Benefits of Membership
- Community of Custodians — Join a supportive network of owners and guardians who share the same challenges and passions, offering peer‑to‑peer advice, shared experience, practical problem‑solving and a unique sense of camaraderie.
- Advocacy and Representation —Gain the strength of a unified national voice engaging with government, heritage bodies, and policymakers on planning, taxation, funding, and legislation affecting historic houses.
- Events and Learning — Access a rich annual programme including the Trade Fair, Awards Ceremonies, Autumn School, and collaborative events with the Heritage Council, NBHS, and the European Parliament, plus expert‑led seminars on conservation, sustainability, and visitor engagement.
- Grants, Awards, and Funding Support — Receive alerts, guidance, and eligibility insights for opportunities such as the Castleacre‑HHI Heritage Award and the Airbnb Capacity Grant.
- Visibility and Professional Connections — Gain promotion through HHI channels and connect with leading conservation specialists, craftspeople, and trusted suppliers across Ireland.
- Education and Knowledge Sharing — Learn from seminars, webinars, workshops, publications, and shared best practice in conservation, heritage management, and long‑term sustainability.
- Research and Sector Insights — Contribute to and benefit from HHI’s annual survey, providing influential data used by policymakers, funders, and heritage organisations to strengthen support for historic houses.
- Heritage Tourism Promotion — Participate in initiatives that highlight the role of historic houses in Ireland’s cultural tourism landscape and support local economic vitality.
Criteria for Membership
FULL MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA:
A house qualifies for full membership of Historic Houses of Ireland when it satisfies all three of the following conditions:
- Protected Structure status — The property must be officially designated as a Protected Structure under the relevant local authority’s Development Plan.
- Detached building — The house must be a detached structure, not physically connected to any other building.
- Private residential use — The house must be in private ownership and used, or reasonably capable of being used, as a residence for at least part of the year.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA:
A property qualifies for Associate Membership when it meets all but one of the three criteria required for Full Membership. This category acknowledges that many historic houses do not fit a single, rigid definition, and ensures that as many custodians of historic properties as possible can participate in and benefit from our network.
Associate Membership provides a way for owners of significant heritage properties to engage with the organisation even when their house falls just outside the formal Full Membership requirements.
Please note: Associate Members cannot vote at the AGM but their membership rights are in all other respects identical to those of Full Members