Thatch Repair Grant
Scheme
15.03.23
DONEGAL County Council’s
Thatch Repair Grant Scheme 2023 has opened for applications.
Now in its fifth year, the scheme assists the owners and
occupiers of thatched dwellings and businesses with
their maintenance and repair.
This year’s grant scheme consists of two strands:
• Stream 1 will provide advice and funding for
small-scale thatch repairs up to €3,000
• Stream 2 will provide support for one large-scale
re-thatching project up to €15,000 where the historic
thatch building contributes to landscape character,
history, culture or tourism. |
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Rope-thatched cottage in
Ballykeeny, Inishowen was one of the properties that
benefited under the Thatch Repair Grant Scheme. The
scheme allows for small scale thatch repairs as
evidenced by the ‘patch’ repairs shown here. |
The Thatch Repair Grant
Scheme is open for applications at
www.donegalcoco.ie until 12 noon on Friday, April
21.
Joseph Gallagher, Heritage Officer, explains: “The
impact of Donegal County Council’s Thatch Repair Grant
Scheme over the past four years has been considerable
supporting 78 thatch repair projects throughout the
county.
“Despite the success of the scheme, the rate of loss of
historic thatch in County Donegal continues. Within the
past year, three historic thatched roofs have been
replaced with slate on traditional buildings in
Ballyshannon, ,Glencolmcille and Lettermacaward without
prior consent.
"Homeowners are reminded that permission is required
from Donegal County Council to replace an historic
thatched roof as it constitutes a material alteration to
the structure. Challenges to be addressed also include
the limited number of thatchers, especially rope
thatchers, in the county and the lack of availability of
thatching materials which threaten the future of these
iconic buildings.”
Applications forms for the Thatch Repair Grant Scheme
are available online from at
www.donegalcoco.ie or by contacting Joseph Gallagher
or Collette Beattie on 074 91 53900 or by email at
thatch@donegalcoco.ie . |
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