garden), or an approved garden existing independently in respect of expenditure incurred on the repair, maintenance or restoration of the approved building or garden. However certain conditions relating to public access apply. For more details and a list of Section 482 properties in Offaly see list.
Irish Georgian Society
The Irish Georgian Society have a grant scheme - for details email info@igs.ie