From farmhouse to farm home
A new pilot scheme is offering grants to prepare vacant farmhouses for refurbishment, potentially making them suitable to become new homes.
The Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage is making grants of up to €7,500 available to owners of vacant farmhouses to cover the cost of having a conservation expert visit their property. The expert will conduct a survey and compile tailored conservation advice for the property owner.
The expert’s advice will include a report which outlines the condition of a building, while also suggesting conservation repairs and improvements which would improve the building and enhance its character, energy efficiency, integrity, and amenity.
Traditional farmhouses also known as ‘vernacular’ are considered to be a key part of Ireland’s rural landscape and shared heritage.
Sometimes described as ‘cottages’, these buildings generally comprise older houses constructed using traditional techniques and locally available materials such as thatch, stone, slate, earth, wattle, and timber. Later on, corrugated iron, despite its imported and industrial origin, was also used.
The new scheme will provide access to expert assistance for vernacular farmhouse owners considering availing of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, which provides funding under the Croí Cónaithe Fund for the refurbishment of vacant and derelict homes in both rural and urban areas or properties that have previously not been in residential use.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides a grant of up to €50,000 to renovate a vacant property. It can be used in conjunction with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grants to help improve the energy efficiency of a home provided works are eligible.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD said: “These traditional farmhouse buildings have the potential to become homes and this scheme can help make that happen.”
He added: “The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant has proved very popular with more than 1,500 applications received.
“We have recently announced an expanded grant for off shore islands. Traditional farmhouse buildings present unique challenges when it comes to refurbishment and this new pilot scheme will help remove some of these obstacles.”
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, said: “I welcome the launch of this new pilot scheme, not only because it will provide an additional source of support to help bring more vacant properties back into use, but because it will do so in a way that respects our national heritage by allowing owners to get the expert advice needed to breathe new life into these traditional buildings which form such a distinctive part of our rural landscape,” the TD added.
Those interested in availing of the scheme can apply through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage website gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage.