Mayo town to benefit from Historic Towns Initiative funding

There is positive news for Mayo as Ballina has been selected to receive funding under the 2026 Historic Towns Initiative (HTI), part of a €2 million national investment aimed at revitalising historic urban centres.

The funding, announced by The Heritage Council in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, will support conservation-led regeneration projects in 18 towns across Ireland. Ballina is one of 10 towns chosen for direct conservation project funding.

The allocation, understood to be in the region of €240,000 for Ballina, will be used to help bring vacant and underused historic buildings back into active use. The initiative aims to support private property owners, community groups, cultural organisations and Mayo County Council in tackling dereliction and vacancy within the town.

The Historic Towns Initiative focuses on the reuse of existing buildings, ensuring they remain structurally sound while contributing to local housing and business needs. It is also designed to create employment opportunities and sustain traditional building skills.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, said the scheme would have a tangible impact on participating towns.

“This funding will have a real benefit for the public realm of towns and villages, protecting their built heritage and historical character while ensuring they remain vibrant places to live and work,” he said.

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Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, added that the initiative plays a key role in keeping historic buildings at the centre of community life.

“It provides practical financial support to keep historic buildings in use, ensuring that they retain their position at the heart of community life,” he said. 

Chief Executive of The Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, highlighted the wider value of the programme.

“Heritage-led regeneration strengthens communities by fostering pride of place and sustaining traditional skills,” she said. “Through the Historic Towns Initiative, we are working closely with local authorities and communities to ensure our historic towns remain at the heart of Ireland’s cultural and economic life.”

For Ballina, the funding represents a significant boost as efforts continue locally to address vacancy and revitalise the town centre. By encouraging the reuse of historic properties, the initiative is expected to support both economic activity and community development in the north Mayo town.

The 2026 scheme builds on the success of previous years, with projects delivered since 2018 demonstrating the positive impact of targeted heritage investment in towns across the country.

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