Conservation Advice Scheme for Traditional Houses 2026

The National Built Heritage Service is inviting applications for Conservation Advice Scheme for Traditional Houses 2026.

The purpose of the Conservation Advice Scheme is to assist owners of traditional houses obtain expert conservation advice by funding up to 67% – to a maximum of €5,000 – of the cost of a specialist report. Traditional houses, given their age and methods of construction, often require specialist advice or intervention when planning and undertaking conservation works, energy efficiency upgrades or fire safety measures.

Having previously been limited to vacant traditional houses, the Conservation Advice Scheme has been expanded and revised to widen eligibility and uptake, including:

• Removing the restriction to vacant traditional houses and opening the scheme to owners of traditional houses which are already occupied;
• Funding fire safety reports where the traditional house is to be converted into multi-occupancy dwellings “above the shop”;
• Opening the scheme to owners of traditional houses availing of the SEAI’s Traditional Homes Pilot to help cover the cost of a pre-works risk assessment aimed at improving energy efficiency while maintaining historical integrity.

Traditional houses qualifying under the Conservation Advice Scheme are:

• Stream 1: Traditional houses in cities, towns and villages where the house is a protected structure and/or in an Architectural Conservation Area. Residential houses and buildings previously used for commercial purposes also qualify where the intended use is a single dwelling or multi-occupancy dwellings “above the shop”.
• Stream 2: Traditional farmhouses where the farmhouse is a protected structure and/or in an Architectural Conservation Area and/or a vernacular farmhouse which has no statutory protection.

By partially offsetting the cost of engaging expert conservation advice, the Conservation Advice Scheme helps owners avoid damage to their traditional houses, benefit from the services of appropriately qualified and skilled tradespeople, and ensure value for money in the completion of their projects.

The deadline for applications for the Conservation Advice Scheme for Traditional Houses to the National Built Heritage Service is 5pm on Friday 8th May 2026.

This is not a Dublin City Council initiative. All applications are to be directed directly to the National Built Heritage Service on the link provided.

Conservation Advice Scheme for Traditional Houses 2026 - Buildings of Ireland