Covid Recovery funding boosts renewal projects across Northern Ireland

Additional funding from the Department of Communities’ Historic Environment Division has allowed the AHF to support a wide range of valuable community and heritage-led regeneration projects across Northern Ireland, aiding the Covid recovery and renewal phase.

Led by a diverse group of charities and social enterprises, as well as traditional building preservation trusts, the projects all seek to tackle real community needs and are set to help with the short and long-term revival of our villages, towns and cities.

16 grants were awarded between January and March for project viability and development grants, as well as a small number of capital works grants, getting projects like North Belfast Working Men’s Club off the ground.

Built in the late 19th century to provide amenity space for artisans working in the mills and factories in this highly industrialised part of the city, the Club was the first of its kind in the north of Ireland.  The listed red brick gothic building is based in what is now regarded as one of the most divided and deprived wards in Northern Ireland.

In this case, the grants awarded are helping to establish the building’s condition, cover architects’ fees and contribute towards urgent roof repairs. Local community demand for the building by a wide range of users is well established, and these works can help ensure that it plays a central role again as a place of learning and leisure.

The funding, together with advice from the NI Support Officer, is also helping the following projects at the various stages of their journeys:

Project Viability Grants

Rural Action, Cookstown

Parkanaur College, Dungannon

Strangford Castle

The Town Hall and Parish Hall, Ederney 

Project Development Grants

North Belfast Working Men’s Club

St Joseph’s Church, Sailortown 

Riddel’s Warehouse Belfast

St. John’s Church, Hilltown 

Navigation House, Lisburn

Capital Works Grants - 

Covid Recovery funding period only

The Woolstore, Caledon

Chandler’s House, Rathfriland 

North Belfast Working Men’s Club

Riddel’s Warehouse, Belfast

St Joseph’s Church, Sailortown