Kells included in €2m Historic Towns funding allocation

Kells is set to benefit from national funding aimed at protecting and revitalising historic town centres, as part of a €2 million allocation announced under the Historic Towns Initiative.

The town is among 18 locations selected to receive support under the 2026 scheme, which is delivered by the The Heritage Council in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Funding will be channelled through local authorities to support conservation-led projects, with a focus on restoring historic buildings and bringing them back into residential or commercial use.

Kells is included among ten towns nationwide selected for conservation projects, alongside locations such as Ballina, Fermoy and Sligo.

The initiative is designed to support heritage-led regeneration while also sustaining traditional building skills and creating employment in local areas.

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

“This funding will help protect the historical character of our towns while ensuring they remain vibrant places to live and work,” he said.

Chief Executive of the Heritage Council Virginia Teehan said the programme helps strengthen communities while preserving traditional skills.

“Heritage-led regeneration fosters pride of place and ensures our historic towns remain central to Ireland’s cultural and economic life,” she said.

The scheme has been running since 2018 and supports projects that focus on the re-use and conservation of historic buildings across towns and villages nationwide.