A total of €7.5 million in funding has been awarded today (Wednesday, April 16) to safeguard archaeological monuments under the 2025 Community Monuments Fund.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan announced the 122 projects that have been awarded funding.

The funding supports a range of initiatives to conserve, maintain, protect, and promote local monuments and historic sites. This investment safeguards monuments for the benefit of communities and the public.

Grants up to €100,000 are aimed at essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair of archaeological monuments.

Grants of up to €30,000 are used for development of conservation management plans/reports that are aimed at identifying measures for conservation of archaeological monuments and improving public access.

These grants are also used for enhancement of access infrastructure and interpretation.

The awards granted as part of this year’s Community Monuments Fund include:

€29,963 for Dunhill Castle and Graveyard in Co. Waterford for conservation management plans;
€30,000 for St Patrick's Well, Clonfad, Co. Monaghan for enhancement to access and infrastructure;
€130,000 for St Anne’s Church, Shandon, Co. Cork for capital conservation works;
€100,000 Ballycogly Castle, Co Wexford for capital conservation works.

On launching the funding, Minister O’Sullivan said: "This vital initiative not only preserves our rich heritage but also strengthens the connection between our communities and their history creating opportunities for education and tourism.

"Since this fund was first introduced in 2020, it has invested €25.5 million in communities nationwide.

"It is now a bedrock of our support for archaeological heritage across the country helping conserve buildings as varied as churches, roundtowers, castles, forts, barracks, and abbeys."

The awards also deliver jobs for the heritage sector and traditional skills craftspeople, providing thousands of hours of employment every year, according to the minister.