Community and voluntary groups and not-for-profit organisations in County Donegal are being encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest for the Heritage Council’s 2027 Community Heritage Grant Scheme.
The Heritage Council has introduced a new two-stage application process for 2027, with the first stage now open until Friday fortnight, October 16th.
The Heritage Council’s new application process gives community groups an opportunity to put forward their project idea before progressing to a full application. At this stage, detailed budgets, quotations and supporting documentation are not required.
Donegal County Council’s Heritage Officer Joseph Gallagher says the introduction of this Expression of Interest stage gives community groups an opportunity to develop and explore their project ideas before undertaking the more detailed work involved in preparing a full application.
He’s encouraging groups across the county with ideas for projects that protect, conserve, celebrate, understand or share our heritage to consider submitting an Expression of Interest before the 16 October deadline.
There are five themes for the 2027 scheme: Heritage at Risk, Biodiversity & Nature Restoration, Traditional Skills & Conservation, Digital Heritage, Access & Storytelling, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
100% grants of between €800 and €25,000 are available.
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Release in full –
05.10.26
Community Heritage Grant Scheme Opens
Community and voluntary groups and not-for-profit organisations in County Donegal are being encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Heritage Council’s 2027 Community Heritage Grant Scheme. The Heritage Council has introduced a new two-stage application process for 2027, with the first stage now open for Expressions of Interest. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. on Friday, 16 October 2026.
The new Expression of Interest stage gives community groups an opportunity to put forward their project idea before progressing to a full application. At this stage, applicants are asked to provide information about their proposed project, the heritage involved, the need for the project and the benefits it will provide. Detailed budgets, quotations and supporting documentation are not required at the Expression of Interest stage.
“The Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant Scheme is a very important source of funding for community groups and heritage organisations in County Donegal with 100% funding available to support heritage-led projects” explained Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer. “By introducing an Expression of Interest stage, The Heritage Council gives community groups an opportunity to develop and explore their project ideas before undertaking the more detailed work involved in preparing a full application. We would encourage groups across County Donegal with ideas for projects that protect, conserve, celebrate, understand or share our heritage to consider submitting an Expression of Interest before the 16 October deadline.”
The Community Heritage Grant Scheme supports community-led projects that promote appreciation, conservation and access to Ireland’s rich and diverse heritage. Projects can relate to places, collections, buildings, monuments, habitats, species and objects and can include conservation, biodiversity, digital heritage, traditional skills, access and interpretation projects. There are five themes for the 2027 scheme:
- Heritage at Risk
- Biodiversity & Nature Restoration
- Traditional Skills & Conservation
- Digital Heritage, Access & Storytelling
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Grants of between €800 and €25,000 are available.
The scheme has supported a wide range of community-led heritage projects in County Donegal. In 2026, the Heritage Council awarded €98,051 to five Donegal projects, including conservation repairs to the Church of St. Lugadius / Clonleigh Parish Church in Lifford (€25,000); the development of a digital archive and upgrading of its website by the Inishowen Traditional Music Project (€22,622); conservation works and access improvements at St. Naul’s Church and historic graveyard in Inver by the Inver Heritage Group (€21,666); the creation of a Brian Friel Digital Heritage Trail in Glenties by the Brian Friel Trust (€25,000); and a biodiversity monitoring and advice project on the Luinnigh coastal machair grassland site in Gaoth Dobhair by Machaire Beo (€3,763).
“These projects demonstrate the breadth of heritage work being undertaken by community groups across County Donegal,” said Joseph Gallagher. “From the conservation of historic buildings and graveyards to digital heritage, traditional music and biodiversity, local communities are playing an important role in protecting and sharing the heritage that makes our places distinctive.”
Projects selected to progress following the Expression of Interest stage will subsequently be invited to submit a full application. The deadline for invited applicants to submit a full application is 5 p.m. on Friday, 15 January 2027. Expressions of Interest must be submitted through the Heritage Council’s on-line grants system. Further information, including the scheme guidelines, Expression of Interest guidance and a webinar, is available on the Heritage Council website (www.heritagecouncil.ie).
Community groups interested in applying to the 2027 scheme can also seek advice from the County Donegal Heritage Office of Donegal County Council on (074) 916 3824 or by e-mail at heritage@donegalcoco.ie. Early consultation with the County Donegal Heritage Office is encouraged.
