This funding will help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future.
Established in 2020, the Community Monuments Fund (CMF) aims to conserve, maintain, protect and promote local monuments and historic sites. Funding is accessible to facilitate conservation efforts on monuments considered significant and requiring urgent support. The objective is to promote access to these monuments, improve their presentation and also to build their resilience to help them withstand the effects of climate change.
The CMF supports crucial repairs and capital projects aimed at conserving archaeological monuments. It also supports the creation of Conservation Management Plans, which identify necessary measures for monument preservation. Grants are additionally offered to improve public access infrastructure and interpretative elements at archaeological sites.
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Making the announcement, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, said: "I'm delighted that 140 projects across the country will be supported under this year’s €7.4m Community Monuments Fund. Since its inception in 2020, this fund has become a lifeline for the protection of Ireland’s irreplaceable archaeological heritage by revitalising hundreds of historic monuments in cities, towns, villages and rural communities across all 31 Local Authorities. Through this, it is enabling valuable investment in the wider heritage sector, creating thousands of hours of employment for specialist craftspeople and traditional skills practitioners, as well as supporting the achievement of national commitments under Heritage Ireland 2030 and the Climate Adaptation Plan for Built and Archaeological Heritage. I’d like to congratulate the successful applicants and wish them the very best of luck in with their projects this year."
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien TD, also welcomed the announcement: "I am delighted that we can announce another significant number of awards under the 2024 Community Monuments Fund. This investment will help to ensure that heritage projects across the country will progress, ensuring the protection of our archaeological heritage as a community asset to be made more accessible to the public. Through this fund, we have been able to support Local Authorities and custodians in protecting our outstanding yet sensitive and vulnerable archaeological heritage."
Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD, said: "I would like to thank sincerely the Local Authorities for all of their hard work and co-operation with the National Monuments Service in rolling out and administering the Community Monuments Fund. I would also like to acknowledge the private owners as custodians of much of our archaeological heritage and I am delighted that they are able to avail of this funding."
