Seven archaeological monuments in County Donegal are set to benefit from over €384,500 in funding under the Community Monuments Fund.
Funding has been allocated to Donegal GAP Heritage & History Group for the completion of conservation works to stabilise and repair Doon Fort (€97,660); to Kilbarron Church Conservation Group for the consolidation and repointing of the west gable and doorway of Kilbarron Church (€31,241); to Malin Head Community Association for interpretive panels, a virtual tour, booklet and website to improve visitor access to the Old Church at Malin Well (€16,993) and to Fobairt Dhún Lúiche for the preparation of an interpretation and conservation plan to enhance accessibility and understanding of the early medieval ecclesiastical site of Sraith na Cille, Dún Lúiche / Dunlewey (€8,356).
Three historic graveyards in the guardianship of Donegal County Council will benefit from funding under the Community Monuments Fund too. Dunkineely Community Limited secured funding for the conservation and stabilisation of the ruins of Killaghtee Church (€103,341). Donegal County Council in partnership with the Raymochy Historical Society secured funding for the conservation and stabilisation stone masonry works to Raymochy Church along with repairs of the historic graveyard’s boundary walls (€99,705). Inver Heritage Group secured funding for the preparation of a Conservation Management Plan and detailed specification of works for St. Naul’s Church & Graveyard in Inver (€27,336).
“The 100% funding secured under the Community Monuments Fund for these archaeological monuments provides much-needed support to assist with their conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion” explained Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer.
“All of the archaeological monuments funded under this scheme are protected under the National Monuments Acts. Most of the 3,400 known archaeological sites in County Donegal are in private ownership or guardianship so this scheme offers an ideal opportunity to landowners, community groups or local authorities to undertake conservation works to monuments, encourage greater access to them, improve their presentation or build resilience in monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change. Since the inception of the Community Monuments Fund in July 2020, seventeen archaeological monuments in County Donegal have benefitted by a total of over €1 million.”
All the capital works and reports must be carried out by early October and Donegal County Council’s Heritage Office and County Museum will advise and support applicants in the delivery of these projects over the coming months.
The Community Monuments Fund is an initiative by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage in partnership with local authorities.
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan T.D., said “I am delighted to announce funding for 140 archaeological heritage projects across the country under the Community Monuments Fund to a total of €8 million, an increase of 33% on last year. This fund has supported over 330 projects since its establishment in 2020, making a tangible, positive impact to the medieval forts and churches and the historic graveyards and castles into which the lives of our ancestors are woven, along with our own, connecting us to our ancient past. It is also, of course, an investment in our future: in the ongoing care, conservation and promotion of these remarkable monuments and historic sites, and in the communities and heritage professionals who expertly manage the effort to conserve, protect and share them. I’d like to thank all of this year’s applicants for their efforts, and wish the successful grantees the very best of luck with their projects.”
If you would like to find out what known archaeological monuments are in your area or on your property, you can consult the National Monuments Service website at www.archaeology.ie Advance consent for any works to, or in the vicinity of, an archaeological monument must be obtained from the National Monuments Service.
If you are the owner or guardian of an archaeological monument or historic site or are involved with a community group that would like to conserve your local archaeological heritage, advice is available from the County Donegal Heritage Office by e-mail at heritage@donegalcoco.ie or on (074) 917 2576.
