Northern Ireland

Since 1994 we have awarded over £290m of National Lottery and other funding to almost 2,000 projects in Northern Ireland.

From Belfast’s rich industrial and maritime heritage, to luscious landscapes and parks, to museums bursting with the stories of local people, Northern Ireland has it all.

We’re proud to play a role in protecting and celebrating Northern Ireland’s vibrant places, coastal landscapes, historic sites and diverse heritage. It’s part of our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.

Get inspiration for your project

Take a look below at project case studies and latest news from your area.

Our National Lottery Heritage Grants funding programme is open – if you have an idea for a project in Northern Ireland, we would love to hear from you. Grants are available from £10,000 up to £10m.

Find out more and explore available funding.

Watch our video to help you apply for a £10,000–£250,000 grant

Our regular funding advice sessions are a great opportunity to:

find out about our funding
get tips on how to make a good application
network with other organisations from your area

Book onto an upcoming UK-wide session

Upcoming events led by the Northern Ireland team

You can also meet our team at one the following events (see event web page for further information and to book):

Thinking about applying to us for a grant of up to £250,000? Submit a Project Enquiry to get feedback on your project idea before making a full application. We'll get back to you within 10 working days.

Submit a Project Enquiry

Follow us on Facebook: @HeritageFundNI

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We work flexibly and conduct some of our day-to-day business from home.

Please send all items electronically via northernireland@heritagefund.org.uk and not by post.

Contact details

Email: northernireland@heritagefund.org.uk

Telephone: 028 9592 1901 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am–5.00pm)

Postal address:

Arthur House
41 Arthur Street
Belfast, BT1 4GB

View from Knockchree hill as the sun rises over woodland towards the Irish Sea

The heritage project at Mourne Park will double the amount of pathways, creating an additional 6km of walking trails that will access the viewpoint at Knockchree. Credit: Jill Jennings/ WTML.

Projects

Mourne Park: boosting access to natural heritage

06/02/2025

The Woodland Trust has received £2.5million towards a five year project to enhance the natural heritage of the ancient woodland at Mourne Park and expand public access and engagement.

05/09/2023

Leaders of the project pose for a group photo

From left to right: Scott Cuthbertson, Director of The Rainbow Project, Mukesh Sharma, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Northern Ireland NI Committee Chair, Cara McCann, Director of HERe NI and Adam Murray, Community Development Manager at Cara-Friend.

Projects

Creating Northern Ireland’s LGBTQ+ heritage archive

A collaborative effort will record and share Northern Ireland’s modern LGBTQ+ history.

06/09/2022

Publications

Northern Ireland: delegated decisions December 2024

Schedule of decisions under delegated powers for Northern Ireland at The National Lottery Heritage Fund on 16 December 2024.

The art deco facade of the Strand Arts Centre with cinema lettering reading 'Closed for refurbishment. We'll be back"

Projects

Strand Sequel: Redeveloping the Last Picture House

14/01/2025

Nearly 90 years after first opening during the golden age of cinema, work is now underway to redevelop the Strand Arts Centre, Northern Ireland’s last remaining art deco picture house on east Belfast’s Holywood Road.

08/03/2022

Publications

Northern Ireland: committee decisions December 2024

Schedule of decisions for The National Lottery Heritage Fund committee for Northern Ireland meeting on 4 December 2024.

A person at an archaeological dig site holds up a piece of stone which has been excavated

DigVentures will engage 4,000 participants to help map archaeological sites and ecological habits in the third phase of its Heritage Innovation Fund project.

News

Heritage organisations to share innovative solutions to workforce challenges

The third phase of our Heritage Innovation Fund is supporting projects across the UK to roll out creative new ways of working.

05/12/2024

the exterior of a large stone church on a street

Townsend Street Church in Belfast.

Projects

Ulster Orchestra transforming Townsend Street Church into music and heritage centre

A landmark church, former school and memorial hall in Belfast will be restored and become the Ulster Orchestra’s new permanent home.

07/03/2024

Wildflowers by the sand dunes on the north coast of Northern Ireland

The Umbra is a wildlife-rich nature reserve in the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Photo: Binevenagh and Coastal Lowlands Landscape Partnership.

Projects

Binevenagh and Coastal Lowlands Landscape Partnership

A five-year £3.4million project aiming to celebrate and connect local people with their unique landscape and heritage to build sustainable and resilient communities.

17/10/2017

Four people stand in a workshop with boatbuilding equipment on a table in front of them

News

We’re supporting Belfast 2024’s year of culture and creativity

Ten projects taking place across the capital are providing opportunities for people to be creative and get involved with heritage as part of a city-wide celebration.

13/05/2024

a ruined stone windmill building in the countryside

The ruins of a windmill dominate Saintfield Community Heritage Park.

Projects

Transforming Saintfield’s Windmill Field into a community heritage park

A National Lottery windfall for Saintfield Community Association will provide much needed free-to-access green space in the historic County Down village.

08/03/2022