Macroom to Benefit from Funding Through Historic Towns Initiative

• €2m in funding announced for 14 historic towns under Historic Towns Initiative – Macroom Castle Gate Lodge to get €200,000

The Heritage Council has announced 14 historic towns will share €2m in funding under the 2025 Historic Towns Initiative (HTI). The HTI is a joint initiative between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council. The €2m funding will promote heritage-led regeneration and support traditional building skills. 

This year’s scheme follows on from highly successful programmes from 2018 to 2024. The HTI welcomes proposals to conserve and re-use historic buildings, and this year’s awards will support residential, business, and community uses in towns across Ireland. 

Funding will be awarded to the relevant local authorities for ten conservation projects in:

• Tralee, Co Kerry; 

• Glenties, Co Donegal;

• Strokestown, Co Roscommon;

• Lismore, Co Waterford;

• Clones, Co Monaghan;

• Macroom, Co Cork;

• Castletownbere, Co Cork;

• Midleton, Co Cork;

• Ballina, Co Mayo;

• Ballymote, Co Sligo;

In addition, funding has been awarded to the relevant local authorities for 4 heritage-led regeneration plans. It is hoped that such plans will inform future applications for conservation funding in: 

Youghal; Co Cork: €50,000

Kilmainham, Dublin City: €36,600

Raphoe, Co Donegal: €50,000

Greystones, Co Wicklow: €50,000

Project details and awards 2025: 

Overall, County Cork will see the following projects completed:

Macroom, Co Cork: The proposed project involves essential conservation works to Macroom Castle Gate Lodge and the weatherproofing of the West Square elevation, which is currently in poor condition. €200,000

Castletownbere, Co Cork: The redevelopment of the former St. Peter’s Church into a vibrant community centre for Castletownbere is the aim of this project. This will enable conservation works to the roof, masonry, windows, bellcote as well as interior works including the  masonry/walls, floors, timberwork/joinery. €250,000

Midleton, Co Cork: This award will enable conservation works to be delivered on the roof cupola and windows. At roof level the cupola will be fully conserved with new leadwork and the clock, weathervane and bell will be fully restored. The existing upvc windows will be replaced with new timber windows. €332,000