The All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme has opened for applications for the third year of the programme.

Developed by The King’s Foundation in partnership with the Heritage Council and Northern Ireland’s Department for Communities, this programme will welcome seven aspiring craftspeople with an interest in heritage skills, who will work on historic buildings and sites throughout the island of Ireland.

The course will begin in July 2024 and has been specifically developed to meet the demand for upskilling in heritage building skills in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to spend 12 months engaging in collaborative learning experiences while honing their heritage craft skills and gaining invaluable experience working on historic sites.

Hugh Kavanagh, All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme Manager at The King’s Foundation said:

“We are delighted to be able to partner once again with the Department for Communities and the Heritage Council on this unique project. It has been so inspirational to see how the bursary recipients develop their knowledge of heritage skills throughout the programme, but also to see how the programme itself is continuing to build on its success in previous years. It’s a unique partnership that is making a real difference.”

The course will help preserve skills that are at risk of being lost such as traditional carpentry, lime work, thatching, blacksmithing and stonemasonry. To ensure it is accessible to all, successful applicants will receive a full scholarship and will be provided with a monthly bursary to help cover the cost of travel and accommodation.

Applications for The All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme are open now and will close at 5pm on Monday 22 April 2024. To apply, or to find out more, click here.