The IWTN Interpretation & Events Grants Scheme 2025 is now open for applications, with a closing date of 19 March 2025.
Applications are invited from Irish Walled Towns Network members.
Eligible projects in 2025 will include:
- heritage themed festivals and events, including virtual, of high education value
- tour guide and town ambassador training
- interpretative actions (e.g., signage, tourist maps, inlay paving to mark line of walls, audio guides, murals, trails, art works (not memorials/monuments), virtual reality, apps, websites and other online interpretative tools e.g., StoryMap)
- interpretation plans
- feasibility studies
- innovative lighting and projections
- temporary and permanent exhibitions
- works to make heritage sites both accessible and safe (this includes the cost of gaining archaeological consent and other permissions).
- Conservation Training events – a maximum of €3,000 for conservation training on pre-1939 built heritage in your town. The course(s) may target homeowners, professionals or contractors. They may take the form of an individual lecture or a hands-on course taking place over several days. Examples of eligible training include: the conservation of cast and wrought iron railings, window repairs, repairing slate roofs, sensitively retrofitting protected structures for energy efficiency, lime pointing, managing biodiversity, and sensitively extending your protected structure. The scope of what training can be funded is very wide. For inspiration please check out: https://www.kings-foundation.org/heritage-craft-skills-all-Ireland
- Projects that promote social inclusion, the reaching of new audiences and collaboration between heritage and the arts are particularly
- Projects that promote awareness and/or conservation of biodiversity in towns, and projects that address the impacts of climate change are especially welcome.
- Projects involving two or more member towns are especially welcome.
Guidelines for applicants are available here.
As always, application is via the Heritage Council’s online grants system (Online Grants System | The Heritage Council )
Please note that a new Online Grants System was introduced in 2024. If you did not receive a grant from the Heritage Council in 2024 you will need to register before you can start your application. Instructions located here.